National Security

 

One of my top duties in Congress is to keep our country safe. This means strengthening our national security, supporting our troops at home and abroad, and completing our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To increase our national security, I have supported legislation to give our men and women in uniform the resources they need to keep us safe while ensuring accountability and good stewardship of our taxpayer dollars. For instance, 2011’s National Defense Authorization provides our military with the additional tools they need to disrupt, dismantle, and eventually defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies. These tools include counter-proliferation programs to keep weapons out of the hands of our enemies and intelligence and cyber security efforts to deter threats as soon as we learn about them. Al Qaeda and our enemies are constantly adapting, and I am committed to supporting our military and defense community in evolving to meet new threats.

Supporting our Troops

Over two million American service members have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. These brave men and women put their lives on the line to keep us safe and it is critical to our national honor and security to support members of our military when they are in the field and when they return home. To learn more about my work for veterans and their families, click here.

Saving Fresno’s 144th Fighter Wing

The Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno is vital for our national security and our Valley’s economic security. The location of the 144th Fighter Wing on the West Coast helps our nation maintain air superiority in the Southwest region of the United States and around the world, and with more than 1000 guardsmen and women stationed at the wing, the 144th is a central part of our local economy.

That’s why I fought so hard to stop proposals by other states to end the 144th fighter wing and halt the transfer of new F-15s to the wing. On a bipartisan basis, I rallied more than half the California Congressional delegation in support of the wing, and we were successful. The new F-15s are on track and the 144th is safe from any proposed elimination.

 

More on National Security

Oct 2, 2020 Press Release


(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the House passed the updated Heroes Act, a $2.2 trillion bill that strengthens our response and provides critical relief for families, workers, and businesses, including American agriculture, to deal  with the ongoing economic hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic:

Sep 16, 2020 Press Release

 

WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after representatives from Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates signed a historic agreement to normalize relations: 

Aug 13, 2020 Page

Dear Friend,

It’s been a difficult year so far. I’ve been working hard to deliver results for the people of the Valley. Despite the unprecedented challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have remained strong. Here are some of what I’ve accomplished for you so far in 2020:  

Jul 24, 2020 Press Release

(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the House passed the minibus appropriations bill to fund programs within Agriculture & Rural Development, Interior &Environment, State & Foreign Operations, and Military Construction & Veterans Affairs:

Jul 21, 2020 Press Release

 

(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the House passed the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 

Jun 16, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) and over 120 Members of the House Democratic Caucus are calling on Congressional leadership to include protection and financial assistance for farmworkers in future legislation to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

May 26, 2020 Press Release

[WASHINGTON] – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) led a letter with 10 other members of Congress calling on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to coordinate with the European Union and our European allies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

May 15, 2020 Press Release

 

[WASHINGTON] – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) voted to pass the Heroes Act,  the latest relief package from the House of Representatives to address the COVID-19 health crisis and provide support for the American people.