Jim Costa

I did say earlier that the most important thing Congress needs to do is nothing, to leave the RFS alone...

We need to do everything we can to ensure that these programs remain funded, and hopefully increase the amount of mandatory funding that we can get to them, because we are going to reap the results and the benefits many times over the…

Well, thank you again, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Subcommittee. I am looking forward to this year as we reauthorize the farm bill.

The nontariff trade barriers are a big, big part of facilitating trade agreements. And that is part of the handicap that American agriculture too often has.

I mean really, what a lot of these agreements are all about is trying to level the playing field.

A timely reauthorization of the farm bill is extremely important.

This effort on specialty crops, and the focus of the Subcommittee, is important.

What would be the consequences do you think if, in the farm bill, these programs were further reduced or eliminated?

It is called a subsidy by many.

The European Union is doing precisely what you said, and they negotiate as a common market as the Union.

A trade agreement only works when you have cooperation on both sides.

Nobody does it better than American agriculture, and that is the bottom line.

I disagree though with the new Administration's shortsighted approach to trade.

I was proud to be one of the 28 Democrats in the House who voted for Trade Promotion Authority.

We are going to need your efforts, your organizations' efforts, and all the folks you represent out there as we try to put this farm bill together.

We represent the taxpayers, and the taxpayers expect us, and we should, use their money as an investment return as far as conservation practices go.

I will work, in a bipartisan way, every day I can with the Chairman of this Subcommittee and with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to produce a farm bill in this Congress, because that is the goal line.

They want better nutrition, higher protein, and we do that well.

I reject the notion that these are poison pills. People in my district and in their homes and my colleagues have been without water, in some cases, for 2 years. This is not like a Third World country. This is the richest country in the…

This is a good bill for Flint, Michigan. It is a good bill for WRDA projects across the country. It is a good bill for California. Everybody knows that we have experienced over 5 years of drought conditions, the driest in 1,200 years. I…

I also rise today to join in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Armenia. Twenty-five years ago today, Armenia declared its independence from the Soviet Union and, once again, the Republic of Armenia was established. Earlier this year, I…

As a proud member of the Hispanic Caucus, I rise today to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the rich history, the culture, and the traditions of the Latino communities throughout our Nation and the world. The United States of America is a…

It has been a Marxist dictatorship since, really its inception, and it is obviously in all ways that we view human rights.

I specifically want to thank you and all of the work that you have done to keep our rail systems safe across the country.

Earlier today, I inadvertently pressed the wrong button when voting on rollcall Vote No. 451. I intended to vote ``no.'' Amendment No. 73 Offered by Mr. Newhouse The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote…