Press Releases

Washington, D.C. –Congressman Jim Costa was joined by Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), and 5 other Members of Congress in introducing the Community Economic Opportunity Act of 2015. The bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) program which supports more than 1,000 non-profit Community Action Agencies tasked with serving economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The CSBG was last reauthorized in 1998.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa released the following statement in response to both the Republican and Democratic budgets proposed.

"At a time when our national economy is finally beginning to stabilize it is critical that Congress move forward with a budget that is fiscally responsible while investing in our nation's future. It is of no benefit to continue proposing budgets that are based solely on party lines and do not provide common sense, realistic solutions for the issues facing our nation.

Washington, D.C.- Below is an excerpt of Congressman Jim Costa's opening statement at the Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee's hearing on County-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL) that was held earlier today.

"It does not surprise many in this room that I believe mandatory, government-run Country-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL) is a failed experiment. Unfortunately, this issue has persisted for several years with the same flawed arguments being used time and again.

Fresno, CA – Congressman Costa, who was instrumental in both drafting the language for the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training Pilot Projects and including it in the 2014 Farm Bill received good news for his district. As a result of his tireless efforts, Fresno County Department of Social Services will receive $12.3 million as part of the SNAP Employment and Training Pilot Projects to build on the existing efforts of Fresno Bridge Academy.

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Jim Costa released the following statement after California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, and Republican Leaders Senator Bob Huff and Assemblymember Kristin Olsen announced legislation that would assist communities struggling to cope with the historic drought. The $1 billion package would expedite bond funding and help ensure that Californians have access to water.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) and Congressman Steve Womack (R-Ark.) announced the formation of a new, bipartisan Congressional Chicken Caucus in the House of Representatives.

The caucus will serve as a formal group of members whose mission is to educate members of Congress and others about the history, contributions and issues of importance to U.S. chicken producers, pertaining to food safety, international trade, labor, animal welfare, immigration and environmental issues, among others.

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congress focused on security, both of the United States and its ally in the Middle East, Israel. The day began with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing a joint session of Congress and ended with the House of Representatives voting on a clean, yearlong appropriations bill to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Jim Costa issued the following statement after the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that agricultural service contractors in the San Joaquin Valley served through the Central Valley Project (CVP), such as San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority and Friant Water Authority, will receive zero percent of their contracted federal water for the second consecutive year.