Press Releases
Congressman Castro Secures $15.6 Million for San Antonio Community Projects in Fiscal Year 2023 Federal Appropriations Bills
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced that he secured $15,640,539 in federal funding for community projects in San Antonio in Fiscal Year 2023 federal appropriations bills. If passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate and signed into law, the funding will directly support programs and services for constituents in San Antonio that strengthen affordable housing, education, health care, domestic violence prevention, public transportation, small business … Continue Reading
June 29, 2022
Congressman Castro Celebrates Victory for Captain Le Roy Torres in Supreme Court Case on Re-Employment Rights of Disabled Veterans
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Captain Le Roy Torres in Torres v. Texas Department of Public Safety, a case concerning the civilian job rights of servicemembers and veterans under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): "For nearly a decade, Captain Le Roy Torres and his wife Rosie have been fighting to protect the rights of disabled servicemembers to return to … Continue Reading
June 28, 2022
Reps. Castro, Johnson, Doggett, Green, Veasey, Allred, Escobar, Fletcher, Garcia, Urge Attorney General Paxton to Stop Cover-Up in Uvalde
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led eight members of the Texas congressional delegation in a letter urging Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to issue a ruling that exceptions to the Texas Public Information Act are inapplicable when used to conceal information about the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Since the May 24, 2022 shooting, the city of Uvalde has received dozens of public records requests for information on the tragedy. Media … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Statement from Congressman Castro on Passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after voting to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, legislation that will enact major new reforms to protect Americans from gun violence: "When I met with families from Uvalde, they asked me how it was possible for the man who murdered their loved ones to get a dangerous weapon so easily," said Congressman Castro. "Today, Congress has voted to pass historic gun safety reforms that will save lives … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Statement from Congressman Castro on the Supreme Court’s Abortion Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey with their ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization: "Today's Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization is wrong, and it will endanger the health and safety of people in Texas and across the country," said Congressman Castro. "The impact of Texas Senate Bill 8 foreshadowed the dangerous … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Congressman Castro Presses House and Senate Leadership to Make Bold Investments in Affordable Child Care for Texas Families
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), founding co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Pre-K and Child Care Caucus, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53), and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led 124 of their House colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi urging the Senate to include robust child care investments in any upcoming budget reconciliation package. The letter expresses support for the Child Care … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Castro, Cicilline, Titus Introduce the LOVE Act to Correct Injustices of the Lavender Scare and Protect Current and Future LGBTQI+ Diplomats
WASHINGTON - This week, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), David Cicilline (RI-01) and Dina Titus (NV-01) introduced the Lavender Offense Victim Exoneration (LOVE) Act to correct historic injustices perpetrated against State Department employees because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. The bill would also require the State Department to establish an Advancement Board to address issues faced by LGBTQI+ diplomats and report on its actions to ensure that foreign countries recognize and … Continue Reading
June 10, 2022
Statement from Congressman Castro on the Los Angeles Declaration of Migration and Protection
LOS ANGELES - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, issued the following statement on the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, which was released today during the 2022 Summit of the Americas: "The United States and our neighbors in the Western Hemisphere face shared migration challenges that deserve a unified and consistent … Continue Reading
June 10, 2022
Congresistas Castro, Grijalva, Torres, García, y Escobar Exigen Información en Español por parte del Departamento de Seguridad Publica de Texas Sobre el Tiroteo en Uvalde
WASHINGTON - Hoy, los Congresistas Joaquín Castro (TX-20), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Norma Torres (CA-35) Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), y Veronica Escobar (TX-16) mandaron una carta al director del Departamento de Seguridad Publica de Texas pidiendo que toda información pertinente al tiroteo masivo en la escuela primaria Robb que resulto en la muerte de 19 niños inocentes y dos maestras sea proveída en español. Informes recientes … Continue Reading
June 10, 2022
Reps. Castro, Grijalva, Torres, García, Escobar Demand Spanish-Language Information on Uvalde Shooting from Texas DPS
WASHINGTON - Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Norma Torres (CA-35), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw requesting all information pertaining to the shooting at Robb Elementary School that saw 19 innocent children and two teachers killed by a mass shooter be provided in Spanish as well as English. Recent reporting has detailed how … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Reps. Joaquin Castro, Andy Kim Introduce Legislation to Modernize Foreign and Civil Service Training
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) introduced the State Department Training Modernization Act to update training for Americans who serve our country around the world in the Civil and Foreign Service. "As the State Department evolves to meet today's needs, Department personnel must have high-quality training that reflects current global and domestic priorities," said Congressman Castro, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Congressman Castro Votes to Pass Common-Sense Measures to Keep Texans Safe from Gun Violence
WASHINGTON - This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) joined a bipartisan coalition of House members to pass the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act and the Protecting Our Kids Act, bills that would help prevent mass shootings and limit access to guns for people who present a verifiable danger to themselves or others. "Sixteen days ago, nineteen Texas children and two teachers were gunned down in a massacre that could have been prevented by basic gun safety laws," said Congressman … Continue Reading
June 07, 2022
Reps. Castro, Grijalva, Garcia Lead Call for Biden Administration to Address Attacks on Free Press and Surging Violence in Mexico
WASHINGTON – This week, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), and Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) led two letters urging the State Department, the Justice Department, and the U.S. Agency for International Development to work with the Mexican government to address rising levels of violence in Mexico. In the letters, lawmakers express serious concern about recent spikes in forced disappearances and escalating attacks against the Mexican free … Continue Reading
June 02, 2022
Congressman Castro, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Work to Close the Digital Divide at Affordable Connectivity Program Kickoff in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO – On Wednesday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Federal Communications Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel held a kickoff event at Dwight Middle School in San Antonio to help local families enroll in low-cost, high-speed internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program. The event brought together local families, community partners including BiblioTech and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), and digital inclusion experts from San Antonio and Washington … Continue Reading
May 31, 2022
Congressman Castro and FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel to Visit Dwight Middle School for Affordable Connectivity Program Kickoff
SAN ANTONIO - On Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 5:00 PM, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will visit Dwight Middle School in San Antonio, Texas for a kickoff event to help families enroll in affordable, high-speed internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program. In November 2021, Congressman Castro voted to create the Affordable Connectivity Program, a federal initiative that lowers the cost of high-speed internet for … Continue Reading
May 31, 2022
Congressman Castro Calls on President Biden to Champion Humanitarian Protections for Migrants During the 2022 Summit of the Americas
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter asking President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to negotiate clear language on the protection of vulnerable migrants in the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. The drafting of this declaration is one of the announced goals of the 2022 Summit of the Americas, which will take place from June 6-10 in Los Angeles, California. "The Summit of the … Continue Reading
May 27, 2022
Congressman Castro Holds Posthumous Medal Presentation Ceremony for WWII Veteran Basilio R. Ybarra
SAN ANTONIO — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) held a posthumous medal presentation ceremony for U.S. Army Sergeant Basilio R. Ybarra, a San Antonio soldier who served in World War II. First image: Rep. Castro presents the late Sgt. Ybarra’s medals to his son, Edward C. Ybarra. Second image: Rep. Castro with members of the Ybarra family. To download high-quality images from today’s ceremony click, here and here. “One of my … Continue Reading
May 26, 2022
In Light of Conflicting Accounts from Texas Authorities, Congressman Castro Urges FBI to Investigate Uvalde Shooting
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray urging the FBI to use its maximum authority to examine the timeline of events around the Uvalde school shooting and the law enforcement response. The letter is here and below. Dear Director Wray, Today our nation and the state of Texas mourn the 19 children and two teachers murdered at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022. The Uvalde … Continue Reading
May 24, 2022
Congressman Castro Applauds Long-Sought Renaming of Fort Hood for General Richard E. Cavazos
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement applauding the decision to rename Fort Hood for Richard E. Cavazos, a military hero who made history in 1982 as the first Hispanic four-star general in the U.S. Army: "I'm grateful that The Naming Commission has recommended renaming Fort Hood to honor General Richard E. Cavazos, a history-making general who fought bravely and inspired generations of young servicemembers to follow in his footsteps," said … Continue Reading
May 23, 2022
Reps. Castro, Espaillat Lead Push for Biden Administration to Expand Temporary Protected Status for Migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua
WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) led a bipartisan letter to President Biden, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the administration to expand Temporary Protected Status protections for migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Despite the ongoing humanitarian crises in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, citizens of these nations who flee to the United … Continue Reading