Press Releases
Congressman Castro Calls on Governor Abbott to Reopen Security Grant Applications for Places of Worship
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and other members of the Texas congressional delegation called on Governor Abbott and the State of Texas to reopen applications for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s Nonprofit Security Grant Program. These grants help places of worship pay for security measures including alarm systems, security guards and other safety measures to prevent terrorist attacks. In Texas, state authorities closed the application process before … Continue Reading
May 17, 2022
Castro and Bera Applaud Nomination of ASEAN Ambassador, Successful U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit
WASHINGTON - Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, and Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, released the following statement applauding President Joe Biden's … Continue Reading
May 17, 2022
Reps. Castro and Larson Lead 149 House Democrats Urging Action and Accountability to Address Infant Formula Shortage
WASHINGTON - Today Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and John B. Larson (CT-01) led 149 of their colleagues in a letter urging the Biden administration to use a whole-of-government response to increase the availability of infant and specialty formula while investigating the failures that led to current shortages. For several weeks, the White House has worked with formula manufacturers and foreign suppliers to accelerate formula importation and production. The letter urges the administration to … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
Congressman Castro Urges Biden Administration to Invoke Defense Production Act to Resolve Nation’s Infant Formula Shortage and Slams Fearmongering from Governor Abbott
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement on the urgent need to address the nation's infant formula shortage: "As the father of a newborn and the representative for thousands of San Antonio families who rely on infant formula, fixing this formula shortage is my most urgent priority. I appreciate the steps the Biden administration is taking to resolve this crisis, including increasing formula imports, working with states to make sure low-income WIC … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Castro, Wagner, Meeks, Bera Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Supporting a Strong U.S.-ASEAN Partnership
WASHINGTON - Ahead of this week's U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Ann Wagner (MO-02), founding co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Caucus on ASEAN, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks, and House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation Chairman Ami Bera (CA-07) introduced a bipartisan resolution yesterday reaffirming the commitment of the United States to remain a strong, reliable, and active … Continue Reading
May 10, 2022
Congressman Castro Calls on the Senate to Abolish the Filibuster and Protect Reproductive Freedom
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) joined his House colleagues in a letter urging the Senate to abolish the filibuster - a move that would allow it to protect reproductive freedom by passing the Women's Health Protection Act. In June 2021, Congressman Castro and nearly 200 members of the House introduced the Women's Health Protection Act, a bill that would prohibit unreasonable government restrictions on abortion services. Under the Women's Health Protection Act, state … Continue Reading
May 09, 2022
Reps. Castro and Escobar Urge Treasury to Investigate Possible Misappropriation of COVID Relief to Fund Operation Lone Star
WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) led seven of their colleagues from the Texas congressional delegation in a letter urging Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to investigate Texas Governor Greg Abbott's possible misappropriation of federal coronavirus relief to fund Operation Lone Star. Operation Lone Star is a state-led border operation launched by Governor Abbott in March 2021. Since the operation began, it has been criticized for high costs, delayed … Continue Reading
May 09, 2022
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