Already a ripe goal for Democrats within the subsequent election, Central Valley Rep. David Valadao put his political future in deeper peril this week by voting in favor of laws that slashes the Medicaid protection important to roughly two-thirds of his constituents.
The Republican dairy farmer from Hanford stated that regardless of his issues about President Trump’s megabill, he voted to help it due to concessions he helped negotiate that may assist his district, resembling an extra $25 billion for rural hospitals, $1 billion for Western water infrastructure and agricultural investments.
Greater than a half-million residents in Valadao’s district are lined by this system recognized in California as Medi-Cal — essentially the most of any district within the state — based on the UC Berkeley Labor Middle. Whereas preserving tax breaks benefiting the rich, the invoice handed by a slim Republican majorities in each the Home and Senate would scale back federal Medicaid spending by $1.04 trillion over 10 years, based on the nonpartisan Congressional Finances Workplace estimates.
Valadao stated his constituents would immediately profit from a number of provisions within the laws, together with the extension of the tax breaks, the elimination of taxes on ideas and additional time, and the enlargement of the kid tax credit score.
“These are actual wins that may put more cash again within the pockets of hardworking households all through the Valley,” he stated. “No piece of laws is ideal, however this invoice finally displays the priorities of [my district] — decrease taxes, stronger farms, higher infrastructure, and a dedication to defending entry to healthcare for Valley residents.”
Democrats vowed to make use of Valadao’s vote to oust him from workplace within the 2026 election. His district, which incorporates swaths of Kern, Kings and Tulare counties, is among the many best within the nation.
Valadao has repeatedly vowed to oppose laws that might minimize healthcare for his constituents, most not too long ago on Monday, when he posted on the social media platform X: “I’ve been clear from the beginning that I can’t help a closing reconciliation invoice that makes dangerous cuts to Medicaid, places crucial funding in danger, or threatens the steadiness of healthcare suppliers throughout” his district.
After his vote on Thursday, Valadao stated that he voted for the invoice as a result of it preserves Medicaid “for its supposed recipients — youngsters, pregnant girls, the disabled, and aged.”
“David Valadao simply sealed his destiny by voting for a invoice that may rip well being care away from tens of 1000’s in his district, the place greater than two-thirds of his constituents depend on the very program he’s gutting,” stated Anna Elsasser, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Marketing campaign Committee, in an announcement. “He lied to their faces, after which tried to brush it beneath the rug. All of us knew he’d fold when it mattered most. It’s spineless, it’s dishonest, and subsequent November, it is going to value him his seat.”
A billboard proclaiming “David Valadao Lied. He voted to intestine Medi-Cal, giving CEOs a tax break. We’ll pay with our lives” was erected Thursday close to the 99 Freeway in Valadao’s district by Combat for Our Well being, a nonprofit coalition of well being, labor, senior, incapacity and different teams.
Democrats additionally plan on focusing on Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) and Rep. Younger Kim (R-Anaheim Hills) for his or her help of the invoice. Lots of of protesters descended on Kim’s Anaheim discipline workplace on Tuesday to induce the congresswoman to oppose the laws.
Trump’s proposal narrowly handed the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote due to the defection of three GOP senators who joined each Democrat in voting towards it.
The laws will dramatically overhaul the nation’s tax code by making tax cuts accepted throughout the president’s first time period everlasting, a serious profit to firms and the nation’s rich, whereas slashing funding for historic federal safety-net packages together with Medicaid and the Supplemental Diet Help Program, which helps present meals to low-income People.
A CBO evaluation launched Sunday estimated that the Senate model of the proposal would enhance the nationwide deficit by practically $3.3 trillion from 2025 to 2034 and would lead to 11.8 million People shedding medical insurance in lower than a decade.
The laws created a rift amongst Republicans, with some opposing the sum of money it will add to the deficit whereas others expressing issues about how it will impression their constituents. However finally, GOP members of Congress put apart their variations to get the invoice on the president’s desk by Independence Day, as Trump desired.
In a marathon session that ended early Thursday morning, members of the Home of Representatives voted 220-212 largely alongside occasion traces to approve a procedural rule that permits the laws to be thought of by the complete physique Thursday, a victory for Trump and GOP legislative leaders.
Valadao’s vote in help of the procedural vote earlier than midnight Wednesday raised eyebrows, given the variety of his constituents who depend on Medicaid, his earlier willingness to oppose Trump and GOP issues about holding onto management of his seat.
Greater than 40% of the district’s voters are Democrats, whereas 28.3% are Republicans and 23.3% registered as having no occasion desire, based on the nonpartisan California Goal E book, which handicaps congressional races.
Valadao, 48, served one time period within the state Meeting previous to being elected to Congress in 2012. He was reelected twice earlier than narrowly shedding reelection in 2018. He retook the seat in 2020.
He drew the ire of fellow Republicans as one in every of 10 GOP members of congress who voted to question Trump in 2021 after a violent mob of the president’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol within the aftermath of the president’s loss within the 2020 presidential election. Nonetheless, Valadao didn’t face the identical retribution from Trump that the others did, reportedly due to the congressman’s long-standing relationship with former Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday advised reporters that Valadao ought to depart workplace if he votes for the invoice.
“It’s the final word betrayal,” he stated throughout a information convention in Burbank. “This is among the most calamitous and devastating payments of our lifetime.”
Newsom predicted that if the invoice passes, hospitals will shut, Californians will lose entry to healthcare and meals stamps, and pupil loans will enhance.
Valadao “would possibly as nicely resign early and I can name a particular election, if he helps it,” Newsom stated. “What foundation do you’ve gotten of belief in your individual district when you would betray your individual constituency to such a rare, extraordinary diploma. It’s one of many poorest districts within the nation.”
