California is no stranger to destructive wildfires, and in the Central Valley, we live with the consequences. Far too often, bureaucratic red tape gets in the way of proper forest management, which is why I introduced the Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act with Reps. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jim Costa (CA-21), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) last month. This bipartisan bill allows the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management to approve the removal of hazardous trees near power lines on federal land without requiring a timber sale. This eases a serious threat that has been a major cause of destructive wildfires in the past, and I’m happy to report it was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. It shouldn’t be so hard to remove the dead trees we know make fires worse and impact air quality in the Valley, and I’m glad to see this commonsense step toward reducing wildfire risk cross the finish line in the House.

In the Central Valley, street racing is an epidemic that puts our communities in danger. Kern County’s fatal hit-and-run accident rate is over 151% higher than the national average, and deadly crashes are a direct result of reckless driving at high speeds. To help combat this issue, I joined Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) to introduce the They’re Fast, We’re Furious Act. This bipartisan bill would establish a task force under the FBI to address the impacts of street racing and unlawful street shows and develop best practices to combat the problem. Illegal street racing in our neighborhoods puts the lives of other drivers, first responders, and innocent bystanders at risk, and I’m proud to help lead the charge to give law enforcement the tools they need to combat this dangerous trend.

In the Central Valley and rural communities across the country, telehealth isn’t just a convenience—it’s a lifeline. With too few doctors, long wait times, and clinics often hours away, families are struggling to get the care they need. We need to make it easier to get care, which is why I joined Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) this week to introduce the Telehealth Network and Telehealth Resource Centers Grant Program Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes telehealth network and telehealth resource center grants, giving Valley families the flexibility and tools required to better connect with healthcare providers and help strengthen rural healthcare for the long haul.

On Wednesday, I spoke with representatives from the Western Growers Association. From agricultural labor shortages to the need for reliable access to water, we discussed the challenges our growers face. Food security is national security, and I remain committed to working across the aisle to find long-term solutions that support our producers, grow our rural economies, and keep America’s food supply chain strong.

On Thursday, I hosted the Tulare County Association of Governments and the County of Tulare for their annual event in Washington, D.C. I had a great time serving Rosa Brothers Ice Cream to guests and discussing the need for repairs for Central Valley roads. Due to years of wear and tear from heavy trucks transporting agricultural goods on our roads, they are in desperate need of a fix. Ensuring our Valley roads remain functional is a top priority, and I remain committed to introducing legislation to provide federal resources for repairs.

On Thursday, I met with the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) during National Police Week. We discussed the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act, a bill I co-led earlier this month, and the nationwide police staffing shortages. By making childcare more accessible for officers working long, irregular hours, we can reduce a major barrier for working parents while improving public safety in our communities.

This week, Team Valadao was out in California’s 22^nd Congressional District connecting with our community. My staff toured Naval Air Station Lemoore with Commanding Officer Captain Shawn O’Connor, Executive Officer Commander Jeffry Findlay, and the Kings County Board of Supervisors to learn more about the base’s operations. They also visited a solar field with Avantus, a solar energy company that partners with farmers and landowners to install panels and provide rental income. Team Valadao attended the Kern County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony to honor law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and they celebrated graduates of the Educational Talent Search at Fresno State—a program that helps first-generation students prepare for college. I’m proud of the work Team Valadao continues to do to serve our communities.

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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