A few years ago, Congress created the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit to give some relief to low and middle-income households on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplaces. The Enhanced Premium Tax Credit is set to expire at the end of this year, which is why I joined a bipartisan group of my congressional colleagues to introduce the Premium Tax Credit Extension Act—a bill that would extend the credit for one year. Too many hardworking families across California are already struggling with healthcare costs, and the last thing they need is a sudden spike in their health insurance premiums. By introducing a clean, one-year extension for the credit, we can protect families from these higher costs while Congress works toward a more permanent solution.

This week, the House of Representatives passed its third appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026. As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I was proud to support the Energy and Water Development bill, which makes critical investments in the Central Valley. Water is the lifeblood of our communities, and this legislation strengthens our region’s resiliency, secures reliable water supplies, and restores conveyance systems our farmers and families depend on. It also funds key infrastructure priorities, like the Success Reservoir Enlargement Project and much-needed repairs to Bureau of Reclamation canals. I’ll keep working with my colleagues to ensure the Central Valley has the resources it needs as we continue to advance our funding bills in the House.

Mark your calendars! Next Wednesday, September 10, my office is hosting a Service Academy Information Night at Porterville Military Academy from 6:00-8:00 pm. This informational event is open to all middle school and high school students in Tulare, Kern, and Kings counties who might be interested in attending a military service academy. Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and ROTC programs. Service Academies are some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, offering students an excellent education and commission as a military officer.

To RSVP for the event, click here. If you cannot attend the event but are still interested in opportunities at a service academy, you can find more information about the nominations process on my website.

I’m excited to announce the 2025 Congressional App Challenge is now open! Each year, middle and high school students from across the country have the chance to design their own original apps and compete for a chance to have their work recognized by Congress. Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and students will be invited to attend a #HouseofCode reception. This is a great opportunity for any students interested in STEM to showcase their creativity and sharpen their coding skills. If you know someone interested in participating in this
year’s competition and representing California’s 22nd Congressional District, click the link here to register and learn more about the program.

On Tuesday, Team Valadao met with the Kings County Fire Chief, John Chamberlin, who was recently appointed in June. In honor of National Suicide Awareness Month, they later joined Adventist Health for a Suicide Awareness and Remembrance of Hope press conference to honor lives lost to suicide and support families affected. My staff also presented Congressional Certificates to the honorees of the Rise Above Youth Empowerment Program, which raises awareness about mental health and substance use through education, wellness campaigns, and community service. Then, we attended the Advancing The Mission event presented by Tulare Kings Resources for Life.

On Wednesday, my team presented a Congressional Record Statement to the family of Mr. Joel Nelsen, a pillar of the Central Valley agricultural industry who sadly passed away. Also, Team Valadao attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the North Shafter Community Park which will feature a playground, splash park, basketball court, and pickleball courts for the community to enjoy.

On Thursday, my staff met with the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce to discuss upcoming events, small business legislation, and ways my office can continue supporting their efforts. They also met with Lindsay’s Mayor to discuss city objectives, legislative priorities, and how we can further assist the community. Team Valadao toured the Lindsay CSET Senior Center to learn about programs that promote the wellbeing of older adults and also attended the Lindsay Kiwanis Club Meeting to provide a legislative update.

Later in Kern County, my staff attended the Kern County Honor Flight Breakfast, where veterans and community members gathered for updates and enjoy a meal together. Kern County Honor Flight is a non-profit that provides veterans with a no-cost trip to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials honoring their service and sacrifice. Later, they met with the South Valley Partnership, a coalition of local organizations, to discuss upcoming events and community issues. Lastly, Team Valadao attended a Tunnels to Towers event and presented a certificate to Jason White, a former Bakersfield police officer who suffered from a stroke while on duty.

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!

Our question this week comes from Donna from Hanford. She asked about the Head Start Program and wanted to know if I had concerns about it losing funding. 

Head Start is a federally funded program designed to promote early childhood development and prepare children from birth to age five for long-term success in school and life. The program provides comprehensive services that support not only academic readiness but also social, emotional, and physical development—offering high-quality early education, health screenings, nutritious meals, and family engagement opportunities for Central Valley families. Importantly, the program is targeted toward low-income families and other vulnerable populations, helping children build a strong foundation from the very beginning. In addition to supporting young learners, Head Start also empowers parents and caregivers by connecting them with resources and training for their own personal development.

I know there’s been a lot of confusion about Head Start funding due to the President’s budget request, but Congress—specifically the Appropriations Committee—has the power of the purse, not the administration. I have consistently worked to ensure Head Start funding is a priority and recognize the crucial role it plays in preparing children for lifelong success. As funding conversations continue, I'll continue acting on that commitment to make sure children and families in the Valley aren't left behind.

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.  

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