Press Releases
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
April 16, 2021
CHAIRMAN CASTRO LEADS SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING ON INNOVATION IN DEVELOPMENT POLICY
WASHINGTON - The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact held a hearing entitled "Innovation in Development Policy: Maximizing Impact and Results" under the leadership of Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) on Friday, April 16, 2021. The hearing focused on how the United States can develop and expand the use of innovative development practices at the US Agency for International Development and other foreign … Continue Reading
April 13, 2021
Castro, Padilla, Warren, Lieu: Citizenship for Essential Workers is Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Senator Alex Padilla (CA), Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), and Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33) led a bicameral letter to President Biden urging the inclusion of the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act in the President's upcoming infrastructure package. This legislation provides a fair, secure, and accessible pathway to U.S. citizenship for over 5 million immigrant essential workers in health care, agriculture, construction, food, energy, … Continue Reading
April 13, 2021
Castro, Gallego, and Hispanic Caucus Urge Defense Department to Rename Ft. Hood After Mexican-American Medal of Honor Recipient, Update Base Naming Criteria
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-7) led 18 additional members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in a letter urging Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the DOD renaming commission to ensure that Latino military heroes are honored as new namesakes for at least one of the 10 Army bases with Confederate names that await renaming. In last year's National Defense Authorization Act, Congress mandated that DOD rename all bases, … Continue Reading
March 25, 2021
Chairman Castro Leads Subcommittee Hearing on U.S. Standing in International Organizations
Washington D.C. - The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact held a hearing entitled "U.S. Standing in International Organizations" under the leadership of Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. The hearing focused on the United States' role in international organizations such as the United Nations and what actions Congress can take to help strengthen American leadership and counter … Continue Reading
March 18, 2021
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