Latest news with #DavidValadao
Fox News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
GOP congressman 'remains concerned' over ICE operations in deep blue state
Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., said he has concerns about the ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the Golden State. "I remain concerned about ongoing ICE operations throughout CA and will continue my conversations with the administration—urging them to prioritize the removal of known criminals over the hardworking people who have lived peacefully in the Valley for years," the congressman said in a post to X on Tuesday morning. In the same thread, the Republican condemned the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. "I support the First Amendment right to peacefully protest, but the violence and vandalism happening in Los Angeles is unacceptable and I stand with our law enforcement officers working to protect people and regain control over the situation," he wrote. The congressman represents a highly competitive district in central California. Cook Political Report currently ranks the 2026 race as "Lean Republican" in his district. CalMatters reported in March that ICE may have been conducting operations in the Central Valley. Tens of thousands of arrests have occurred since Trump took office, as the administration is seeking to execute mass deportations. Meanwhile, southern border crossings have taken a nosedive. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is currently facing a goal of 3,000 daily arrests of illegal immigrants, which includes those facing criminal charges and convictions. As for the unrest itself, President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to the area, which has set up a major dispute between him and California leaders. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a Tuesday post to X, "Trump doesn't care about protecting Californians. He's militarizing our state & provoking chaos." "Illegal aliens invaded America. The government of California aided and abetted that invasion. Violent mobs, incited by California leaders, attacked ICE officers to keep them from removing the invaders," White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller posted to X on Monday. "California officials refused to send the police to rescue the ice officers, hoping the rioters would succeed in shutting down ICE raids. This is an organized insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States." Valadao and other members of the California Republican delegation signed onto a resolution in the House, led by Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., slamming the riots in Los Angeles. "Peaceful protests are a constitutional right, but vandalism, looting, violence, and other crimes are not. Protecting public safety shouldn't be controversial, which is why I am leading the California Republican delegation in a resolution to support law and order as we continue to see unrest," Kim said in a statement on Tuesday. "I hope Governor Newsom can come together with President Trump to stop the riots, lower the temperature, and keep our communities safe." "Let's be clear: the riots escalated before the National Guard was sent in and were enabled by California's soft-on-crime policies – peddled for years by Governor Newsom, Sacramento, and local prosecutors – that have allowed for lawlessness and endangered public safety of hardworking Californians," the Republican congresswoman continued. Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE and the White House.
E&E News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
Lawmakers revive bill to increase prescribed fires
A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers are reviving bipartisan legislation to increase the use of prescribed fire on and around national forests. The 'National Prescribed Fire Act,' from Senate Finance ranking member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), would provide a science-based strategy for reducing wildfire risks in forests adapted to fire, backers say. The latest version makes minor tweaks to a bill that passed the Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year, including removing some language on studying legal issues around prescribed fire. It adds some language to bring the Southeast more into the programs. Advertisement Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) has joined as a co-sponsor. In the House, Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) are introducing a companion bill.
Axios
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Republicans warn Trump that some deportations go too far
Some GOP lawmakers are starting to warn the Trump administration to reconsider its all-in deportation push. Why it matters: Republicans are convinced they have a clear mandate to kick out hardened criminals and gang members. But differences are emerging on how aggressively ICE should deport workers, longtime residents and some people who've sought refuge from brutal regimes. The White House wants ICE to arrest 3,000 people a day, and dramatically boost their deportation numbers. That could lead to more workplace raids. Zoom in: Today's dissent is far from a GOP rebuke of Trump. But the outlines of a serious debate are taking shape. Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) is urging Trump officials to "prioritize the removal of known criminals over the hardworking people who have lived peacefully in the Valley for years." Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) is worried about deporting people "that have been here for a while. There's some talk of jobs, etc., and also disrupting parts of the economy. We need to work something else out for those," he told us. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) told CNN: "I think a big part of that is we all need to focus on convicted criminal, illegal aliens" instead of farm laborers. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) told us: "I think there are some legitimate folks who have potential legitimate claims that if you send them back to a regime like Cuba or Nicaragua or potentially North Korea … we might be sending them to a situation where we frankly just don't want to do that." The other side: Some of the most vulnerable House Republicans said they have few qualms about the way Trump's deportation campaign is being carried out. "Rule of law is important," Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told Axios. But "each case-by-case could be different, and I trust our ICE to do it by the book." Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) said his primary concern is Afghan SIV applicants, but that he has had "nothing but success in being able to help those folks." He added: "Now for folks who come here illegally, that's a different story. And I think ICE has a job to do." "I am supportive of enforcing immigration laws," Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.). "I don't selectively say we've got to enforce immigration law." Between the lines: How Trump, and Stephen Miller, interpret their immigration mandate will have implications for 2026. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who represents a district won by former Vice President Harris, said: "I've pushed back, for instance, on the issue of Haiti and the total travel ban, because you have a situation on the ground in Haiti where there is not a stable government."
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Rep. Vince Fong introduces SKIM Act to combat EBT fraud
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — For months, KGET has followed the EBT fraud crisis in Kern County. What started out as calls to our newsroom led to the revelation of dozens of victims and thousands of dollars in benefits stolen. The investigation shed light on millions of stolen dollars and a sophisticated Romanian crime ring operating across the county. After countless attempts of asking elected officials for answers, change may be coming from Capitol Hill. Skimming Scheme: The Romanian crime ring stealing EBT benefits in Kern County On Friday, Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) introduced the 'Stopping Klepto-card and Identity Misuse Act' — or SKIM Act. This legislative effort is specifically designed to crack down EBT theft, that is Electronic Benefit Transfer, known as CalFresh and CalWorks in California. Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) is a co-sponsor of the bill. Through 17 News' investigation, we uncovered that the California Department of Social Services has lost more than $439 million in EBT benefits since 2021. In the last seven months, more than $2 million in Kern County taxpayer money has been stolen. Ex-Arvin teacher accused of sex with underage student set for hearing next week The SKIM Act directs the U.S. Attorney to coordinate federal, state, and local efforts to fight EBT fraud. It also asks sentencing guidelines to be much harder on EBT thieves. The bill also asks the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report to Congress on their efforts to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and sentence convicted EBT thieves. You can read the SKIM Act in full here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The National
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Republican removes post criticising Sikh congressional prayer
Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller is facing criticism after she said it was 'troubling' that a Muslim led the morning prayer in US Congress, and then changed her social media post once she learnt that it was actually a Sikh man who had spoken. 'America was founded as a Christian nation, and I believe our government should reflect that truth,' she wrote in her social media post on X on Friday. The representative later removed her post after being admonished by both her Democratic and Republican colleagues. 'Mary, you're a racist, bigoted, disgusting, and shameful person, you don't deserve to represent anyone in public office,' wrote Democratic Representative Maxwell Frost. The man who led the prayer, Giani Surinder Singh of the Gurdwara South Jersey Sikh Society, was invited to be the morning guest chaplain by Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew according to Politico. Republican Representative David Valadao took Ms Miller to task for her post. 'I'm troubled by my colleague's remarks about this morning's Sikh prayer, which have since been deleted,' he wrote on X. 'Religious freedom is one of our nation's founding principles, and I started the American Sikh Congressional Caucus to draw attention to this very issue and work towards religious tolerance for all.' Representative Miller's comments, which were also widely considered to be Islamophobic, came on the first day of Eid Al Adha, one of the most important holidays of Islam. Morning invocations are not unusual in the US Congress, and are often given by religious leaders and figures.
