Jim Costa

Became law (2)

• 

  Vince Fong (R-CA)· Oct 20

  Cosponsored

  Clergy Act

  H.R. 227 Social Welfare

  A Republican bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors. See the voting map.

  Became law

  The House voted 350–5 on Apr 27.

  This bill allows members of the clergy, members of religious orders, and Christian Science practitioners to revoke their previous exemption from Social Security coverage.

  Yes

  • Scored +3

    Would retired people be better off under this?

    By allowing clergy to join Social Security now, the bill provides them with potential income through monthly insurance benefits upon retirement.

  • Scored +3

    Does this strengthen Social Security?

    The act provides a mechanism for religious workers to access Social Security benefits that were previously unavailable due to their exemption.

  No question was scored the opposite.

• 

  Pete Stauber (R-MN)· Dec 12

  Cosponsored

  Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act

  H.R. 452 Sports and Recreation

  A Republican bill with 107 Democratic cosponsors.

  Became law

  This Act authorizes the award of 3 Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. The medals recognize the team's victory over the Soviet Union during the 1980 Winter Olympics.

  Yes

  • Scored +1

    Is this likely to grow the economy?

    The sale of duplicate bronze medals provides a small influx of revenue to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

  No question was scored the opposite.

Passed one chamber, waiting on the other (26)

Halfway: the other chamber has to pass the same text before it can go to the President.

• 

  Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)· Nov 12

  Cosponsored

  Major Richard Star Act

  H.R. 2102 Armed Forces and National Security

  A Republican bill with 207 Democratic cosponsors. See the voting map.

  Passed the House

  392 – 18

  Now: handed to a committee to examine — Committee on Armed Services · Nov 12

  This bill changes the rules to allow certain military retirees to receive both veterans' disability compensation and retired pay at the same time.

  Yes· 2 of 3

  • Scored +8

    Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?

    This bill provides significant financial relief to veterans with combat-related disabilities by allowing them to receive both retired pay and disability compensation concurrently.

  • Scored +7

    Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?

    The bill increases financial benefits for veterans with combat-related disabilities by allowing concurrent receipt of retired pay and disability compensation.

  No question was scored the opposite.

• 

  Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)· Sep 15

  Cosponsored

  Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

  H.R. 1266 Crime and Law Enforcement

  A Democratic bill with 63 Republican cosponsors.

  Passed the House

  By voice vote, no names recorded

  Now: in the queue for a floor vote, with no date set · Sep 16

  This bill adds xylazine, including its salts and isomers, to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.

  Yes· 2 of 4

  • Scored +5

    Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?

    The bill combats the illicit use of xylazine, which is often found in combination with opioids.

  • Scored +3

    Would farmers be better off under this?

    The bill explicitly protects the use of xylazine for animals owned by the person or members of the household.

  The opposite

  • Scored -3

    Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?

    The bill directs the Sentencing Commission to potentially increase penalties for xylazine offenses.

  • Scored -2

    Would business owners be better off under this?

    Veterinary business owners face new registration and recordkeeping requirements.

• 

  Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)· Sep 15

  Cosponsored

  AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

  H.R. 979 Science, Technology, Communications

  A Republican bill with 158 Democratic cosponsors.

  Passed the House

  By voice vote, no names recorded

  Now: in the queue for a floor vote, with no date set · Sep 16

  This bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule mandating that new passenger motor vehicles include access to AM broadcast stations as standard equipment.

  Yes· 2 of 6

  • Scored +4

    Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?

    The bill enhances the effectiveness of emergency alert systems used during natural disasters.

  • Scored +3

    Would people in rural areas be better off under this?

    Ensuring AM radio access can be vital for emergency communications in rural areas.

  The opposite· 2 of 3

  • Scored -3

    Does this leave more decisions to the states?

    The bill explicitly prevents states from prescribing laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

  • Scored -2

    Would business owners be better off under this?

    The bill imposes new technical requirements and potential costs on automotive manufacturers.

And 23 more on their Sponsored and Cosponsored pages.

Who their bills would affect

• Would households on low incomes be better off under this? 7 no, 245 yes. 5 of these passed a chamber
• Would business owners be better off under this? 29 no, 123 yes. 8 of these passed a chamber (6 yes, 2 no)
• Would people in rural areas be better off under this? 1 no, 146 yes. 4 of these passed a chamber
• Would children be better off under this? 1 no, 119 yes. 5 of these passed a chamber

What else they would change

• Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? 4 no, 166 yes. 11 of these passed a chamber (9 yes, 2 no)
• Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? 3 no, 142 yes. 2 of these passed a chamber
• Does this give the federal government more power? 17 no, 118 yes. 6 of these passed a chamber
• Is this likely to grow the economy? 1 no, 111 yes. 4 of these passed a chamber