Central Valley Rep. David Valadao's recent vote in favor of a Medicaid-slashing bill raises concerns for his political future, as it affects two-thirds of his constituents' coverage. The bill, backed by Republican majorities, intends to reduce federal Medicaid spending by $1.04 trillion over ten years. Valadao defended his vote, citing benefits like rural hospital funding and agricultural investments. His district's reliance on Medi-Cal, with over half a million residents affected, makes upcoming elections particularly challenging for him, especially as Democrats target his seat in 2026.
More than a half-million residents in Valadao's district are covered by the program known in California as Medi-Cal - the most of any district in the state.
Valadao said his constituents would directly benefit from several provisions in the legislation, including the extension of the tax breaks, the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, and the expansion of the child tax credit.
No piece of legislation is perfect, but this bill ultimately reflects the priorities of [my district] - lower taxes, stronger farms, better infrastructure, and a commitment to protecting access to healthcare for Valley residents.
Democrats vowed to use Valadao's vote to oust him from office in the 2026 election.
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