FRESNO, CA - Recently, Congressman Jim Costa announced his pursuit for Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. Costa represents California’s 16th Congressional District, which resides in the heart of California’s Central Valley. As Congressman Costa throws his hat in the ring, the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) recently announced its support for the choice.
“On behalf of the California Fresh Fruit Association and its members, I would like to express our support for Congressman Jim Costa to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture in the 117th Congress,” CFFA President Ian LeMay stated. “During his time in Congress, Congressman Costa has repeatedly demonstrated an astute knowledge for not only the needs of production agriculture but also the needs of those who rely on our nation’s nutrition programs. A farmer himself, Congressman Costa understands the daily challenges farmers face to produce food and fiber for the American and global consumer.”
The 16th District not only encompasses the city of Fresno, California’s fifth-largest city, but it is also a region of California that accounts for 25 percent of the state’s agriculture production. As noted in the release, the district perfectly embodies the many elements of jurisdiction that the House Agriculture Committee is tasked with each year.
Congressman Costa understands the importance of protecting the country’s domestic food supply, according to the release, as well as having been a strong advocate for rural America, and at the same time advocating for expanding U.S. nutrition programs to assist those in need.
“California is the top agricultural producing region in the world, and it has been since 1867, the last time a California representative held the Chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee,” LeMay continued. “By my estimation, California is due, and I can think of no better individual to lead the Agriculture Committee to help shape U.S. agriculture policy during these perilous times than Congressman Jim Costa. The Association knows that with his passion and leadership, Congressman Costa will advocate for all farmers, ranchers, and consumers across the country.”
Since 2005, Congressman Costa has served on the Agriculture Committee. Congressman Costa currently serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture and was a conferee for both the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills.
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