Jim Costa

Wants to strengthen the economy.

“Learn more about Congressman Costa's efforts to strengthen our economy.”⁷

Supports providing federal funding to Fresno State University to drive economic growth.

“The BUILD Act would authorize up to $1.7 billion per year for five years and support 174 universities across the nation, including Fresno State.”⁸

Supports preventing financial crises and protecting Americans from predatory lending through safeguards.

“When the economy collapsed in 2008, Congressman Jim Costa worked with President Barack Obama to pass the Dodd-Frank Act, putting safeguards in place to prevent another financial crisis and protect Americans from predatory lending.”⁹

Supports creating jobs and reducing child poverty through economic recovery plans.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Costa helped pass the American Rescue Plan, driving the strongest economic recovery in the world with 15 million jobs created, child poverty cut in nearly half, and record-low unemployment.”⁹

Supports restoring U.S. leadership in manufacturing and creating jobs through the CHIPS and Science Act.

“championed the CHIPS and Science Act to restore U.S. leadership in manufacturing, helping create more than 79,000 jobs in California.”⁹

Supports fiscal responsibility and reducing the national debt through PAYGO budgeting.

“He believes that restoring fiscal discipline through measures like pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budgeting ensures that Congress does not spend money it does not have, helping prevent the debt from spiraling out of control and protecting the financial future of our children and grandchildren.”⁹

Supports reducing the deficit by requiring large corporations to pay a minimum tax.

“In 2022, he voted to enact the Inflation Reduction Act, which raises $300 billion over the next decade to cut the deficit by requiring large corporations to pay a 15 percent minimum tax on profits and imposing a 1 percent excise tax on stock buybacks.”⁹

Fought to protect and expand SNAP, opposing cuts and increasing food bank funding.

“Congressman Jim Costa has fought to protect and expand SNAP, opposing deep cuts, increasing food bank funding through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and championing legislation to aid disabled veterans, food-insecure college students, and hungry families.”¹⁰

Championed the American Rescue Plan to deliver financial aid, SNAP benefits, and PPE to farmers and farmworkers.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he championed the American Rescue Plan, delivering financial aid, SNAP benefits, and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to farmers and farmworkers.”¹⁰

Delivered a 15% boost in SNAP benefits and expanded P-EBT to support families struggling with food insecurity.

“Costa helped deliver a 15% boost in SNAP benefits and expanded Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) to support families and college students struggling with food insecurity.”¹⁰

Wants to expand access to healthcare in the San Joaquin Valley.

“Learn more about Congressman Costa's efforts to expand access to healthcare in the San Joaquin Valley.”⁷

Supports capping insulin at $35 a month to expand access to affordable healthcare.

“Congressman Jim Costa has worked to change that by voting to cap insulin at $35 a month, limit prescription drug costs to $2,000 a year, expand access to affordable healthcare, make hearing aids available over the counter, and cut internet costs.”⁹

Supports expanding healthcare access across the region, from emergency rooms to rural clinics.

“From emergency rooms to rural clinics, Costa has worked to expand healthcare access across the region.”²¹

Supports funding medical schools in rural and underserved areas to train doctors locally.

“In Congress, he introduced the Expanding Medical Education Act to fund medical schools in rural and underserved areas, supporting plans for full medical schools at UCSF Fresno and UC Merced.”²¹

Supports strengthening local hospitals and clinics through federal investments.

“He has delivered millions in federal investments to strengthen local hospitals and clinics by expanding United Health Centers in Parlier, securing $48 million in COVID relief for Kaweah Health, and directing over $100 million to community health centers for vaccination, testing, and treatment.”²¹

Supports making healthcare more affordable for working families.

“Costa has also been a leader in making healthcare more affordable.”²¹

Supports capping seniors’ prescription costs and lowering insulin prices for Medicare recipients.

“These laws also capped seniors’ prescription costs at $2,000, lowered insulin prices to $35 per month for Medicare recipients, and empowered Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.”²¹

Supports making hearing aids available over the counter.

“Costa also supported making hearing aids available over the counter, saving families thousands of dollars.”²¹

Supports protecting and strengthening Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal) programs.

“A strong advocate for Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal) in California, Costa has fought to protect and strengthen these vital programs, which together cover millions of Valley residents, including over 1.8 million Medi-Cal recipients in the region.”²¹

Supports reauthorizing and expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

“He has repeatedly voted to reauthorize and expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), ensuring care for more than 12 million children nationwide.”²¹

Opposes cuts to Medicaid and Medicare funding.

“When Republicans pushed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, which would have made the largest cuts to Medicaid and Medicare in U.S. history, Costa voted no, warning it would gut funding for clinics, hospitals, and home care, raise costs for seniors, and strip healthcare from Americans.”²¹

Wants to fix our broken immigration system.

“Learn more about Congressman Costa's efforts to fix our broken immigration system.”⁷

Wants to boost domestic energy security.

“Learn more about Congressman Costa's efforts to boost our domestic energy security.”⁷

Supports securing federal investments to reduce emissions and expand clean energy sources.

“Congressman Costa has prioritized securing federal investments to reduce emissions, expand clean energy, prevent wildfires, and protect forests.”³⁹

Wants to curb energy market speculation and boost domestic energy production.

“On the Natural Resources Committee, he has fought to curb energy market speculation, boost domestic energy production, and invest in affordable, renewable energy sources like hydrogen, solar, and bioenergy to diversify and strengthen America’s energy future.”³⁹

Supports expanding school-based air monitoring to protect children’s health.

“He has supported efforts to address asthma, such as expanding school-based air monitoring to protect children’s health and informing families during dangerous air quality days.”³⁹

Pushed for stronger federal investments to prevent wildfires.

“After the devastating Creek Fire, one of the largest wildfires in California history, which burned nearly 380,000 acres in Fresno and Madera counties, Costa pushed for stronger federal investments to prevent similar disasters.”³⁹

Champions wildfire prevention and forest management, securing resources to protect forests.

“On the Forestry Subcommittee, Costa has been a champion for wildfire prevention and forest management, securing resources to protect California’s iconic Giant Sequoias and the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks from escalating wildfire threats.”³⁹

Supported some provisions of the Save Our Sequoias Act to protect forests and reduce wildfire risk.

“He successfully pushed to enact some provisions of the bipartisan Save Our Sequoias Act to protect our forests and reduce wildfire risk under the Biden presidency.”³⁹

Introduced the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act to use new aerial tools to fight fires.

“He also introduced the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act to use new aerial tools to fight fires.”³⁹

Championed the Inflation Reduction Act, delivering over $15 million for a solar project.

“Costa championed the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in U.S. history, delivering over $15 million for a first-of-its-kind project to install solar panels over the Delta-Mendota Canal, boosting clean energy while conserving water for Valley farmers and communities.”³⁹

Fought to expand the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“He has fought to expand the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), helping thousands of Valley families, including seniors and low-income households, with their utility bills to stay safe during triple-digit weather.”³⁹

Wants to strengthen the education system.

“Learn more about Congressman Costa's efforts to strengthen our education system.”⁷

Supports providing early education, health services, and family support to children through Head Start programs.

“These programs help ensure children enter school ready to learn by providing early education, health services, and family support.”⁸

Supports construction of a center where business, technology and agriculture can intersect through innovation.

“Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) joined Reedley College leaders, students, and community partners to celebrate $2 million in federal funding to support construction of the AgTECInnovation Center, a major investment in the future of agricultural technology and workforce development in the Central Valley.”⁸

Wants to improve diplomatic relations around the world.

“Learn more about Congressman Costa's efforts to strengthen our national security and improve diplomatic relations around the world.”⁷

Supports strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations with U.S. allies.

“As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Costa has helped shape U.S. foreign policy ranging from trade, human rights, and foreign aid, with a focus on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations with U.S. allies.”⁵⁴

Advocates working with international allies and partners to uphold the post-World War II rules-based international order.

“Costa is a stalwart advocate for working with international allies and partners to uphold the post-World War II rules-based international order.”⁵⁴

Wants to lower housing costs and expand affordable housing.

“Learn more about Congressman Costa's efforts to lower housing costs and expand affordable housing.”⁷

Supports expanding access to affordable housing in the San Joaquin Valley and throughout the region.

“Congressman Jim Costa has been a steadfast advocate for expanding access to affordable housing in the San Joaquin Valley, where many families face rising housing costs, overcrowding, and limited options.”⁶²

Supports increased funding for federal housing programs like the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).

“He has supported increased funding for key federal housing programs like the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which have helped finance the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing developments throughout the region.”⁶²

Prioritized rental and housing assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic in relief bills.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Costa took decisive action to prevent families from losing their homes, making rental and housing assistance a top priority in relief bills like the CARES Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, and the American Rescue Plan.”⁶²

Cosponsored a bill authorizing funding to convert hotels and motels into emergency shelters.

“Costa cosponsored the Hotels to Housing Conversion Act, authorizing $750 million for states and housing authorities to partner with local governments and community organizations to convert hotels, motels, and unused residential properties into emergency shelters.”⁶²

Champions USDA programs for farmworker housing and rural homeownership.

“He has championed USDA Section 514 and 516 programs, securing funding to build and maintain safe, affordable housing for farmworkers who are vital to the Valley’s economy.”⁶²

Wants to protect and uplift Valley veterans.

“Learn more about Congressman Costa's efforts to protect and uplift our Valley veterans.”⁷

Believes the United States must assert its global leadership to keep us safe at home and abroad.

“With rising challenges from terrorism, nuclear developments, and human rights violations, Costa believes that the United States must assert its global leadership to keep us safe at home and abroad.”⁵⁴

Wants to grow and strengthen California and San Joaquin Valley agriculture.

“Learn more about Congressman Costa's efforts to grow and strengthen California and San Joaquin Valley agriculture.”⁷

Supports protecting Valley’s commodities and ensuring fair treatment for farmers through trade agreements.

“With nearly one in four local jobs tied to agricultural exports, he fought to shape the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to protect the Valley’s top commodities like nuts, dairy, wine, and citrus, all while opening new markets and ensuring fair treatment for our farmers.”⁹

Supports promoting agricultural products abroad through programs like the Market Access Program.

“Costa also champions programs like the Market Access Program and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops, which help small and mid-sized growers promote their products abroad.”⁹

Secured recognition for California’s specialty crops in national farm policy through the Horticulture title in the 2008 Farm Bill.

“In 2008, he played a pivotal role in passing the Farm Bill over a presidential veto and secured the first-ever Horticulture title, giving California’s specialty crops long-overdue recognition in national farm policy.”¹⁰

Fought to enhance funding for conservation programs like RCPP and EQIP in the 2018 Farm Bill.

“Serving on the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee, he fought to enhance funding for conservation programs like the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which help our farmers preserve their farmland.”¹⁰

Worked to remove retaliatory tariffs on major crops, reopening export markets for farmers.

“In 2022, Costa founded the bipartisan Agricultural Trade Caucus and worked with President Biden to successfully remove retaliatory tariffs on major crops like almonds, walnuts, and apples, reopening critical export markets for farmers in the San Joaquin Valley.”¹⁰