Media

Washington, DC - Rep. Jim Costa, the highest ranking Californian on the House Agriculture Committee, voted to move H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, to the House floor. At nearly midnight, the House Agriculture Committee gave overwhelming support with a vote of 36-10 to take up where the last Congress left off and advance a five year Farm Bill that will set the nation's agriculture and nutrition policies.

Washington, DC- Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase competition, stabilize food prices and enhance American energy security and global competitiveness. The Domestic Alternative Fuels Act, H.R. 1959, would allow ethanol produced from domestic natural gas to be included under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and compete with corn-based ethanol.

Washington, DC- Congressman Jim Costa introduced critical legislation, the More Water and Security for Californians Act, which would significantly increase the water supply in the Valley. Farmers and growers who receive water from the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP) would see greater water security under Costa's legislation.

Washington, DC- Rep. Jim Costa applauded the FAA's decision to halt the elimination of the overnight shift at Fresno Yosemite International Airport and 71 other facilities nationwide. The FAA had previously announced the possibility of discontinuing these shifts due to budget sequestration.

Washington, DC- Rep. Jim Costa supported legislation that would reduce airport delays and maintain the midnight shift at Fresno Yosemite International Airport's air traffic control tower, which supports the mission of the 144th Fighter Wing. The Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 also gives the Administration the flexibility to reverse their decision to shutter Castle Airport's air traffic control operations, a move Costa has been urging the FAA to take since March.

Washington, DC- Rep. Jim Costa blasted U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan over his decision to close the Fresno Field Office, which would force Valley residents to drive nearly 200 miles for in-person assistance. In a letter, Costa called their decision to close the office misguided and ill-advised.

Washington, DC- Rep. Jim Costa hailed the Air Force for their efforts to keep the F-15 conversion at the 144th Fighter Wing on track. Costa was joined by fellow Valley Reps. David Valadao and Devin Nunes on a letter to the Air Force last month reaffirming the critical mission of the 144th and their strong support for the aircraft conversion from the older F-16 aircraft to the newer F-15 aircraft.

Washington, DC- Rep. Jim Costa has introduced legislation that would expand Yosemite to include nearly 1,600 acres of land that were originally intended for inclusion within the park. The Yosemite National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2013 would adjust the park's current boundary to protect its vulnerable western border and prevent the potentially problematic and costly development of these remote areas. Senator Dianne Feinstein has also introduced companion legislation in the United States Senate.