Dear Friends,
This past week in Washington has been quite busy, and I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you what I have been doing to fight on behalf of the people of the San Joaquin Valley. The House discussed a number of critical issues that impact all Americans, and I made sure that the voice of the people of the Valley was heard in the legislation that was voted on this week.
Social Security Fraud Protection Passes in the House
This past Wednesday, the House passed the Social Security Fraud Prevention Act, a bill introduced by Rep. David Valadao, which I cosponsored and supported. This legislation would enact measures to help protect Americans – especially children, veterans, and seniors – from identity theft and fraud by requiring the federal government be stricter with when and how it includes social security numbers on documents it mails to individuals. This bipartisan effort to help protect Americans from fraud and theft, a practice that in 2014 impacted 13 million Americans to the tune of $16 billion, is a great example of how Congress can still come together to protect the American people. I will continue to work with Rep. Valadao to advance this legislation and hope to see this bill taken up in the Senate on a bipartisan basis and then signed into law.
Reducing Regulatory Burdens for our Valley’s Farmers
The House also passed the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act last week. This bill, which I cosponsored and supported, would eliminate the requirement to acquire two permits for the same pesticide application under two separate laws, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Clean Water Act. These redundant requirements are not only expensive but also time consuming, with permit costs ranging from $150,000 to $270,000 and taking up to two years to obtain. This legislation, if enacted into law, would be a big win for our Valley farmers and businesses!
Rep. Costa Advocates for Reducing Unnecessary Regulations
Rep. Costa Advocates for Stronger Protections of Young Victims from Sexual Assault
Last week I gave a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives to urge my colleagues to support the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act. Sexual assault, in any form, is a horrible crime that leaves lasting damage to its victims, and it is critical that we do whatever we can to prevent it and report it upon discovery. This particular bill would add protections for our young athletes by requiring adults authorized to interact with minors or amateur athletes to report any sex-abuse allegations to the amateur athletic governing bodies. Those bodies would then be required to report allegations to the proper local or federal authorities. As a co-founder of the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus, protecting and fighting for victims is an issue that is near and dear to my heart, so I was very pleased when the legislation passed the House by a vote of 415 to 3. I hope to see this legislation protecting our young athletes signed into law in the near future.
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter update. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any federal issues of your concern. To stay up to date on the work I am doing in Congress please visit my website at costa.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter here.
Sincerely,
Jim Costa
Member of Congress
