ICYMI: Valadao Makes the Case for Immigration Reform, Lower Costs in the Central Valley
In case you missed it, Congressman David Valadao and LIBRE Institute President Daniel Garza argue that fixing America’s legal immigration system, strengthening border security, and creating a reliable agricultural workforce are directly tied to lowering costs and strengthening the Central Valley economy.
Read the full op-ed here or read excerpt below:
Congress Continues to Tackle Economic Issues, But We Can’t Forget About Immigration
Contributed by Congressman David G. Valadao and Daniel Garza
September 15, 2026
Whether I’m home in the Central Valley or working in Washington, affordability is one of the biggest concerns I hear from families.
They feel it every time they buy groceries, fill up their gas tank, pay the mortgage, or see a doctor. Despite this daily reality, Sacramento politicians continue to make life more expensive.
Look no further than the latest gas tax increase, which took effect on July 1 and raised the state’s excise tax to 63.4 cents per gallon, or the new state health tax, which could increase annual health insurance premiums for families by hundreds of dollars.
While Democrats in the super majority in Sacramento keep raising costs, Republicans in Congress are focused on policy solutions that deliver real relief.
Last year, I helped Congress pass the largest tax reform bill in a decade, preventing the biggest tax hike in American history, expanding deductions, and helping families keep more of their hard-earned money. We’ve already seen the positive effects of this legislation, with 2026 filing data showing the largest tax refunds for families in years.
I’m also proud to have worked with my colleagues across the aisle to make it easier to build housing, expand domestic energy production, support small businesses, and lower healthcare costs for all Americans.
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But if Congress is serious about making life more affordable, we must fix our broken immigration system.
The Central Valley’s economy depends on agriculture, construction, and hospitality—all industries that need a stable, legal workforce. When employers can’t find enough workers, crops go unharvested, projects are delayed, supply chains tighten, and businesses face higher costs.
These are realities that I understand firsthand.
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Central Valley families don’t expect every problem to be solved overnight, but they do expect their elected leaders to work together and deliver results. That means lowering taxes, cutting unnecessary regulations, securing our border, and fixing our broken immigration system.
Sacramento politicians may continue to increase the cost of living, but I’ll keep working in Washington to advance commonsense policies that make life more affordable for the families I represent.