U.S. Chamber Brings Infrastructure Push to Bakersfield With Valadao

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce convened Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) and local business leaders in Bakersfield, California, for a roundtable on keeping federal transportation funding flowing to California's economy and communities.

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber partnered on the event. It formed part of the U.S. Chamber's Keep America Moving national infrastructure tour, an effort to build momentum for Congress to enact a new, long-term surface transportation bill.

The policy stakes center on reauthorization. The current framework for federal surface transportation programs expires, and Congress must write a successor that determines funding levels for highways, rural roads, bridges, and rail for years to come.

"Robust, long-term federal funding for transportation infrastructure is essential for economic growth," said Jennings Imel, Vice President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Today's conversation with Congressman Valadao and local business leaders underscores the importance of investing in highways, rural roads, bridges, and rail for Central Valley businesses and families. We appreciate Congressman Valadao's longstanding support of funding our nation's infrastructure needs and his participation in today's meaningful discussion."

Valadao, whose district covers the Central Valley, framed the roundtable as direct input into the legislative process. He thanked participants for sharing their perspectives on the region's transportation needs.

"As Congress works to reauthorize our nation's surface transportation programs, it's critical we deliver a bill that invests in our roads, bridges, and freight infrastructure while ensuring rural communities have the resources needed to grow and compete," Valadao said. "I appreciate all the valuable feedback from local business owners and community leaders, and I'll continue working to make sure the priorities of the Valley are reflected in the final bill."

His comments signal that rural funding equity will be a live issue in the reauthorization fight. The Central Valley depends on freight corridors and rural roads that local tax bases alone cannot sustain, making the federal share decisive for the region's logistics-dependent businesses.

The local chamber emphasized the value of putting employers in the same room as policymakers. Joel Paramo, Senior Director of Strategic Communications at the Greater Bakersfield Chamber, said the format gives elected leaders a concrete picture of what the region needs.

"Infrastructure is fundamental to economic growth, and meeting our region's transportation needs requires strong collaboration between the business community and our elected leaders," Paramo said. "Bringing businesses directly to the table gives policymakers a clearer understanding of the investments and policies needed to keep the greater Bakersfield region competitive, connected, and growing. We appreciate Congressman Valadao and the U.S. Chamber for creating an opportunity for our region's voice to be heard."

The Bakersfield stop adds to the Keep America Moving tour's stated goal: generating grassroots and business pressure for a durable, long-term funding mechanism rather than short-term extensions. The U.S. Chamber has long argued that multi-year certainty lets states and contractors plan major projects without funding cliffs.

For Central Valley businesses, the outcome will shape the condition of the highways, bridges, and rail links that carry their goods to market. Valadao committed to carrying the region's priorities into the final bill, and the roundtable format suggests the business community intends to keep supplying him with specifics as the reauthorization moves through Congress.