Tulare Union students vie to win national Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition

I was happy to learn that Tulare Union’s Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) class was recently selected as one of 10 National Finalists in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition. The only school selected from California, Tulare Union’s STEM class is vying to become one of three National Winners. If chosen, Tulare Union will win a $130,000 prize package to spend on Samsung technology or products and other class resources, equipment, or materials for their students.

To vote for Tulare Union to be selected as a National Winner, click here. You can vote for Tulare Union once per day through April 26.

ICYMI: My latest interview with Mike Huckabee

In case you missed it, I recently spoke with Mike Huckabee about the Biden administration’s mishandling of the immigration crisis at our southern border, Californians’ efforts to recall Governor Gavin Newsom, and more. To watch the interview, click here.

Deferment period for all COVID-19 EIDL and other Disaster Loans extended until 2022

 The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that it will extend deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022. All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020 will have the first payment due date extended from 12 months to 24 months from the date of the note. Similarly, all SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2021 will have the first payment due date extended from 12 months to 18 months from the date of the note.

For more information, click here. Questions on SBA COVID-19 EIDL and disaster loan payments can be answered by email at DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955.

High schoolers: Don’t miss the 2021 Congressional Art Competition

Each year, one outstanding high school artist from the 22nd Congressional District has the opportunity to display his or her artwork for a year at a national exhibition in the U.S. Capitol. Members of Congress choose a winner of the contest, known as the Congressional Art Competition, from their district whose art will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol. Typically, the tunnel is the most highly traveled access point to the Capitol, with Members of Congress and thousands of tourists viewing the artwork daily.

If you are interested in competing for a place in the national exhibition, please review the guidelines. In addition, all participants will need to complete the student release form, which should be included with all art entries. Finally, all art must be delivered by April 21, 2021, to my Visalia office at 113 North Church Street, Suite 208. For more information please call (559) 733-3861 or stop by my Visalia office.

The San Joaquin Valley has lost a legend

I am deeply saddened by the news that a San Joaquin Valley legend, Robert Smittcamp, has passed away.

Bob was a one-man Valley institution. A businessman, philanthropist, and community activist, he headed both Lyons Magnus food company and Wawona Packing. He had a particular passion for expanding healthcare access and improving education, donating millions of dollars to enhance both sectors throughout the Valley.

I’m lucky to have had Bob as a close friend and mentor. I was among countless Valley residents who frequently turned to him for advice on Valley issues. His assistance was invaluable on critical issues such as the Valley water crisis and the 2008 recession.

Bob and I also spent many hours discussing how to bring high-quality, affordable healthcare to every Valley family. I valued his insights on that question because he developed innovative ways to provide healthcare for his employees, who he always viewed as part of his own family. I’m convinced Bob’s approach provides a model for drastically improving healthcare for the entire country.

Bob epitomized all the virtues of the San Joaquin Valley. He was always available to help those of us who sought his guidance. But if you were looking for someone to sugarcoat a tough situation, then Bob was not your best option. He was an honest straight-shooter who’d give you candid answers whether you wanted them or not. That’s why I always consulted him when I had especially tough problems that needed realistic solutions.

Bob’s love for the Valley ran deep, and the region is richer in countless ways thanks to his contributions. He created jobs, ran companies that fed millions of people, shared his wisdom and experience with anyone who asked, generously funded deserving community institutions, and raised an exceptional family.

Bob was simply irreplaceable. He’ll be deeply missed, but he leaves behind an incredible legacy of hard work, success, and unconcealed passion for the Valley and its people. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife Annette, his children Brent, Lisa, and Brandon, and the rest of his family.

After months of delay, Governor Newsom unveils plan for school reopening

On Monday, Governor Newsom revealed that state legislators are working to pass a bill that would incentivize California public schools to reopen for in-person learning by April 1st. Schools that open by April 1st will receive access to $2 billion in state grants to help further their reopening efforts. To be eligible for the grant funding, public schools in Fresno County and Tulare County must reopen in-person instruction for grades TK-2 by April 1st.

The Governor’s announcement comes after months of unnecessary delay have done untold harm to the Central Valley’s youth. For more information, read this article from The San Joaquin Valley Sun.

Newsom visits Fresno empty-handed on vaccine distribution

On Wednesday, Governor Newsom visited Fresno, ostensibly to announce the creation of a mass vaccination center in the city from which much-needed vaccine doses could be rapidly distributed across the Central Valley. Despite an earlier pledge to place a mass vaccination center in the Valley, the Governor admitted Wednesday that details on the Valley’s new center were still unknown.

On the same day, my fellow Valley congressional representatives and I sent a letter to Newsom urging the establishment of multiple mass vaccination centers throughout the Valley. As Governor Newsom attempts to reverse California’s abysmal vaccine rollout, it is imperative that the state work with FEMA to provide swift vaccine distribution to the Central Valley families and workers who risk their health to feed the nation.

ICYMI: My latest interview with investigative journalist John Solomon

I was recently interviewed by investigative journalist John Solomon for his podcast, John Solomon Reports. John and I discussed the latest developments in the Russia collusion hoax and Big Tech’s efforts to shield Speaker Pelosi from difficult questions about the security failures during the Capitol riot. To listen to the podcast episode, click here.

FISA process in jeopardy after Clinesmith skates on probation for Russia Hoax

On Friday, former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith was sentenced to just one year of probation for falsifying evidence during the FBI’s corrupt Crossfire Hurricane investigation into the Trump campaign. Clinesmith doctored an e-mail to hide exculpatory information on Trump campaign associate Carter Page from the FISA court in order to renew a warrant to spy on Page. It is a travesty of justice that he has been allowed to skate on probation.

If there is no meaningful consequence for falsifying evidence to a secret court and using the FISA process to violate an American’s Fourth Amendment rights, then Americans can rightfully ask whether Congress should allow numerous FISA authorities to expire. I recently was interviewed on Fox News about the Clinesmith case and its impact on our national security. You can watch both interviews here and here.

Newsom lifts shelter-in-place order

Today Governor Newsom lifted California’s regional shelter-in-place order. With the order lifted, the state will return to the tiered county-by-county reopening system. Both Fresno County and Tulare County will return to the purple tier of Governor Newsom’s reopening system. Purple allows for restaurants to serve outdoors and allows nail and hair salons to reopen indoor service.

For more information, read this article from The San Joaquin Valley Sun.

My statement on the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick

Rep. Devin Nunes released the following statement today on the death of Officer Brian Sicknick, who succumbed to injuries sustained in the riot at the Capitol building.

“The death of Officer Brian Sicknick is a shocking tragedy. Having interacted with Capitol police officers on a near daily basis for years, I’ve seen that these selfless men and women are true professionals dedicated to protecting America’s legislature and the personal safety of representatives such as myself. Officer Sicknick’s death is a reminder of the steep price paid by individuals, families, and American society overall when political violence becomes normalized. I urge all Americas, across the entire political spectrum, to reject this senseless brutality and to advocate for political change through purely peaceful means. Justice must now be served on those responsible for Officer Sicknick’s death.”

Yesterday’s Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony

Yesterday President Trump awarded me the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an honor I accepted on behalf of the people of the San Joaquin Valley. I wanted to share with you some photographs from the ceremony, which you can see below.

President Trump awarding me the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

President Trump with my family.

Congressman Nunes receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

This morning President Trump awarded me the Presidential Medal of Freedom for my work to uncover the gross government abuses committed in service of the Russian collusion hoax. I accepted the award on behalf of the people of California’s San Joaquin Valley. My efforts to expose the Russian collusion hoax were recently discussed in The Federalist – you can read the article here.