Local reps need more D.C. clout

Published online on Sunday, May. 31, 2009

You'd think that Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, would be pleased that his party controls the White House, giving him better access to the executive branch than he had when George W. Bush was president. But Costa seems frustrated that he can't get the ear of the president at a time when his congressional district is suffering as much as any region in the country.

It's an odd dynamic considering that most members of Congress are cheerleaders for a president of their own party. But the usually cool Costa has been simmering lately.

Costa didn't attend first lady Michelle Obama's commencement speech at the University of California at Merced two weeks ago, although he says he didn't snub her. He had commitments in his district, he said. Besides, he invited her to meet with his constituents when she was in Merced, and that meeting didn't materialize.

Costa and four other Valley congressmen were criticized for not attending the first lady's commencement speech to the pioneer graduating class at UC Merced on May 16. That criticism angers Costa, who says the president and first lady have been invited to the 20th Congressional District several times.

Costa, at least, had a better excuse for skipping the first lady's speech than political pal Dennis Cardoza, the Merced Democratic congressman. Cardoza was hosting a fundraiser at the Preakness horse race in Baltimore on the day the first lady was in his hometown. Talk about putting personal politics ahead of your district.

But Costa approached it another way. He says he has sought out opportunities to lobby President Obama to come to the San Joaquin Valley to see the devastating impacts that the economy and the lack of water for agriculture have had on communities in his district. He said he invited Obama after the State of the Union speech and at a meeting in February of the Blue Dog Democrats.

Costa said that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has assured him the president will make a trip to the Valley at some point to see the problems in his district, as well as the issues facing Cardoza's district.

The region is having a tough time because of the drought, a meltdown in the dairy industry, home foreclosures being among the highest in the nation. Farmworkers are in food lines and family farms are going out of business. Federal help is badly needed, and that's why it's important for Obama to be here.

The president has made several trips to California, and could have easily diverted to the Valley if it had been a priority. You can get angry over that or keep lobbying for a Valley trip.

That's why some thought it was a tactical error for Costa and Cardoza not to attend the first lady's speech. It would have given the Valley Democrats another chance to make their points about the region's troubles.

Costa said he attended a White House reception prior to the first lady's Merced speech and had a quick conversation with her about the problems in his district.

"I said we need you and the president to come to the Valley and see what's going on," Costa said. "We would love for you to take some extra time when you go to Merced to see what is happening."

He said she was interested, but it never got to the point of working something out because it was only a quick chat.

One of the big problems for this region is the current congressional delegation has little clout, especially when compared to other parts of California. A story in The Bee earlier this month pointed out that the region gets fewer federal funds than other areas of the state.

That leaves Costa and his colleagues with some choices. They can either whine about their plight, or get into leadership positions so they can get something done for their districts.

Some may like playing the victim card, but that doesn't help solve the Valley's problems. Oh, sure, congressional leaders may throw you a bone every once in awhile. But I'd prefer being represented by members of Congress who are handing out the bones.