Press Releases
Congressman Castro Kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with Public Call for Latino Nominations to the National Recording Registry
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month by announcing that he is collecting public nominations of songs and albums by Latino artists to be added to the prestigious National Recording Registry. The National Recording Registry is the nation’s preeminent archive of recorded sound and is intended to maintain and preserve recordings with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance. With Latino artists making up less than 5% of the registry, … Continue Reading
September 11, 2025
Castro, Padilla Condemn Trump Administration’s Ending of Discretionary Grants for Hispanic-Serving, Minority-Serving Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Democratic co-chairs of the Senate and House Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucuses, issued the following joint statement after the Trump Administration announced during HSI week that the U.S. Department of Education would end discretionary grants for HSIs and Minority-Serving Institutions. “The Administration’s reckless decision will devastate universities across the country in red and blue … Continue Reading
September 10, 2025
Congressman Castro Pushes Amendments to Relieve Service Members from Medical Debt
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced three amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that provide additional financial relief to civilians who receive emergency medical care at Brooke Army Medical Center and other Department of Defense (DoD) hospitals across the United States. “If left unaddressed, medical debt can cripple families for decades,” said Congressman … Continue Reading
September 09, 2025
Congressman Castro Kicks off Inaugural Call for Texas Music Nominations to the National Recording Registry
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced his first ever call for songs and albums by Texas artists to the National Recording Registry, highlighting Texas’ rich music heritage and legacy. “Texas is a hub for creative talent and the birthplace of many iconic musicians in various genres. From George Strait’s soul-stirring country to Beto Villa’s orquesta Tejana, Texas artists represent a blend of various cultures, styles, and languages. This year, I want to honor … Continue Reading
September 04, 2025
Castro Statement on the Arrest of Activist Yadira Córdoba
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement: “ICE officials arrested Yadira Córdoba at a routine immigration appointment in San Antonio. Following the death of her son, Orlando, at the hands of the Nicaragua’s Ortega-Murillo regime during the 2018 protests, she spoke out against authoritarianism and fought for democracy. Now, Yadira is seeking asylum in the U.S. after facing political persecution from the Ortega-Murillo regime. This is a part … Continue Reading
September 02, 2025
Congressman Castro’s PARTNER Act Passes the House with Bipartisan Support
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX) Young Kim (R-CA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ed Case (D-HI), Aumua Amata Radewagen (R-AS), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Bill Foster (D-IL), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick's (D-FL) Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment to Enhance Relations Act, or the PARTNER Act, which extends privileges and immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act to a group of international organizations critical to … Continue Reading
August 29, 2025
Castro Statement on Abbott Signing Illegal Texas Congressional Map Into Law
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement: “Greg Abbott just signed the illegal redistricting map into law — not to serve Texans, but to serve Trump. This will hurt every Texan, especially the Latino and Black communities cut up in this gerrymandered map. Republicans have rigged the system to keep power in their hands, not earn it. This isn’t democracy at work. It’s voter suppression — and all Texans will suffer the consequences. “The fight … Continue Reading
August 20, 2025
Castro Statement on Texas House Approving Illegal Congressional Maps
Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement: “At Trump’s direction, the Texas House has now passed racist and illegal congressional maps that rob all Texans of their voice. While I am deeply disappointed in this outcome, I am proud of Texas House Democrats for standing up for our state. They have opened the country’s eyes to Trump’s attack on our voting rights and galvanized people across the country to speak out. Make no mistake, this fight is not over. We will … Continue Reading
August 19, 2025
Congressman Castro Releases 2025 Latino Film Nominations for Recognition and Preservation by the Library of Congress
San Antonio, TX — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced his fourth annual list of Latino film nominations for consideration by the prestigious National Film Registry at the Library of Congress. “The National Film Registry is a national treasure which preserves films of historic, cultural, and aesthetic significance for generations of audiences, filmmakers, and scholars. Over the last few years, the National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) has made significant strides in … Continue Reading
August 15, 2025
Congressman Castro Leads Texas House Dems in Fight Against Trump's Tomato Tariffs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led the Texas House Democrats in a letter urging the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, to reverse his decision to end the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement and to impose a 17.09% tariff on tomatoes imported from Mexico despite bipartisan appeals from federal and state officials. This decision will have significant economic consequences, including higher prices for consumers, reduced variety of tomatoes, … Continue Reading
July 31, 2025
Castro, Welch, Van Hollen, Jacobs Demand U.S. Security Companies Answer for Deadly Actions in Gaza
Bicameral lawmakers warn Safe Reach Solutions (SRS) and UG Solutions (UG) that they have put American veterans at risk of criminal and civil liability for de facto “military operations” in Gaza WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) joined U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in leading an effort to demand answers from U.S.-based security companies, Safe Reach Solutions, LLC (SRS) and UG Solutions, LLC (UG) about … Continue Reading
July 30, 2025
Castro Statement on Illegal Texas Congressional Map
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the illegal Texas congressional map: “This proposed Texas Congressional map is illegal and a direct violation of the Voting Rights Act. Governor Abbott is subverting the political will of Texans so that national Republicans can interfere in our state, and ensure that Trump is not held accountable for his criminal actions in the Congress. Texas is being used by Donald Trump and it is incumbent on … Continue Reading
July 28, 2025
Castro Statement on Forced Starvation in Gaza
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement: “The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza is unconscionable. Millions of Palestinians are trapped under siege conditions—with food, clean water, and medical supplies deliberately restricted. Israel’s blockade on aid—including fuel and flour—has led to mass starvation and the deaths of hundreds of innocent men, women, and children from hunger and dehydration. The use of forced starvation as a … Continue Reading
July 28, 2025
Congressman Castro Calls for Public Nominations of Latino Films to be Preserved in the National Film Registry
San Antonio, TX — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) launched a nationwide call for public suggestions to help shape his fourth annual list of nominations of Latino driven films that should be preserved in the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress. “Every year, we have the opportunity to uplift Latino stories and contributions to American society,” said Congressman Castro. “With every film that’s inducted, we honor extraordinary Latino actors, writers, directors, and … Continue Reading
July 24, 2025
WATCH: Congressman Castro Testifies at Texas Capitol to Stand Against Governor Abbott’s Gerrymandering Efforts
AUSTIN, TX — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) testified before the Texas House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting to stand up to Governor Greg Abbott and President Trump for subverting the will of all Texans and disenfranchising the voting power of minority voters. Congressman Castro Delivers 2 Minute Testimony Congressman Castro’s testimony below: Thank you, Chairman and Members of the Committee. I am proud to represent my hometown of San Antonio, Texas, the 20th … Continue Reading
July 22, 2025
Congressman Castro’s PARTNER Act Passes Markup in House Foreign Affairs Committee with Bipartisan Support
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX) Young Kim (R-CA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ed Case (D-HI), Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Bill Foster (D-IL), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)’s Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment to Enhance Relations Act, or the PARTNER Act, which extends diplomatic privileges and immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act to a group of international organizations … Continue Reading
July 17, 2025
Congressman Castro Introduces Sunshine on Solar Lending Act to Provide Transparency and Lower Costs for Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL) introduced the Sunshine on Solar Lending Act, legislation that protects consumers from loopholes lenders use in solar financing arrangements, resulting in inflated costs, deceptive practices, and financial harm to families seeking to go solar. The introduction comes after reports of lenders in the residential solar financing industry hiding substantial “dealer fees” that increase the … Continue Reading
July 11, 2025
Reps. Castro, Foster, Johnson Introduce the Strengthening Science Through Diplomacy Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11), the co-chair of the Research and Development Caucus and only Ph.D. physicist in Congress, and Congressman Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), a senior member of the Agriculture Committee, introduced the Strengthening Science Through Diplomacy Act, legislation that would strengthen U.S. science and research partnerships by extending appropriate privileges … Continue Reading
July 10, 2025
Reps. Castro, Ciscomani and Senators Gillibrand, Collins Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Early Childhood Education Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) reintroduced the Head Start for Our Future Act, bipartisan legislation that would make child development and early education jobs eligible as community services under the Federal Work-Study program. By allowing schools to offer students opportunities in working in child development and early learning services, students attending college and universities will get firsthand experience in one of … Continue Reading
July 07, 2025
Castro Statement on the Recent Devastating Floods in Texas
San Antonio, TX — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the recent devastating floods in Texas: “As rescue missions continue, San Antonians continue to grieve the tragic loss of life from the catastrophic flooding in Kerr County and Central Texas. I am deeply grateful to the first responders and volunteers working tirelessly to locate survivors and missing people. “Flash flood emergencies are happening more frequently than ever. Just last month, a … Continue Reading