Veterans
Our men and women in uniform have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe at home and abroad. Congress promised our service members and their families that we will care for them when they come home. Since his time in the California State Legislature, Congressman Costa has worked tirelessly to tackle issues affecting our veterans like improving access to healthcare, investing in workforce training, and ensuring they get the benefits they earned and deserve.
Costa was one of the forces behind the effort to establish the Fresno Veterans Home, the first in Fresno County. As a state lawmaker, he helped place it on the list of locations being considered by the legislature for establishment and fought successfully to get it approved. In Congress, he helped secure 65% of the costs for the construction of the home through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Ten years later, the home has provided care to hundreds of veterans and to honor the legacy of veterans who spent their final chapter in the home; Costa secured $150,000 in federal funding to help build a memorial monument at the home.
As part of the annual defense and federal budget, Costa has secured millions to improve VA healthcare, including millions in funding for the Fresno Veterans Home, and Fresno Veterans Hospital and to end the epidemic of homelessness across the nation. He has also fought to end the VA benefits backlog and ensure student veterans receive the GI Bill benefits that they rightfully deserve.
PACT Act
In 2022, Congress and President Biden enacted the historic Honoring Our PACT Act, of which Costa was a cosponsor and voted to enact into federal law. The law has expanded healthcare to over 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. It is the first time in American history that those suffering from exposure to burn pits and airborne hazards will receive healthcare benefits from the VA. Costa will never stop fighting for our veterans. Thanks to our veterans we have the freedoms we get to enjoy today.
Honoring Hmong and Laos Veterans
Costa has made honoring Hmong and Lao American veterans a priority throughout his career in public service and was instrumental in the passage of the Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act, which grants veterans of the Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) with burial benefits in national cemeteries. The official extension of the benefits was secured in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018.
To build on these efforts and expand eligibility, Costa introduced the Special Guerrilla Unit Veterans Service Recognition Expansion Act which was signed into law by President Biden as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022.
Learn more about veteran services and resources available through my office.
More on Veterans
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to pay tribute to the lives and service of two Central Valley heroes – Marine Lance Corporal Marcelino M. Gamino and U.S. Army veteran Guadalupe Castillo.
FRESNO, Calif. – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement after the death of a Marine from Fresno who was identified as one of the victims in a fatal
FRESNO, Calif. - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) launched the “Valentines for Vets” program to collect and distribute Valentines to local veterans in California's 21st Congressional District.
FRESNO, Calif. - U.S. Congressman Jim Costa invites you to participate in "Holiday Cards for Vets” program. During these challenging times, everyone can use some love and kindness, especially our Veterans, through heartfelt and homemade cards.
WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) secured $12,235,783 in Community Project Funding through the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. This funding will respond directly to some of the most pressing needs in Fresno and Tulare counties. The budget is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden later this week.
Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno) has secured $12.2 million for local projects throughout Congressional District 21.
The funding comes in the form of grants for the federal government’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
FRESNO, Calif.– Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) launched the “Valentines for Vets” program to collect and distribute Valentine’s Day cards to local veterans in California’s 21st Congressional District.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) voted to fund $24 million in Community Project Funding for 15 local projects in the San Joaquin Valley, through the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill.