I want to congratulate and thank Jason Phillips for nearly a decade of leadership as CEO of  Friant Water Authority. Throughout his time with Friant, Jason has been a great partner who has always kept the needs of our farmers, families, and rural communities front of mind. His work has strengthened the Central Valley’s water supply and infrastructure for years to come, and I wish him the very best in his next chapter.

On Wednesday, I voted to support the release of the Epstein Files. From the start, I’ve pushed for full transparency around documents detailing Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes as long as his unnamed victims remain protected. Epstein’s victims and their families have waited decades for accountability, and no one involved in his criminal activity should be shielded. The American people deserve the truth, and this is an important step in restoring trust in our justice system.

This week, I joined Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) to introduce the Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act. Rural communities in the Central Valley and across the nation have historically struggled to receive economic resources, and we need to do more to continue to strengthen our underserved regions. This bipartisan bill would make targeted, direct investments into rural communities to address needs like affordable childcare, housing, and job training, and I’m proud to reintroduce it this Congress.

The Central Valley has many improvement projects stuck in limbo because of excessive red tape, and we should be doing everything we can to put shovels in the ground. That’s why I introduced the Determination of NEPA Adequacy Streamlining Act this week. This bill would streamline the slow approval process to advance water, transportation, energy, infrastructure, and flood-control projects by allowing federal agencies to use previously conducted environmental reviews for the approval of projects with similar environmental impacts. We need to get rid of these repetitive roadblocks, and I’m proud to lead the charge to unlock projects that will strengthen our energy supply, improve our water infrastructure, and deliver the upgrades our communities have been waiting on for far too long.

This week, I was proud to reintroduce the REAP Modernization Act alongside Congressman Eugene Vindman (VA-07). The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants and loans to agricultural producers and rural small businesses making energy efficiency improvements, and this bill makes key updates to make sure the program meets the needs of our Central Valley communities. As a dairy farmer, I’ve seen firsthand how hard our producers work to improve energy efficiency and be responsible stewards of our land. I’m proud to be part of this bipartisan effort to help more farmers and rural small businesses take advantage of this successful program and help lower costs.

Over the weekend, Team Valadao presented Congressional Record statements to the Kern County Cattleman and Cattlewoman of the year, Joe Sill and April Woody. Earlier this week, Team Valadao joined the Bakersfield Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) to meet with staff distributing coats to children from low-income families. My staff then attended the grand opening of Golden Empire Affordable Housing and presented a Certificate of Recognition for their work expanding housing access in the Central Valley. Afterwards, they attended the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce’s annual Thanksgiving luncheon and celebrated the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to support local businesses. My team also met with Wendy Rayls of the Tulare County Association of Realtors to discuss housing challenges facing the Valley.

Team Valadao began Wednesday by meeting with the Porterville Chamber’s CEO to update their staff on our office’s work throughout the shutdown. Later, my team attended ribbon cuttings for two new health centers in our district. Adventist Health celebrated the launch of its primary care service in Delano, while United Health Center opened its first Kern County location. To finish the day, my staff joined Porterville College at a reception honoring their tenth president, Primavera Monarrez.

On Thursday morning, my team attended the groundbreaking for Project Launch’s “Gateway Project” in Delano and presented a certificate recognizing their efforts to bring multiple new businesses to the city. Then, they attended the ribbon cutting for Vecchio’s Pizzeria and presented a certificate. My staff also joined the Kings County Farm Bureau to reflect on the year’s achievements, celebrate their dedicated members, and honor President Shane Bickner for his outstanding service to local farmers and to Kings County.

Team Valadao wrapped up the week on Friday by attending the Kern County Department of Human Services’ 23rd Annual National Adoption Day, where over 40 adoptions took place in the Juvenile Court alone! Afterwards, my staff attended a ribbon cutting at the International Agri-Center for the renaming of the Farm Credit Dairy Center to the Farm Credit Livestock Building. Team Valadao then went to a ribbon cutting in Shafter celebrating LGI Homes’ Orchard Park, a new development offering a range of housing options for local families. My staff also attended the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce graduation ceremony, honoring 32 students who completed their Energy and Ag Academy. Finally, Team Valadao will attend the Porterville Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards and Installation Ceremony, recognizing individuals, businesses, and organizations that reflect the spirit of the City of Porterville.

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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