Rep. David Valadao

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I’m saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. His commitment to public service and dedication to our nation will be remembered for years to come. Terra and I are keeping his family, friends, staff, and the people of South Carolina in our prayers as they mourn his passing.

I enjoyed touring @UCSFFresno's Community Regional Medical Center Emergency Department this week and hearing directly from healthcare workers and hospital leadership about their efforts to improve access to care and address healthcare workforce shortages. Ensuring Central Valley families have affordable, reliable healthcare is my top priority, and I'll continue working in Congress to strengthen our healthcare system and support the providers who care for our communities.

Today, we celebrate 250 years of American independence and the freedoms that make our country so special. As the son of Portuguese immigrants who came to the United States looking for a better life, I know firsthand the opportunities this country provides to those willing to work hard and make sacrifices for their families. This Independence Day is a chance to reflect on the values our nation was founded on and to remember the generations of Americans who have fought to protect our freedoms and preserve the American Dream. As you celebrate with family and friends, I hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate all we’re fortunate to have and the values that bring us together as Americans. From my family to yours, have a safe, happy, and memorable Fourth of July.

This week, I joined @NatResources Subcommittee on Federal Lands to discuss my bill, the Tulare Youth Recreation and Women’s History Enhancement Act. This legislation would authorize the sale of two parcels of land in Tulare County originally acquired by Union Pacific Railroad in 1866 for railroad development. While no longer needed for that purpose, federal restrictions have limited the City of Tulare's ability to upgrade the site. My bill would finally allow the Tulare Women's Club and City Skate Park to make long-overdue improvements, and I urge my colleagues in the House to support it.

One of the biggest concerns I hear from producers across the Central Valley is the ongoing agricultural labor shortage. While the H-2A program works well for many seasonal operations, it hasn’t kept pace with the needs of year-round industries like dairy. That's why I'm proud to co-sponsor @CongressmanGT's bipartisan Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act. This bill is a commonsense step that gives producers greater certainty to plan for their workforce, provides long-overdue stability for agricultural workers, and helps strengthen the Central Valley’s food supply for the future. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/documents…

As a dairyman, I'll never miss an opportunity to honor the California dairy industry. Whether it's a glass of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or banana milk, celebrating our dairy producers is always bipartisan!

This National Dairy Month, I was excited to bring Central Valley milk across the country to Washington. Dairy producers in California work tirelessly to provide the nation with nutritious dairy products, and this month we celebrate their dedication.

I was proud to join the @HouseVetAffairs Subcommittee on Health to discuss my bill, the TOURS Act. VA’s National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report provides critical insight into the veteran suicide crisis, but we need more data on how VA Chaplaincy Service and other faith-based programs may help reduce suicide risk. The TOURS Act directs VA to study the impact of these services so we can better understand their role in supporting veterans’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/documents…

As the sole dairyman in Congress, I’m proud to join my colleagues in launching the Congressional Dairy Caucus. Dairy is the cornerstone of the Central Valley’s economy, and I know firsthand the challenges our producers face—from rising input costs and labor shortages to changing consumer demands and an increasingly unpredictable marketplace. Our dairy producers deserve strong advocates in Washington who understand what’s at stake, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to strengthen the dairy industry, promote the nutritional benefits of dairy products, and ensure the hardworking men and women who feed our nation have the support they need to succeed. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/documents…

California drivers pay almost $2 more per gallon than the national average, yet Governor Newsom continues to advance policies that will drive prices even higher. Central Valley families are already feeling the strain of California’s high cost of living, and they can’t afford to pay an extra 71 cents per gallon every time they fill up their tanks. For years, I’ve urged Governor Newsom to suspend the annual gas excise tax increase and pause regulatory measures that raise prices for consumers, but those calls have gone unanswered. It’s past time for Sacramento to stop these harmful price hikes, prioritize domestic energy production, and ease the burden on hardworking Californians instead of adding to it. Read more: foxnews.com/politics/newso…

I’m happy to see that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved California’s Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program (HQAF) 9 proposal. Over the past year, I’ve worked directly with CMS to stress the importance of a timely approval because I know this funding is essential to protecting access to care across our region. This decision will help ensure hospitals—especially in our rural and underserved communities—have the resources they need to keep their doors open. I appreciate Dr. Oz and CMS for their partnership, and I’ll keep working to strengthen our healthcare system and ensure Central Valley families can access the care they need. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/documents…

I’m deeply concerned by the Newsom Administration’s decision to dramatically increase taxes on health plans serving working families, employees, and employers across California. That's why I joined @RepVinceFong, @JayObernolte, and members of the California delegation in sending a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and California State Medicaid Director Tyler Sadwith expressing concerns about the state’s revised health care tax. For years, the state has relied on Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax revenue to help offset broader budget obligations rather than directing those resources toward strengthening Medi-Cal and improving access to care. Now, instead of pursuing a budget solution that makes healthcare more affordable, Sacramento is ready to shift additional costs onto hardworking Californians to help balance the Newsom Administration’s reckless spending. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/documents…

I’m happy to see the Department of the Interior allocate more than $8.4 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding across Kern, Tulare, and Kings Counties for 2026. With millions of acres of federally managed land throughout the Central Valley, these payments help ensure our local governments have the resources necessary to support public safety, maintain roads and infrastructure, and provide other essential services. I’ll continue working with local leaders and advocating for the federal resources our communities need to remain strong and be prepared for the future. Read more: doi.gov/pressreleases/…

Today, I'm proud to join @RepJimCosta in reintroducing a resolution to formally recognize June as Portuguese National Heritage Month. Like many Portuguese Americans, my parents came to the United States from the Azores Islands of Portugal in pursuit of the American Dream and greater opportunities for their children. That same determination has inspired generations of Portuguese Americans to make lasting contributions to our communities here in the Central Valley and across the nation. As co-chair of the Congressional Portuguese Caucus, I'm honored to recognize that impact this month and every month. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/documents…

California is the nation's leading wine-producing state, but our grape industry faces a serious threat from the emerging spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter. This invasive pest transmits a deadly bacterium that chokes and kills grapevines, and once a vine is infected, there's no cure. That's why I was proud to join @SenAlexPadilla, @SenAdamSchiff, and @RepThompson in urging USDA to provide emergency funding to combat this growing threat and protect California's hardworking growers. Read the full letter here: valadao.house.gov/UploadedFiles/…

Our veterans answered the call to serve our nation, and we owe them access to every resource that could help them navigate life’s toughest challenges. While the Veterans Health Administration provides important mental health care, oftentimes veterans struggling with suicidal ideation will seek support through faith and spiritual guidance—something a traditional clinic doesn’t cover. That's why I was proud to introduce the TOURS Act, which would help VA better understand the effectiveness of Chaplaincy and faith-based programs in preventing veteran suicide. By studying alternate forms of mental health treatment, we can help connect at-risk veterans with meaningful support and reduce veteran suicide. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/documents…

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit the Almklov House in Bakersfield and learn more about the important work they do to support some of our region’s most vulnerable children. Through specialized foster care and trauma-informed services, their dedicated staff and volunteers are helping at-risk youth build brighter futures and overcome significant challenges. I’m grateful for their commitment to serving our community, and I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure every child has the support and opportunities they need to succeed.

On Wednesday, I met with California Highway Patrol officers and Captain Tafoya to learn more about their operations in Bakersfield and the work they’re doing to keep our roads and communities safe. We discussed efforts to combat human trafficking, improve commercial trucking safety, and address the public safety challenges facing the Central Valley. I want to thank them for their hard work to protect our communities and look forward to our continued partnership.

I enjoyed my tour of Opal W. Fry & Son Farms this week, where I saw the wide variety of specialty crops they grow right here in the Central Valley. We discussed the importance of a reliable water supply to support local agriculture, including the critical role of the Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, which I was proud to help secure federal investment for last year. I appreciated the chance to hear directly from their team and remain committed to supporting family farms so they can continue producing the food that feeds our nation and sustaining our communities for generations to come.

This week, I visited United Health Centers’ new facility in Delano and met with CEO Justin Preas to discuss the challenges facing healthcare providers in the Central Valley. We talked about ongoing workforce shortages and the need to recruit more healthcare professionals to serve our communities. It was great to see firsthand how they’re expanding access to quality care for Valley families, and I look forward to continuing our conversations.