Press Releases
Congressman Castro Holds Roundtable Conversation with San Antonio’s Ukrainian American Community
SAN ANTONIO - On Friday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) held a roundtable conversation to hear from members of San Antonio's Ukrainian American community about how Russia's invasion of Ukraine is affecting them and their loved ones. The roundtable was held in coordination with Ukrainian San Antonio, a Texas non-profit that works to advance the welfare of the Ukrainian people, strengthen ties between Ukrainian and American organizations, and promote greater understanding of Ukrainian … Continue Reading
March 03, 2022
Reps. Castro, Wagner Lead Bipartisan Call for Sporting and Cultural Sanctions Against Russia
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02) led a bipartisan letter urging President Biden to work with allies and partners around the world to bar Russia from international sport and cultural events and organizations. The letter also calls for the United States and allied nations to investigate situations in which sports teams, cultural organizations, or related infrastructure are controlled by entities subject to U.S. sanctions. "The world … Continue Reading
March 03, 2022
Congressman Castro Votes to Improve Care for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) voted to pass the Honoring Our PACT Act, comprehensive legislation to improve health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances during their service to our country. "For too long, our nation has failed to uphold our sacred obligation to fight for veterans like they fought for us," said Congressman Joaquin Castro. "During our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, countless veterans were exposed to toxic burn … Continue Reading
March 01, 2022
Congressman Castro Applauds Message of American Unity and Strength in President Biden’s 2022 State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the conclusion of President Biden's State of the Union address: "Thirteen months ago, President Biden took the helm of a nation devastated by pandemic, economic catastrophe, and insurrection. Today, our future is unimaginably brighter. "Thanks to the work of this administration and the Democratic Congress, the United States is achieving a historically strong economic recovery that puts working … Continue Reading
February 24, 2022
Congressman Castro Announces Veteran and Burn Pit 360 Co-Founder Le Roy Torres as Guest for 2022 State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced that Captain Le Roy Torres will be his honored guest for President Biden's 2022 State of the Union address. Due to ongoing health measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all guests will attend the 2022 State of the Union address virtually. On Monday, February 28, 2022 at 3:00 PM ET, Congressman Castro, Le Roy Torres, and Major General Jeffrey Phillips, Executive Director of the Reserve Organization of America, will hold a … Continue Reading
February 23, 2022
Statement from Congressman Castro on Russia’s Ongoing Invasion of Ukraine
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact and a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) released the following statement on Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine: "Russia's deployment of conventional military forces into Ukrainian territory and illegal recognition of its proxy entities on … Continue Reading
February 18, 2022
Congressman Castro Highlights New Report Showing Texas as the Top State for 2021 Manufacturing Job Growth
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced Texas added 37,600 manufacturing jobs under the first year of the Biden administration, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This job growth represents a nearly three-fold increase from the final non-pandemic year of the Trump administration, during which Texas added 13,200 manufacturing jobs. Among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Texas added the most manufacturing jobs in 2021. "This … Continue Reading
February 16, 2022
House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact Holds Hearing on Renewing American Engagement with International Organizations
WASHINGTON - This week, 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. State Department's multilateral approach for the United States to reestablish key relationships with international organizations, including the United Nations. The witness for this week's hearing was Assistant Secretary of State for … Continue Reading
February 15, 2022
Castro Opening Statement at House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing on Renewing American Engagement with International Organizations
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, delivered the following statement to open the subcommittee's hearing on "Renewed American Engagement with International Organizations: Goals, Priorities, and Successes." (As prepared for delivery) Thank you for joining me at this important hearing. I want to extend a warm welcome to our … Continue Reading
February 14, 2022
Co-Chairs of Congressional Japan, Australia, and India Caucuses, and HFAC Asia Subcommittee Release Joint Statement Following Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting
WASHINGTON — Following the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting last Friday, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Adrian Smith (NE-03), the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the U.S.-Japan Congressional Caucus, Reps. Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Mike Gallagher (WI-08), the House Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the Friends of Australia Congressional Caucus, Reps. Brad Sherman (CA-30) and Steve Chabot (OH-01), the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the House Caucus on India and Indian … Continue Reading
February 10, 2022
Congressman Castro Secures $12.7 Million for San Antonio Public Transit
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced that his office has secured $12.7 million in funding for VIA Metropolitan Transit to improve public transit and create jobs in San Antonio. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and appropriations legislation that Congressman Castro voted to pass in late 2021. "Anyone who has been in San Antonio over the last ten years knows that expanding public transit is absolutely critical to relieve congestion and help … Continue Reading
February 09, 2022
Chairman Castro Welcomes Senate Confirmation of Scott Nathan as CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) and Chairman of the HFAC Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations and Global Corporate Social Impact released the following statement congratulating the Biden administration on the successful confirmation of Scott A. Nathan as Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporations: "I congratulate Scott Nathan … Continue Reading
February 09, 2022
Congressman Castro Leads SCOTUS Amicus Brief Supporting Disabled Texas Veteran
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led five other members of Congress in filing an amicus brief to weigh in on Torres v. Texas, a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that threatens the civilian job rights and benefits of servicemembers and veterans under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) of 1994. "Our nation has an obligation to stand up for veterans like they stood up for us," said Congressman Castro. "For years, I've worked to make sure … Continue Reading
February 08, 2022
House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Castro/Kim Resolution Calling on Republic of Rwanda to Release Paul Rusesabagina
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39) released the following statement after the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed H. Res. 892, their bipartisan resolution calling on the government of Rwanda to release activist Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds: "More than a year has passed since the government of Rwanda kidnapped Paul Rusesabagina and unjustly imprisoned him on politically-motivated charges," said Congressman Castro. "Mr. … Continue Reading
February 04, 2022
Congressman Castro Votes to Create Jobs, Strengthen the Supply Chain, and Advance U.S. Global Leadership through the America COMPETES Act
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) and Chair of the HFAC Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations and Global Corporate Social Impact voted to pass the bipartisan America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (America COMPETES) Act of 2022. The legislation includes a number of bills and provisions authored by Congressman Castro that … Continue Reading
February 04, 2022
Congressman Castro Urges Biden Administration to Increase Availability of COVID-19 Tests and N95/KN95 Masks for San Antonio Child Care Providers
WASHINGTON — This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led a letter to President Joe Biden urging his administration to include child care providers in their plan to increase access to COVID-19 testing and N95 and KN-95 masks in San Antonio and across the country. The letter was co-led by Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-05) and Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Kim Schrier (WA-08) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) and signed by an additional 48 Members of Congress. “It … Continue Reading
February 01, 2022
Castro, Markey, Torres, and McGovern Request State Department Protections for Central America Civil Society Organizations
WASHINGTON – Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Senator Edward J. Markey (Massachusetts), Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35), and Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02) this week sent a letter to the U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary Brian Nichols and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Assistant Administrator Peter Natiello expressing concern over closing civic spaces in Central America and requesting that the Administration … Continue Reading
February 01, 2022
Castro, Kim Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Calling on Republic of Rwanda to Release Paul Rusesabagina on Humanitarian Grounds
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations and Global Corporate Social Impact, and Young Kim (CA-39) introduced a resolution calling on the government of the Republic of Rwanda to release activist Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds. Paul Rusesabagina, a 67-year-old cancer survivor who suffers from a cardiovascular disorder, Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree … Continue Reading
January 14, 2022
Congressman Castro helps delivers $537.1 Million for Texas Bridges from Infrastructure Law
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced the first round of investments in repairing Texas bridges under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law. Congressman Castro helped deliver $107.4 million for Texas to fix bridges this year in FY 2022, part of a total $537.1 million investment over the next five years. The funding, determined by the Federal Highway Administration's bridge formula program, is available to improve the condition of 818 bridges in poor condition … Continue Reading
January 06, 2022
Rep. Castro Statement on One-Year Anniversary of January 6
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement regarding the one-year anniversary of the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. "Today marks the grim anniversary of the violent attack on the US Capitol. January 6, 2021, will live among the days of infamy remembered in United States history. It was a day that should have been a symbolic, peaceful transfer of power. However, it sadly resulted in chaos and division by right-wing extremists. We must work to reject … Continue Reading