Valadao, David RSS Articles

Congressman Valadao Introduces Legislation to Recognize Armenia for Hosting the Convention on Biological Diversity

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) introduced a bipartisan resolution commending Armenia for hosting the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17). This gathering in Yerevan, Armenia provides an important opportunity for nations around the world to come together and discuss the environmental challenges facing our planet.

The resolution also recognizes the United States’ leadership in advancing agroforestry and conservation research around the globe through our universities, nonprofit organizations, agricultural producers, and scientists. Additionally, it highlights Armenia’s efforts to plant nearly 10 million trees and celebrates the strong cooperation between the United States and Armenia on conservation and environmental stewardship.

“As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution recognizing Armenia’s strong commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship,” said Congressman Valadao. “COP17 provides an important opportunity for leaders around the world to come together to address critical environmental challenges, and I commend Armenia for taking a leading role in this important conversation while strengthening the enduring partnership between our two nations.”

“Armenia holds a special place in my heart, and I have been proud to stand with the Armenian people throughout my time in Congress,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. “Hosting COP17 gives Armenia a great opportunity to show the world the beauty of the country they have fought so hard to preserve. As nations come together in Yerevan to confront the loss of biodiversity and find better ways to protect our natural resources, Armenia will be at the center of that important work. I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan resolution celebrating this moment and ensuring Armenia can protect its natural heritage for generations to come.”

"Conservation is not independent of security or sovereignty," said Armenia Tree Project Founder Carolyn Mugar. "By welcoming Armenia as host of COP17 and affirming U.S.-Armenia cooperation on forestry, water management, and wildfire prevention, this resolution treats Armenia's forests as the strategic national asset that they are. We thank the leadership of the Congressional Armenian Caucus for this important legislative initiative."

Read the resolution here.

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Valadao, Fong Welcome VA Secretary Collins to Bakersfield for New Clinic Announcement

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

BAKERSFIELD – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) hosted Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins in Bakersfield to announce the new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. This new clinic will replace the existing decades-old clinic in Bakersfield which is unable to meet increased patient demand and support existing services.

As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Congressman Valadao has secured language in the Fiscal Year 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts encouraging VA to move forward with construction.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our nation and preserve our freedoms, and when they come home, they deserve access to high-quality VA healthcare in their communities,” said Congressman Valadao. “For over thirty years, the existing Bakersfield clinic has served thousands of veterans across our region, but that facility is aging, patient demand has only grown, and it doesn’t have the space or resources needed to meet our veterans’ needs. The new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will better meet demand and expand access to essential services, including primary care, mental health, dental, rehabilitation, and other specialty services. This is an important investment in the health and well-being of our Central Valley veterans, and I want to thank Secretary Collins, the administration, and Congressman Fong for their continued partnership in making this project a reality. I look forward to seeing our Valley veterans benefit from this new facility soon!”

“Today is a significant step forward for the veterans of Kern County and it has been a long time coming,” said Congressman Fong. “After years of frivolous legal delays, the VA has accepted this new modernized clinic, with a target to welcome its first patients this December. Our veterans will finally be receiving care in a modern space worthy of their service, but we are not done. Today allows us to build and construct the permanent facility our veterans were promised, and I will not stop until that job is finished. Thank you to Secretary Doug Collins and the entire Trump Administration for making this a priority and delivering for the veterans of the Central Valley.”

“For too long, Bakersfield Veterans had to make do with a clinic that suffered from HVAC and plumbing problems, and didn’t have enough space to meet Veterans’ growing needs,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Under President Trump’s leadership, and thanks to the advocacy of Reps. Valadao and Fong, Veterans will get the modern facility they deserve. The new clinic also enables VA to exit a horrible lease agreement that was costing us millions of additional dollars per year for a sub-standard facility – that means we can direct more resources to Veteran care.”

Background:

The new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will replace the existing decades-old facility, which has struggled to keep pace with growing patient demand and provide the space needed to expand services. After years of delays related to site availability and legal challenges, the project is moving forward following a July 2025 court ruling in favor of the City of Bakersfield.

The approximately 30,000-square-foot facility will offer a full slate of expanded care options, including primary care, audiology and speech pathology, mental health, homeless services, dental, eye care, enrollment and eligibility, laboratory services, nutrition and food services, physical medicine and rehabilitation, telehealth, and women’s health. Veterans will continue receiving care from their existing providers, with the new facility providing additional space to meet their needs. The new clinic will also allow the VA to redirect funding previously spent on the outdated facility’s rent toward serving veterans.

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Congressman Valadao Releases Statement on Immigration and Customs Enforcement Operations in the Central Valley

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement Operations in the Central Valley:

"I’ve been in contact with the Department of Homeland Security regarding recent immigration enforcement actions in the Central Valley, and they've informed my office that these operations are focused on individuals with active warrants and known criminal histories," said Congressman Valadao. "I understand the concerns these operations have raised among families in our communities. Hardworking farmworkers who are simply going to work, providing for their families, and contributing to our agricultural economy should not have to live in fear."

Valadao continues, "These situations highlight why Congress must address our broken immigration system. Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve supported commonsense solutions that secure our border, uphold the rule of law, and recognize the contributions of hardworking immigrants. That includes creating an earned pathway to legal status for individuals who have established roots in our communities and contributed to our economy, while ensuring those who pose a threat to public safety are held accountable."

“I'll continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance meaningful immigration reform, but in the meantime, my office remains available to assist Central Valley residents navigating issues with federal immigration agencies. I encourage constituents who need help with their immigration cases to contact my office."

Valadao, Bipartisan Colleagues Reintroduce Resolution Recognizing National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Reps. Jim Costa (CA-21), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), John Larson (CT-01), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), and Paul Tonko (NY-20) to reintroduce a bipartisan resolution designating October 8, 2026, as National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed annually on October 8 in recognition of hydrogen’s atomic mass of 1.008. Today highlights the role hydrogen and fuel cell technologies play in energy production, transportation, grid reliability, and economic growth right here in the Central Valley and across the nation.

"I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing a bipartisan resolution designating October 8th as National Hydrogen Fuel Cell Day,” said Congressman Valadao. “Advancing these technologies is critical to strengthening our nation’s energy independence, driving continued innovation, and enhancing our energy security. An all-of-the-above energy strategy will help lower energy costs for Central Valley communities while ensuring our farms, businesses, and homes have access to the reliable energy they need to thrive.”

"Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are an important part of America’s energy future,” said Congressman Costa. "By investing in American innovation, we can strengthen our energy security, build a more reliable and resilient grid, create good-paying jobs, and reduce emissions. The United States has long been a leader in developing these technologies, and this bipartisan resolution recognizes the work being done across the country to ensure we continue leading the way."

"The question is not whether America will need more energy—it is whether we will lead in producing it. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies can strengthen our energy security, reinforce the reliability and resilience of our grid, create good-paying American jobs, and help meet growing demand through cleaner, innovative solutions. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day recognizes the incredible scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and workers driving that progress, and reaffirms our bipartisan commitment to ensuring America continues to lead the world in energy innovation," said Congressman Fitzpatrick.

"Connecticut continues to lead the nation as a hub for the research and development of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies," said Congressman Larson. "For years, I have worked across the aisle to enact tax incentives to boost hydrogen production and invest federal funding to grow our fuel cell economy, unleash the power of American-made clean energy, and reduce emissions. As we recognize the twelfth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, we must work together on real solutions to lower costs for consumers and grow the clean energy supply chain across the country."

"Supporting clean hydrogen unlocks a wealth of benefits — boosting our economy, protecting energy security, and reducing emissions," said Congressman Tonko. "Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve worked to advance legislation that invests in energy innovation and lowers costs, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan resolution and support a stronger, healthier, more competitive nation."

"Congress has long recognized how hydrogen seamlessly fits into so many of the energy tools in America’s energy portfolio," said Frank Wolak, President and CEO of FCHEA. "Whether a feedstock for low-carbon fertilizer and export fuels such as ammonia or used directly as a fuel on its own to power data centers, heavy-duty trucks, and everything in between, hydrogen helps the U.S. meet growing power demand at home while sustaining leadership in energy markets abroad. We thank Representative Costa and the resolution’s co-sponsors for supporting Hydrogen Day and the U.S. industry at large."

Read the resolution here.

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Congressman Valadao Secures Federal Funding for Friant-Kern Canal, Attends Groundbreaking for Phase I Pump Station Replacement Project

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

PORTERVILLE – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) attended the Friant Water Authority’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Friant-Kern Canal Phase I Pump Station Replacement Project. Phase 1 is the first of two phases that will result in the repair and replacement of a portion of the canal where land subsidence has caused significant capacity constraints. The completion of this project will improve operational reliability and strengthen the long-term resilience of the canal, helping deliver critical water resources across the Central Valley.

Earlier this year, Congressman Valadao secured $540 million through the Working Families Tax Cut Act to support critical storage and conveyance projects across the state—the most significant water investment California has ever seen. Of that funding, $200 million was specifically set aside for the Friant-Kern Canal.

“As a dairy farmer, I understand water isn’t just another issue for the Central Valley—it’s our way of life,” said Congressman Valadao. “Reliable water infrastructure supports the food we grow, the jobs we create, and the future we’re building together. That’s why I was proud to secure $200 million in federal funding for the Friant-Kern Canal to make these much-needed repairs which will improve water delivery reliability, maintain capacity, and strengthen resiliency for years to come. I want to thank the Friant Water Authority, Bureau of Reclamation, and our federal, state, and local leaders for their hard work to make this project possible. I look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure the Central Valley has the water resources needed to support our farms, families, and communities.”

“Today, we are breaking ground on a significant investment that will help keep water flowing to the farms, families and communities that power the Central Valley. The Friant-Kern Canal is a vital part of California’s water delivery system for our communities and farms, and replacing these aging pump stations is critical to making sure water gets where it needs to go. Alongside Congressman Valadao, we fought to secure $540 million for California water projects—including $200 million directly for the Friant-Kern Canal. This is an incredible win for the San Joaquin Valley as we build the infrastructure we need today to secure our water supply for generations to come," said Rep. Vince Fong.

“The Valley faces many challenges, including water supply certainty and land subsidence that impacts water reliability. Today is about taking action to restore the Friant-Kern Canal and protect a water system that is critical to the Central Valley. We’re grateful to President Trump and Congressmen David Valadao and Vince Fong for their continued support and commitment to securing the investments needed to strengthen this critical water infrastructure,” said Johnny Amaral, CEO, Friant Water Authority.

Click here for photos from the event.

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Congressman Valadao Reintroduces Legislation to Improve Financial Literacy Education

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) reintroduced the Promoting Financial Literacy in Secondary Schools Act. This bipartisan bill would help improve financial literacy education and allow classes to be more widely available to high school students.

“Filing taxes, managing a budget, building savings, and understanding credit are all important life skills, yet too many students graduate high school without the financial knowledge they need to make informed decisions,” said Congressman Valadao. “Instead of trying to navigate a complicated financial system on their own, students should have a strong foundation in financial literacy. The bipartisan Promoting Financial Literacy in Secondary School Act would give students these critical tools before they graduate and help prepare the next generation for success—whether they choose to attend college, pursue a trade, or enter the workforce."

“I know how hard it can be to navigate our financial system, especially for people like me who were the first in their family to graduate from high school and college. Too many young people enter adulthood without anyone ever teaching them how to build credit, manage a budget, or protect themselves from financial decisions that could follow them for years, said Congresswoman Pettersen. "Every one of our students should have access to the resources they need to make informed financial decisions, regardless of the path they take after high school. I’m so proud to join Congressman Valadao to introduce this commonsense, bipartisan bill that will help high schools better prepare our young people to achieve financial security, avoid costly mistakes, and set themselves up for success in the long run.”

Background:

The Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) within the U.S. Department of the Treasury is tasked with creating best practices for teaching financial literacy. Currently, FLEC only creates guidance for institutions of higher education. As more students continue to seek alternatives to college, they are missing out on these foundational financial literacy programs. This legislation would require FLEC to include high schools when creating their best practices for students about budgeting, financial securities, credit, evaluating financial products, and student loan borrowing. Nothing in this bill requires schools to adopt the best practices created under this bill.

Read the bill here.

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Congress Continues to Tackle Economic Issues, But We Can’t Forget About Immigration

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Whether I’m home in the Central Valley or working in Washington, affordability is one of the biggest concerns I hear from families.

They feel it every time they buy groceries, fill up their gas tank, pay the mortgage, or see a doctor. Despite this daily reality, Sacramento politicians continue to make life more expensive.

Look no further than the latest gas tax increase, which took effect on July 1 and raised the state’s excise tax to 63.4 cents per gallon, or the new state health tax, which could increase annual health insurance premiums for families by hundreds of dollars.

While Democrats in the super majority in Sacramento keep raising costs, Republicans in Congress are focused on policy solutions that deliver real relief.

Last year, I helped Congress pass the largest tax reform bill in a decade, preventing the biggest tax hike in American history, expanding deductions, and helping families keep more of their hard-earned money. We’ve already seen the positive effects of this legislation, with 2026 filing data showing the largest tax refunds for families in years.

I’m also proud to have worked with my colleagues across the aisle to make it easier to build housing, expand domestic energy production, support small businesses, and lower healthcare costs for all Americans.

A recent national poll conducted by the LIBRE Institute found that while the economy remains a top concern for Hispanic Americans, nearly nine out of ten also believe our legal immigration system needs to be fixed.

That reflects conversations I’ve had with families, farmers, employers, and workers throughout the Central Valley. People want the opportunity to work hard, keep more of what they earn, and build their own American Dream.

That’s why I believe meaningful immigration reform should be part of a larger strategy to strengthen our economy and put more money back in people’s pockets.

But if Congress is serious about making life more affordable, we must fix our broken immigration system.

The Central Valley’s economy depends on agriculture, construction, and hospitality—all industries that need a stable, legal workforce. When employers can’t find enough workers, crops go unharvested, projects are delayed, supply chains tighten, and businesses face higher costs.

These are realities that I understand firsthand.

When input costs for producers go up, we see higher prices for everyday goods. A functioning legal immigration system helps keep our economy moving and makes it easier to bring costs down.

That’s why I helped introduce the DIGNITY Act, which strengthens border security by increasing mandatory funding for border control while also creating an earned pathway to legal work status for Dreamers and other long-term undocumented residents who meet strict requirements. This bipartisan bill does not grant amnesty to those who broke the law by entering or staying in the country illegally, but instead creates a process for those peacefully living in and contributing to continue to do so with an appropriate work visa.

The bill reinforces the principle that America is a nation of laws while also giving people who work hard, have no criminal record, and have contributed to our communities for years the opportunity to right past wrongs and participate in the American Dream.

That approach is already earning support here at home. Huron, Kerman, and other Central Valley communities have already passed resolutions supporting the DIGNITY Act, joining more than 100 organizations nationwide that recognize immigration reform is essential to strengthening our economy.

While long-term legal status is an important part of the solution, we also need reliable temporary worker programs. As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I was proud to co-sponsor the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act—one of the most significant overhauls of the H-2A farm labor visa system in nearly forty years.

This bipartisan bill updates a system built for seasonal agriculture to ensure it works for year-round industries, creates predictable wage requirements, and provides producers with the workforce certainty needed to invest in future operations. A reliable workforce means stable production and affordable food for Central Valley families when they visit the grocery store.

Reasonable immigration reform is no longer just an idea in Washington. Both the DIGNITY Act and Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act have built broad bipartisan support because many lawmakers recognize that a functioning, legal immigration system strengthens our economy and helps bring costs down for working families across the nation.

Central Valley families don’t expect every problem to be solved overnight, but they do expect their elected leaders to work together and deliver results. That means lowering taxes, cutting unnecessary regulations, securing our border, and fixing our broken immigration system.

Sacramento politicians may continue to increase the cost of living, but I’ll keep working in Washington to advance commonsense policies that make life more affordable for the families I represent.

Read the Op-Ed in the San Joaquin Valley Sun

Congressman Valadao Introduces Legislation to Increase Transparency in Agricultural Imports

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) introduced the Rooting Out Mislabeled Agriculture (ROMA) Act alongside Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-04), David Rouzer (NC-07), Jim Costa (CA-20), James Gallagher (CA-01), and Don Davis (NC-01). This bipartisan bill would strengthen efforts to prevent low-quality foreign-grown tomatoes from entering the U.S. marketplace illegally through mislabeled blended imported tomato products by authorizing the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to use isotopic testing to verify the country of origin.

China is a major producer of processing tomatoes, with significant production occurring in regions linked to serious forced-labor concerns. Chinese tomato products also face longstanding concerns over quality and food safety, including reports of rotting tomatoes and undeclared fillers that would not meet the standards required of U.S. products. Recent investigations in Europe have further exposed how Chinese tomato paste can be diverted through international supply chains and deceptively marketed as Italian or otherwise obscured in origin. This practice makes it increasingly difficult for consumers to know where their tomato products actually come from—and whether the quality and safety of those products match what is advertised.

“Our Central Valley tomato growers and processors work hard to provide a safe, high-quality product, and they shouldn’t have to compete with foreign imports that are mislabeled or misrepresented,” said Congressman Valadao. “In recent years, low-quality tomatoes grown in China have been found in products like tomato paste, allowing bad actors to skirt U.S. trade and forced-labor laws and making it harder for consumers to know what they’re buying. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan ROMA Act, which would give USDA and Customs and Border Protection a science-based tool to verify the origin of imported tomato products and better enforce the laws already on the books. This is a commonsense solution that will close a gap in our current system, protect the integrity of our agricultural supply chain, and ensure consumers know what they’re buying.”

"My district grows the best processing tomatoes in the world, and American consumers deserve to know that when a tomato product is labeled as American, it is actually made from tomatoes grown here in the United State,” said Congressman Thompson. “Our farmers and processors should not be undercut by foreign products that are blended, mislabeled, or used to evade our trade and forced-labor laws. This legislation will give USDA the tools to develop the scientific fingerprint needed to verify where tomatoes are grown, protect our farmers and domestic producers, and give consumers confidence that 'Made in America' means exactly that."

“American farmers work hard to grow a safe, reliable tomato supply,” said Congressman Rouzer. “We cannot allow China and other bad actors to profit by disguising foreign-grown food products as American goods. This fraud undermines North Carolina growers, deceives consumers, and breaks our laws. The ROMA Act will help end this practice, strengthen our laws, and protect the American farmers who grow our food.”

“American growers should not have to compete with mislabeled imports or products made with forced labor,” said Congressman Costa. “The ROMA Act will help protect hardworking tomato growers in the San Joaquin Valley and across the country by ensuring a fair and level playing field.”

“American farmers shouldn’t have to compete against Chinese products sneaking into our markets under a phony label,” said Congressman Gallagher. “If it was grown in China, consumers deserve to know it was grown in China. The ROMA Act gives us a new tool to expose where these products actually come from so American growers aren’t getting cheated.”

“As one of the nation’s leading tomato-producing states, North Carolina has a real stake in making sure our agricultural markets are transparent and fair. The ROMA Act would support research to better identify the origin of imported tomato products, strengthen transparency, and help ensure North Carolina growers can compete on a level playing field,” said Congressman Davis. “North Carolina farmers work hard every day to grow quality products and bring them to market. They deserve a fair opportunity to compete, and consumers and businesses deserve to know where the products they buy come from.”

“The Rooting Out Mislabeled Agriculture Act gives California processing tomato growers a powerful new tool to fight fraud in the marketplace. By creating a scientific, isotopic fingerprint for our crop, this bill helps ensure that products labeled as U.S.-grown tomatoes actually are — protecting our growers, processors, and consumers alike. This will ensure that imported tomatoes entering our market are what they claim to be,” said Mike Montna, President and CEO, California Tomato Growers Association.

Background:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has increasingly explored isotopic testing as a way to verify the origin of agricultural products. This technology analyzes naturally occurring elements in food to create a geographic “fingerprint” that can help identify where a product was grown. Research has shown that isotopic testing can distinguish tomatoes from different regions, including China and Italy, even after the tomatoes have been processed into paste and other products. The ROMA Act would build on this existing technology by directing the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to create and maintain a database of isotopic signatures for processing tomatoes. The bill would also support additional research to improve testing methods and require coordination with CBP to determine how the database can be used to strengthen import inspections and verify the origin of imported tomato products.

Read the bill here.

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Congressman Valadao Supports Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen 988 Mental Health Crisis Response

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Reps. Kim Schrier (WA-08), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Adam Smith (WA-09) to introduce the 988 Crisis Response Act. This bipartisan legislation would help fund professional mobile crisis response teams (MCRTs) dispatched by 9-8-8 Lifeline operators and establish Medicaid reimbursement for crisis call centers and resources.

“Across the Central Valley, mobile crisis response teams work alongside law enforcement to respond to individuals in crisis, deescalate difficult situations, and connect people with vital mental health services,” said Congressman Valadao. “I know how deeply personal and impactful this work is for our community, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the 988 Crisis Response Act. This bipartisan bill will strengthen federal support for mobile crisis response teams and the broader crisis care continuum, helping ensure these critical services remain available to those who need them most.”

“As a pediatrician, I have seen firsthand how severe our youth and adult mental health crisis has become,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “It is so important that when our family members, loved ones, and neighbors are in crisis, they can get immediate help. Mobile crisis response teams, with licensed counselors, physicians, crisis workers, and paramedics, dispatched by 988 save lives, deescalate dangerous situations, and keep us all safe. We need to make sure these teams are always available for every American as a reliable resource when our community members need help.”

“A mental health crisis does not wait for business hours, and a family asking for help should never be left wondering whether anyone will come,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “For years, I have worked with families, first responders, providers, and advocates who understand that the right intervention at the right moment can change the course of a life. The 988 Lifeline gave Americans a number to call; now we must make certain there is a strong system of care ready to answer that call. Our bipartisan 988 Crisis Response Act will help communities put trained professionals on the ground, strengthen crisis stabilization services, and ensure that when someone reaches out in their most vulnerable hour, help is not merely promised—it arrives.”

“When someone has a mental health crisis, they deserve timely, comprehensive treatment — not just a trip to an overcrowded emergency room,” said Congressman Smith. "I've witnessed the important work of our mobile crisis response teams and broader behavioral health workforce in King County, and I appreciate their dedication to providing critical care to our community's most vulnerable. This bill will provide the reliable funding needed to strengthen these teams and help expand this model of care nationwide. Everyone deserves the right help, in the right setting, at the right time. I'm proud to join my colleagues in this effort.”

The 988 Crisis Response Act would:

Authorize $100 million for the Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership program for communities to create or enhance existing mobile crisis response teams, composed of licensed counselors, clinical social workers, physicians, paramedics, crisis workers, and/or peers.
Make permanent the 85% federal matching assistance percentage (FMAP) for mobile crisis response teams and expand the FMAP to crisis call centers and crisis stabilizing and receiving facilities, ensuring Medicaid financing for all three pillars of the crisis care continuum.

If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 988.

Read the full bill here.

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Valadao, Fong Condemn California State Water Resources Control Board’s Bay-Delta Plan Bait and Switch

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) released the following statement criticizing the State Water Resources Control Board Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan:

“In 2022, after years of negotiations, California’s public water agencies came together in good faith and agreed on a science-based path forward for the Bay-Delta. Four years later, the State Water Board has walked away from that agreement and moved the goalposts. Central Valley families are the ones who will pay the price for this bait and switch.

“An unelected board in Sacramento is once again telling farmers, workers, and businesses that their water needs come last. Water districts and communities across California need certainty, not shifting rules that guarantee years of delay and litigation. Higher costs and more regulation are not the answer. While the federal government is working to deliver more water to Californians, the State Water Board keeps finding new ways to take it away. The Board must stop jeopardizing California’s water supply and deliver a viable path forward.”

After years of negotiations, California's public water agencies established a science-based path forward for the Bay-Delta in 2022, which was supported by public water agencies across the state, the California Secretary of Natural Resources, the California Secretary for Environmental Protection, and the Bureau of Reclamation through a Memorandum of Understanding. Unfortunately, the State Water Resources Control Board has disregarded the agreed upon plan and produced a flawed product that fundamentally undermines what parties negotiated for years in good faith.

The new plan, released on August 19, 2026, changes how water contributions are counted, reduces the credit water users receive for commitments already made, and removes the limits on future demands — leaving more uncertainty than when negotiations began.

The Central Valley is the food production capital of the nation, growing nearly a quarter of the food on Americans' tables. Without reliable water resources, the foundation of our region's economy and the entire nation's food supply is at risk.

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