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Earlier this week, I had a productive meeting with Wasco Police Chief Alecio Mora and City Manager Scott Hurlbert to discuss the ongoing Public Safety Facility project. This project will modernize Wasco’s public safety infrastructure and give local law enforcement the tools and better protect and serve the community.

I’m proud to support our Central Valley law enforcement officers and will continue working alongside them to keep our communities safe.

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with representatives from Central California Food Bank, FoodLink for Tulare County, and CAPK to discuss the challenges facing food banks across the Central Valley. We spoke about the importance of maintaining strong support for The Emergency (TEFAP), USDA commodity purchases, and passing a Farm Bill that strengthens our food supply chain and supports those facing food insecurity. Food banks play a critical role in helping families put food on the table, and I’ll continue working to ensure they have the resources they need to serve our communities.

I really enjoyed visiting Casa Esperanza’s Transitional Home for Women and Children in Bakersfield and meeting with the staff and residents who make this program so impactful. Casa Esperanza provides women and children experiencing homelessness and poverty with the support and secure permanent housing and build long-term financial stability.

Programs like these make a real difference for the women and children in our community, and I look forward to continuing to partner with the staff and volunteers who work every day to help families build a better future.

Our district is home to thousands of nut farmers and processors who play an important role in our local economy, and I appreciated the opportunity to tour Nichols Farms in my hometown of Hanford this week.

As one of the Central Valley’s leading nut processors, Nichols Farms rowers to process pistachios for consumers across the country. I enjoyed touring their facilities, learning more about their operations, and speaking with their team about how we can continue supporting our local farmers and producers. Businesses like Nichols Farms play an important role in our agricultural economy, and I look forward to our continued partnership.

I had a productive meeting with Porterville Chief of Police Bobby Rader earlier this week. He gave me a helpful update on public safety initiatives in the area and we spoke about how my office can support them.
 
Thank you to our law enforcement officers for keeping our communities safe.

I had a great time visiting the Niagara Bottling facility in Delano this week to learn more about their operations, commitment to creating local jobs, and initiatives supporting education, community beautification, and health and wellness.

I appreciate Niagara’s investment in forward to continuing to support efforts that grow the Central Valley economy.

Earlier this week, I was honored to present members of the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Leadership Team 4 with a Certificate of Recognition for their work to expand the Magdalene Hope Women’s Center.

This new expansion will help provide critical support to local women and afficking and exploitation, and I'm thankful to everyone who helped to make this project possible.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Central Valley’s economy, and it’s important that our farmers have a seat at the table when decisions are made that affect their operations. That’s why I really appreciated the opportunity to bring together producers from across the Valley for a uty Administrator for Farm Programs Jared Hagert, California State FSA Executive Director Connie Conway, and USDA California State Director for Rural Development Bryan Anguiano.

We had a great discussion about agriculture challenges, disaster preparedness heading into next year, and how we can better address the needs of local farmers.

As the sole dairyman in Congress, I understand the uncertainty producers face, and I’ll continue working with our agricultural community and federal partners to ensure our farmers have the support they need to keep producing the food that feeds our nation.

Read more: valadao.house.gov/news/documents…

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 psGOP, 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 '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 g 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 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/documents…

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 nagement 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 eciate 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 nistrative 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/uploadedfiles/…

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 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/documents…