Press Releases
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
December 06, 2021
Castro, Warren, Cicilline, Jayapal Lead Democrats Urging Justice Department to Investigate Proposed Merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia for Violations of Antitrust Laws
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), Congressman David Cicilline (RI-01), Chair of the Antitrust Subcommittee, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and 29 other members of Congress sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter urging the Department of Justice to investigate the proposed $43 billion merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia for … Continue Reading
November 19, 2021
Congressman Castro’s Statement on House Passage of Build Back Better Act
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives passing the Build Back Better Act: "For years, I've worked in Congress to build out what I call America's Infrastructure of Opportunity --- and the Build Back Better Act delivers meaningful progress for San Antonio, Texas, and the American people. Quality child care and universal preschool for children, good public schools for students, affordable health care for families, … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Reps. Castro and Escobar Join Immigration Advocates For Press Conference on the Need to Pass the Build Back Better Act to Deliver Protection to Millions of Immigrants
Washington, DC -Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) joined immigration advocates at a press conference at the House Triangle on Capitol Hill to urge the passage of the Build Back Better Act and its protections for millions of Dreamers, TPS Holders, farm workers, essential workers, and other undocumented immigrants. The event was held as House Democrats move closer to voting on the reconciliation bill. "The immigration provisions in The Build Back Better Act will … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Congressman Castro Statement on North American Leaders Summit
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on President Biden's North American Leaders Summit (NALS) with Mexican President López Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau: "From ending the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerating the global economic recovery to combating the climate crisis and building a fair migration system, Canada and Mexico are critical partners and great friends of … Continue Reading
November 10, 2021
Rep. Castro: “Deeply Troubling and Tragic” Express-News Report on Family Violence in San Antonio
San Antonio - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement on the San Antonio Express-News series "Nowhere to Hide", an in-depth look at the domestic violence epidemic in San Antonio: "The Express-News series "Nowhere to Hide" gives a deeply troubling and tragic account of family violence in San Antonio and shines a necessary light on the need for systemic change to protect people from abuse. Victims need to be supported, abusers must be prosecuted, and as a city we … Continue Reading
October 29, 2021
Congressman Castro Urges Department of Justice to Investigate Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and 25 members of Congress sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland urging the Department of Justice to conduct a federal investigation into Governor Abbott's Operation Lone Star program. "We ask that the Department of Justice (DOJ) review and investigate Governor Abbott's Operation Lone Star program regarding both its likely violation of the Supremacy … Continue Reading
October 27, 2021
Congressman Castro Introduces Bill to Prevent Natural Gas Price Gouging During Emergencies
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced the Gas Consumer Emergency Market Protection Act in the House of Representatives to address the dramatic increase in natural gas prices in relation to Winter Storm Uri as well as establish a federal circuit breaker - which would impose natural gas trading limits during national emergencies. Congressman Lloyd Doggett is an original cosponsor. "While Texas families faced life or death situations and struggled to stay warm amid … Continue Reading
October 26, 2021
REP. CASTRO LEADS BIPARTISAN LETTER URGING REFORM ON THE SCORING OF EQUITY INVESTMENTS AT THE DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION
WASHNGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations and Global Social Impact, Representatives Michael McCaul (TX-10), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Young Kim (CA-39), Andy Kim (NJ-03) and Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16) and 11 other members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan urging the Biden administration to reform how equity investments at the U.S. Development … Continue Reading
October 20, 2021
Reps. Castro, Cicilline, Titus and Congressional Members Urge State Department to Rescind Policy Prohibiting Diplomats from Defending Marriage Equality
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressmembers Joaquin Castro (TX-20), David Cicilline (RI-01), Dina Titus (NV-01) and 58 other members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary Antony Blinken, urging the State Department to update a policy that prohibits U.S. diplomats from discussing constitutional rationale in favor of marriage equality in countries engaged in active public debate. "The State Department maintains a "neither for nor against" policy, whereby our diplomats are barred from addressing marriage … Continue Reading
September 30, 2021
Meeks, Castro, Issue Statement Regarding Report on Sexual Abuse Allegations Against WHO Staff
Washington, DC - Today, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Joaquin Castro, Chairs of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and of the Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations and Global Corporate Social Impact, respectively, issued the following statement regarding an independent report commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) to investigate allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by WHO staff during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of … Continue Reading