Press Releases
Congressman Castro Statement on House Approval of Immigration Legislation for Dreamers, TPS Holders, and Farmworkers
WASHINTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) voted for the American Dream and Promise Act, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and issued the following statement: "Today is a day of hope in the United States. Hoy es un día de esperanza en los Estados Unidos. It's long past time that Congress honored the contributions of immigrants, including Dreamers, TPS holders, and farmworkers, with a path to citizenship. The House approval of the American Dream and Promise Act and the … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Congressman Castro And Texas Colleagues Urge Gov. Abbott to Prioritize Agricultural Workers for COVID Vaccine Eligibility
WASHINTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and six of his colleagues in the Texas Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott urging him to expand vaccine eligibility to farmworkers, meatpackers, and other agricultural workers in line with CDC recommendations. Texas is one of only a few states that have excluded such workers from Tier 1B of its vaccination rollout. "Throughout the pandemic, the agricultural workers in Texas' fields, ranches, farms, dairies, and … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Chairman Castro Leads Subcommittee Hearing on Impact of America’s International Development Priorities
WASHINGTON - The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact held its first hearing of the 117th Congress under the leadership of Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Ranking Member Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11). The hearing focused on COVID-19's impact on global development one year after the pandemic began, and how the United States' international development institutions and workforce must adapt and rebuild in … Continue Reading
March 05, 2021
Castro, Wagner, Klobuchar, & Sullivan Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Election Administration Practices with International Allies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight of federal elections, and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) reintroduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation to share … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Rep. Castro and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Nominate 25 Latino films for National Film Registry
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, sent a letter nominating an additional 25 Latino films to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress, as part of the ongoing effort to increase Latino representation in the film industry. Congressman Castro had previously nominated "Selena" for the National Film Registry during his term as CHC chair, and the additional 25 films constitute … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Congressman Castro Statement on Governor Abbott Putting Politics Above the People of Texas
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement on Governor Abbott's reckless and dangerous decision to put politics above the people of Texas: "Governor Abbott's failure to listen to science and medical advice will cost Texans their lives. The easiest thing everyone can do to slow the spread of COVID is to wear a mask and keep a social distance. America's top infectious disease experts have warned that right now we cannot afford to let our guard down … Continue Reading
March 01, 2021
CASTRO & BLUMENTHAL COMMEND BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMITMENT TO REUNITE SEPARATED FAMILIES HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, URGE CONGRESS TO TAKE LEGISLATIVE ACTION
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), authors of the Families Belong Together Act, issued the following joint statement after the Biden-Harris administration's announcement to allow families separated by the Trump administration the option to reunite in the United States: "We commend the Biden-Harris administration and the Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families led by Secretary Mayorkas for their around the clock … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Castro, Padilla, Warren, and Lieu Announce Pathway to Citizenship For Essential Workers
WASHINGTON - Today, February 26th 2021, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ted Lieu (CA-33) and Senators Alex Padilla (CA) and Elizabeth Warren (MA) announced the Citizenship For Essential Workers Act at a Here Is Homevirtual roundtable with essential workers. This legislation would create an expedited pathway to citizenship for the over 5 million undocumented essential workers who kept Americans healthy, fed, and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Citizenship for Essential Workers … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Congressman Castro Commends Secretary Blinken for Creation of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at State Department, Urges Congress to Make the Position Permanent
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, released the following statement on Secretary Blinken's announcement creating a new Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) position at the U.S Department of State: "I commend Secretary Blinken for taking early and necessary action with the creation of a … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Reps. Castro, Cole, Spanberger, and Moolenaar Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Include Early Childhood Education in Work-Study Programs.
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4), Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-7), and Congressman John Moolenaar (MI-4) reintroduced The Head Start For Our Future Act. This bipartisan legislation amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make jobs in early childhood education eligible as community service under the Federal Work-Study Program. "The Head Start For Our Future Act will strengthen education for young children during their most important … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Castro Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Pay State Department Interns
WASHINGTON - Today, February 18th, 2021, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, reintroduced his bipartisan legislation guaranteeing financial support and paid internships at the U.S. State Department. The Department of State Student Internship Program Act would require internships at the State Department to be compensated and authorizes the Department to … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Castro and Wagner Introduce Southeast Asia Strategy Act
WASHINTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), co-chairs and co-founders of the Congressional Caucus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), introduced the Southeast Asia Strategy Act. "Southeast Asia is an increasingly important region that is critical to America's security and prosperity," said Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate … Continue Reading
February 16, 2021
Castro Leads Texas Delegation Demanding Answers on Power Outages from ERCOT and Public Utility Commission
SAN ANTONIO - Today, February 16th, 2021, Congressman Joaquin Castro led nine members of Texas' Congressional Delegation in demanding immediate answers from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Public Utility Commission of Texas leadership as to the cause, duration, and equitable distribution of power outages across the state of Texas. "The ongoing power outages across Texas are causing unacceptable hardship and suffering to millions of families, especially among the most … Continue Reading
February 01, 2021
CASTRO & BLUMENTHAL WELCOME BIDEN ADMINISTRATION EFFORTS TO REUNIFY IMMIGRANT FAMILIES & CALL FOR PASSAGE OF THE FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER ACT
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), authors of the Families Belong Together Act, commend President Biden for taking action to begin reuniting families separated by the Trump Administration's zero-tolerance immigration policy and urged the Biden Administration to make every effort to enable those families to be reunited in the United States. Blumenthal and Castro also announced plans to reintroduce their bicameral legislation to … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Castro, Gallego, and Hispanic Caucus Members Urge Defense Secretary Austin to Remove Trump Appointees from Confederate Renaming Commission, Include Latino Representation
WASHINGTON - Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Ruben Gallego (AZ-7) led a Congressional Hispanic Caucus letter to Secretary Austin regarding the process for renaming U.S. military bases named after Confederate traitors. Specifically, the letter urges Secretary Austin to remove the 4 appointees of the Trump administration to the commission that will make renaming recommendations as mandated by the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act and replace these appointees with people that … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Chairman Castro Announces Members of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact
WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Joaquin Castro announced members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact for the 117th Congress. The Democratic Subcommittee members include: Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-53) Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-30) Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-5) Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6) Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-3) "This Subcommittee is composed of talented and … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Castro, Spanberger Re-Introduce Bill to Expand Apprenticeships, Partner with Higher Education and Industry
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Congresswomen Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) re-introduced the Strengthening Our Youth Apprenticeships Act. This legislation creates an interagency agreement between the Secretaries of Labor and Education that would provide publicly available guidance and best practices to support youth apprenticeship programs in both secondary and postsecondary education programs. The bill also funds a … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Congressman Castro Elected Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was elected Chair of its Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact for the 117th Congress. Castro will continue to serve on the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, Migration, and International Economic Policy. Chairman Castro released the following statement on leading the new subcommittee: "I'm honored to … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Rep. Castro and Over 90 Colleagues Urge Biden administration to Extend ACA Benefits to DACA Recipients
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joaquin Castro and 93 House Members sent a letter to President Biden and the Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services urging them to expand ACA benefits to DACA recipients. Specifically, the letter asks HHS to repeal it's rule excluding DACA recipients from the definition of lawfully present, a definition that DACA recipients qualify for in many other federal programs, and to do so within the first 100 days of the administration."There are over 200,000 DACA … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Castro, Markey and Colleagues Urge President Biden to Protect Immigrants in Sanctuary Churches
WASHINGTON - Today, Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas and Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts, along with Senator Warren and 27 House members, sent a letter to President Biden urging swift action to grant relief and protections to immigrant families living in sanctuary churches across the nation. For decades, immigrants have been sheltered and supported by communities of faith as a last resort to avoid deportation. Federal immigration enforcement has a longstanding policy against … Continue Reading