Media

Bill Strengthens Community-Based Poverty Reduction Efforts

Washington, DC— Rep. Jim Costa voted today in favor of legislation to reauthorize funding for poison prevention and poison control centers, includingthe Madera poisoncenter located at Children's Hospital Central California. The 12 doctors of pharmacy employed at the Children's Hospital site provide expert advice over the phone to families regarding exposure to potentially toxic substances. The bill, H.R. 3527 – Poison Center Network Act, now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

FRESNO, CA— Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement in response to news that Azerbaijani troops had killed an Armenian soldier, Hrant Poghosyan, along the border of Nagorno-Karabakh.

FRESNO, CA—Rep. Jim Costa cheered the Brown Administration and California Department of Water Resources' (DWR) decision to mobilize additional drought management resources and appoint an individual tasked with monitoring ongoing drought conditions and prioritizing and coordinating the state and federal agencies responses.

WASHINGTON, DC—Co-Chairs of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, Reps. Jim Costa and Ted Poe, introduced the reauthorization of the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCCA) that will improve accountability and extend the program for 5 years. The act provides funding to the National Children's Alliance, local Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs), and four Regional Children's Advocacy Center programs. These centers and programs help expedite prosecution of offenders, reduce violent encounters, and improve safety in communities across the country.

Washington, DC—Rep. Jim Costa announced his second annual holiday card drive for active duty military and Valley veterans. Costa invites residents of the 16^th Congressional District to show our appreciation to those who serve and those who have served this holiday season. Working with the American Red Cross, the cards will be delivered to members of the military recovering from injuries while in the line duty at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and local veterans receiving care at the Fresno VA Medical Center.

Washington, DC. (November 15^th, 2013)-Jim Costa (D-CA), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT), and Steve Womack (R-AR), authors of the Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act (H.R. 1462), reacted this afternoon to the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to reduce the amount of ethanol blended into fuel in 2014.

Washington, DC—Rep. Jim Costa supported legislation that will put the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) backon track in delivering former service members the benefits they have earned. The last 6 months have shown great progress with the backlog at VA being reduced by 30 percent, but there still are more than 400,000 overdue cases awaiting review at the Department and Costa's office works with many of these veterans daily. The House overwhelmingly approved bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to address the backlog at VA with a vote of 404-1.