Adam Gray

GRAY, PADILLA, SCHIFF DEMAND ANSWERS FROM ICE IN RESPONSE TO INCREASED ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY IN MENDOTA

Position: The lawmakers are requesting information from ICE about recent enforcement activity and resident detentions in Mendota, including its purpose, scope, detainee numbers, and due-process safeguards, and state that federal immigration laws must be enforced while protecting local families and rights.

Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13), Senator Alex Padilla, and Senator Adam Schiff are demanding answers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following reports of increased enforcement activity and resident detentions in Mendota beginning on October 5. In a letter to Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the lawmakers requested details about the operations’ purpose and scope, the number of individuals detained, and the safeguards in place to protect due process and minimize disruption to local families and businesses. “Mendota is a hardworking agricultural community, and families should not have to fear going to work or taking their kids to school,” the lawmakers wrote. “Federal immigration laws must be enforced, but how that happens matters. We need answers about what’s taking place, who is being targeted and whether people’s rights are being protected.” The lawmakers also asked whether local law enforcement was consulted, where detainees are being held, and what steps ICE is taking to address concerns raised by Mendota’s mayor and City Council. The letter emphasizes the importance of protecting public safety and due process while recognizing the essential role farmworkers play in the Central Valley economy and America’s food supply. “The people of Mendota deserve to know why these operations are taking place and what safeguards are in place to protect their families and community,” the lawmakers wrote. “The federal government’s responsibility to enforce immigration law does not give it license to create fear across an entire community.” Read the full text of the letter here. Issues: Immigration

GRAY ISSUES STATEMENT ON FEDERAL PERMITTING REFORM AGREEMENT

Position: The release supports the bipartisan permitting reform agreement, including reforms to NEPA, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act, to speed up approval of infrastructure and water projects. It argues that duplicative permits, litigation, and procedural delays have made projects take too long to build.

Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) issued the following statement after Senate leaders announced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026: “Reaching an agreement on permitting reform is an important and long-overdue first step toward fixing a broken process that has held back our ability to build things again in the Central Valley and across the country. I hear from folks in my district about the need for reforms to environmental laws like NEPA, CWA, and ESA, and this package delivers on all three. In my district, we’ve seen firsthand how important projects can take years to get built because they are held up by duplicative environmental permits, litigation, and other procedural delays. The Los Banos Creek Detention Dam Project - which expands an existing reservoir to allow for storage, groundwater recharge, and conveyance - was first proposed in 2012 but construction didn’t begin until the end of 2025. I attended the ribbon cutting at the beginning of this year. No project that takes six months to build should take over a decade to permit. It's not just water projects that are being held up. Streamlining regulations and cutting through red tape allows America to remain competitive in infrastructure and energy reliability on the global scale. Getting a bipartisan deal across the finish line will take continued work, but these types of projects can't wait. Congress needs to take this up immediately upon its return to Washington.” BACKGROUND: Introduced the CURRENT Act to reform the Section 401 process under the Clean Water Act to provide greater certainty, transparency, and consistency in federally licensed hydro projects Provisions of this legislation that will help deliver long sought after reforms and wins for the Central Valley are included in this announced bipartisan permitting reform package Introduced the Valley Water Protection Act and secured its inclusion as part of the bipartisan committee passed ESA Amendments Act Helped pass the SPEED ACT to simplify NEPA review and limit lawsuits that have slowed projects under previous laws Introduced the CERTAIN Act to streamline the review process and create more transparency Issues: Natural Resources

GRAY ISSUES STATEMENT ON PROPOSED SALE OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Position: Opposes the reported proposed sale of portions of Yosemite National Park and calls for protecting public lands and keeping the park accessible to Central Valley residents and visitors.

Today, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) issued the following statement on the reported proposed sale of portions of Yosemite National Park: “Yosemite isn’t for sale. Growing up in Merced, the Gateway to Yosemite, I've seen firsthand generations of families who have visited, worked, and made memories at this historic park,” said Congressman Adam Gray. “We must protect our public lands and ensure Yosemite remains accessible to those living and visiting the Central Valley.” Issues: Natural Resources

GRAY, LOFGREN PRESS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO RELEASE $867 MILLION IN WITHHELD MEDICAID FUNDING

Position: Members of California's congressional delegation urged HHS and CMS to work with California to resolve outstanding concerns and release $867.5 million in deferred federal Medicaid payments, arguing that withholding funds without identified fraud puts patient access to care at risk.

Last week, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) and California Democratic Congressional Delegation Chair Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) led the California Democratic Congressional Delegation along with Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz urging the agencies to work with California to resolve outstanding concerns and release $867.5 million in deferred federal Medicaid payments. The effort comes in response to CMS’s decision in July to defer $867.5 million in federal Medicaid payments to California while the state provides additional documentation related to certain Medicaid claims. In their letter, the Delegation raises concerns that the payment deferral could put additional strain on the state and threaten access to care for vulnerable Californians. For Central Valley families, doctors, hospitals, and care providers, reliable Medicaid funding is essential to making sure patients can get the care they need. “We should always take fraud, waste, and abuse seriously and make sure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly. But withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid payments without identifying specific fraud puts patients and providers in the middle of a dispute they didn't create,” wrote the Delegation. “California is working with CMS to provide the information being requested. The federal government should work with the state to resolve these concerns quickly and make sure patients continue to have access to the care they need,” the Delegation continued. The letter also pushes back on the suggestion that increased spending on California’s in-home care programs is, on its own, evidence of fraud. The Delegation notes that the growth of these programs has been intentional because in-home care can be less costly than institutional care, while California has also implemented additional safeguards to address areas of concern. "We're grateful to California's congressional delegation for pushing back on this unprecedented deferral. We share their concern that withholding these funds — without identified fraud — puts access to care at risk for millions of Californians. Community health centers care for every patient and strengthen every community, delivering care linked to up to 22% lower annual Medicaid costs per patient and $9.6 billion in savings in 2023. That's the kind of results CMS should be supporting, not jeopardizing,” said Dr. Melissa Marshall, CMO of the California Primary Care Association. “California physicians support pragmatic solutions that strengthen oversight, protect taxpayer dollars and maintain a stable health care system. But CMS's decision to defer another $867.5 million in Medicaid payments, on top of the previous $1.3 billion deferral, is not responsible oversight – it puts patients at risk. Medicaid policy should be driven by verified facts, not rhetoric, and patients must remain the priority,” said René Bravo, M.D., President of the California Medical Association. The letter is signed by the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation. Read the full text of the letter here. Issues: Health

GRAY INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO SPEED UP CENTRAL VALLEY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Position: The release supports the bipartisan CURRENT Act, which would reform Section 401 Clean Water Act water quality certification to limit state-imposed conditions to federal water quality standards, establish firm review timelines, and streamline judicial review for energy, hydropower, and transmission projects.

Today, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) and Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) introduced the Certainty and Uniform Reviews for Reliable Energy and Transmission (CURRENT) Act, bipartisan legislation to modernize the federal permitting process, cut through unnecessary government red tape, and provide greater certainty for infrastructure projects while maintaining key provisions of the Clean Water Act. "For too long, the State of California has used the Section 401 process under the Clean Water Act to hold up critical permits in the Central Valley," said Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13). "Every delay creates more uncertainty for our farmers, water districts, and local economy by making a path to reliable water deliveries through collaborative voluntary agreements harder to secure. The CURRENT Act ensures that California and other states can't use the permitting process to impose impractical and costly requirements on energy projects. We can protect clean water while giving our communities the certainty they need." "Long term regulatory certainty is key to providing the confidence needed to grow businesses, create jobs, and strengthen our economy. This legislation builds on the important work of the PERMIT Act by further strengthening the Section 401 permitting process through clear and efficient procedures — ensuring environmental reviews remain focused on protecting water quality, not obstructing critical infrastructure projects,” said Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07). Under current law, Section 401 of the Clean Water Act requires applicants seeking certain federal permits or licenses to obtain a water quality certification from states, tribes, or authorized agencies. Over time, the certification process has become increasingly unpredictable, resulting in permitting delays, litigation, and uncertainty for critical infrastructure projects. The CURRENT Act reforms Section 401 to provide greater certainty, transparency, and consistency in the federal permitting process for energy, hydropower, transmission, carbon dioxide infrastructure, and other federally licensed projects. Specifically, this bill limits a states’ ability to mandate conditions outside of what would impact the federal water quality standard. The legislation establishes firm timelines, increasing transparency, and streamlines judicial review. “Merced Irrigation District is pleased to support this common-sense legislation. MID’s relicensing of the Merced River Hydroelectric Project includes a 401-water quality control certification. Our operations benefit the entire state and nation, including providing vital flood control, clean energy and electric grid support – as well as recreation. Crucially, MID’s operations provide water supply to the 5th largest agricultural economy in the nation. We are happy to evaluate the actual effects of the water discharge from the hydroelectric project. However, we do not believe that numerous other issues outside our operations should become entangled in what should be a straight-forward analysis of water quality,” said the Merced Irrigation District. "TID was built on the belief that water and power delivered reliably and affordably are the foundation of a thriving Central Valley — and that a healthy Tuolumne River is part of that foundation. When regulatory processes expand beyond their core statutory purpose, it creates uncertainty that can put that balance at risk — for our communities and the environment alike. We welcome Congressman Gray's efforts to refocus the Clean Water Act on its core water quality mission and look forward to working with partners at every level to get this right,” said Brad Koehn, Turlock Irrigation District General Manager. “California has stretched Section 401 beyond what Congress intended, using it to regulate issues unrelated to water quality. This has complicated the federal licensing process, created regulatory uncertainty, and imposed avoidable costs on our ratepayers. We appreciate and support Congressman Gray's efforts to realign Section 401 with its original purpose while preserving essential water quality protections,” said Jimi Netniss, Modesto Irrigation District General Manager. "America's affordability crisis and the ‘race for AI’ both come down to the same bottleneck: our inability to build the infrastructure this country needs, fast enough. Section 401 of the Clean Water Act was intended to protect water quality — not serve as an open-ended tool to delay or block the infrastructure our country depends on. That is why we are encouraged to see Representatives Gray and Rouzer introduce the bipartisan CURRENT Act, to bring more certainty, clearer timelines, and consistent standards to the broken permitting process. We appreciate their bipartisan leadership and look forward to working with them and Members of both parties to see meaningful Section 401 reform in a bold, comprehensive permitting reform package — one that finally lets America build the energy future it needs," said Chad Zamarin, Williams President and CEO. "The CURRENT Act will help return the Clean Water Act to its intended purpose: protecting water quality. For too long, hydropower producers have been forced to pay for wish-list items under Sec. 401 water quality certifications that have nothing to do with the reliable power they provide. The bill provides greater clarity and certainty in the water quality certification process, and in turn will streamline the hydropower licensing process to meet growing electricity demand and help keep power bills lower for consumers. This bipartisan legislation proves that Congress can find common ground on our most challenging permitting reform issues. NHA thanks Representatives Adam Gray and David Rouzer for advancing this bill, and we urge Congress to pass it swiftly," said Matthew Allen, NHA’s Senior Director of Legislative Affairs. Read the full text of the bill here.

GRAY RENEWS EFFORT TO SECURE EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR CENTRAL VALLEY SPECIALTY CROP GROWERS

Position: Congressman Gray and colleagues urged Speaker Johnson to dedicate at least $15 billion in emergency assistance to specialty crop producers as Congress considers the Administration's request for emergency agricultural aid.

Today, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) led an effort to help ensure Central Valley specialty crop growers receive the emergency assistance they need as farmers continue to face rising costs, labor shortages, and increasing economic uncertainty. In a letter sent to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13), Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), and a group of lawmakers from across the country called for at least $15 billion in emergency assistance to be dedicated to specialty crop producers as Congress considers the Administration's request for emergency assistance. The letter outlines the unique challenges and structural disadvantages facing specialty crop producers and underscores the need to provide equitable economic relief to these growers across the country. “America’s specialty crop industry is essential to our nation’s food security, rural economies, and agricultural competitiveness. Providing dedicated emergency assistance will help preserve domestic production, strengthen supply chains, and sustain the family farms and agricultural jobs that provide consumers with safe, healthy, American-grown fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, floriculture, and other specialty crops,” write the members. “As you consider providing additional economic assistance to American farmers, we urge you to ensure that specialty crop growers receive a minimum of $15 billion in emergency assistance to match the severity of their crisis and address the structural disadvantages that distinguish their challenges from those of other agricultural sectors,” concludes the members. This is Congressman Gray’s latest effort to make sure Central Valley specialty crop growers receive the support they need. Previously, Congressman Gray played a central role in moving the bipartisan Farm Bill through the Agriculture Committee, secured a commitment from Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) on this effort to secure billions of dollars in long-overdue economic assistance, and secured additional specialty crop related wins in the Farm Bill on the House floor before it passed with bipartisan support. The letter was also signed by Reps. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Don Davis (NC-01), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Pablo José Hernández (PR-AL), Bill Keating (MA-09), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Josh Riley (NY-19), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Darren Soto (FL-09), Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02). Read the full text of the letter here. Issues: Agriculture

GRAY APPLAUDS ADMINISTRATION’S SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST FOR VALLEY’S SPECIALTY CROP GROWERS

Position: Congressman Gray supports the Administration's supplemental funding request, which includes his proposed $10 billion investment to provide economic assistance to specialty crop growers facing trade uncertainty, rising input costs, and market competition concerns.

Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) issued the following statement in response to the Administration’s supplemental funding request that includes his proposal to provide additional assistance for specialty crop growers: “I’m encouraged to see the administration’s supplemental funding request include the $10 billion investment I have called for to support America’s specialty crop growers,” said Congressman Adam Gray. “Over the past year, Central Valley growers have been hit hard by trade uncertainty, rising input costs, and a lack of fair competition in the marketplace. This long-overdue investment will provide much-needed support and greater certainty for the family farmers who grow the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that feed our country. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this across the finish line.” A Member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Gray was previously able to secure a commitment from Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) on this effort to secure billions of dollars in long-overdue economic assistance for specialty crop growers. Congressman Gray played a central role in moving the bipartisan Farm Bill through the House and secured important priorities for the Valley’s specialty crop growers and producers. Congressman Gray led efforts to support specialty crop growers by strengthening research and development, doubling funding for the Market Access Program (MAP), the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) programs. Additionally, he supported the Farm Bills establishment of a specialty crop advisory committee for policy development and expansion, expansion of procurement programs, and improvements to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. In addition, Congressman Gray was able to unanimously pass an additional amendment to the Farm Bill that will help protect the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by prohibiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from implementing dangerous cost-sharing or matching requirements. Issues: Agriculture

GRAY BACKED FARM BILL PASSES THROUGH FULL HOUSE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

In a major win for the Central Valley, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) today helped pass the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 through the full House of Representatives and secured the inclusion of an amendment to further strengthen the bill for Valley farmers, businesses, and rural communities. “Passing a bipartisan Farm Bill gives Valley farmers and ranchers the certainty they need to plan, manage risk, and keep producing,” said Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13). “It strengthens support for American-grown products and invests in the tools needed to stay competitive. This is about keeping agriculture strong in the Central Valley.” A Member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Gray has played a central role in moving the bipartisan Farm Bill forward this Congress and secured important priorities for the Valley. Most recently, on the House floor, Congressman Gray was able to unanimously pass an additional amendment to the Farm Bill that will help protect the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by prohibiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from implementing dangerous cost-sharing or matching requirements. During Committee markup, Congressman Gray was able to unanimously pass two amendments to strengthen the bill. The first would allow states the flexibility to allocate up to 20% of their Emergency Food Assistance Program funding towards the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program. This will expand procurement opportunities for the fresh products grown in the Valley. The second requires the USDA to report to Congress how changes to or expiration of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will affect the agriculture industry. In addition, Congressman Gray led efforts to support specialty crop growers by strengthening research and development, doubling funding for the Market Access Program (MAP), the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) programs. Additionally, he supported the Farm Bills establishment of a specialty crop advisory committee for policy development and expansion, expansion of procurement programs, and improvements to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Congressman Gray also introduced an additional amendment that the House Rules Committee voted not to include. The amendment, if adopted by the full House, would have provided $5 billion dollars in much needed economic assistance to our nation’s Specialty Crop growers. "The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) thanks Reps. Adam Gray (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), and the many cosponsors of the bipartisan amendment that prohibits USDA from imposing cost-sharing or matching requirements on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, thereby protecting the program's viability. Their leadership ensures the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program will continue to benefit specialty crop producers by providing a flexible program that improves outcomes for the sector,” said Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). “The importance of congressional representatives focused on California agriculture cannot be overstated. The California Farm Bureau appreciates Rep. Adam Gray’s work on the 2026 Farm Bill, particularly his amendment to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. A practical Farm Bill ensures California’s farmers and ranchers remain competitive both at home and in the global market. We urge the Senate to follow the House’s lead and pass the Farm Bill,” said Shannon Douglass, President of the California Farm Bureau. “As a specialty crop grower, I appreciate Rep. Gray’s leadership on the amendment to protect the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Programs like this are most effective when they remain accessible and focused on supporting growers. Rep. Gray helps to ensure resources continue to reach nurseries like mine and support the innovation and resilience our industry depends on. Thank you for standing up for specialty crop growers and voting for the Farm Bill,” said Michael Frantz, President of Frantz Wholesale Nursery (Hickman, CA). "The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commends Rep. Adam Gray for his strong support of our industry. Building on his success in adding more fruits and vegetables to government procurement programs during the Agriculture Committee's consideration of the farm bill, he has also secured a crucial amendment on the House floor to protect the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. His bipartisan work in support of a new five-year farm bill is key to enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crop growers in California and across the United States, and we thank him,” said Jonathon Cordone, Executive Director of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance. "The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) applauds Congressman Adam Gray and his team for their leadership in advancing and passing H.R. 7567 off the House Floor. The Congressman's support of the House's Farm Bill reflects a strong understanding of the challenges facing specialty crop growers, particularly in California. CFFA greatly appreciates his leadership in securing provisions that strengthen the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which delivers flexible, on‑the‑ground resources for fresh fruit producers by supporting research, market development, and competitiveness. The Association commends Congressman Gray for standing with specialty crop agriculture and farmers across the nation. We look forward to continued collaboration with his office, especially as Congress works to get this legislation to the President,” said Casey Creamer, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association. "At a time when fruit and vegetable growers across the nation are facing strong economic headwinds, The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program continues to be one of the most effective tools we have to support specialty crop growers across the country. This strength lies in its flexibility, which allows states to tailor investments to the unique needs of their producers - whether that's research, marketing, or innovation. We appreciate Congressman Gray's leadership in protecting the integrity of this program and ensuring it remains accessible and workable for our fresh produce growers and state partners. Maintaining that flexibility is critical to keeping our industry competitive and continuing to deliver for American agriculture,” said Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association. “The California Association of Winegrape Growers recognizes the importance of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and appreciates Congressman Adam Gray’s leadership in securing this important provision. By removing matching fund requirements, this change will preserve access to critical research funding at a time when growers are facing significant economic pressures, allowing more resources to reach the field and support the innovation and solutions our industry depends on,” said Natalie Collins, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. “The American Pistachio Growers thank Congressman Adam Gray (D-CA-13) for his continued leadership on issues impacting our farmers and processors, from his decade of service in the State Assembly to his work in Congress. Most recently, his bipartisan amendment—included in the farm bill passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives—prohibits USDA from imposing a new 25% cost-share requirement for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. This requirement would have undermined the program’s integrity and accessibility for pistachio growers nationwide,” said Cadee Condit, Vice President of Government Relation of the American Pistachio Growers. “California blueberry growers continue to face rising production costs, labor challenges, market volatility, increasing import pressure, and the need for continued investment in research, pest and disease prevention, market access, and nutrition programs. A strong Farm Bill is critical to ensuring that specialty crop producers have the tools necessary to remain competitive, protect domestic production, and continue providing healthy, high-quality fruit to consumers. The Commission supports Farm Bill provisions that strengthen specialty crop research, expand export market development, protect plant health, improve risk management tools, and ensure specialty crops are meaningfully represented in federal agricultural policy. We appreciate your leadership and attention to the needs of California agriculture and urge continued support for a Farm Bill that delivers meaningful benefits for blueberry growers and the broader specialty crop sector,” said Todd Sanders, Executive Director of the California Blueberry Commission. “Western Growers thanks Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13) for his support of California’s specialty crop agriculture in today’s bipartisan House passage of H.R. 7567—the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, as well as his successful protection of the Specialty Crop Block Grant program during Floor consideration. This is a foundational program for our industry, and your commitment on the House Agriculture Committee to the resilience of our nation’s fresh produce supply is deeply appreciated,” said Western Growers. Read the full text of the amendment that was included in the Farm Bill here. Issues: Agriculture

GRAY PASSES THREE BIPARTISAN BILLS ON HOUSE FLOOR

Last week, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) passed three bipartisan bills on the House floor to deliver for the Central Valley. All three bills, introduced with a Republican co-lead, passed on the House floor with support from both Democrats and Republicans. All three bills now advance to the Senate for further consideration. The Telehealth Network and Telehealth Resource Centers Grant Program Reauthorization Act, introduced alongside Congressman David Valadao (CA-22), authorizes funding for the Telehealth Network Grant Program through 2030, ensuring families in rural areas like California’s Central Valley will have access to care. The Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act, introduced alongside Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08), will ensure that states are not punished for the smoke and emissions they cannot control, while still maintaining strong environmental protections. The Harnessing Energy at Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act, introduced alongside Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40), will streamline geothermal energy development and production and decrease energy costs. “I came to Congress to get things done for the Central Valley,” said Congressman Adam Gray. “This shows that despite partisan gridlock and politics as usual in Washington, it is possible to find common ground on issues and deliver meaningful legislation that will expand access to telehealth in rural communities, address wildfire-related air quality challenges, and lower energy costs. I will work with anyone to deliver results and find solutions to the issues facing the Valley.” Issues: Natural Resources Energy Health

GRAY LEADS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO SPEED UP PERMITTING PROCESS AND CUT THROUGH BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE

Position: Congressman Gray supports streamlining the federal permitting process for infrastructure projects through the CERTAIN Act, which would simplify approval timelines and require federal agencies to review projects with transparency and fairness.

This week, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13), Scott Peters (CA-50), Gabe Evans (CO-08), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the Create Expedited Reviews to Transform American Infrastructure Now (CERTAIN) Act. The bipartisan legislation would simplify the permitting process for infrastructure development by streamlining approval timelines, and requiring federal agencies to review all projects fairly and with transparency. Previously, Congressman Gray played a key role in a bipartisan group that advanced the SPEED Act through the House Natural Resources Committee. Unfortunately, when the bill reached the House floor, Republicans added a provision that significantly weakened Gray-backed permit certainty language for energy projects. While the bill has advanced to the Senate, progress has since stalled. The CERTAIN Act builds on that language to continue bipartisan, bicameral negotiations on permitting reform. “We need major reforms to our permitting process that ensure transparency, timelines, and certainty for all applicants.” said Congressman Gray. “By working together to fix our permitting processes, we can save taxpayer dollars, strengthen our economy, and once again show that America can build great things.” This effort builds on Congressman Gray’s work in Congress to reform our outdated and dysfunctional permitting process. Ensuring a reliable and efficient permitting process is crucial to build any infrastructure, including much needed water storage. Congressman Gray introduced the End the California Water Crisis Package last year, a suite of bills that would authorize additional California water storage projects, ease permitting restrictions and create enforceable timelines for environmental review. Read the full text of the bill here. Issues: Agriculture Natural Resources