Press Releases
Congressman Castro Applauds Committee Passage of Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement (EAGLE) Act
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) and Chair of the Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations and Global Corporate Social Impact, released the following statement after HFAC passed the Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement (EAGLE) Act. The legislation includes key provisions from Rep. Castro that will strengthen American diplomacy and leadership in the Indo-Pacific, including … Continue Reading
July 06, 2021
Congressman Castro Announces $1 Million for UTSA and Port SA Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Park Included in Defense Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $1 million for the University of Texas at San Antonio and Port San Antonio to build a cybersecurity manufacturing innovation park has been included in the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee's bill. Congressman Castro submitted this project on behalf of UTSA and Port SA to the House Appropriations Committee for federal funding and it was included in the annual spending bill. "San Antonio can lead the nation in … Continue Reading
July 01, 2021
Reps. Castro, Veasey & Congressional Democrats Urge Department of Justice to Investigate Unconstitutional Voter Suppression in Texas
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), and ten members of the Texas Congressional delegation sent a letter to Attorney General Garland urging the Department of Justice to investigate unconstitutional voter suppression in Texas and monitor any voting-related legislation passed out of upcoming special session. "The Department of Justice needs to protect Texan's voting rights," said Congressman Castro. "I commend the Attorney General for taking … Continue Reading
July 01, 2021
Congressman Castro’s San Antonio Community Project Passed the U.S. House of Representatives in Transportation Infrastructure Bill
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Castro's San Antonio community project for $15.6 million in federal funding to complete the Zarzamora overpass passed the U.S. House of Representatives in the INVEST in America Act. Congressman Castro submitted this project on behalf of the City of San Antonio to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and it was successfully included in the INVEST Act and passed the House today. The Zarzamora-Frio City road overpass safety project is critically … Continue Reading
July 01, 2021
Reps. Castro and Fitzpatrick Introduce Legislation to Support American Diplomats and their Families
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Foreign Service Families Act to better support American diplomats and their families. 97 years ago today, the United States Congress enacted the Rogers Act of 1924 that created the modern-day Foreign Service. For many U.S. diplomats and their families, frequent moves, language barriers, and limited employment and educational … Continue Reading
June 29, 2021
Reps. Castro and Tenney Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22), introduced the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Act (YSEALI), H.R. 4213, to promote people-to-people exchanges between the United States and Southeast Asia and establish the existing YSEALI program into law. This legislation will be added as an amendment to the EAGLE Act during the HFAC markup on Wednesday. "The 10 nations of ASEAN … Continue Reading
June 25, 2021
Reps. Castro and Sires Express Deep Concern About Disappearances in Colombia
WASHINGTON - In response to reports of disappearances during protests over the last two months in Colombia, Reps. Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Joaquin Castro (D-TX) issued the following statement: "We are deeply disturbed by reports of dozens of disappearances during the crackdown on protestors in Colombia. We call on President Duque and the Colombian government to thoroughly investigate each case to locate those who are missing and reunite them with their families. If security officials are found … Continue Reading
June 24, 2021
Rep. Castro to Co-Chair Hispanic-Serving Institutions Caucus
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Education and Labor Committee, will serve as the newest co-chair of the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus in the 117th Congress, alongside Representatives Raúl Grijalva (AZ-3), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), and Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (Puerto Rico). The HSI Caucus aims to educate Members of Congress about the contributions of over 500 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in their districts and communities, and about … Continue Reading
June 11, 2021
Reps. Castro and Jacobs Introduce Legislation to Restore and Strengthen U.S. Leadership in International Organizations
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53), the subcommittee's Vice Chair, introduced the Restoring U.S. Leadership in International Organizations Act of 2021. This legislation would boost America's diplomatic presence at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and incentivize American diplomats to serve in international … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Congressman Castro’s Community Project Included in House Transportation Infrastructure Bill
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $15.6 million in federal funding to complete the Zarzamora overpass was included as part of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's INVEST in America Act. The Zarzamora-Frio City road overpass safety project is critically important to the San Antonio community, and Congressman Castro designated this community project as one of his top transportation and infrastructure funding priorities for the 2021 fiscal … Continue Reading
June 04, 2021
CASTRO, MEIJER INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS CHINA’S CENSORSHIP OF AMERICANS
WASHINGTON - Congressman Castro (TX-20), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Congressman Meijer (MI-3) introduced legislation to monitor and address China's censorship and intimidation strategies affecting Americans and American businesses. This legislation is the House counterpart to a Senate bill introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley, Marco Rubio, Elizabeth Warren, and John Cornyn. "Freedom of speech is a … Continue Reading
June 04, 2021
CASTRO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE U.S. STRATEGY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION
WASHINGTON - Congressman Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced the Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review Act topromote economic and security cooperation with civil society, the private sector, and the governments in the Indian Ocean region. This bill is also included as part of the EAGLE Act. "The Indian Ocean region is increasingly important to the diplomatic, economic, and security … Continue Reading
May 21, 2021
Congressman Castro Statement on President Biden’s Summit with South Korean President Moon
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on President Biden's Summit with South Korean President Moon: "I commend President Biden for hosting South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House. Today's summit is a strong demonstration of the importance of the U.S.-Korea alliance, the linchpin of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. "Americans and South Koreans are united by our shared democratic values, deep economic ties, and a … Continue Reading
May 17, 2021
Congressman Castro Urges Cease Fire in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Concerned with Weapons Sale to Israel
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement urging a cease fire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and expressing serious concerns over the Biden administration's approval of a $735 million weapons sale to Israel: "The increasing loss of civilian lives of Palestinians and Israelis is unconscionable and unacceptable. I'm particularly disturbed by the disproportionate bombing of the Gaza Strip, including the deaths of at least 92 women and children … Continue Reading
April 28, 2021
Congressman Castro Invites San Antonio Essential Worker as Virtual Guest to Presidential Address
SAN ANTONIO - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) is uplifting a San Antonio essential worker, Eliza Sanchez, as his virtual guest to President Biden's Joint Address to Congress. Eliza, 44, is an immigrant domestic worker and has worked as a homecare worker for the past 3 years providing care for the elderly. The Joint Address is President Biden's first speech to a Joint Session of Congress, marking 100 days into the President's first term. In the past, Congressman Castro has invited … Continue Reading
April 26, 2021
Castro & Blumenthal Reintroduce the Families Belong Together Act to Reunite Separated Migrant Families
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, and Education and Labor Committees, and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced legislation to reunite the thousands of immigrant children and families who were separated by the Trump Administration's cruel 2018 family separation policy. As of April 7th, 2021, likely more than a thousand children have yet to be reunited with their … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Castro, Tenney Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Impose Arms Embargo Against Burmese Military
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today introduced a resolution urging the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to immediately impose an arms embargo against the military of Burma in an effort to end the ongoing coup by the Burmese military and deliver control of the nation back to its elected officials. Since February 1, 2021, Burmese military leaders have remained in control of the country after carrying out a coup. They have used … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Castro, Torres, Omar, Velázquez, and Congressional Leaders Ask President Biden To Address Climate Refugees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and 16 Members of Congress asked President Biden in a letter to work with world leaders at the 2021 Climate Summit to address the growing needs of people displaced by the climate crisis. "Currently, the world does not have an agreed upon definition of 'climate refugees.' As a result, climate displaced persons are often stuck in legal limbo because they are not … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Castro Global Election Bill Approved by Foreign Affairs Committee, Heads to House Floor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, welcomed approval by the House Foreign Affairs of the Global Electoral Exchange Act. Castro re-introduced this bicameral and bipartisan legislation with Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Senate … Continue Reading
April 20, 2021
Congressman Castro Statement on Conviction of Derek Chauvin for the Murder of George Floyd
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement on the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd: "Dereck Chauvin murdered George Floyd while hiding behind the badge. Today he got the verdict he deserved. "The guilty verdict on all counts delivers necessary accountability, but true justice depends on all of us fixing a broken policing system and preventing this horror from happening again. "History will remember Darnella Frazier who … Continue Reading