{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1424", "Valadao, Fong Host Veterans Town Hall in Bakersfield with Veterans' Affairs Committee", "2024-08-12", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David G. Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", "valadao", "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "BAKERSFIELD, CA \u2013 Today, Representatives David G. Valadao (CA-22) and Vince Fong (CA-20) hosted a Veterans Resource Fair and Town Hall in Bakersfield in partnership with staff from the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee. The event, held at the Mechanics Bank Arena, featured tables from local veteran service organizations and provided an opportunity for Kern County veterans to ask questions about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and pending veteran-related legislation in Congress.\n\n\u201cOur veterans have made incredible sacrifices for our freedom, and we owe it to them to ensure they have access to the resources and benefits they\u2019ve earned,\u201d said Congressman Valadao. \u201cI was glad to hear directly from our veterans today about some of their biggest concerns, including the status of the Bakersfield VA clinic, unacceptable wait times at the board of appeals, and veterans\u2019 access to mental health care and housing. Thank you to the organizations who contributed their time today and for the VA Committee staff for making the trip from Washington to Bakersfield. I\u2019ll continue working to bring resources to Central Valley veterans.\n\n\u201cOn days like today, we are reminded of the great sacrifices and bravery our men and women in uniform have shown and continue to show,\u201d said Congressman Fong. \u201cIt was an honor to get to listen to many of our exemplary veterans and answer the questions they have about federal legislation, casework, and the resources available to them. These veterans have served our country honorably so in turn it is our duty to serve them with the same level of dedication and commitment.\u201d\n\nVeterans are encouraged to contact Rep. Valadao and Fong's offices if they need assistance with the VA.\n\nValadao Hanford Office: (559) 460-6070\n\nFong Bakersfield Office: (661) 327-3611\n\nPhotos of the event can be downloaded for media use here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1424"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8818092755973339, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}