Biography

James Manuel Costa, born on April 13, 1952, in Fresno, California, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving California's 21st Congressional District since 2023. He previously represented the 20th district from 2005 to 2013 and the 16th district from 2013 to 2023. A descendant of Portuguese immigrants from the Azores, Costa grew up working on his family's dairy farm in Fresno's Kearney Park. He has been a steadfast advocate for the San Joaquin Valley, focusing on agriculture, water infrastructure, and veterans' affairs.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Fresno.

• Political Experience:

  • Elected to the California State Assembly in 1978, serving until 1994.
  • Served in the California State Senate from 1994 to 2002.
  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, representing various districts in the San Joaquin Valley.
  • Co-founded the bipartisan Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus in 2005.
  • Served as Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition during the 116th Congress.
  • Currently serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Notable Achievements

• Agriculture and Water Infrastructure:

  • Instrumental in crafting three Farm Bills, supporting the agricultural interests of the San Joaquin Valley.
  • Secured funding for major water infrastructure projects, including the B.F. Sisk Dam, Friant-Kern Canal, and Sites Reservoir.

• Healthcare and Veterans' Affairs:

  • Co-sponsored the Honoring Our PACT Act, expanding healthcare to over 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic substances.
  • Played a key role in establishing the Fresno Veterans Home, providing care to hundreds of veterans.

• Infrastructure and Economic Development:

  • Secured over $7.5 billion for infrastructure projects in the San Joaquin Valley, including investments in highways, public transportation, and the California High-Speed Rail project.

• Legislative Initiatives:

  • Co-introduced the Victims of Child Abuse Reauthorization Act and the Respect for Child Survivors Act, both signed into law.
  • Advocated for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and supported a strong U.S.-Israel partnership.

Throughout his career, Representative Costa has demonstrated a commitment to bipartisan solutions, focusing on the needs of his constituents in California's 21st Congressional District.