I recently stopped by the Avenal Police Department to meet with the new Chief, Cecilio Velasco. During my visit, I received a safety update from Chief Velasco and a tour of the facility. We also discussed how my team can help the department secure federal funds. I’ll continue working to ensure local law enforcement have the tools they need to keep our communities safe.

I joined my colleague, Rep. John Duarte (CA-13) to introduce the Valley Fever Awareness and Vaccine Development and Manufacturing Act. Valley Fever has had a huge impact on the Central Valley community, infecting thousands of people each year. This legislation would provide much-needed resources and improved coordination between agencies to research and develop a vaccine. As a member of the Valley Fever Task Force, I’ll continue working toward solutions to keep Central Valley families safe and healthy. Read more about the legislation here. 

I was glad to attend CAPK’s groundbreaking ceremony for a new Central Kitchen under construction in Bakersfield. CAPK is a non-profit organization committed to serving children and families from low-income households. This facility will ensure that CAPK can continue providing 800,000 meals to those in need every year, especially children in the Head Start Program. Thank you to the staff at CAPK for the amazing work you do for our community! 

One of my highest privileges as a member of Congress is nominating students from the Central Valley to attend a United States Service Academy. Serving in our nation’s military is among the highest callings there is. Students interested in attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy must earn a nomination from a Member of Congress or other official nominating source. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination.

The deadline for submitting a nomination application to my office is November 1, 2024. You can download the application on my website here. For questions about nominations, please call my Hanford office at 559-460-6070.

Attention Social Security beneficiaries: The Social Security Administration has recently announced their annual cost-of-living increase to benefits. Beginning in 2025 beneficiaries can expect a 2.5% increase in your Social Security benefits. This adjustment will take place automatically, with no action required by beneficiaries. If you are contacted to take steps to receive your increased benefits, this is a scam! You can report fraud to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General here.

Atención beneficiarios de la Seguridad Social: La Administración de la Seguridad Social ha anunciado el aumento anual de los beneficios por el costo de la vida. A partir de 2025, los beneficiarios pueden esperar un aumento del 2,5 % en sus beneficios de la Seguridad Social. Este ajuste tendrá lugar de forma automática, sin necesidad de realizar ninguna acción. Si se ponen en contacto con usted para que tome medidas para recibir el aumento de sus beneficios- es una estafa! Puede denunciar el fraude a la Oficina del Inspector General de la Administración de la Seguridad Social aquí.

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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