Jim Costa

Public Figure

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James Manuel Costa (born April 13 1952) is a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of California. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in November 2004 to represent ([http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/ca20_109.gif map]). The district takes in large and predominantly Latino portions of Fresno and Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley.Born in Fresno, Costa is a third-generation family farmer. His grandparents emigrated from Portugal's Azores Islands in the early 20th century. He graduated in 1974 from Fresno State, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was a state legislator for 24 years, serving in the California State Assembly from 1978 until 1994, and in the California State Senate from 1994 until 2002.In 2004, Costa entered the Democratic primary for the 20th District, which was opened up by the retirement of its seven-term incumbent, Cal Dooley. While Dooley endorsed his chief of staff, Lisa Quigley, as his successor, nearly all of the state Democratic establishment, including Senator Dianne Feinstein, endorsed Costa. Costa won a bruising primary and faced Republican Party state senator Roy Ashburn in November. On paper, Costa was an overwhelming favorite. The 20th is a heavily Democratic, 63% Latino-majority district; it gave Al Gore his highest vote total outside the state's two large conurbations (Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area in the north and Los Angeles and San Diego to the south). Nonetheless, the Republicans pumped a considerable amount of money into the race. The campaign was fairly negative, with plays on Costa's name, "Costa's going to cost ya," and links with former Governor Gray Davis, calling them "two taxing twins." However, in the end Costa won, taking 54% of the vote to Ashburn's 46%. The contest actually wasn't nearly that close; Ashburn was only able to hold his margin of defeat to single digits by winning heavily Republican Kings County.Costa ran unopposed for reelection in 2006. The Democrats won control of the House in that election, and Costa became chairman of the Natural Resources Committee's Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Agriculture Committee. He is heavily favored for reelection in 2008; given this district's heavy Democratic tilt it is not likely he will face substantive Republican opposition in the forseable future.Like most Democrats from the San Joaquin Valley, Costa is somewhat more moderate than is typical for Democrats from California. He is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.*Agriculture Committee**Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry**Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research*Natural Resources Committee**Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources**Subcommittee on Water and Power*Foreign Affairs Committee**Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia**Subcommittee on Europe*Co-founder and Co-chair of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus*Co-founder of the Congressional Water Caucus*Co-founder of the Congressional Organ Donation Caucus*[http://www.house.gov/costa/ U.S. Representative Jim Costa] official House site**[http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/H4CA20082 Federal Election Commission — Mr. Jim Costa] campaign finance reports and data*[http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Jim_Costa.htm On the Issues — Jim Costa] issue positions and quotes*[http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?CID=N00026341 OpenSecrets.org — Jim Costa] campaign contributions*[http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=BS021490 Project Vote Smart — Representative Jim Costa (CA)] profile*[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Jim_Costa SourceWatch Congresspedia — Jim Costa] profile*[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/c001059/ Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Jim Costa] voting record*[http://www.jimcostaforcongress.com/ Jim Costa for U.S. Congress] official campaign site

December 19, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved The No Child Left Behind Act should not be reauthorized. Costa supports the elimination of No Child Left Behind

December 3, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved There are not persuasive non-religious reasons for prohibiting abortions. Costa believes abortions should always be legal

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved Parental Consent should be required in the abortion decision of a minor. I am pro-choice and support parental consent for minors.

October 31, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved The government should provide financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure. It is very important that we reform the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) programs to provide more affordable, government backed loans.

August 12, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved The U.S. should not set a timetable to withdraw troops from Iraq. Costa voted against a timetable.

July 22, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved The Constitution should not be amended to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Costa voted against the Marriage Protection Amendment

July 21, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved The federal government should subsidize the creation of new stem cell lines. Costa co-sponsored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

July 19, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved The District of Columbia should have a seat in Congress. Costa voted for the D.C. House Voting Rights Act

June 30, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved Congress should lift the ban on offshore oil drilling. Costa supported language lifting the ban.

June 26, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved The U.S. should enact a balanced budget amendment. Cosponser of H.J.Res.1 Balanced Budget resolution

May 26, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved Barack Obama should win the Democratic nomination for president in 2008. Costa Endorses Obama

May 21, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved The benefits of recycling outweigh the costs. Co-sponsored resolution encouraging recycling

February 25, 2008

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved Private student loans should not be dischargeable in bankruptcy. Costa voted against amendment to make loans dischargeable

November 30, 2007

an opinion of Jim Costa was approved The U.S. should expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Costa co-sponsored CHIP Act

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