Press Releases
Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa called on Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi to bring up legislation to avoid the impending sequester that could be devastating to the Valley and nation's economy. Without Congressional action, an automatic across-the-board $85 billion in cuts would be triggered on March 1st and another $1 trillion over the next 10 years. Costa voted earlier today to keep the House in session to allow time for debate of legislation to avert sequestration.
Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement following news that over 700,000 acre feet of water had been lost from the slowing of water exports through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta between November 1st and January 31st. The supply was drastically reduced in response to reports that 232 Delta smelt had been lost during that time period.
Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement about what he hopes to hear from President Obama in his 5th State of the Union address.
January 6, 2013
Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa will join Fresno Unified School District on Friday, February 8th for the kickoff of their financial aid workshop series. These free, public sessions will offer step-by-step assistance to students and families filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or the DREAM Act online application. Costa will join Fresno Superintendent Michael Hanson and Superintendent Christopher J. Steinhauser of Long Beach Unified School District, Fresno Unified's FAFSA pilot program partner.
Maintains Seat on Key House Water and Power Subcommittee
January 22, 2013
Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa will serve as the Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee's Livestock, Rural Development, and Credit Subcommittee. The committee oversees livestock, dairy, and poultry issues along with rural development, family farming matters, and farm credit policies.
Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a new microloan program to help small and family operations and socially-disadvantaged farmers obtain up to $35,000 in loans. The program aims to help small and beginning producers scale up their operations so they can build equity and gradually gain access to private, commercial credit.
Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement on the announcement of Governor Jerry Brown's budget, which includes funds for the operation and maintenance of the new Fresno Veterans Home. Costa has long championed the home from fighting to secure the $92 million for construction to working with local veterans and elected officials to encourage state funding for the operation of the home.
Fresno, CA- Rep. Jim Costa announced the 2013 Congressional Art Competition, "An Artistic Discovery," to give high school students in California's 16th District the chance to showcase their talents. High school students living in the 16thCongressional District, which includes parts of Fresno and Madera Counties and all of Merced County, are encouraged to enter the competition.
Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa's bill to rename the Fowler post in honor of former Postmaster Cecil E. Bolt's for his 27 years of service won approval from the House of Representatives today. Bolt who passed away in 2007 was a pillar of his community who has been remembered for quiet acts of kindness that extended to personally delivering packages to Fowler families on many Christmas Eves and beyond. Costa's bill H.R. 4389 awaits Senate action. Both California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer have sent letters encouraging its speedy adoption.
Washington, DC – Rep. Jim Costa congratulated the Central Valley California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) for their recognition by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Central Valley HIDTA was honored with an award for an Outstanding Marijuana Investigative Effort because of their role in Operation Mountain Sweep. The operation was an 8-week, multi-agency, multistate marijuana operation targeting illegal marijuana cultivation on public lands in 7 states, including California.