Committees and Caucuses
Committees
In the 117th Congress, Congressman Jim Costa serves on three powerful House Committees on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Foreign Affairs.
House Committee on Agriculture
The responsibilities and goals of the House Committee on Agriculture are as diverse as the needs of American agriculture. We face issues as varied as renewable energy, rural development, nutrition, crop insurance, conservation, international trade, futures market regulation, animal and plant health, agricultural research and development, bioterrorism, forestry, and many others. Our challenge is to find ways to address the diverse needs of agriculture in regions with very different products, climates, and experiences.
We must continue to work together to find ways to not only support our nation's agricultural production but also to ensure that American consumers continue to have access to the world's safest, most abundant food and agriculture products. For almost 200 years, the House Committee on Agriculture has established farm policy for agriculture and rural America in the nation's capital.
Our nation was founded on the strength of agriculture production, which helped to establish us among the world's most powerful and prosperous nations. The importance of agriculture in the United States has only grown, as our nation's farmers and ranchers produce the food, fiber, and products that keep our nation strong and bountiful and that help feed a hungry world.
On the House Agriculture Committee, Costa serves as Chairman of the Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee.
House Natural Resources Committee
The House Committee on Natural Resources advances the interests of the indigenous peoples and residents of the territories of the United States, considers legislation, and oversees federal conservation and species protection programs.
The Committee’s responsibilities focus on the following areas: Insular Affairs; Energy and Mineral Resources; Indigenous People of the United States; National Parks and Public Lands; Oversight and Investigations; and Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
For the Committee on Natural Resources, the Congressman serves on the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee. Congressman Costa's appointment gives his constituents a voice on water issues, such as water resources planning, research and development, and irrigation programs.
House Foreign Affairs Committee
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs considers legislation that impacts the diplomatic community, which includes the Department of State, the Agency for International Development, the Peace Corps, the United Nations, and the enforcement of the Arms Export Control Act.
The Committee will have jurisdiction over legislation with respect to the administration of the Export Administration Act, including the export and licensing of dual-use equipment and technology and other matters related to international economic policy and trade not otherwise assigned to a subcommittee, and with respect to the United Nations, its affiliated agencies, and other international organizations, including assessed and voluntary contributions to such organizations.
The Committee may conduct oversight and investigations with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the House of Representatives.
On the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Congressman serves on the Europe, Energy, The Environment, and Cyber Subcommittee.
Caucuses
Along with his committee assignments, Costa serves as a leader of the following caucuses and groups:
Costa is the Chairman and co-founder of the Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus, which elevates the voices of crime victims and survivors within the U.S. Congress in a bipartisan manner. The caucus focuses on the importance of listening to crime survivors and those who serve them to guide Congressional actions that improve services and rights for crime victims.
As the U.S. Co-Chairman of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD) leading the U.S. delegation. The TLD works to enhance exchanges between legislators working in the European Parliament and the US Congress. It was officially established as a formal response by Parliament and Congress to the commitments set in the New Transatlantic Agenda of 1995.
Costa serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Portuguese-American Caucus, which aims to strengthen the long-standing ties between the United States and Portugal. While also increasing awareness of the achievements of over one million Portuguese-Americans.
Costa is a member of the following Congressional groups and caucuses:
Blue Dog Coalition is dedicated to pursuing fiscally-responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense, and transcending party lines to get things done for the American people.
New Democrat Coalition, the largest Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives, is made up of 99 forward-thinking Democrats who are committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible policies.
Problem Solvers Caucus, an independent member-driven group in Congress, comprised of representatives from across the nation – equally divided between Democrats and Republicans – committed to finding common ground on many of the key issues facing the nation.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
California Democratic Congressional Delegation is the largest state delegation in Congress. Dedicated to advocating and advancing policies to strengthen the Golden State of California.
Agriculture
Farmer Cooperative Caucus (Co-Chair)
House Chicken Caucus (Co-Chair)
Congressional Rodeo Caucus (Co-Chair)
Congressional Fertilizer Caucus (Co-Chair)
Civil Rights
Education
Energy
Congressional Natural Gas Caucus
Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus
Congressional Propane Caucus
Foreign Affairs
American Sikh Congressional Caucus
Friends of Australia Caucus
Health
Congressional Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Awareness Caucus (Co-Chair)
Mitochondrial Disease Caucus
Judiciary
National Security
Science
Sports & Recreation