Chamber Hosts Report from the Capitol with Congressman Vince Fong
Last week, the Greater Bakersfield Chamber welcomed Congressman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, for its Report from the Capitol, continuing a partnership that has spanned nearly a decade of public service. This members-only event offers local business and community leaders an exclusive opportunity to hear directly from Washington on the federal issues shaping Kern County and the Central Valley.
“Congressman Fong has been a steadfast advocate for Kern County and the Central Valley since his earliest days in public service to his current role,” said Chamber President & CEO Janelle Capra. “The Chamber is proud to have supported his vision since 2016, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration on policies that strengthen local businesses, create jobs, and improve quality of life.”
The Chamber’s Political Action Committee (BAKPAC) first endorsed Fong in 2016 when he ran for the 34th Assembly District seat, recognizing his deep roots in Kern County, his policy expertise, and his commitment to the business community. Now serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for California’s 20th District, Congressman Fong has carried that legacy to Washington.
In his remarks, Fong outlined priorities, including:
- Energy: Partnering with the Bureau of Land Management, Fong continues to advocate for the reopening of oil and gas leasing in Central California to reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. “If we do nothing, California is going to be more and more dependent on foreign sources of oil,” said Fong.
- Infrastructure: Fong is championing the AMERICA DRIVES Act and leading efforts to redirect $4 billion in recovered federal high-speed rail funds toward practical infrastructure projects across California. Proposed priorities include upgrades to State Route 99, Interstate 5, 15, 80, and 395, as well as repairs to wildfire-damaged roads. “With the Administration’s leadership, we believe we can move past costly pipe dreams and focus on real, achievable infrastructure solutions that truly serve the needs of our communities,” said Fong.
- Agriculture: As vice chair of the Modern Agriculture Caucus, Fong is working to advance innovation in farming, particularly in smart irrigation and water-use efficiency. “As technology advances, we must leverage innovation to strengthen our agriculture industry in my state and across the nation,” said Fong.
- Workforce Development: Earlier this year, Fong hosted the district’s first Skilled Trades Fair, connecting more than 150 high school students with career opportunities in carpentry, electrical work, and advanced manufacturing. “Our local students have tremendous opportunities to pursue different career paths, especially in skilled trades,” said Fong.
- Public Safety & Small Business: Fong introduced the SKIM Act to combat Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) fraud, which has siphoned hundreds of millions of dollars from vulnerable families. “Criminals who steal from children, families, and the elderly must be held accountable, and we must protect taxpayers from those who commit public assistance fraud,” said Fong.
This event was made possible by the generous support of co-sponsors Chevron and Hydrostor, as well as the following contributing sponsors: Berry Corporation, California Resources Corporation, Tejon Ranch Co., and Valley Strong Credit Union. The Chamber also extends its gratitude to its members whose steadfast support has made all this work possible. For more information on upcoming Chamber events and programs, visit bakochamber.com.
