Victims' Rights
In a region that remains a hotspot for human trafficking, Congressman Costa has been a vocal advocate for stronger prevention, better coordination among law enforcement, and more resources for survivors. With major trafficking routes running through the Central Valley, Fresno County consistently ranks among the top 10 in the state for reported trafficking cases. Costa’s leadership has helped bring federal attention and resources to this crisis.
In 2005, Costa, alongside former Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX), founded the bipartisan Victims’ Rights Caucus, now the Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus, to give survivors and victims of crime a voice in Congress. Costa has made it his top priority to preserve and strengthen the Crime Victims Fund, established under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which directs federal funding for local organizations to provide trauma counseling, legal aid, shelters, and recovery programs to those in crisis. To further protect children and families, Costa led the charge in 2018 and 2022 to reauthorize the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA), which helps fund Children’s Advocacy Centers that provide coordinated care and justice for child abuse victims.
Building on that commitment, Costa championed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and authored the House version of the Respect for Child Survivors Act, signed into law by President Biden. In response to the FBI’s failures in the Larry Nassar investigation in the USA gymnastics sex abuse scandal, this law now requires the FBI to use multidisciplinary teams, including child advocates and medical professionals, when investigating cases of child sexual abuse, misconduct, or exploitation.
Costa has stood up to gun violence with action, not just words. He helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years, delivering real reforms to keep firearms out of dangerous hands and expand mental health and school safety resources. He continues to champion commonsense measures like the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, Ethan’s Law, and the Assault Weapons Ban because no one should have to live in fear at school, at work, or in their neighborhood.
More on Victims' Rights
WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), co-founder and co-chair of the Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus (CSJC), is leading a push with 33 lawmakers calling on the Trump Administration to immediately release long-delayed funding allocations under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).
WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) voted to pass the HALT Fentanyl Act, bipartisan legislation that provides law enforcement and public health agencies with stronger tools to crack down on the illegal trafficking of fentanyl and save lives.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) stood alongside members of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence during a press conference on the House Triangle as part of a national Day of Action.
FRESNO, Calif. - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement after a violent antisemitic attack on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado.
"This hateful act of terror against the Jewish community in Boulder on the eve of Shavuot is part of a disturbing rise in antisemitic violence that we must confront head-on.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement after House Republicans jammed through their partisan budget bill, which would add $4 trillion to the national deficit, while cutting vital relief for families in the San Joaquin Valley.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget bill, also known as the Continuing Resolution (CR).
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) co-introduced the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act.
WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement: