Jim Costa
Representative for California's 21st district · Democrat
View:InteractiveSummary Compare with another member · All members from California
Seats held: Representative for CA-21, 2023–now · Representative for CA-16, 2013–2023 · Representative for CA-20, 2005–2013.
CA-21 has about 773,000 residents.
Votes compared with what constituents said
- Cooperative Election Study: voted with 57 of 68 surveyed votes where the district's estimated majority was clear.
- Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape: voted with 11 of 11 surveyed votes where the district's estimated majority was clear.
| Survey question | Vote | How they voted | What constituents said | Compared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut $9.4 billion from previously approved federal spending (Rescissions Act) | July 18, 2025 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (40.5% support, likely 30.7–50.3%) | Too close to call |
| A tax bill extending the 2017 tax cuts, among other provisions (H.R. 1) | July 3, 2025 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (47.8% support, likely 37.9–57.7%) | Too close to call |
| Require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote (SAVE Act) | April 10, 2025 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (68.1% support, likely 58.4–77.8%) | Against the majority |
| Require medical care for infants born alive after an attempted abortion | January 23, 2025 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (76.6% support, likely 67.3–85.9%) | Against the majority |
| Require detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft (Laken Riley Act) | January 22, 2025 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (54.4% support, likely 44.5–64.3%) | Too close to call |
| Renew post-9/11 surveillance programs that allow searching electronic data without a warrant (FISA reauthorization) | April 12, 2024 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most oppose (40.5% support, likely 32–49%) | Against the majority |
| Ban TikTok unless China sells it to a U.S. company | March 13, 2024 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (52.1% support, likely 43.7–60.6%) | Too close to call |
| Deny asylum to immigrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally (Secure the Border Act) | May 11, 2023 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (58.5% support, likely 50.1–66.8%) | Against the majority |
| Clean-energy tax credits, lower ACA premiums and Medicare drug price negotiation (Inflation Reduction Act) | August 12, 2022 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (74.5% support, likely 66.6–82.3%) | With the majority |
| Limit gun magazines to 10 bullets | July 29, 2022 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (66.5% support, likely 61.3–71.8%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Ban assault rifles (Assault Weapons Ban of 2022) | July 29, 2022 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (64.6% support, likely 59.4–69.9%) | With the majority |
| $52 billion for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and research (CHIPS and Science Act) | July 28, 2022 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (61% support, likely 52.8–69.2%) | With the majority |
| Spend $2.2 trillion over ten years on prekindergarten, child care, college aid, housing and elder care (Build Back Better Act) | November 19, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (69.9% support, likely 61.7–78.1%) | With the majority |
| Spend $150 billion a year for 8 years on roads, bridges, transit, water systems and broadband (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) | November 5, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (79.2% support, likely 71.5–86.9%) | With the majority |
| Spend $150 billion a year for 8 years on roads, bridges, transit, water systems and broadband (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) | November 5, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (82% support, likely 73.4–90.6%) | With the majority |
| Prohibit government restrictions on access to abortion services (Women's Health Protection Act) | September 24, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (64.7% support, likely 56.6–72.8%) | With the majority |
| Require Justice Department approval of election-law changes in places with a history of discrimination (John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act) | August 24, 2021 · official record | Did not vote | Most support (75.4% support, likely 66.3–84.5%) | Didn't vote |
| Establish a commission to investigate the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol | May 19, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (66.9% support, likely 57.7–76.1%) | With the majority |
| Grant statehood and representation in Congress to Washington DC (Washington, D.C. Admission Act, 2021) | April 22, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (67.2% support, likely 54.8–79.6%) | With the majority |
| Require equal pay for women and men doing similar jobs (Paycheck Fairness Act) | April 15, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (85.1% support, likely 76.6–93.5%) | With the majority |
| Create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought here as children (American Dream and Promise Act, 2021) | March 18, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (84.4% support, likely 80.2–88.5%) | With the majority |
| Require background checks for all gun purchases (Bipartisan Background Checks Act, 2021) | March 11, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (90.3% support, likely 86.9–93.7%) | With the majority |
| Authorize up to $1.9 trillion in COVID relief (American Rescue Plan) | March 10, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (68.2% support, likely 60–76.4%) | With the majority |
| Authorize up to $1.9 trillion in COVID relief (American Rescue Plan) | March 10, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (63.9% support, likely 54.4–73.4%) | With the majority |
| Protect workers who strike and unions' organizing (PRO Act) | March 9, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (71.5% support, likely 62.3–80.7%) | With the majority |
| Increase accountability for police misconduct (George Floyd Justice in Policing Act) | March 3, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (83.3% support, likely 74.7–91.8%) | With the majority |
| Prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation (Equality Act) | February 25, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (73.5% support, likely 64.7–82.4%) | With the majority |
| Impeach and convict President Trump (January 2021) | January 13, 2021 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (64.7% support, likely 53.3–76.1%) | With the majority |
| Legalize marijuana (MORE Act) | December 4, 2020 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (67.6% support, likely 60.4–74.9%) | With the majority |
| Ban people from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States | July 22, 2020 · official record | Yea (against the proposal) | Most oppose (23.8% support, likely 16.7–31%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Grant statehood and representation in Congress to Washington DC (Washington, D.C. Admission Act) | June 26, 2020 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (67.2% support, likely 54.8–79.6%) | With the majority |
| Ban police officers from using chokeholds | June 25, 2020 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (79.7% support, likely 69.8–89.6%) | Related bill, not counted |
| HEROES Act ($3 trillion more in coronavirus relief, May 2020) | May 15, 2020 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (81.2% support, likely 73.2–89.1%) | With the majority |
| Allow people to work in unionized workplaces without paying union dues | February 6, 2020 · official record | Yea (against the proposal) | Most support (62% support, likely 54.2–69.9%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Impeach President Trump (December 2019) | December 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (66.7% support, likely 57.8–75.6%) | With the majority |
| Remove President Trump from office for obstruction of Congress | December 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (60.8% support, likely 52–69.6%) | With the majority |
| Remove President Trump from office for abuse of power | December 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (62.5% support, likely 53.8–71.2%) | With the majority |
| Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour (Raise the Wage Act) | July 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (78% support, likely 71.3–84.6%) | With the majority |
| Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour (Raise the Wage Act) | July 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (77.3% support, likely 69.2–85.5%) | With the majority |
| Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour (Raise the Wage Act) | July 18, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (72.1% support, likely 63.1–81.1%) | With the majority |
| Create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought here as children (American Dream and Promise Act) | June 4, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (84.4% support, likely 80.2–88.5%) | With the majority |
| Give permanent resident status to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children (American Dream and Promise Act) | June 4, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (78.6% support, likely 70.7–86.6%) | With the majority |
| Give permanent resident status to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children (American Dream and Promise Act) | June 4, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (79.5% support, likely 71.1–87.9%) | With the majority |
| Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (Equality Act) | May 17, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (76.2% support, likely 68.1–84.4%) | With the majority |
| Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (Equality Act) | May 17, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (79.1% support, likely 70.7–87.5%) | With the majority |
| Cap carbon emissions to combat climate change | May 2, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (76.2% support, likely 70.9–81.4%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Allow transgender people to serve in the military | March 28, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (72.4% support, likely 65.1–79.7%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Require equal pay for women and men doing similar jobs (Paycheck Fairness Act) | March 27, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (86.7% support, likely 78.9–94.5%) | With the majority |
| Require equal pay for women and men doing similar jobs (Paycheck Fairness Act) | March 27, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (89% support, likely 81.2–96.8%) | With the majority |
| Require background checks for all gun purchases (Bipartisan Background Checks Act) | February 27, 2019 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (90.3% support, likely 86.9–93.7%) | With the majority |
| Build a wall on the southern border | February 26, 2019 · official record | Yea (against the proposal) | Most oppose (38% support, likely 32.7–43.3%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Repeal only the Affordable Care Act's requirement that everyone have health insurance | December 20, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (45% support, likely 36.3–53.7%) | Related bill, not counted |
| The 2017 tax bill (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) | December 20, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (49.2% support, likely 40.6–57.9%) | Too close to call |
| Impose sanctions on countries and firms doing business with North Korea | July 25, 2017 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (66.8% support, likely 58.5–75.2%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Require the President to get Congress's approval to ease sanctions on Russia | July 25, 2017 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (74.4% support, likely 66.1–82.7%) | With the majority |
| Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea) | July 25, 2017 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (73.2% support, likely 63.5–82.8%) | With the majority |
| No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (withhold grants from cities that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement) | June 29, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (53.6% support, likely 43.7–63.4%) | Too close to call |
| Kate's Law (longer prison terms for people who re-enter the U.S. illegally after deportation) | June 29, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (76% support, likely 66.4–85.6%) | Against the majority |
| Financial CHOICE Act (roll back the Dodd-Frank financial rules) | June 8, 2017 · official record | Did not vote | Most oppose (38% support, likely 28.3–47.8%) | Didn't vote |
| Partly repeal the Affordable Care Act (American Health Care Act) | May 4, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (39.1% support, likely 30.5–47.6%) | With the majority |
| American Health Care Act (partly repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act) | May 4, 2017 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (49.4% support, likely 39.6–59.2%) | Too close to call |
| Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (government funding through September 2017) | May 3, 2017 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (73.1% support, likely 63.4–82.8%) | With the majority |
| Repeal the Affordable Care Act | January 6, 2016 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (55.2% support, likely 46.4–64.1%) | Too close to call |
| Highway and transportation funding (FAST Act) | December 3, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (79.5% support, likely 71.3–87.7%) | With the majority |
| Education reform (Every Student Succeeds Act, replacing No Child Left Behind) | December 2, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (81.7% support, likely 73.7–89.6%) | With the majority |
| Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement | June 18, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (61.3% support, likely 52.4–70.1%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement | June 18, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (67.9% support, likely 57.7–78.1%) | Related bill, not counted |
| USA Freedom Act (end bulk collection of phone records) | May 13, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (77.1% support, likely 67.2–87%) | With the majority |
| USA Freedom Act (end bulk collection of phone records) | May 13, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (66.5% support, likely 55.2–77.7%) | With the majority |
| Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (change how Medicare pays doctors) | March 26, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (65.2% support, likely 56.6–73.8%) | With the majority |
| Approve the Keystone XL pipeline | February 11, 2015 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (51.9% support, likely 41.5–62.3%) | Too close to call |
| Repeal the Affordable Care Act | February 3, 2015 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (59.3% support, likely 49.1–69.6%) | Too close to call |
| Ryan budget plan (House budget resolution) | April 10, 2014 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (24.1% support, likely 16.5–31.6%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Raise the debt ceiling | February 11, 2014 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (49% support, likely 41.1–57%) | Too close to call |
| Agriculture bill (farm programs and food stamps, 2014 Farm Bill) | January 29, 2014 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (63% support, likely 55.1–70.8%) | With the majority |
| Student Success Act (return control of K-12 school standards to states) | July 19, 2013 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (42.7% support, likely 32.6–52.7%) | Too close to call |
| Ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy (Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act) | June 18, 2013 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (62.7% support, likely 52.7–72.6%) | Against the majority |
| Repeal the Affordable Care Act | May 16, 2013 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (46.3% support, likely 36.2–56.4%) | Too close to call |
| Renew the Violence Against Women Act | February 28, 2013 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (90.6% support, likely 82.4–98.8%) | With the majority |
| Renew the Violence Against Women Act | February 28, 2013 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (92.3% support, likely 83.2–100%) | With the majority |
| Tax Hike Prevention Act (extend the Bush-era income tax cuts for all incomes) | August 1, 2012 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most oppose (24% support, likely 15.3–32.7%) | Against the majority |
| Repeal the Affordable Care Act | July 11, 2012 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (40.1% support, likely 31–49.2%) | With the majority |
| Ryan budget plan (House budget resolution for 2013) | March 29, 2012 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most oppose (17.6% support, likely 9.5–25.8%) | With the majority |
| Simpson-Bowles budget plan | March 28, 2012 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (46.5% support, likely 37.5–55.4%) | Too close to call |
| U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement | October 12, 2011 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (52.7% support, likely 43.7–61.7%) | Too close to call |
| End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (let gay people serve openly in the military) | December 15, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (62.6% support, likely 52.5–72.7%) | With the majority |
| End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (let gay people serve openly in the military) | December 15, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (75.4% support, likely 66.6–84.1%) | With the majority |
| Financial reform (Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) | June 30, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (68.6% support, likely 59.8–77.4%) | With the majority |
| Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (let gay people serve openly in the military) | May 27, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (63% support, likely 54.3–71.7%) | With the majority |
| Health care reform (Affordable Care Act) | March 21, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (62.7% support, likely 52.5–73%) | With the majority |
| Affordable Care Act of 2010 | March 21, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (64.1% support, likely 53.1–75.1%) | With the majority |
| Health care reform (Affordable Care Act) | March 21, 2010 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (56.4% support, likely 45.6–67.2%) | Too close to call |
| Health care reform (House bill, November 2009) | November 7, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (47.7% support, likely 37–58.5%) | Too close to call |
| American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap and trade) | June 26, 2009 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (56.2% support, likely 45.3–67.1%) | Too close to call |
| American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap and trade) | June 26, 2009 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Too close to call (59.2% support, likely 47.4–70.9%) | Too close to call |
| American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap and trade) | June 26, 2009 · official record | Nay (against the proposal) | Most support (62% support, likely 53.2–70.9%) | Against the majority |
| Expand federal hate-crimes law to cover sexual orientation and gender identity | April 29, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (59.9% support, likely 50.4–69.5%) | With the majority |
| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) | February 13, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (50.3% support, likely 38.9–61.7%) | Too close to call |
| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) | February 13, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (66.8% support, likely 56.6–77%) | With the majority |
| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) | February 13, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (58.9% support, likely 49–68.7%) | Too close to call |
| Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) | February 4, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (72.5% support, likely 63.3–81.8%) | With the majority |
| Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) | February 4, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (84.2% support, likely 72.5–95.9%) | With the majority |
| Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) | February 4, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (71.1% support, likely 62.5–79.8%) | With the majority |
| Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (more time to sue over pay discrimination) | January 27, 2009 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (65% support, likely 55.7–74.4%) | With the majority |
| The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) | October 3, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most oppose (31.1% support, likely 19–43.1%) | Against the majority |
| The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) | October 3, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most oppose (34.5% support, likely 24–45%) | Against the majority |
| The $700 billion bank bailout (Emergency Economic Stabilization Act) | October 3, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most oppose (30.2% support, likely 21.3–39.1%) | Against the majority |
| Federal help for homeowners facing foreclosure (Housing and Economic Recovery Act) | July 23, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (57.8% support, likely 47.2–68.3%) | Too close to call |
| Allow eavesdropping on overseas terrorist suspects without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) | June 20, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (69.7% support, likely 59.7–79.7%) | With the majority |
| Allow eavesdropping on overseas communications without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) | June 20, 2008 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (63.5% support, likely 53.8–73.2%) | With the majority |
| Extend NAFTA-style free trade to Peru (U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement) | November 8, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (53% support, likely 43.8–62.2%) | Related bill, not counted |
| Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) | September 25, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (74.2% support, likely 65.6–82.8%) | With the majority |
| Withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq within 180 days (Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act) | July 12, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Too close to call (60.1% support, likely 48.5–71.6%) | Too close to call |
| Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) | June 7, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (65.1% support, likely 54.9–75.2%) | With the majority |
| Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) | June 7, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (66% support, likely 57.1–74.8%) | With the majority |
| Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) | June 7, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (67.1% support, likely 57.1–77%) | With the majority |
| Raise the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour (Fair Minimum Wage Act) | January 10, 2007 · official record | Yea (for the proposal) | Most support (80.6% support, likely 72.2–89%) | With the majority |
Attendance
In the 119th Congress, Jim Costa missed 26 of 678 House votes (3.8%). On votes where most of their party voted one way, they voted with their party 90.3% of the time.