As the drama unfolded Wednesday night into Thursday, Rep. David Valadao was one of the initial holdouts on voting for the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Valadao, R-Hanford, did not immediately cast “aye” on a procedural vote for President Donald Trump’s spending and tax cut plan. For hours, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, held the bill open waiting for his party to fall in line.

Eventually, Valadao cast a vote in favor. The procedural vote passed, as did the bill as a whole. Reaction on the bill depended on political affiliation — Republicans and their allies loved the vote; Democrats hated it. Both parties used heaping doses of hyperbole.

The bill, HR 1, passed 218-214. All but two Republicans — Brian K. Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Thomas Massie of Kentucky — voted in favor, giving it the majority needed to pass. All Democrats voted against.

What Valadao Said

After the final vote on the reconciliation bill — the House passed the original bill, which underwent changes in the U.S. Senate, and back to the House — Valadao said his vote “was not an easy decision.”

“Since January when the reconciliation process began, I’ve been a vocal advocate for protecting and preserving Medicaid for the most vulnerable in my district. I know how important the program is for my constituents,” Valadao said.

Several politicians and advocacy groups focused on cuts to Medicaid. California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized Valadao by name on Wednesday before the vote, calling for his resignation if he supported the bill.

In his statement to the media, Valadao recognized the cuts to Medicaid, granularly defending his vote. He said he helped prevent cuts to the federal match rate in California and per capita caps.

“However, the Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill ultimately made more changes to Medicaid than the House-passed version, and I had several concerns,” Valadao said.

Valadao said he lobbied for an additional $25 billion to the newly established Rural Health Transformation Program, doubling its funding to $50 billion.

He said the funds will keep hospitals afloat. Valadao said he still has concerns, but plans to work with federal agencies “to identify specific risks to Valley hospitals and mitigate them.”

“Ultimately, I voted for this bill because it does preserve the Medicaid program for its intended recipients — children, pregnant women, the disabled, and elderly,” Valadao said.

He highlighted other aspects of the bill such as preventing tax hikes, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and expanding the Child Tax Credit.

“These are real wins that will put more money back in the pockets of hardworking families throughout the Valley,” Valadao said.

Valadao also touted $1 billion for western water storage, and other benefits for local agriculture.

“No piece of legislation is perfect, but this bill ultimately reflects the priorities of CA-22 — lower taxes, stronger farms, better infrastructure, and a commitment to protecting access to healthcare for Valley residents. I came to Congress to be a voice for our community, and I’ll keep fighting every day to make sure every provision is implemented responsibly to serve the needs of our district. While there’s still more work to do, this bill is a meaningful step forward.”

Valadao’s full statement can be read here.

Costa: Bill Will Gut Medicaid

Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, had the opposing view, calling the cuts to Medicaid and SNAP the “largest in history.”

“Republicans had six months to work with Democrats on a bipartisan, responsible budget. Instead, they’ve chosen to put billionaires and big corporations first at the expense of the people of the San Joaquin Valley,” Costa said in a statement.

Costa said a majority of his constituents rely on Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP. He referred to the legislation as the “One Big-Ugly” bill.

“This bill guts those services and puts rural hospitals at risk of closure, while adding $4 trillion to the deficit. That’s not fiscal responsibility — it’s a direct attack on the communities I represent,” Costa said.

Democrats estimated that 90,000 residents each in Costa and Valadao’s districts could lose Medi-Cal (California’s version of Medicaid) and Medicare funding.

What Others in Central Valley Delegation Said

The bill passed along party lines from the Central Valley delegation. All Republicans voted in favor, the Democrats voted against.

“This irresponsible legislation harms our most vulnerable neighbors, including seniors, veterans, single parents and children, while bending over backwards to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy — and adds trillions to our national debt to pay for it,” Rep. Adam Gray, D-Merced, said in a statement.

Valley Republicans offered praise.

“This landmark legislation delivers immediate and meaningful results for the Central Valley — providing much-needed tax relief for working families and small businesses, supporting our farmers and ranchers, securing our borders, and investing in the water and energy infrastructure that drives our local economy,” Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, said.

Fong blamed problems at his former place of work at the state Capitol.

“It accomplishes all this while protecting the long-term solvency of critical safety net programs — despite the fiscal mismanagement coming out of Sacramento,” Fong said.

Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove, spoke in favor the bill on the House floor, addressing concerns of those on his right.

“Our process was not designed to make perfect law — it was designed to make the best law that is acceptable to a majority. Judging by the narrow votes, we have pushed this bill about as far toward perfection as the process allows,” McClintock said.

Other Reaction Rife With Rhetoric

Reaction was love or hate, with no middle ground.

Newsom condemned passage of the “Big, Beautiful Betrayal” bill.

Other advocacy groups blasted Valadao and Republicans.

“People will die waiting for health care because these Republicans closed hospitals, especially in rural areas, and clinics and hospitals across the state will close, leading to thousands of lost jobs in healthcare,” said SEIU California.

Groups held several protests at Valadao’s Bakersfield office in the lead up to the vote.

“(Valadao’s vote comes) after turning a deaf ear to (his) own constituents, who spent the last six months pouring their hearts out in protests, phone calls, and letters detailing the incredible human and financial cost Medicaid cuts will have on their families, households, and community,” said the Fight for Our Health Coalition.

The National Republican Congressional Committee slammed Gray.

“Out of touch Democrat Adam Gray’s vote is a betrayal of Californians. Instead of standing up for Californians, he voted to raise taxes, kill jobs, and gut national security. Voters won’t forget it, not now, not next November,”  NRCC spokesman Christian Martinez said.