Jim Costa
Bio |
Jim Costa is an American Democratic politician who currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives for California’s 16th congressional district, a position he has held since 2013. Prior to this, Costa represented the 20th district in the House from 2005 to 2013 and also spent time in the California Senate and the California State Assembly. |
Status and Position |
Current US House of Representatives of California |
Political Party and Jurisdiction |
Democrat, California |
Elections |
Election Jurisdiction |
Started Campaign |
Campaign Status |
Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
| 2020 House of Representatives Election CA-16 | CA-16 | Yes | Running | N/A |
Campaign Financing |
Costa's campaign has been funded by PACs (about 58%) and individual contributions (about 42%). Source: https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00026341 |
Voting Rights |
No clear stance on issue. |
Opinions on Issues
Issues |
Stance |
Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | Nuance | Costa has enacted and advocated for healthcare reform to expand coverage and drive down costs, however he has not argued for or against a unviersal system. Source: https://www.jimcosta.com/health_care, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-delivers-promise-lower-healthcare-costs, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-supports-enhancing-affordable-care-act Costa has fought for several measures to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, including lowering prescription drug costs, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, ensuring protections for pre-existing conditions, combating discrimination in healthcare, and more. Whether he endorses a universal healthcare system is unknown. Source: https://www.jimcosta.com/health_care, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-delivers-promise-lower-healthcare-costs, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-supports-enhancing-affordable-care-act |
| Socialized Healthcare | For | Costa supports numerous socialized measures to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, including the strengthening of the ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid, and lowering prescription drug costs. Source: https://www.jimcosta.com/health_care, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-delivers-promise-lower-healthcare-costs, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-supports-enhancing-affordable-care-act |
| Private Healthcare | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| LGBT Rights | For | Costa is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has supported numerous pieces of legislation seeking to enact protections and anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQ+ folks. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-equality-act, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3685, https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-joint-resolution/88 Costa is a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and has advocated for the passage of the Equality Act as well as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and also voted against the Marriage Protection Amendment, which sought to limit the definition of marriage as solely between a man and a woman. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-equality-act, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3685, https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-joint-resolution/88 |
| Taxes | Nuance | Costa has expressed concerns over the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and has expressed concern in the past over tax reform that favored corporations over middle-class Americans. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-passage-house-tax-bill, https://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article191365919.html Costa opposes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, arguing that it actually raises taxes for his constituents and adds to the national debt, and has expressed concern in the past over tax reform which gave corporations permanent tax cuts while only giving the middle-class temporary cuts, which he says he hopes will change. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-passage-house-tax-bill, https://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article191365919.html |
| Flat Tax Rate | Against | Costa has expressed that he favors tax reform that eases the burden of taxes on the middle-class rather than favoring corporate tax cuts. Source: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article191365919.html Costa opposes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, arguing that it actually raises taxes for his constituents and adds to the national debt, and has expressed concern in the past over tax reform which gave corporations permanent tax cuts while only giving the middle-class temporary cuts, which he says he hopes will change. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-passage-house-tax-bill, https://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article191365919.html |
| Abortion | For | Costa has expressed his support for abortion rights through his vote against the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would have banned federal health insurance from covering abortion services. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/3, https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/748, https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/representative/jim-costa/ In addition to voting against the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, Costa has a 100% approval rating by NARAL Pro-Choice. However, he did vote for the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which sought to restrict the transportation of minors across state lines to receive abortion services. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/3, https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/748, https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/representative/jim-costa/ |
| Gun Control | For | Costa advocates for stricter gun control legislation, deeply concerned over the rise in mass shootings and acts of violence targeted at minorities. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-calls-action-guns-condemns-racism, https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+8%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=5, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/fresno-congressman-criticizes-mitch-mcconnell-over-plague-gun-violence-us Costa has called for universal background checks to ensure one is eligible and fit to own a firearm, and seeks to enact legislation addressing the several mass shootings that have taken place over the last decade, many of them targeted at ethnic minorities. In a press release following a mass shooting in Costa's home district, Costa said, "The daily tragedy of gun violence continues to inflict violence to individuals and neighborhoods across our country and that's a fact." Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-calls-action-guns-condemns-racism, https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+8%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=5, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/fresno-congressman-criticizes-mitch-mcconnell-over-plague-gun-violence-us |
| Assisted Suicide | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. Costa has called for universal background checks to ensure one is eligible and fit to own a firearm, and seeks to enact legislation addressing the several mass shootings that have taken place over the last decade, many of them targeted at ethnic minorities. In a press release following a mass shooting in Costa's home district, Costa said, "The daily tragedy of gun violence continues to inflict violence to individuals and neighborhoods across our country and that's a fact." Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-calls-action-guns-condemns-racism, https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+8%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=5, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/fresno-congressman-criticizes-mitch-mcconnell-over-plague-gun-violence-us |
| Government Interference | Nuance | Costa supports government interference when it comes to issues such as gun control, welfare assistance, and civil rights protections, however he opposes intervention on certain matters such as birth control access and stem cell research. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-calls-action-guns-condemns-racism, https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+8%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=5, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/fresno-congressman-criticizes-mitch-mcconnell-over-plague-gun-violence-us, https://costa.house.gov/issues/standing-victims-rights, https://costa.house.gov/issues/housing, https://costa.house.gov/issues/health-care, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3685, https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/3, https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/748, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-calls-passage-stem-research-bill |
| Planned Parenthood | For | Costa is a supporter of abortion rights and legalized abortion services, has been rated 100% by NARAL Pro-Choice, and has also received an endorsement from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/3, https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/representative/jim-costa/, https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/2020-endorsements/full-list |
| Welfare | For | Costa supports numerous welfare measures on issues related to victims' rights, housing insecurity, accessible and affordable healthcare, and LGBTQ+ rights. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/standing-victims-rights, https://costa.house.gov/issues/housing, https://costa.house.gov/issues/health-care, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3685 Costa co-founded the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus where he seeks to represent crime victims' interests and push for legislation that supports crime victims. He has also called for the Housing Opportunity and Mortgage Equity Act which allows families to refinance their mortgages and prevent foreclosure, in addition to the strengthening of Medicare and Medicaid and anti-discrimination legislation for LGBTQ+ folks. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/standing-victims-rights, https://costa.house.gov/issues/housing, https://costa.house.gov/issues/health-care, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3685 |
| Welfare | For | Costa supports stem cell research, seeing it as beneficial in seeking cures for many chronic illnesses such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-calls-passage-stem-research-bill |
| Death Penalty | For | Costa has voted for and sponsordd legislation which indicates his support for the death penalty. Source: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2017265 Costa voted in favor of the Thin Blue Line Act, which seeks to make inciting violence against law enforcement, firefighters, or first responder a determining factor in death sentencing. He also helped to introduce the Three Strikes Bill, which requires a violent felony and two previous convictions in order to qualify for the death penalty. Source: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2017265, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-02-01-mn-17748-story.html |
| Mandatory Prison Sentence | Nuance | Costa helped to introduce the Three Strikes Law which was passed in 1994 which requires a violent felony and two previous convictions in order to qualify for the death penalty. His other stances on prison sentencing are not known. Source: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-02-01-mn-17748-story.html |
| Military Spending | For | Costa supports a generous defense budget, seeking to ensure that the armed forces are fully equipped to address national security and terrorist threats. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/national-security |
| War on Terrorism | For | Costa seeks to address terrorism through adequate military funding and resources and national security innovation. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/national-security |
| Foreign Policy International Interaction | For | Costa has supported numerous pieces of legislation which establish diplomatic relations with allied countries as well as legislation which places sanctions on countries who engage in threatening practices. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1886, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7081, https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/3100, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2332 Costa has voted in favor of diplomatic and humanitarian foreign policy measures such as the PEACE Act, which supports democratic institutions in Pakistan, and the US-India Nuclear Agreement, as well as more punitive measures and national security protections against threatening countries such as the East Asia Security Act and the Syria Accountability and Liberation Act. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1886, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7081, https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/3100, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2332 |
| United Nations power | For | Costa supports the United Nations, voting against measures seeking to cut back on US funding to the UN and publicly commending the institution's role in global conflict resolution. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/2745, https://www.facebook.com/RepJimCosta/posts/3361777410536112 |
| Nationalism | Against | Costa has condemned acts of hate and violence against others based on nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, or any other demographic, arguing that, "Hate crimes, especially those that are based on intolerance for a certain race, creed or gender, have no place in our country." Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-recent-hate-crimes-against-indian-americans |
| Free Markets | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Brexit | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Affirmative Action | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Government Spending | Nuance | Costa support government spending for education, the military, national security purposes, however he has cited the national debt as a huge concern. He seeks to address this by cutting back on unncessary government programs, bringing outsourced jobs back to US soil, and ensuring responsible uses of government money. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/fiscal-responsibility, https://costa.house.gov/issues/national-security, https://costa.house.gov/issues/improving-education |
| Charter Schools | Nuance | Costa's position on charter schools is unclear due to a mixed voting record, including a vote against the SOAR Act, which sought to expand charter schools in the DC area, and for the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which aims to modernize and equip both public and charter schools. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/206, https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2187 |
| Common Core | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Clean Energy | Nuance | While Costa has called for an effort to reduce fossil fuel emissions and address environmental sustainaibility, he has also advocated for the continued use of fossil fuels like oil and gas on US soil. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/energy-independence Costa introduced the Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act which seeks to encourage US energy independence by implementing US gas and oil reserves as well as pursuing renewable and sustainable sources of energy. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/energy-independence |
| Religious Freedom | For | Costa supports religious freedom and has expressed his concern over hate crimes aimed at religious minorities. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-recent-hate-crimes-against-indian-americans Following several shootings of Indian-Americans, Costa released a statement condemning the acts, saying that "“We, as Americans, should never forget that our country was founded in part on the principle of religious freedom. Our constitution protects the freedom of religion.” Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-recent-hate-crimes-against-indian-americans |
| Separation of Church and State | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Slavery Reparations | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Border Control | For | Costa seeks to enhance border security while still providing pathways to citizenship for undocumented individuals. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/immigration, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-praises-president-biden-s-immigration-plan-will-seek-additional-ag Costa has expressed his support for Biden's immigration reform plan, including enhanced border security through technology and infrastructure, cracking down on criminal activity, and addressing the root causes of immigration such as poverty and crime. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/immigration, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-praises-president-biden-s-immigration-plan-will-seek-additional-ag |
| Passenger Profiling | Against | Costa has expressed his concern over racial and religious profiling both by individuals and law enforcement, and has called for the passage of the Justice in Policing Act to hold officers accountable , combat police brutality, and mandate anti-racism training for law enforcement. Source: https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-supports-george-floyd-justice-policing-act, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-recent-hate-crimes-against-indian-americans |
| DACA | For | Costa is strongly supportive of DREAMers and DACA and believes that undocumented immigrants should have legal pathways to citizenship. Source: https://costa.house.gov/issues/immigration, https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-supreme-court-daca-ruling |
| Sanctuary Cities | For | Costa voted against the Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act, which protects sanctuary cities' right to exist. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3009 |
| Legalizing Marijuana | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |