111th Congress - 3/31/2009

Statement by Congressmen McCarthy and Costa on Bakersfield Federal Courthouse Project Funding

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Kevin McCarthy and Congressman Jim Costa announced that funding would be made available by the U.S. General Services Administration for the Federal courthouse project in the Central Park location of Bakersfield. 

Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-22):

“I applaud this funding for the Bakersfield Federal courthouse.  Over the years, we have faced many obstacles related to this project, but worked together as a community to ensure that this project remained a high priority and would come to fruition.  The case was made about the courthouse’s necessity, and one of the last hurdles that remained was the funding. Finally, we are about to jump over that hurdle and bring a Federal courthouse to Bakersfield.  I look forward to the day that the courthouse can open its doors to serve our growing region.”

Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20):

“This a great day for Kern County and Bakersfield.  The proposed courthouse is sorely needed in the area and funding will speed this project along and start construction soon.  I am looking forward to seeing ground broken and ultimately, a new courthouse in Bakersfield.”

The proposed federal courthouse in Bakersfield, California, would house the chambers and courtroom for a U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California magistrate judge, a branch of the U.S. Marshals Service, and a U.S. Probation Office for the Eastern District of California.  The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California falls within the Ninth Judicial Circuit.  The Bakersfield courthouse project initially began in 2003.

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