Press Releases
Congressman Castro Announces Winners of 2022 Congressional Art Competition
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced Hogai Qasmi, Victoria Treviño, and Chloe Phan as the winners of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition for Texas's 20th District. The first place artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, and the second and third place pieces will be displayed in Congressman Castro's San Antonio office. This year's competition received 56 entries from high school students throughout Texas's 20th Congressional District. … Continue Reading
April 29, 2022
Castro, Bilirakis Lead Letter Urging Biden Administration to Protect Religious Freedom in Jerusalem
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing deep concern about a disturbing rise in recent extremist attacks against Jerusalem's Christian community. In the letter, the representatives urge Secretary Blinken to work with his Israeli counterparts to ensure Jerusalem is a place where Christians, Muslims, and Jews can worship safely and freely. In recent months, the leaders of Christian … Continue Reading
April 22, 2022
Congressman Castro Introduces H-2B Visa Reform Bill to Strengthen Protections for Seasonal Workers
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Castro (TX-20) held a press conference to announce the introduction of the Seasonal Worker Solidarity Act, legislation that would reform the H-2B guest worker visa program to improve labor standards for guest workers, create a pathway to citizenship for guest workers and their families, and prevent U.S. workers from being passed over for seasonal job opportunities. During the press conference, Congressman Castro was joined by Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), Texas … Continue Reading
April 19, 2022
Congressman Castro to Hold Homeowner and Rental Assistance Fair on Saturday, April 23
SAN ANTONIO - On Saturday, April 23 from 10 AM - 1 PM, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and local partners will hold a resource fair at The Neighborhood Place in San Antonio to help local families connect with a wide range of resources, including pandemic relief programs to help prevent foreclosure and eviction. During the fair, community groups will be on-hand to help San Antonians access programs and services including: The Homeowner Assistance Fund, a new program funded by the … Continue Reading
April 19, 2022
Castro, Meeks, Cicilline, Titus Call on State Department to Expand Opportunities for LGBTQI+ Diplomats
WASHINGTON - This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman David Cicilline (RI-01), Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, and Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) led a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the State Department to … Continue Reading
April 14, 2022
Congressman Castro Urges Biden Administration to Intervene as Governor Abbott’s Political Stunt Worsens Supply Chain Crisis
WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and ten additional members of the Texas Congressional delegation sent a letter to President Biden urging him to address Texas Governor Greg Abbott's intentional disruption of trade at the Southern border. On April 6, 2022, Abbott unilaterally issued an order directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin vehicle inspections at the Southern border, duplicating existing efforts by U.S. Customs and Border … Continue Reading
April 07, 2022
Castro, Padilla Introduce HERE Act to Address the Enduring Gap in College Completion for Hispanic Students
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Senator Alex Padilla (CA) led the bicameral, bipartisan introduction of the Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment Act (HERE) Act, legislation that would address the enduring gap in college attendance and completion rates for Hispanic and Latino students. Specifically, the bill would create a new grant program to support partnerships and collaboration between Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and school districts with high … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Statement from Congressman Castro on the Planned Termination of Title 42
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the Biden administration's plan to end the Title 42 mass migrant expulsion order on May 23, 2022: "Bringing Title 42 to an end is the right decision. Over the past month, Americans have committed to welcoming families fleeing from brutality and war in Ukraine. That generosity was a fulfillment of our nation's promise to be a beacon of freedom to the world, and I commend the Biden administration's … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Congressman Castro Introduces Navigating to Success Act to Strengthen Career Pathways for Low-Income Workers
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced the Navigating to Success Act, a bill that would allow organizations to use federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding to support proven career counseling and workforce navigation services. "At Project QUEST in San Antonio and similar sites across the country, career navigation services have helped thousands of workers rise out of poverty and into the middle class. Unfortunately, under current federal law, these … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Congressman Castro Votes to Cap the Cost of Insulin at $35 Per Month
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Castro (TX-20) voted to pass the Affordable Insulin Now Act, legislation he co-sponsored that would lower the cost of insulin for thousands of Texas families by capping out-of-pocket insulin costs in Medicare Part D and private insurance plans at $35 per month. "For millions of Americans, including a disproportionate number of Latinos, access to affordable insulin is a matter of life and death," said Congressman Joaquin Castro. "The skyrocketing cost of insulin … Continue Reading
March 29, 2022
Rep. Castro Leads Call for Biden Administration to End Title 42
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) joined Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Raul Ruiz and Reps. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Darren Soto (FL-09), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03) to lead a letter from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus urging the Biden administration to end the implementation of Title 42. "For more than two years, asylum-seekers have been illegally expelled from the United States without the due process they deserve. Asylum … Continue Reading
March 23, 2022
Congressman Castro Highlights Federal Investments in High-Speed Internet During Visit to San Antonio Public Housing Community
SAN ANTONIO — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) toured the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA)’s Colonel George J. Cisneros Apartments to discuss how federal investments in high-speed internet are changing the lives of low-income seniors and families. Earlier this month, Congressman Castro secured $1,000,000 for SAHA to provide and expand high-speed internet services to their 52 public housing properties and 24 Beacon properties. The Smart Mesh technology that will enable … Continue Reading
March 23, 2022
Congressman Castro Holds Posthumous Medal Presentation Ceremony for U.S. Army Private First Class Marcos H. Perez
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) held a posthumous medal presentation ceremony for U.S. Army Private First Class Marcos H. Perez, a San Antonio soldier who was killed in action during the Korean War. Congressman Castro listens as Robert Perez reads a letter that his father, U.S. Army Private First Class Marcos H. Perez, wrote to his wife before he was killed. To download high-quality photos from today's ceremony, click here or here. "One of my greatest honors as a … Continue Reading
March 21, 2022
Congressman Castro Visits VITA Site to Highlight Ongoing Benefits of the American Rescue Plan’s Child Tax Credit Expansion
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) visited a VITA tax-preparation site at The Neighborhood Place in San Antonio to thank VITA workers and highlight the ongoing benefits of the expanded Child Tax Credit for San Antonio families. Rep. Castro visiting a San Antonio VITA site at The Neighborhood Place. "Every year, hard-working VITA volunteers fan out across our city to help San Antonians file their taxes and get the refunds they earned. This year, as families look forward … Continue Reading
March 21, 2022
Congressman Castro Touts Infrastructure, Recovery Funding in Visit to San Antonio International Airport
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) visited San Antonio International Airport to highlight funding he secured to protect airport jobs during the pandemic, support safe air travel, and expand airport operations to bring more tourism and business to San Antonio. During the visit, Congressman Castro received a briefing on the airport's use of federal funding to improve passenger services and expand operations. He also visited the airport's USO Center to thank volunteers for … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
Castro, Clark, Cole, Davis Hold 2022 Kickoff for the Bipartisan Congressional Pre-K and Child Care Caucus
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-05), Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), and Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13) joined the First Five Years Fund, PBS Kids, and the National Head Start Association to hold a 2022 kickoff for the Bipartisan Congressional Pre-K and Child Care Caucus. The caucus launched in 2016 to bring lawmakers, policy advocates, and pre-kindergarten/child care providers together to promote policies that expand access to … Continue Reading
March 15, 2022
Congressman Castro Slams Lack of Latino Representation on Newly-Announced Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement slamming the decision by AT&T and Discovery to exclude Latino members from the new Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors: "Warner Bros. Discovery is off to a bad start. Latinos make up nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population and nearly 30 percent of movie ticket buyers - but with today's Board announcement, AT&T and Discovery made clear that they don't value our voices. This is what cultural … Continue Reading
March 11, 2022
Congressman Castro Urges San Antonians to File Taxes Immediately To Receive Expanded Tax Cuts Passed Through American Rescue Plan
SAN ANTONIO - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) urges San Antonio families to file their taxes as soon as possible to receive the full expanded Child Tax Credit created by the American Rescue Plan. In 2021, Congressman Castro delivered nearly $261 million in tax cuts for more than 172,000 children in Texas's 20th District through the expanded Child Tax Credit. Most families will receive an additional lump-sum Child Tax Credit payment in their 2021 tax refund. "One year ago this month, … Continue Reading
March 09, 2022
Congressman Castro Secures More than $10.5 Million in Federal Funding for Community Projects in San Antonio
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced that his office has secured more than $10,500,000 in federal funding for projects in San Antonio that will improve health care, expand workforce development, increase affordable housing, strengthen student and family services, and support transit, environmental revitalization, and economic development needs throughout the city. The funding is included in H.R. 2471, the bipartisan, bicameral omnibus appropriations bill that is … Continue Reading
March 08, 2022
House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact Holds Hearing on USAID’s Efforts to Promote Locally-Led Development
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact held a hearing under the leadership of Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) to examine the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)'s efforts to promote locally-led development in international assistance programs. The hearing witness was Michele Sumilas, Assistant to the Administrator of the Bureau for Policy, Planning, and … Continue Reading