Press Releases
Congressman Castro, Congressional Dads Caucus Members Slam GOP's Anti-Family Bill
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and members of the Congressional Dads Caucus released the following statements after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5, Republican legislation that would open the door for extremists to dictate what students can and cannot read and learn in school. "We should encourage all parents to be engaged in their child's education and active in their school community, but this bill - under the guise of parental rights - undermines our … Continue Reading
March 24, 2023
Statement from Congressman Castro on the Expected Release of Paul Rusesabagina, Hero of the Rwandan Genocide and Political Prisoner
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the government of Rwanda confirmed it plans to release Paul Rusesabagina, a permanent resident of San Antonio who has been wrongfully detained in Rwanda since August 2020: "Paul Rusesabagina is a hero, and his unjust detention was a stain on Rwanda's progress toward a peaceful and stable future. Together with his family, friends, and supporters around the world, I am overjoyed to hear the news of … Continue Reading
March 23, 2023
House Passes Bipartisan Castro/Kim PARTNER with ASEAN Act to Strengthen U.S.-ASEAN Relations
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations (PARTNER) with ASEAN Act, bipartisan legislation authored by Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) that would strengthen the partnership between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by authorizing ASEAN to be designated as an international organization with diplomatic privileges and … Continue Reading
March 23, 2023
Congressman Castro Leads 26 Members in Introducing the Transparency in Government Contracts Act
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led 26 members of the U.S. House of Representatives in introducing the Transparency in Government Contracts Act, legislation that would support Congressional efforts to improve contracting opportunities for businesses owned by minorities, women, and people with disabilities by requiring the federal government to disaggregate the contracts it awards to businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals by race, … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Castro, Lieu, Kim, and Houlahan Applaud End of State Department's Assignment Restrictions Policy
WASHINGTON - Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), Andy Kim (NJ-03) and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) released the following joint statement after Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the Department would end its assignment restrictions policy. In 2021, the members introduced the Accountability in Assignment Restrictions Act, which aimed to reform the practice of assignment restrictions at the State Department. "As the co-leads of the Accountability in … Continue Reading
March 14, 2023
As Asylum-Seekers Report Ongoing Issues with CBP One App, Congressman Castro and House Democrats Demand Action from DHS
Read the full letter here. SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) joined Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Congressman Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), and 32 other House Democrats in a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting immediate action to address ongoing issues of accessibility and equity with the CBP One mobile application, which many asylum-seekers are now required to use to book appointments with … Continue Reading
March 11, 2023
Congressman Castro and Bexar County District Clerk’s Office Hold Passport Fair to Help San Antonians with Application Process
SAN ANTONIO - Today, the Office of Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Bexar County District Clerk Gloria A. Martinez held a Passport Fair to help more than 100 San Antonians with the passport application process. San Antonio families receiving help during Congressman Castro's Passport Fair. "Across the country, we have seen an unprecedented surge in passport applications. Whether you're a first-time applicant or need to renew an expired passport, I highly recommend you begin the … Continue Reading
March 10, 2023
Congressman Castro Leads Texas Congressional Democrats in Push for Strong Labor Standards, Union Jobs in Federally Funded Hydrogen Energy Projects
Read the full letter SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led the full Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation in a letter urging U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to prioritize applicants for the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program (H2Hubs) who commit to creating high-quality, good-paying union jobs in Texas. "As Members of Congress who stand united with workers, we applaud President Biden for making it clear that positive collaboration with labor … Continue Reading
March 07, 2023
Castro, Warren Demand Answers from DOD on Continued Surprise Medical Billing at Brooke Army Medical Center
"DoD has no excuse for inaction on this important provision that would release thousands of civilians from burdensome medical debts incurred at military facilities." View the full letter WASHINGTON - Last night, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) sent a letter to the Department of Defense Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez and Director of the Defense Health Agency Lieutenant General Telita Crosland demanding answers about why … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Castro/Kim-Authored PARTNER with ASEAN Act Advances from House Foreign Affairs Committee Markup
WASHINGTON - Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced the PARTNER (Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations) with ASEAN Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) that would strengthen relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by authorizing ASEAN to be designated as an international organization with diplomatic privileges and … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Castro, Cuellar, and Doggett Announce $20 Million to Expand San Antonio International Airport
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) announced $20,000,000 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds they secured for the construction of a Ground Load Facility at San Antonio International Airport to improve airport operations and capacity. This investment will help expand the airport's Terminal A to include five new gates with terminal seating and other passenger facilities for domestic and international operations. The … Continue Reading
February 27, 2023
Statement from Congressman Joaquin Castro
HOUSTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after successful surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas: "Today, I successfully underwent surgery to remove gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. Last summer, doctors discovered these small, slow-growing, and mostly asymptomatic tumors following a series of tests. "My prognosis is good. I expect to be home recovering in Texas for several weeks before returning to Washington to continue my … Continue Reading
February 21, 2023
Congressman Castro Announces Nearly $200,000 in Federal Funding for Arts and Literacy Education on San Antonio’s Westside
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) visited Centro Cultural Aztlan and Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center's Latino Bookstore to announce nearly $200,000 in federal funding he secured for arts and literacy education on San Antonio's Westside. The funding, which includes $95,000 for Centro Cultural Aztlan's K-12 Chicano Arts Curriculum and $102,250 for Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center's Latino Bookstore Education Outreach and Literacy Program, comes from a total package of $15.6 … Continue Reading
February 20, 2023
“The lack of a basic understanding about Latinos is painfully clear at the highest levels of the publishing industry”
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) published an opinion piece in Publishers Weekly decrying Latino underrepresentation in the American publishing industry and calling on publishing houses to expand opportunities for Latino publishers, authors, and other industry professionals. The opinion piece follows the release of Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports commissioned by Congressman Castro that found publishing - which is approximately 8 percent Latino - to be one … Continue Reading
February 15, 2023
Congressman Castro, Local Leaders Announce Nearly $1 Million in Federal Funding for Domestic Violence Prevention in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), joined by Judge Monique Diaz and leaders from Guardian House and Children's Hospital of San Antonio, announced nearly $1 million he secured for domestic violence prevention programs in San Antonio and Bexar County. Specifically, Guardian House will receive $483,963 for its Triple P Positive Parenting Expansion, and the Children's Hospital of San Antonio will receive $472,699 for its Center for Miracles. "For years, I've worked to … Continue Reading
February 15, 2023
Congressman Castro Holds Posthumous Medal Presentation Ceremony for Vietnam Veteran Kenneth Wayne Pogue
SAN ANTONIO - Yesterday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) held a posthumous medal presentation ceremony for the surviving family members of United States Army veteran Kenneth Wayne Pogue, a late resident of San Antonio. First image: Rep. Castro presents the late Kenneth Pogue's medals to his family. Second image: Photos and documents provided by the Pogue family. To download high-quality images from the ceremony, click here and here. "One of the greatest honors as a member of Congress … Continue Reading
February 08, 2023
Castro, Meeks, Cicilline Lead House in Supporting Brazil's Democracy
WASHINGTON - Today, ahead of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's White House visit with President Joe Biden, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), and Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led their colleagues in introducing a resolution supporting the Brazilian people, democracy, and rule … Continue Reading
February 08, 2023
Congressman Castro Named Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) was selected by his Democratic colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to serve as the highest-ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. Castro was additionally appointed to serve on the Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific. He previously served in Committee leadership as Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact during the 117th … Continue Reading
January 31, 2023
Congressman Castro Recommends Veteran Advocates Le Roy and Rosie Torres for the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Read Congressman Castro's Recommendation Letter Here WASHINGTON - This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Captain Le Roy Torres and Rosie Torres of Robstown, Texas. In the letter, Congressman Castro commended the couple's work to protect the rights of returning servicemembers and highlighted their leadership in efforts to expand health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, … Continue Reading
January 31, 2023
Congressman Castro Introduces 2023 Economic Growth Agenda to Create Jobs and Opportunity in San Antonio
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced his 2023 Economic Growth Agenda - three pieces of legislation to create jobs, strengthen workforce development, and expand economic opportunity in San Antonio and across the nation. "A strong economy starts with a strong workforce, and in San Antonio and across the nation, folks deserve a fair shot to pursue their dreams," said Congressman Castro. "These bills will expand pathways to good-paying jobs and build an economy that … Continue Reading