David Valadao

As a dairy farmer, David understands the challenges that our farmers and ranchers face as a part of California’s competitive agriculture industry. It is critical to ensure California remains an agricultural leader that provides good careers for the Central Valley and food for the world.

California’s diverse agricultural economy is a $35 billion-dollar industry that produces over 400 commodities and accounts for over a half of our nation’s fruits and vegetables. We need to ensure our farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to produce our food supply and that they continue to remain competitive internationally.

While the stock market is at an all-time high and the unemployment rate nationally continues to drop, too many people in the 21st Congressional District are out of work and aren’t feeling the positive effects of our growing economy. The unemployment rate in the San Joaquin Valley is nearly double the national average.

David knows that our economy needs to work for rural and working families, not just big cities. Small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy and needless regulations and a greater tax burden make it harder for them to hire. David will work to pass common sense legislation that will put Americans, especially those in the Central Valley, back to work.

As the father of three, David understands that every child learns differently and needs to have access to a quality, affordable education that works for them.

A “one-size-fits-all” approach of Washington bureaucrats only hinders the education of our nation’s children. Parents and educators should have the resources and flexibility to provide an education that meets the needs of their community and each individual student. Education should be more comprehensive at all levels and David supports expanding vocational and trade school options for our students.

David believes that education is the pathway to success and that everyone should have access to the tools they need to accomplish their goals.

Our nation, especially California, is blessed with an abundance of traditional and renewable energy resources. However, red tape and frivolous litigation is blocking the development of America’s energy resources, killing jobs and slamming families with sky-high energy costs.

David supports expanding our domestic energy potential to reduce our dependence on foreign energy and save money here at home. California can play an instrumental role in energy production. In additional to renewable energy sources like solar and hydro power, our State has the potential to produce oil and natural gas. Developing California’s energy resources will create jobs in our communities while lowering our national demand for energy by supporting innovation to improve our economy’s energy efficiency.

David believes that Washington should live by the same rules as every American family, which means they must balance the budget and spend no more than what they take in.

Today’s government spends, borrows, and taxes its people too much. Our national debt has surpassed $23 trillion, over $65,000 for every man, woman, and child in America. David strongly opposes wasteful projects, such as the construction of a high-speed rail system throughout California which will cost tax payers billions of dollars with little added benefit.

Responsible spending reductions to tackle our national debt will strengthen the U.S. economy and create economic opportunity for families in the Central Valley. These spending cuts, coupled with the implementation of a fairer tax code and strong incentives to work and invest, will lower the tax burden for all Americans, while providing increased support for necessary federal programs.

It is time to get serious about our nation’s spending problem and David is committed to working with his colleagues to do what is best for the American people.

David believes quality, affordable healthcare should be available to all Americans. It is important to enact reforms that lower the cost of healthcare while maintaining access to healthcare for America’s most vulnerable populations – like the elderly, poor and those with pre-existing conditions.

David believes the best healthcare is a market-based approach to healthcare reform that provides individuals with competitive choices and addresses the needs of those unable to afford healthcare insurance. It is David’s priority to ensure your healthcare remains in the hands of you and your doctor, not the federal government.

As the son of immigrants, immigration reform is an issue close to David’s heart. David knows that our current system is broken and in need of comprehensive repair.

David supports a reasonable and responsible pathway to citizenship for those wishing to enter our country and those already here. This will allow many undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows, get involved in their children’s education, find employment, and raise their families.

An important aspect of immigration reform is addressing concerns of the agriculture industry and farm workers. Developing a guest worker program that will enable access to a reliable workforce is crucial to the stability of our local agricultural economy. Most importantly, David believes that we should recognize the importance of family in American society and acknowledge the danger of separating families. Rather than targeting those simply trying to raise their families, we should equip law enforcement with the tools to focus on undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes.

Reforming our nation’s immigration system is a massive undertaking. David will work on immigration reform until a solution is reached.

Our nation’s financial situation requires that we carefully examine the future of programs our seniors depend upon like Medicare and Social Security.

Without improvements, both Social Security and Medicare will be unable to fully meet the promises made to the next generation of retirees and will burden future generations with reduction in services and crushing tax increases. Both programs risk complete collapse before our children and grandchildren ever receive a single benefit. This is simply unacceptable to David, who believes we must act in order to strengthen and preserve these vital programs.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to those who fight to preserve our freedom. Whether it be ensuring they have the tools to stay safe in battle, access to high quality healthcare, or education and employment opportunities here at home, our men and women in uniform deserve our gratitude and our support.

Most importantly, our veterans deserve to have their physical and mental health cared for when they return home from serving. The VA has been falling short in their duty to veterans and needs to be restored to the pinnacle of care for our heroes.

David is grateful for the sacrifice of so many and will represent them and their families in Washington. As a country, it is our duty to respect the memory of those lost and honor those who have fought for our freedom.

In the Central Valley, life as we know it is dependent upon securing a reliable and clean supply of water. Farmers, families, and entire communities must receive the water they need to strengthen the economy and raise our families.

David knows that a safe and stable water supply is critical to the Central Valley and the State’s $54 billion agriculture industry. In Congress, he will fight to address our local needs during the drought.