Jim Costa — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in California, 2026

Congressman Jim Costa advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, co-sponsoring legislation like the American Dream and Promise Act to provide permanent legal status for Dreamers. He also backs the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 to update the immigration registry, allowing long-settled immigrants to apply for legal status. Costa believes it is essential to modernize immigration laws, bringing stability and fairness to families who have lived in the U.S. for decades.

“The last time Congress updated the registry process, Ronald Reagan was president. That was nearly 40 years ago. I've worked across the aisle for years to deliver practical solutions, and this bill is one of them. It's time to modernize our immigration laws and provide long-overdue stability and fairness for immigrant families who have called this country home for decades." - Congressman Jim Costa, in a press release regarding the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, published on costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-jim-costa-pushes-update-outdated-us-immigration-registry”

Congressman Jim Costa consistently supports affordable healthcare access, opposing budget cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), arguing these cuts harm vulnerable communities. He worked to pass the ACA in 2010 and has defended it, stating it helps families maintain essential health coverage. Costa also supported legislation like the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act to lower prescription costs for seniors and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid programs.

““Republicans had six months to work with Democrats on a bipartisan, responsible budget. Instead, they’ve chosen to put billionaires and big corporations first at the expense of the people of the San Joaquin Valley. Healthcare is essential as the majority of the people that I represent rely on Medicaid, Medicare and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These vital safety nets ensure families can access food, healthcare, and stable housing. But this bill guts those services and puts rural hospitals at risk of closure, while adding $4 trillion to the deficit. That’s not fiscal responsibility—it’s a direct attack on the communities I represent,” said Congressman Costa. (Source: http://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-jim-costa-votes-against-largest-medicaid-and-snap-cuts-history)”

Representative Jim Costa holds a 67% pro-environment score in 2025 and a 62% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters. He supported the Transformational Climate Investments (Inflation Reduction Act) and introduced the End California Water Crisis Package to expand California's water storage and ease permitting. Costa advocates for federal investments in wildfire prevention and forest management. He criticized 2026 CVP water allocations as unjustified, seeking higher allocations to better support San Joaquin Valley farmers.

“We are not happy. With substantial snowpack this winter and multiple recent years of strong precipitation that have helped lift California out of drought, the initial allocation is not justified. The President claimed he could deliver more water and yet that pledge rings hollow today. The Trump Administration’s allocations are offensive to the farmers of the San Joaquin Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. This administration needs to move forward immediately with higher allocations and bring more water to the Valley like they promised.” (Congressman Jim Costa, Press Release, February 26, 2026)”

Jim Costa supports abortion rights and opposed the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. He stated that this ruling "strips women of their freedom to make their own decisions and the constitutional right to privacy." He is also an original co-sponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act.

“this ruling strips women of their freedom to make their own decisions and the constitutional right to privacy. (Jim Costa, in opposition to the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, as cited on Wikipedia)”

Jim Costa, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has shaped U.S. foreign policy regarding trade, human rights, and foreign aid, emphasizing strengthening international relations. He closely monitored U.S. military strikes against Iran and questioned the justification for unilateral military action in Venezuela. Additionally, he highlighted food as a national security issue, criticizing the allocation of foreign food aid to Argentina while domestic needs persist.

““I am closely monitoring the situation following President Trump’s announcement that U.S. forces have launched major combat operations against Iran.” — Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), February 28, 2026.”

Jim Costa supports strengthening education by advocating for equitable funding for Minority-Serving Institutions and opposing rescinded funding from these institutions. He helped pass the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 to increase Pell Grants and reduce student loan interest rates, and a 2010 law switching to the Direct Loan program. Costa also introduced the bipartisan BUILD Act to authorize up to $1.7 billion annually for regional public universities, emphasizing education's role in economic development.

““Regional public universities like Fresno State spur economic and community development in distressed communities along the Central Valley,” said Rep Jim Costa (D-Fresno). “For far too long, these institutions have been left behind.””

Jim Costa voted to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, describing it as historic gun reform aimed at preventing gun violence. He also co-sponsored and voted to pass the Assault Weapons Ban Act (H.R. 1808), which would make it unlawful to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess semiautomatic assault weapons or large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. He supports gun control measures.

“I voted to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, historic gun reform that is the most significant piece of gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years. - Jim Costa, http://costa.house.gov/achievements”