Press Releases
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
July 15, 2021
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