Valley voices welcome water breakthrough

As you may know, after a years long fight, the Valley recently saw some vital progress in improving our water supply. Please watch the short video below about President Trump's executive actions on California water, how they came about, and how they will affect the San Joaquin Valley.

A Big Win in the California Water Wars

President Trump signed a presidential memorandum that will significantly improve California's water supply, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. The president's action will remove bureaucratic obstacles that will enable more water to be directed toward Valley farmers, families, and communities. Having watched the Valley's water crisis deepen for many years, I can say this is the most meaningful presidential action on the issue in decades.

Along with other Republican congressmen, I joined President Trump for the signing ceremony. To watch video of the signing, click on the video below.

To watch video of my remarks at the signing, click on the video below. 

Academy Night 2018

Last night I was honored to visit with students, parents, and military leaders at my U.S. Service Academy Night in Clovis. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the evening. If you or someone you know is interested in a military academy education, please visit this link on my website. The nomination deadline is November 15.

Media stalks Nunes family again

As you may have seen in recent news coverage, the mainstream media and left-wing activists have been harassing my wife, uncle, and even my 98-year-old grandmother. The latest attack is on my parents and my brother. You can read about it at this link. 

High Speed Rail has Become a High Priced Boondoggle

As Governor Jerry Brown struggles to press forward with his over-budget high-speed rail boondoggle, please click on the picture below to watch a short video about the project's effects on farmers and Valley residents.  

Video: What's causing the California water crisis?

Once again, the San Joaquin Valley is feeling the effects of our man-made water crisis. Click on the image below to watch a short video about some of the misguided policies and counter-productive responses that are creating severe problems for Valley families and farmers: 

Nunes trip generates fake news attacks

As many of you know, I recently returned from an overseas trip for the House Intelligence Committee in which I met with U.S. military and intelligence personnel and foreign government officials in numerous countries. Somewhat unsurprisingly, I came home to find a deluge of fake news stories about my trip. It's a sad commentary on the mainstream media today that it will re-report, without the slightest skepticism, obviously false stories that are based on anonymous sources, as long as the stories serve the Democrats' political purposes.

Julie Kelly at American Greatness debunked these fake news stories here.

My visits with U.S. troops overseas

I just returned from a trip overseas for the House Intelligence Committee, having met with government, military, and intelligence officials in various countries. I also had the opportunity to meet with U.S. troops stationed abroad, whose patriotism and high morale are deeply inspiring. The trip included visits with the Army's 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry and the Marine Corps Black Sea Rotational Force at the Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK) Air Base in Romania, a key logistical hub for U.S. forces in the Black Sea region. I also went to the country of Georgia to observe Noble Partner 2018, a multinational military exercise led by the U.S. and Georgian militaries. Pictures of those visits are below.   

Soldiers and Marines at MK Air Base, Romania

Discussing exercise Noble Partner with Commander 

and Command Sergeant-Major, Georgia

Soldiers from California, exercise Noble Partner, Georgia

Observing a new Russian military base over the border in Russia-occupied Georgia

With participants in Noble Partner and Rep. Crawford, Georgia

Another California water grab

The California State Water Resources Control Board recently proposed a plan to increase unimpaired water flow requirements on the San Joaquin River. Simply put, this would divert even more water away from people in the guise of environmental protection. Touted as a plan to protect “beneficial water use,” this is simply a scheme to grab more water from California cities, farms, and industry. I recently signed a letter with my California congressional colleagues expressing our strong opposition to the plan. You can read the letter here.

Given that California is experiencing another dry water year, it's totally unacceptable for the state to adopt more water supply restrictions. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to fight back against actions like these that would further curtail water deliveries to the San Joaquin Valley.

Wall Street Journal visits the Valley

Wall Street Journal columnist Kim Strassel recently visited the San Joaquin Valley to research a column about my investigation of government surveillance abuses. You can read it here and here. 

In case you missed it: Nunes interview with Sean Hannity on surveillance abuses

I recently spoke to Sean Hannity about the House Intelligence Committee's investigation of surveillance abuses. Click on the picture below to watch the interview: 

In Case You Missed It: Nunes Interview on Fox News

I discussed the Russia investigation yesterday with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures. Click the picture below to watch the interview.

Pelosi's "crumbs": Millions benefit from tax reform

Unemployment is down, workers are keeping more of their own money, and hundreds of billions of dollars parked overseas are flowing back to America. Click on the image below to watch a short video about the great benefits of tax reform: 

Gov. Brown deploys the water police

Governor Jerry Brown yesterday approved two new laws limiting water usage for Californians. Daily limits will begin at 55 gallons per person, later dropping to 50 gallons. As one California news report notes, "Fifty gallons are considered the minimum needed for health and safety." It further explains, "How consumers will meet the goals remains unknown. An eight-minute shower, for example, uses about 17 gallons of water, a load of laundry up to 40 and a bathtub can hold 80 to 100 gallons of water." The paper notes that the restrictions are supported by various environmental groups, though some groups complained the restrictions don't go far enough.

The imposition of these draconian water limits was predictable. In 2015, referring to previous water restrictions mandated by Governor Brown, I wrote, "And it's a safe bet that Brown's mandatory water reductions will not alleviate the crisis, leading to a drastic increase in restrictions in the not-too-distant future. Watering your lawn, washing your car and countless other everyday activities will be banned up and down California. In their mania to attack Central Valley farming, the radicals are inadvertently running the entire state out of water."

Make no mistake, environmental extremists and the Democrats who serve their interests put us in this situation through their misguided legislation and their prolific lawsuits designed to impose ever-stricter water limitations. And by blocking commonsense solutions in House-passed bills such as operating the pumps to full capacity, repealing damaging laws, and approving more water storage projects, they have engineered a permanent water crisis.

The result, as we see today, is a drastic reduction in personal freedom and our standard of living. Californians don't want to have to choose between doing their laundry and taking a shower, but that's the kind of choice being forced on us - and the odds are, without a drastic course correction, more restrictions lie ahead.     

CNN goes nuts

I spent the last few days touring Valley ag and businesses. Thank you to Mid-Valley Pipe and Supply, Kaweah Brewery, and the Minkler Cash Store for hosting me, as well as the growers who gave me a look at the current pistachio crop. A few pictures of my visits are below.

While I was on some of these visits, CNN was trying to track me down. They seemed mystified why I was ignoring them but took the time to send out a picture of the pistachio crop - apparently, for them, paying attention to agriculture is a waste of time, while ignoring CNN is an unforgivable offense. Click on the picture below to see their reaction:

I appreciate the attention from CNN, but to be honest, I think looking at a nut was a much better use of my time.

Water update

The Bureau of Reclamation recently increased the water allocation for south-of-delta users from 40 percent to 45 percent. 

Any additional water in the Central Valley is welcome, and a 45 percent allocation is surely better than the zero allocation we were receiving not long ago. This increase comes amid another positive development, which is that most Valley water agencies and ag groups are now speaking with one voice and have ended the circular firing squad that, for a long time, held back Valley efforts to get more water.

Still, there is a lot more work to do. The Valley should be getting a 100 percent allocation. Environmental regulations that result in billions of gallons of water being flushed into the ocean, the operation of the pumps at less than capacity, and the lack of adequate storage are crucial problems that diminish our water security. The House of Representatives has passed numerous bills to solve these problems, all of which have been killed by Democratic opposition in the Senate. So long as Senate Democrats refuse to provide Valley communities the full allocation we're entitled to, our fight for water will continue. 

Media exposed spreading fake news on Nunes

I'd like to point out two articles related to media coverage of my work. You can read the American Greatness article here and the Federalist article here. 

Meeting with Honor Flight vets, Valley property rights group, and more

I recently had some exceptional meetings I'd like to share with you. Last week I met with veterans from the Central Valley who were in Washington, D.C. on an Honor Flight visit. Their service and sacrifice reflect the best aspects of America, and I thank all of them for their contribution to our nation.

I also met with representatives of Emergency Medical Services, who honored me with their Legislator of the Year Award. Additionally, the International Foodservice Distributors Association, which includes Fresno-based Saladino's Foodservice, awarded me their Thomas Jefferson Award for supporting free-market principles. Finally, I met with the Tulare County Association of Governments, Fresno State President Dr. Castro, and Fresno State Associated Students, Inc. President Blake Zante.

Today I was back home in the Valley and spoke at the Range Rights and Resource Symposium dedicated to protecting private property rights. For pictures of these events and others, click on the image below:

Our service members at Fort Bragg

This weekend I visited Fort Bragg, the largest U.S. military installation in terms of personnel. The base is home to a wide array of military commands, special operations forces, and other units. These include the "All-American" 82nd Airborne Division, whose members served in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and other historic military campaigns before, during, and after World War II. Thank you to the garrison commander, Col. Kyle Reed, who is pictured below, for leading my tour of the base.  

My visit reminded me once again of the tremendous debt of gratitude every American owes to the members of our armed forces, who sacrifice every day to keep our nation safe and secure. 

My Fox News interview from the World Ag Expo

I recently sat for an interview with Fox News' Maria Bartiromo at the World Ag Expo in Tulare. Click on the picture below to watch the interview: 

Additionally, yesterday Sean Hannity and I discussed the latest news about surveillance abuses at the FBI and Department of Justice. You can watch that interview below:

ABC30 FAKE and LIBERAL "Action News"

I spent the day yesterday in Fresno, where I toured the Producers Dairy Food plant and had several other meetings and events. I'd especially like to thank the Fresno Chamber of Commerce for hosting a roundtable discussion. You can see some slides of my visit by clicking on the picture below: 

Unfortunately, the ABC 30 news network once again sent a reporter to ask me about wild accusations and Russian conspiracy theories that precisely mimicked the talking points of numerous left-wing organizations. Click on the link below to watch an exchange ABC 30 included in its report:

Continuing a remarkable string of similar coincidences, the reporter's appearance was quickly followed by the appearance of about half a dozen liberal protestors, as if they'd been encouraged to show up to provide the right backdrop for ABC 30's reporting.  

I believe Central Valley residents deserve unbiased, straight-forward reporting from local news networks, not political spin coordinated with left-wing groups. ABC 30 should be reporting news stories, not staging them.