Press Releases
Castro Statement on Democratic Memo Release
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statement: "As lawmakers, we owe the American public the chance to make their own independent judgements. That's why I initially opposed the release of any House Intelligence Committee memos. But as Chairman Nunes released his own political document, wrought with inaccuracies that sought to discredit the DOJ and set a pretext for the … Continue Reading
February 23, 2018
Castro Statement on New North Korea Sanctions
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement: “Sanctioning shipping and trading companies in North Korea sends a clear message to the Kim regime that the United States will not tolerate their current behavior. Such sanctions could be useful, especially when combined with a broader engagement strategy. But instead, the Trump Administration touts their desire for a ‘bloody nose’ strike while … Continue Reading
February 20, 2018
Castro, Engel Urge House Appropriators to Fully Fund America’s Development & Diplomacy
Washington, D.C.—Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Representative Eliot L. Engel (NY-16), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Ranking Member Nita Lowey and House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS) Chairman Hal Rogers urging them to maintain the Fiscal Year 2017 funding level of $57.4 … Continue Reading
February 16, 2018
Castro Statement on Mueller’s Indictments in Russia Investigation
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today made the following statement: “I’m encouraged to see Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s indictments today against 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities for illegally influencing the 2016 presidential election. This is the exact reason FBI Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller in the first place, and … Continue Reading
February 15, 2018
Castro Announces $110K for UTSA Smart Cardiac Pacemaker Research
Washington, D.C.-Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today welcomed the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) $110,250 research grant to the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) for ultra-low power computing for next generation implantable smart cardiac pacemakers. “Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in our country. On average, 225,000 artificial pacemakers are surgically implanted each year and these devices help save lives by alerting hospitals during … Continue Reading
February 14, 2018
CHC Urges Senate Leaders to Find Narrow Legislative Fix to Protect Dreamers Quickly
Washington, D.C.—Congressional Hispanic Caucus leadership today urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer to find a permanent, narrow, bipartisan legislative solution for Dreamers as quickly as possible. “It is critical that the Senate work to find a permanent solution for Dreamers as soon as possible. Every day Congress fails to address DACA it results in more DACA recipients losing their jobs and facing possible deportation,” the Members … Continue Reading
February 13, 2018
Castro Statement on DNI Director Concerns of Russia Interference in Midterms
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today made the following statement after Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats’s comments that Russia will likely interfere in our 2018 midterm elections: “President Trump’s Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats said today that Russia is set to meddle in our midterm elections this November, marking another senior advisor in Trump’s inner circle to sound … Continue Reading
February 12, 2018
Castro Statement on Trump’s 2019 Budget Request
Washington, D.C.-Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statement on President Trump’s 2019 budget request: “The President’s 2019 budget request perpetuates the Republican plan to cut taxes for the rich, intensify the budget deficit, and demand cuts to programs that working class Americans rely on. … Continue Reading
February 12, 2018
Castro & McCaul Introduce Bill Protecting Foreign Service Officers from Unauthorized Surveillance Through Consumer Devices
Washington, D.C.-Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Congressman Michael T. McCaul (TX-10), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act (H.R. 4989) which requires the Department of State to account for location-tracking consumer devices in the broader U.S. embassy and consulate security … Continue Reading
February 10, 2018
Castro Statement on Trump's Refusal to Release Democratic Memo
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February 09, 2018
Castro Welcomes the 2018 Winter Olympics
[[{"fid":"875","view_mode":"full","fields":{"format":"full","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"full","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"style":"height: 300px; width: 500px;","class":"media-element file-full","data-delta":"1"}}]] Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), … Continue Reading
February 09, 2018
Castro Statement on Venezuela’s Presidential Elections
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement: “Venezuelans deserve far better than the sham presidential election that President Maduro plans to hold in April. It is obvious that Maduro is silencing members of the opposition and avoiding a transparent election in an effort to evade accountability and preserve his power. This wholly undemocratic process exacerbates a growing economic and … Continue Reading
February 07, 2018
Castro Statement on Tillerson’s Russia Comments
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement in response to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s comments on Russia: “69% of Americans believe that Russia interferes in U.S. politics. The Intelligence Community declared that Russia interfered in our 2016 presidential elections. And CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson both believe Russia will target our elections later … Continue Reading
February 07, 2018
Castro Q&A at House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on American Cyber Diplomacy
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February 02, 2018
Castro Statement on Nunes Memo Release
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on the President’s decision to declassify the Majority memo: “Chairman Nunes' decision to publicly release a political document wrought with inaccurate allegations of bias within the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation represents a shameful effort to undermine Special Counsel Mueller's investigation and potential … Continue Reading
February 01, 2018
Castro Statement on DHS Extension for Temporary Protected Status of Syrians
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today made the following statement: “The United States has a moral obligation to the people of Syria to extend temporary protected status for them. While the goal is to ultimately return to their homeland, Syrians cannot do so while Assad drops barrel bombs, commits mass atrocities, and withholds countless amounts of humanitarian aid from the international community. These actions have made … Continue Reading
February 01, 2018
Castro Statement on Black History Month
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, released the following statement today marking Black History Month: “Each February, Americans mark the birth month of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. But we also come together to pay tribute to the contributions made by the African American community to our great nation. Their legacy of courage and lasting commitment to freedom and equality for all continues to move … Continue Reading
February 01, 2018
Castro Observes International Day of Commemoration at the United Nations
New York, N.Y. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, yesterday attended the International Day of Commemoration at the United Nations and released the following statement: “It was remarkable to attend yesterday’s International Day of Commemoration at the United Nations that honors the memories of those who perished in the Holocaust. Every year, this day reminds us of the horrors committed by the Nazi regime and their collaborators which took … Continue Reading
January 31, 2018
Castro Statement on the President’s State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - This evening, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committees on Intelligence and Foreign Affairs and First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the President’s State of the Union address to Congress: “There were few surprises in President Trump’s State of the Union address tonight. It was heavy on partisan promises, called for swift action without concrete details, and described a country, and … Continue Reading
January 30, 2018
Castro Statement on Trump Administration's Failure to Impose New Russia Sanctions
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Foreign Affairs Committee, this evening released the following statement: “Last July, the House passed the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in a sweeping bipartisan vote of 419-3 that the President reluctantly signed into public law. But in blatant defiance of Congress, the Trump Administration failed to enact new Russia sanctions today as … Continue Reading