Press Releases
Co-Chairs of Japan, Australia and India Congressional Caucuses Release Joint Statement on Heads of State Quad Summit
WASHINGTON - Ahead of the Heads of State Quad Summit today, Reps. Joaquin Castro and Adrian Smith, the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the U.S.-Japan Congressional Caucus; Reps. Joe Courtney and Mike Gallagher, the House Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the Friends of Australia Congressional Caucus; and Reps. Brad Sherman and Steve Chabot, the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the Congressional India Caucus, released the following joint statement: "As the Democratic and … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Congressman Castro, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Committee on Oversight and Reform Announce New GAO Report on Latino Underrepresentation in Media
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the Committee on Oversight and Reform, shared the first of two reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the underrepresentation of Latinos in the media industry, including the film, television, news and publishing sectors. As Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Castro, the CHC, and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform requested this report from GAO … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
Congressman Castro and Congressional Leaders Ask President Biden to Lead Efforts on Evacuating Afghan National United Nations Employees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Sara Jacobs (CA-53) and nine Members of Congress asked President Biden to work with allies and United Nations (UN) member states to ensure that Afghan national UN employees receive visas and authorization to leave Afghanistan with their families. "All UN Member States have a solemn responsibility to protect the brave men and women who tirelessly carry out the international community's work in countries around the … Continue Reading
September 15, 2021
Congressman Castro Statement on Hispanic Heritage Month
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement to mark the start of Hispanic Heritage Month: "Hispanic Heritage Month is an important moment to celebrate the immense contributions of Latinos to the prosperity of the United States. This country is a nation of and built by Latinos. Since the very beginning, Latinos have played an instrumental role in shaping American society through entrepreneurship, public service, and more. Throughout this pandemic, the … Continue Reading
September 07, 2021
Statement from Congressman Castro on Gov. Abbott’s Restricting Texans Right to Vote
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement on Governor Abbott's signing Senate Bill 1 into law, restricting Texans right to vote: "Today, Governor Abbott and Texas Republicans continued their assault on democracy and made it harder for Texans to vote. SB1 is an unprecedented restriction on voting rights in Texas, motivated by the same Big Lie of widespread voter fraud that led to a deadly attack at the U.S. Capitol and an attempted coup on January … Continue Reading
September 02, 2021
Statement from Congressman Castro on Supreme Court’s Ruling on Texas Law SB8
SAN ANTONIO - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement on the Supreme Court's ruling on Texas law SB8: "Under the shadow of night, the Supreme Court enabled an unconstitutional assault on women's rights in Texas. For nearly half a century, Roe v Wade has been the law of the United States. There is no doubt that Republican's goal with SB8, and soon copycat legislation across the nation, is to overturn almost 50 years of precedent and strip away a woman's … Continue Reading
August 16, 2021
Congressman Castro Statement on Afghanistan
SAN ANTONIO - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement on Afghanistan: "It's a terribly tragic situation in Afghanistan. After two decades of open-ended U.S. military intervention with the loss of 2,448 American service members and costing over $2 trillion, I supported President Biden's decision not to surge troops to fight in a civil war and enter a third decade of conflict. The … Continue Reading
August 12, 2021
Congressman Castro Statement on 2020 Census Data, Latinos Powering U.S. Population Growth
SAN ANTONIO - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement on the release of 2020 Census data: "The 2020 Census confirms that Latinos are powering population growth in America. Latinos accounted for about half of the U.S. population growth over the past decade, and now make up nearly one in five Americans. More than 62 million Latinos were counted, up from 50 million in 2010. Younger immigrants are bolstering the U.S. population and boosting the American economy, … Continue Reading
August 09, 2021
Congressman Castro Commends Inclusion of Citizenship for Essential Workers in Senate Budget Resolution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement commending the inclusion of citizenship for essential workers as part of the Senate budget resolution: "For generations, millions of workers in America have contributed to the U.S. economy from the shadows and their families have made great sacrifices. Essential workers, including undocumented immigrants, were deemed by the Trump administration as part of our nation's critical infrastructure, and powered … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
Congressman Castro Announces $1 Million For Home Modification Program Benefiting Older San Antonians
SAN ANTONIO - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $1 million for Rebuilding Together San Antonio to help lower income, older San Antonians remain in their homes and age in place with dignity. These home modifications reduce older adults' risk of falling, which improves accessibility, mobility, and safety in their homes. The goal of this program is to empower older adults with the ability to remain in their homes and "age in place," rather than being forced to move to nursing homes or … Continue Reading
August 03, 2021
Rep. Castro: Gov. Abbott Needs to Accelerate Rental Assistance
SAN ANTONIO - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) calls on Governor Abbott to accelerate the release of rental assistance to families and landlords to help keep Texans in their homes and avoid evictions. Congressman Castro voted to send nearly $2 billion dollars to the State of Texas through the American Rescue Plan, including $1.1 billion for the Texas Rental Relief program, but Governor Abbott has failed to allocate more than $500 million in rental assistance to Texas families in … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Congressman Castro Announces Over $7 Million in San Antonio Community Projects Passed the U.S. House of Representatives
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced over $7.1 million in federal funding for several key community projects in San Antonio passed the U.S House of Representatives. Congressman Castro voted for the minibus package, H.R. 4502, consisting of seven FY2022 appropriations bills. "Today, the House took a critical step today to ensure that we invest in San Antonio families and support working families across the United States," said Congressman Castro. "I worked with … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Reps. Castro and Taylor Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Child Hunger
WASHINGTON - Today, United States Congressmen Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Van Taylor (R-TX-03) introduced the Feeding Hungry Students in Schools Act of 2021 in the House of Representatives to help combat child hunger throughout the United States. The Feeding Hungry Students in Schools Act would allow schools to set up food pantries by receiving, storing, and distributing food donations from charitable organizations. "Hardworking families across our nation struggle daily to meet their basic … Continue Reading
July 28, 2021
CONGRESSMAN CASTRO INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO CREATE CHINA AND RUSSIAN TRANSLATION AND ANALYSIS CENTER
WASHINGTON - Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Bill Keating (MA-09), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Open Translation and Analysis Center Authorization Act. This legislation establishes a new Federally Funded Research and Development Center called the Open Translation and Analysis Center (OTAC). OTAC … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Congressman Castro Announces Nearly $900,000 to Help San Antonians with Disabilities Ride VIA Busses
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $894,881 for VIA Metropolitan Transit's Wayfinding Technology Project, which will help blind and low-vision riders find bus stops and learn of arrival times. Congressman Castro submitted this project on behalf of VIA to the House Appropriations Committee for federal funding and is now included in the House Appropriations Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill. "As our city continues to … Continue Reading
July 23, 2021
Congressman Castro Announces $2 Million to Repair San Antonio Homes
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $2 million for the City of San Antonio's Equity-based Home Repair & Rental Preservation Program, which will assist 50 San Antonio low-income families in bringing aging homes and rental units up to code. Congressman Castro submitted this project on behalf of the City of San Antonio to the House Appropriation Committee for federal funding. It is now included in the House Appropriations Transportation, and Housing and Urban … Continue Reading
July 23, 2021
Congressman Castro Announces $1 Million WiFi Expansion for San Antonio Public Housing Residents
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $1 million to the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) for a Wi-Fi Expansion Project, which will increase Wi-Fi internet access to all public housing properties. Congressman Castro submitted this project on behalf of SAHA to the House Appropriations Committee for federal funding. The project is included in the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill. "COVID exposed how … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
Congressman Castro Announces $1.6 Million for San Antonio Education and Workforce Projects
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $1.6 million for San Antonio education projects that will provide workforce training services, increase support for physical and mental health resources amid the pandemic, and enhance laboratory instruction. Congressman Castro submitted these projects on behalf of Project Quest, Communities in Schools - San Antonio (CIS-SA), and Alamo District Colleges to the House Appropriations Committee for federal funding. Each project is included … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
Congressman Castro Introduces Comprehensive Bill to Promote Diversity and Inclusion at the U.S. Department of State
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact re-introduced the Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of State Act. This legislation establishes a senior-level office of the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer to advocate for diversity within the Department and changes promotion and other practices to improve retention and equity. The … Continue Reading
July 19, 2021
Congressman Castro Announces Over $1 Million for San Antonio Health Care Projects to Expand Telemedicine
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced more than $1.1 million for San Antonio health care projects that will improve traditional and telehealth capabilities. Congressman Castro submitted these projects on behalf of St. Mary's University and University Health System to the House Appropriations Committee for federal funding. Each project is included in the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding bill. Specifically, St. … Continue Reading