Press Releases

Representative Costa, Senator Cannella and Assemblymember Gray Fight to Stop AT&T Call Center Closure

July 28, 2014

Merced, CA- Yesterday, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) was joined by State Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) and State Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced) in sending a letter to AT&T Assistant Vice President Jack Wright urging him to reconsider closing the company's call centers at the Castle Commerce Center in Atwater.

Reps. Costa and Poe React to NFL’s “Punishment” for RB Ray Rice

July 25, 2014

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Victims' Rights Caucus co-founders and co-chairmen Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) and Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) issued the following statement on the NFL's "punishment" for Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice:

"Recently, a video emerged of Ray Rice, a Baltimore Ravens' running back, dragging his unconscious then-fiancée out

Costa Responds to VA Report on Veteran Wait Times

July 22, 2014

Press Release

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) today responded to the release of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) report on veteran wait times at VA Medical Centers nationwide. According to the report, new patients at the Fresno VA Medical Center wait an average of 25 days for a Primary Care appointment and 61 days for a Specialty Care appointment.

Costa Announces Funding for Southwest Groundwater Banking Program

July 22, 2014

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) announced $1 million in WaterSMART grants for the Southwest Groundwater Banking Program. The funding, which comes from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, will allow the Fresno Irrigation District (FID) to develop a new 60 acre groundwater recharge basin as part of the District's Southwest Groundwater Banking Program.

Costa Applauds Passage of Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014

July 22, 2014

Press Release

Washington, D.C. — This week both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate passed the bipartisan Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014. The legislation, which Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) proudly cosponsored, directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into contracts with non-VA facilities to ensure veterans have access to hospital care and medical services.

Costa Outraged at AT&T Call Center Closure

July 22, 2014

Press Release

Merced, CA- Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) expressed extreme frustration over AT&T's announced closure of the company's two call centers at the Castle Commerce Center in Atwater. The closure will result in the loss of 400 jobs, the largest private sector layoff in Merced County in more than two decades.

Costa Supports Bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

July 22, 2014

Press Release

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday evening, Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) supported H.R. 803, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support.

Costa Responds to Speaker Boehner’s Refusal to Address Immigration Reform

July 22, 2014

Press Release

Fresno, CA — Today, Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) issued the following statement after President Obama pledged to take administrative action to address immigration. The President acknowledged that Speaker Boehner will not allow the House to vote on immigration reform legislation this year.

Costa Hails Introduction of Senate Bill to Renew and Improve BLM Energy Permitting Program

June 6, 2014

Press Release

Fresno, Calif. — Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) today praised the introduction of a bipartisan bill to extend a pilot program that has helped the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) balance complex demands, including oil and gas permitting and environmental management in the West. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the legislation today.

Costa Announces $6.3 Million in Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency Grants

June 6, 2014

Press Release

Fresno, Calif. — Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) today announced $6.3 million in Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency grants. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, released the federal funding to help communities in California modernize their water infrastructure and more efficiently use scarce water resources.