Press Releases
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 … 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 … 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 … 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
January 27, 2023
Congressman Castro Pushes to Limit New Oil and Gas Leases on Polluted Federal Lands
WASHINGTON - This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced legislation to prohibit new oil and gas leases on federal lands with high concentration of existing orphaned oil and gas wells. The legislation was offered as an amendment to H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act. To view a full video of Rep. Castro's remarks, click here. The U.S. Geological Survey has documented more than 117,000 orphan wells across the United States and the Environmental Protection Agency … Continue Reading
January 27, 2023
Congressman Castro Applauds Advancement of Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement regarding the White House announcement of initial participant countries in the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity: "I commend President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Ambassador Tai for their work to launch the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP). The strong interest in the Partnership-with countries that represent roughly 90% of the Western Hemisphere's GDP endorsing its goals and … Continue Reading
January 12, 2023
Castro, Meeks, Gallego, García, Wild Lead 41 Members Calling on Biden to Revoke Bolsonaro’s U.S. Visa, Investigate U.S.-Based Instigators of Brazilian Insurrection
WASHINGTON - Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), and Susan Wild (PA-07) led 41 House Democrats in a letter urging President Biden to fully cooperate with Brazilian authorities in their investigation into the January 8, 2023, insurrection in Brasilia, Brazil. In the letter, members urge the Biden administration to investigate any actions taken on U.S. soil to aid the insurrection and revoke any U.S. … Continue Reading
January 06, 2023
Congressman Castro Condemns Inhumane New Asylum Restrictions Announced by Biden Administration
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement in response to the Biden administration's recent immigration policy announcement: "I am deeply disappointed to see the Biden administration extending failed Trump-era immigration policies that exacerbate chaos and irregular migration at the Southern border. I appreciate the administration's announcement of a new pathway for legal entry, but the new transit ban and parole requirements are willfully … Continue Reading
January 06, 2023
Congressman Castro Reflects on Two Years Since the Deadly January 6 Attack on U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement to mark two years since the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol by right-wing insurrectionists: "Two years ago, Americans watched in horror as right-wing extremists attacked the United States Capitol in a failed but deadly attempt to overthrow democracy and obstruct the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. It was a grim day that has stained the pages of American … Continue Reading
December 31, 2022
Congressman Castro Releases 2022 End-of-Year Report
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released an end-of-year report detailing his 2022 accomplishments on behalf of the 20th Congressional District of Texas. "Throughout the past year, San Antonians have worked hard to rebuild from the challenges of the pandemic and rise together toward a better future. It's an extraordinary privilege to represent our great city in Congress, and I'm honored to share the progress my office delivered in 2022. As we approach 2023, I look … Continue Reading