Dear [firstname],
Read below for an update on my work in Washington on behalf of CA-22. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive regular updates on what's happening in D.C. and the Central Valley. Know someone who would want to read this newsletter? Make sure to forward it to a friend! |
This week, I was proud to help pass the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill. This bill delivers critical investments for the Central Valley by strengthening rural development programs, helping farmers and ranchers access disaster assistance and Farm Agency loans, and supporting nutrition programs that help our most vulnerable put food on the table. It also increases funding for the Animal and Plant health Inspection Service to combat invasive pests and diseases, including the New World Screwworm, glassy-winged sharpshooter, and navel orangeworm, which pose a direct threat to our region's agricultural industry.
As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I was also proud to secure over $1.3 million in Community Project Funding for the Vineland Elementary School District and the Tulare County Fire Department to improve critical water infrastructure and enhance emergency response capabilities in our communities. Advancing this bill through the House is an important step toward completing the full-year funding process, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to get it over the finish line and ensure our families, farmers, and communities have the resources they deserve.
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In the Central Valley, we've seen firsthand the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic. Too often, people seeking treatment in our communities face long travel times, high transportation costs, and difficulty receiving timely care. We should be doing everything we can to make it easier for people suffering from substance use disorder to get the help they need and break the cycle of addiction, which is why I helped introduce the Connections to Health Infrastructure and Emergency Recovery Services (CHIERS) Act. This bipartisan bill would create a grant program to help provide transportation for people in need of overdose prevention services, substance use disorder treatment, and detox services. The CHIERS Act will remove barriers to treatment and expand access to timely, life-saving care, and I'm proud to join my colleagues in this important effort.
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As co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I was proud to join the American Sikh Caucus Committee to reflect on the tragedy of 1984. One of America's founding pillars is the belief that every person is granted the freedom to practice their chosen faith without fear, but unfortunately, Sikhs continue to face harassment, discrimination, persecution, and violence. Leaders at every level of government have a responsibility to condemn transnational repression, and I remain committed to continuing to protect the rights and dignity of Sikh-Americans in the Central Valley and across the nation.
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Golden mussels pose a serious and growing threat to California's water supply, environment, and agricultural infrastructure due to their aggressive reproduction and ability to clog pipes and jam pumps. That's why I joined Congressman Vince Fong to send a letter urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take immediate action to contain this threat. We cannot afford to let this invasive species spread further and jeopardize the systems our families, farmers, and communities rely on, and I'll continue working to prevent long-term damage to the Central Valley's water infrastructure.
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On Thursday, I questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins during a House Committee on Agriculture hearing. I spoke about the challenges our Central Valley producers are facing, including workforce shortages, rising input costs, and unsustainable milk prices. I also highlighted the need to take immediate against the glassy-winged sharpshooter outbreak and the importance of dairy products in school meal programs. I appreciate her partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to deliver real solutions for Central Valley farmers, ranchers, and producers.
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California is the nation’s leading wine-producing state, and our table and wine grape growers support thousands of jobs throughout the Central Valley and beyond. Unfortunately, the industry is facing a serious threat from an emerging outbreak of the glassy-winged sharpshooter. That’s why I joined Mike Thompson in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide emergency funding to address this growing problem. The glassy-winged sharpshooter is an invasive pest that spreads a lethal bacterium capable of devastating grapevines. If left unchecked, it could threaten significant portions of California’s table and wine grape industry. I'll continue working to stop the spread of this invasive pest and look forward to partnering with USDA to secure the immediate resources needed to protect our growers, workers, and communities.
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This week, I welcomed Baker Commodities' General Manager, Doug Fletcher, to Washington to discuss their Kerman operations. We spoke about their work converting leftover grease from local restaurants into biofuels and other energy solutions. It's important we continue working toward an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and I look forward to our continued collaboration on sustainable solutions for the Central Valley.
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This week, Team Valadao attended Wasco Union High School's groundbreaking ceremony for their new Ag Farm. Then, they went to the National Alliance on Mental Illness' Annual Multicultural Symposium, attended the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Government Review Council meeting, and presented a Certificate of Recognition at the Kern Women's Business Center ribbon cutting ceremony. My staff also presented Certificates of Recognition to the Kern Women's Business Center at their ribbon cutting and the Grow Shafter Academy's eighth grade class.
Team Valadao later attended the 20th anniversary ceremony of the Kings County Freedom Memorial Wall, honoring the fourteen names added to the memorial since 2012. My staff also met with representatives from the American Soybean Association and CrisCom. Throughout the week, my team also connected with local leaders, including Shafter Police Chief Milligan, McFarland City Manager Diego Viramontes, Delano Police Chief Jerry Nicholson, and Delano City Manager Maribel Reyna. Later, they attended the Kern Alliance of Nonprofits’ Fourth Annual Leadership Awards and toured the new Tulare Care Homeless Shelter facility.
On Thursday, Team Valadao attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Color Me Classy, joined Kern County Honor Flight for its monthly breakfast, and participated in the Arvin Educational Center South Valley Collaborative meeting. The team also presented a Certificate of Recognition to Dr. Beshoy Karas in celebration of his practice’s reopening and attended Adventist Health’s Cancer Survivors Day celebration.
To wrap up the week, my staff met with Kern County Director of Airports Bill LaManque, Bakersfield Recovery Services Executive Director Gilbert LaRoque, and CAPK CEO Jeremy Tobias.
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Trying to get an answer from a federal agency can often be a time-consuming and frustrating process. If you ever need help navigating a federal agency, you can visit my website or call my Hanford office at (559) 460-6070. My team is ready to assist you!
Tratar de obtener una respuesta de una agencia federal a menudo puede ser un proceso frustrante y que requiere mucho tiempo. Si alguna vez necesita ayuda con una agencia federal, puede visitar mi sitio de web aquí o llamar a mi oficina de Hanford al (559) 460-6070. ¡Mi equipo está listo para ayudarte!
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Do you have a question about my position on an issue? How the Congress operates? My thoughts on the news of the day?
Send your first name, town, and question to AskDavid@mail.house.gov and I might answer yours right here in one of my weekly newsletters. Make sure to subscribe to my weekly email updates to see if your question was answered!
If you want to share your opinion with me on issues of importance, you can always contact me on my website. |
Did you know you can now sign up for texts from my office to stay up to date on my work in Washington D.C.? To sign up to receive updates from me directly to your phone, just text VALADAO to (559) 387-4346 and you will be automatically subscribed. You can also sign up for text alerts using this form here. |
USDA Secretary Rollins visits Valley to discuss agriculture challenges
Rep. David Valadao hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in Bakersfield on May 29 for a roundtable discussion with agricultural leaders focused on issues affecting Central Valley farmers, ranchers and producers, according to a news announcement.
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Lawmakers Push $2,000 Newborn Tax Credit to Help Families
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a proposal that would create a new $2,000 tax credit for families with a newborn child, aiming to help offset the immediate costs of early parenthood.
Read more |
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I'll be using this newsletter as a way to keep you updated on my work in Congress. Make sure to sign up for regular updates and follow my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with my work. |
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David G.Valadao Member of Congress |
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