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I enjoyed touring the grounds of the new Open Door Network Bakersfield Campus yesterday. This new site will not only provide shelter for 380 families experiencing homelessness but also offer physical and mental health support, a library, and space for faith-based activities. As a member of @HouseAppropsGOP, I'm proud to have secured $9 million in Community Project Funding for this facility to help change lives across our community. It’s encouraging to see such good work being done back home, and I appreciate the team at Open Door Network for their hard work.

On National Nut Day, I'm proud to celebrate our Central Valley nut growers. From pistachios and almonds to walnuts, our producers work hard to provide our nation with nuts. I'm honored to recognize them today and every day.

I had a great time attending the Thursday Prayer Connection's Government Leaders Luncheon at First Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield this afternoon. I really enjoyed catching up with religious officials, local law enforcement, and members of the community to discuss the importance of faith. I'm so grateful for the strong religious community here in the Central Valley and I'm proud to help represent that voice in Washington.

This morning, I was honored to attend the Kern County First Responders Recognition Day Ceremony. Whether it’s a firefighter rushing toward a wildfire, a deputy putting themselves in harm’s way to protect their neighbors, a paramedic providing lifesaving care, or a dispatcher coordinating help during someone’s darkest moment, these men and women answer the call when their communities need them most. I want to thank all of our first responders for all they do to make the Central Valley a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.

I'm extremely proud to see my bill, the Romance Scam Prevention Act, signed into law! Millions of Americans use online dating platforms to find meaningful relationships, making these platforms a target for scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting victims and take advantage of them financially. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is an important step toward strengthening protections against online scams, and I'm grateful to everyone who worked to get this bill across the finish line and help keep Americans safe. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/docum…

Earlier today, I met with the Pixley Irrigation District to discuss efforts to reduce groundwater reliance in CA-22 and improve long-term water reliability. I was proud to support their recent grant application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which would help address critical groundwater management challenges, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and protect our region’s water supply. The Pixley Irrigation District has long played an important role in supporting the Central Valley’s agriculture and dairy industries, and I look forward to continuing to work together to secure reliable water resources for our farmers, families, and communities.

I just had a great meeting with representatives from @PORACalifornia. We discussed some of the top issues impacting law enforcement professionals throughout the Central Valley and the federal legislative solutions to those challenges. I’ve been a longstanding supporter of law enforcement, and I appreciate PORAC’s continued efforts to ensure our officers are equipped with the tools and resources they need to keep our communities safe.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families recently proposed changes to the federal Head Start program. The proposed rulemaking removes the nationwide standards, requires English-only instruction in classrooms, and significantly reduces the cap on administrative spending. Head Start is one of the most effective early childhood education programs for low-income families across the nation. I’m concerned these proposed changes could weaken our programs’ ability to continue providing these services for Central Valley toddlers, preschool children, and their families. That’s why I sent a letter to HHS and ACF urging them to maintain the current Head Start standards and protect the resources our children depend on to ensure they have a strong start in their lives. Read the letter here: valadao.house.gov/uploadedfi…

I'm glad to hear Pope Leo is recovering after his surgery. Terra and I continue to pray for his good health and well-being.

Happy Birthday @USNavy! For 251 years, the brave men and women of the U.S. Navy have worked tirelessly to defend our nation from seaborne threats. Thank you for your continued service and dedication to our country. 🇺🇸

Happy National Farmer's Day! Today, we thank the farmers who feed our nation. Agriculture is the cornerstone of the Central Valley, and I'm proud to represent the hardworking farmers and farmworkers who keep food on our tables and our communities thriving.

For over thirty years, the existing Bakersfield VA 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. That’s why I was honored to welcome @SecVetAffairs to Bakersfield today to announce the new, modernized Bakersfield VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. This space will better meet patient 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 @RepVinceFong for their continued partnership in making this project a reality. I look forward to seeing our Valley veterans benefit from this new facility soon! Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/docum…

On National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, I'm proud to join @RepJimCosta, @RepBrianFitz, @RepJohnLarson, @RepGusBilirakis, and @RepPaulTonko to reintroduce a bipartisan resolution highlighting the role of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. These advancements are 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. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/docum…

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. 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. 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.

I was honored to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Friant-Kern Canal Phase I Pump Station Replacement Project today. This canal is one of the most important waterways in our region, supporting over 1 million acres of farmland, more than 30 irrigation districts, and thousands of family farms across the state. I’m proud to have secured $200 million in federal funding for these much-needed improvements and look forward to seeing this investment strengthen water delivery for years to come. Thank you to the Friant Water Authority, Bureau of Reclamation, and our federal, state, and local partners for making 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. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/docum…

Yesterday, the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus hosted another successful event, this time with a panel focused on anti-trafficking efforts in the hospitality industry. Workers in this sector are uniquely positioned to identify and disrupt this crime, and it was great to have industry leaders and policy experts inform Congressional staff on how these efforts are helping lead the fight against human trafficking.

I had a great meeting with the California Farmworker Foundation this week. We discussed the critical services they provide farmworkers and families in our communities, including healthcare resources, workforce development, digital literacy, food assistance, immigration support services, and more. I appreciate CFF's important work and look forward to seeing the completion of their newest center in Delano.

I'm happy to announce that the Bureau of Reclamation has awarded more than $34 million in federal funding for two critical Central Valley water projects!
 The South Valley Conveyance and Storage Project and Seaborn Reservoir Project will expand our region's ability to store and move water, helping increase reliability and strengthen our water supply for years to come. Expanding California's water storage capacity is one of the best ways to limit the impacts of droughts, and I'm committed to continuing to advance projects that benefit our families, farmers, and communities.

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. Instead of trying to navigate a complicated financial system on their own, students should have a strong foundation in financial literacy. That's why I'm proud to introduce the Promoting Financial Literacy in Secondary Schools Act with @RepPettersen. This bipartisan bill 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. Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/docum…