Media

Washington,D.C. –Following Judge Oliver Wanger's May decision that federal regulationsrestricting Valley water are flawed, Valley water users and environmentalgroups reached an agreement regarding the Delta smelt that will keep the pumpsmoving water south of the Delta turned on through June. All pumpingrestrictions required under the smelt biological opinion will cease as of July1st, allowing water to flow freely to the Valley through the end ofthe year.

WASHINGTON,D.C. –Congressman Jim Costa today introduced a resolution expressing opposition toIran's nuclear weapons program and ongoing human rights abuses. The resolutionalso reaffirms Congress' support for Iranian citizens struggling for freedomand calls for fair, democratic elections in Iran.

Increase brings allocation to four times the amount of water the Valley received last year

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa today announced that the Interior Department will be increasing water allocations from the federal Central Valley Project to 45 percent for agricultural service contractors south of the Delta. Interior's latest announcement is another increase from the Department's initial announcement of 5 percent on February 26.

Sheriff applauds Costa for securing funds to help make raid possible

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa today applauded Valley law enforcement following this week's raid on the violent Nuestra Familia gang. The raid, which resulted in over 30 arrests, was one of the largest in the Valley's history. Law enforcement took down the gang's organizational structure, seizing drugs and firearms in the process.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa announced that today Medicare will begin mailing out $250 ‘donut hole' checks to tens and thousands of qualifying seniors. Under the recently enacted health reform law, seniors who fall in the donut hole coverage gap in 2010 will receive this one-time, tax-free $250 rebate check. These checks will continue to be mailed monthly over the next several months as seniors enter the coverage gap.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa today delivered an additional $1 million in federal funding for Valley farmers to fight the European Grapevine Moth, a foreign pest threatening this summer's harvest. Costa worked to secure the funding to protect the Valley's economy and prevent farmers from suffering financial losses after the moth was found in the region.

Funds will prevent spread of pest threatening Valley grape industry and jobs

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa today announced $1.75 million in Farm Bill funding to prevent the spread of the European grapevine moth in California. The spread of the grapevine moth threatens the upcoming summer harvest and the Valley's grape industry.