Press Releases
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
December 23, 2022
Congressman Castro Highlights Progress for San Antonio in 2023 NDAA
WASHINGTON - Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2023 (Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA) into law, authorizing several provisions secured or supported by Congressman Castro, including new limits to surprise medical billing at Brooke Army Medical Center and new funding for Joint Base San Antonio. The Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA also authorizes a 4.6% pay raise for servicemembers and the DOD civilian workforce, along with improvements … Continue Reading
December 23, 2022
Congressman Castro Touts Major Investments for San Antonio in 2023 Federal Appropriations Legislation
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass fiscal year 2023 federal funding legislation with more than $15.6 million that Congressman Joaquin Castro secured for community projects in San Antonio. The bill also includes billions of dollars to fund health care, nutrition, workforce development, and other programs that benefit working people and seniors in San Antonio and across the nation. The legislation passed the U.S. Senate on December 23, 2022 and will likely be … Continue Reading
December 23, 2022
President Biden Enacts Castro-Authored Legislation to Protect Fair Pay for Military and Foreign Service Spouses
WASHINGTON - Today, President Joseph R. Biden enacted the Civil Service Federal Employee Serving Overseas Pay Equity Act, legislation authored by Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) to ensure that military and foreign service spouses receive fair pay when teleworking for the federal government from overseas. The legislation is included in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on December 8, 2022, and the U.S. … Continue Reading
December 23, 2022
Chairman Castro Secures Funding for Key Foreign Affairs Programs in 2023 Omnibus Appropriations
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, announced that the 2023 federal omnibus appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on December 23, 2022 includes significant investments he secured to advance American interests and promote sustainable development around the world. "For the past two years, the House Foreign … Continue Reading
December 14, 2022
Castro, Torres, Sires Lead Introduction of ARMAS Act to Stem Gun Trafficking to Latin America and Caribbean
WASHINGTON - Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44) Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) introduced the Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act, legislation that seeks to disrupt firearm trafficking from the United States to Latin America and the Caribbean by implementing stronger transparency, accountability, and oversight mechanisms for U.S. small … Continue Reading
December 14, 2022
Rep. Castro, Congressional Hispanic Caucus’s Latino Film Nomination Included in National Film Registry
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Raul Ruiz (CA-36) celebrated the inclusion of Cyrano de Bergerac (1950) and The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982) in the Library of Congress's National Film Registry. The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez was one of 25 films nominated for Registry inclusion by the CHC as part of the caucus's ongoing effort to highlight Latino contributions to American media and entertainment. Last year, under … Continue Reading
December 13, 2022
Castro, Kim Introduce New Framework to Promote Innovation at USAID
Bipartisan Fostering Innovation in Global Development Act would direct USAID to shift toward evidence-driven foreign aid models that leverage the power of the private sector WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Young Kim (CA-39) introduced the Fostering Innovation in Global Development Act, legislation to improve the effectiveness and impact of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) by authorizing $45 million annually for five years and establishing the … Continue Reading
December 08, 2022
Congressman Castro Votes to Pass NDAA with Major Progress for San Antonio Servicemembers and Families
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (FY2023 NDAA) with major wins for San Antonio, including limits to surprise medical bills at Brooke Army Medical Center, a 4.6% pay raise for servicemembers and the DOD civilian workforce, improvements to mental and dental health care for military families, and stronger access to justice for victims of military sexual assault. To view a full fact sheet on the FY2023 … Continue Reading
December 08, 2022
Congressman Castro Votes for Respect for Marriage Act to Protect the Freedom to Marry for LGBTQIA+ and Interracial Couples
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation to protect marriage equality under federal law. The Respect for Marriage Act passed the Senate on November 29, 2022, and now advances to the White House for President Biden's signature. "All Americans should have the freedom to marry who they love," said Congressman Castro. "In the months since the Supreme Court signaled its willingness to overturn Lawrence v. Texas and Obergefell v. … Continue Reading
December 07, 2022
House Foreign Affairs Committee Advances Rep. Castro’s PARTNER with ASEAN Act
WASHINGTON - Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced the bipartisan Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations (PARTNER) with ASEAN Act, legislation introduced by Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Steve Chabot (OH-01) 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 immunities consistent … Continue Reading