Jim Costa

James Manuel "Jim" Costa, a Democrat, has represented the 20th Congressional District of California in the U. S. House of Representatives since 2004.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Biography
Born in Fresno on April 13 1952, Costa is a third-generation family farmer. His grandparents emigrated from Portugal's Azores Islands in the early 20th century. He graduated from Fresno State in 1974. He was a state legislator for 24 years, serving in the California State Assembly from 1978 until 1991, and in the California State Senate from 1994 until 2002. He was an aggressive fighter for farmers, the environment and health care in the Fresno area.

In 2004, Costa defeated Republican state senator Roy Ashburn to become the U.S. Representative for the 20th District.

Costa's legislative priorities are largely centered around California's Central Valley, a key agricultural region for the U.S. According to his House biography, Costa "has spent the majority of his life working to improve the lives of the people of the San Joaquin Valley on the local, state and national level. An accomplished problem solver, Costa cares first and foremost about the Valley, above partisanship and politics. His innovative approach to practical legislation has brought significant benefits to all Valley residents."

2006 elections
No major candidates announced their intentions to contest Costa’s seat in the November 2006 election. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

Money in Politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research
 * Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture
 * House Committee on Foreign Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats
 * Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia
 * House Committee on Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Water & Power
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Chair

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
 * Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture
 * Subcommittee on Department Operations Oversight Dairy Nutrition and Forestry
 * House Committee on Resources
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
 * Subcommittee on Water and Power
 * House Committee on Science
 * Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics

Articles and resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Tiger Beat: Music, Culture, and Politics