Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa announced the launch of his holiday card drive for active duty members of the military and veterans. Costa invites the people of the 20th District to write holiday messages for Valley veterans and service members who have been wounded in action. The cards will be delivered to veterans at the Fresno VA Medical Center and service members at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Calls for Congressional Action to Reform the RFS

Fresno, CA – Rep. Jim Costa called for Members of the House to put the election behind them and take action on the bipartisan 5-year Farm Bill when Congress returns next week.

Grant Will Replace 35 Long-Haul, High Emission Vehicles

Fresno, CA – Rep. Jim Costa announced today that the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District has received a competitive grant for $898,833 that will replace at least 35 long-haul waste vehicles. These funds were awarded by the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) program to reduce diesel emissions in the San Joaquin Valley.

Calls for Action while Interest Rates Remain Historically Low

Costa Calls on House Republicans to Cancel Recess, Keep Working

Pass the Farm Bill and Tax Cuts for All Americans

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa was awarded the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). This award is presented every Congress to the Members of the House and Senate with the strongest record of supporting economic growth and small businesses.

Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) today introduced the Air and Health Quality Empowerment Zone Designation Act, H.R. 6378, to address the poor air quality in San Joaquin Valley. 

FRESNO, CA- Congressman Jim Costa released the following statement today regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announcement ending the suspension of inspection at Central Valley Meat Co., Inc, thus allowing the plant to resume operations today.

Fresno, Calif.  – Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement on Fresno State President John Welty’s announcement that he would retire at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.  Costa is 1974 Fresno State graduate and proud Bulldog who also serves on the Board of Fresno State’s Maddy Institute with President Welty.

FRESNO,CA - Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement in response to the shooting at a Sikh Temple in Milwaukee.

"The Sikh community has made many contributions to our nation. The tragedy  that occurred today affects all Americans. Our thoughts and prayers go to those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and their family and friends.

Washington, DC- Rep. Jim Costa announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded more than $4.5 Million to Fresno County and the City of Hanford. The funding was made available through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Grant, and the Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) programs. In March, Costa joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to urge that the U.S. House Appropriations Committee maintain funding for CDBG in 2013.

Washington, DC- Rep. Jim Costa announced today that the City of Delano has been awarded a $2.8 million loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to build a new multipurpose community center. The new 13,000 square foot facility will replace the current community center that is over 40 years old and include a gym, basketball courts, and stage.

Washington, DC- U.S.Rep. Jim Costa announced today that the city of Fresno will receive $2.3 million and Kings County will receive more than $900,000 to make necessary improvements to their public transit systems. The funds were awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s State of Good Repair Program, which aims to maintain and improve the nation’s bus and rail systems. Fresno Area Express (FAX) plans to use the funds for the purchase of 6 new buses that will accommodate additional passengers and reduce emissions.

FRESNO- Congressman Jim Costa, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, and California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer today announced that the Federal Transit Administration has selected Fresno to receive a $2.45 million Bus Livability Grant aimed at improving the connection between downtown Fresno and the City’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Washington, DC- Reps. Jim Costa and Dennis Cardoza called on state and federal officials to show leadership and find a workable solution to complete the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). In light of anticipated announcements about the project in the coming weeks, Costa and Cardoza urged officials to find a balance between improving the water supply and restoring the Delta ecosystem. Costa and Cardoza cautioned that without their active leadership and engagement, completion of the BDCP may become unviable.

Washington, DC- Rep. Jim Costa announced today that Valley law enforcement will receive over $360,000 to support a wide range of activities intended to control and prevent crime based upon local needs and concerns. The funds were released by the United States Department of Justice through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne JAG).

Washington, DC- Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement following the Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act.

“Health reform was not a perfect bill, but the status quo was unacceptable. Costs were rising and continue to rise, coverage was becoming harder to obtain, and over 40 million Americans were without health insurance, yet we are still paying for their care.

I support Americans having access to the care they need when they need it. That includes those with insurance and those struggling to obtain it.

Fresno, CA- Rep. Jim Costa announced today that Avenal Community Health Center has been awarded $920,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant is from the Health Cluster Grant program, which provides funds to improve facilities and boost capacity in rural areas.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Costa welcomed the 20th District Art Competition winner, Sarah Fanucchi of Bakersfield’s South High School, and her family to Washington. Sarah’s painting is of her mother’s official portrait when she enrolled in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 18. Her artwork “18 on 18” will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement that he had nominated David “Mas” Masumoto to the National Council on the Arts.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that bundled 14 different land management bills into a single package.  Despite qualms with a number of the provisions in the package and the process for consideration on the House floor, Costa supported the legislation citing that it contained legislation that would bring additional water to the Valley by allowing the modification of the Exchequer Dam spillway. Costa was an original cosponsor of the stand alone legislation to modify Exchequer.

Fresno, CA– Rep. Jim Costa announced today that Fresno, Kern, and Kings Counties will receive $4.8 million under the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program as compensation for lost property tax revenue from non-taxable federal lands. Though the guaranteed funds for the PILT program expired last year, Costa has urged the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Conference Committee to extend the program. Fresno, Kern, and Kings Counties rely on these funds to help keep teachers, police, firefighters, and nurses on the job.

Fresno, CA.  – Rep. Jim Costa announced today that Maheep Gill, a senior at Fresno’s Sunnyside High School, was nominated and has been accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Gill’s civic engagement and academic excellence, which places him in the top 5% of his class, led Costa to nominate him for admission to the Air Force Academy. Gill will be the first Sunnyside graduate to attend the Air Force Academy.

Fresno, CA– Rep. Jim Costa announced today that Fresno will receive $2.2 million for improvements to public transit in Fresno. The funds were made available through the Department of Transportation’s State of Good Repair program which aims to provide reliable, safe transit services to riders. Fresno Area Express (FAX) will use these funds to purchase three new buses that will accommodate additional riders and produce fewer emissions.

Calls on House to ‘Stop this Charade’

Washington D.C.  – Rep. Jim Costa called on House Republicans to abandon legislation that put politics above protections for women and children who are victims of domestic violence during consideration of H.R. 4970, a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The law was originally enacted in 1994 and offers a wide range of services and support to victims of domestic abuse.

Fresno, CA – Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement in response to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announcement today of a 40% water allocation for south of Delta agricultural water service contractors. The initial projection for 2012 was 30%. Following an extremely dry winter and spring, the 2012 Federal Water Allocation will be lower than the 2011 allocations for the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley.

Fresno, CA.  – Rep. Jim Costa announced that $5.3 million has been awarded to 5 Central Valley water districts to improve efficiency in water delivery, storage, and management. The funds were part of a  cooperative program between the Agencies of the Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation) and Agriculture (Natural Resources Conservation Service).

Fresno, CA – Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement regarding the release of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s revised 2012 business plan.

“I want to commend the High-Speed Rail Authority and the Governor for listening to the concerns raised about high-speed rail,” said Costa. “Transparency, construction costs, ridership numbers and long-term funding have to be addressed to make the project viable. Mitigation in the Valley, especially for agriculture, must be a part of the solution.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressmen Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) announced that the University of California Merced’s Violence Prevention Program has been awarded the Allied Profession Award by the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus for their work in addressing sexual violence, dating and domestic violence, and stalking on campus.  Costa and Cardoza will present the award to the director of the UC Merced program during a Capitol Hill ceremony tomorrow.

Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa announced Fresno County will receive $275,518 to offer rental assistance and case management to 50 homeless veterans. The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program is a jointly administered program by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Fresno, CA – Rep. Jim Costa announced that he has nominated Candy O’Donel-Browne, President of the Board of Directors of Mountain Crisis Services, Inc. (MCS), for the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus’ Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy. On April 19th, the Victims’ Rights Caucus will hold their annual award ceremony to honor outstanding individuals who have devoted countless hours of their time and service to helping victims of crime.

Both lawmakers call for bipartisan collaboration to develop a bill that can actually pass the U.S. Senate

 Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) urged bipartisan cooperation on comprehensive solutions to California’s water challenges during the House Natural Resources Committee consideration of H.R. 1837, the San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act. Historically, the Central Valley has borne the brunt of sacrifices in previous California water compromises. While Costa voted to advance the bill out of committee, he renewed his call for the bill’s authors to work with Democrats in order to improve chances of actually delivering more water to the Valley.

Madera Water Bank to receive $1.5 million

Requests Commerce Secretary’s Direct Engagement in California Water Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement upon the announcement from the parties involved in litigation under the 2009 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) biological opinion that they have came to an agreement on an interim operational criteria for the Central Valley and State Water Projects for the spring of 2012.