Press Releases
Castro Statement on President Trump’s Decision Not to Recertify the Iran Nuclear Agreement
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement after President Trump announced he would not recertify Iran’s compliance with its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA): “Yet again, President Trump has signaled to the rest of the world that the United States no longer wishes to lead. Failing to certify Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA moves the United States closer to abrogating … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
Castro Statement on Passage of Disaster Relief Package
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after voting in favor of S. 585, legislation providing $36.5 billion of emergency disaster aid that passed the House of Representatives: “From the hurricanes that ravaged Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to the wildfires that continue to blaze across California and other Western states, recent natural disasters have violently upended the lives of millions of Americans. In the … Continue Reading
October 12, 2017
Castro, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Urge Congressional Armed Services Committees to Assist Deported Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and 21 fellow Caucus members sent a letter to Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Mac Thornberry (TX-13), and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), … Continue Reading
October 08, 2017
Castro Statement on the Trump White House’s Anti-Immigrant Policy Priorities
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the release of the White House’s immigration policy priorities: “Congress should reject this warped, anti-immigrant policy wish list. The White House wants to use Dreamers as bargaining chips to achieve the administration’s deportation and detention goals. President Trump and his team extol the importance of strong families, yet … Continue Reading
October 04, 2017
Castro Announces Nearly $4 Million for Education Research
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $3,906,207.00 of federal funding from the Department of Education (ED) for the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) to support the development and implementation of practices designed to help principals and administrative team members more effectively improve student outcomes in diverse schools. “We can expand educational opportunity by providing teachers and administrators with innovative, effective … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Castro Announces More than $290K for Reducing Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault on College Campuses
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $299,570.00 to St. Mary’s University for a program that aims to reduce sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on college campuses. The award is from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) program Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program (Campus Program) and provides a unique opportunity for institutions of … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
House Passes Castro and Wagner’s ASEAN Resolution
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02) that recognizes the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and highlights member nations’ contributions to stability, prosperity, and peace in Southeast Asia. The resolution also marks the 40th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations and recognizes the positive outcomes of that … Continue Reading
September 22, 2017
Castro Announces $1.75 Million for VIA
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $1,750,000.00 of federal funding from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for VIA Metropolitan Transit. VIA will use the funding to replace diesel buses with battery electric buses in San Antonio. “San Antonio’s adoption of low-emission busses will improve our city’s air quality and help keep public transportation resilient and accessible,” said Rep. Joaquin Castro. “Shifting to … Continue Reading
September 21, 2017
Castro Announces More than $700K for San Antonio Universities
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $701,999.00 of federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for three San Antonio universities for first-generation, low-income, or underserved students to pursue doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. The grants are awarded through the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (McNair) Program, one of the eight Federal TRIO Programs, which provide postsecondary … Continue Reading
September 12, 2017
House Adopts Two Castro Amendments
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives adopted two amendments offered by Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20). One amendment ensures funding for the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program, and the second amendment provides a total of $25 million to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) body-worn camera grant program for state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Both amendments are completely offset and do not increase the total funding level of the … Continue Reading
September 12, 2017
Castro Statement on U.N. Security Council’s Adoption of New Sanctions against North Korea
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement after the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2375 to strengthen sanctions against North Korea: “The adoption of these strengthened sanctions shows that there are still diplomatic avenues to pursue as the United States works with the global community to address North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons. We must capitalize on … Continue Reading
September 12, 2017
Castro Statement on Malaysian Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and founding co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations), issued the following statement in advance of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s visit to the United States: “Prime Minister Najib Razak’s visit to Washington highlights the strong relationship between the United States and Malaysia. In the 60 years of U.S.-Malaysia diplomatic … Continue Reading
September 09, 2017
Castro Statement on the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN Relations
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and founding co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations), issued the following statement on the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations: “Tomorrow marks 40 years since the United States and ASEAN established direct diplomatic relations. The United States and the nations of ASEAN share goals of achieving economic gains, strengthening … Continue Reading
September 08, 2017
Castro Statement on House Passage of Senate-Passed Harvey Aid
Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after voting in favor of $15.25 billion of Hurricane Harvey aid: “Texans will need substantial, sustained funding from the federal government in the months and years ahead to recover from Harvey’s destruction. I’m glad that Congress swiftly acted to provide this initial aid, and I expect my colleagues to continue to approve whatever resources Texas needs in the wake of this devastating … Continue Reading
September 07, 2017
House Fails to Adopt Castro Homeland Security Appropriations Amendments
Today, the House of Representatives voted against three amendments offered by Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) that would increase federal agents’ use of body-worn camera technology and prevent the use of federal funds to enter into contracts with privatized immigration detention facilities. Two of Rep. Castro’s amendments would have increased funding for federal agents’ use of body cameras. One amendment sought to provide an additional $5 million (bringing the total amount to $10 … Continue Reading
September 06, 2017
Castro Statement on Passage of Hurricane Harvey Disaster Aid
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 3672, legislation providing $7.8 billion of Hurricane Harvey emergency aid that passed the House of Representatives: “Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic damage to the state of Texas, claiming lives, destroying homes, and ruining businesses. It will require years and possibly hundreds of billions of dollars for Texans to rebuild and recover. This emergency aid is a good start, … Continue Reading
September 05, 2017
Castro Statement on President Trump’s Decision to End DACA
Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), first vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following statement after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump Administration will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: “The end of DACA is a tragedy for our nation. Nearly 800,000 young people who love the United States are now thrust into limbo. Families will be torn apart, businesses will lose valued employees, and fear will grow in … Continue Reading
September 04, 2017
Castro Requests DHS Approve U.S. Entry for Mother of Dreamer who Died Seeking to Rescue Hurricane Harvey Victims
Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Elaine Duke, requesting the Agency permit U.S. entry for the mother of a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who died while seeking to rescue Hurricane Harvey victims. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reportedly denied U.S. entry to Rita Ruiz de Guillen, who attempted to come to Texas for her son Alonso Guillen’s funeral. Ms. Ruiz de Guillen … Continue Reading
August 30, 2017
Castro Statement on SB 4 Ruling
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), first vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following statement after a federal court granted a preliminary injunction halting Senate Bill 4 from taking effect: “This preliminary injunction is a relief, but not a surprise - SB 4 is discriminatory and unconstitutional. No one living in or visiting Texas should fear that they will be asked to prove their citizenship just because of their skin color or accent. “SB 4 … Continue Reading
August 25, 2017
Castro Statement on Sheriff Arpaio Pardon
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), first vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following statement after President Trump pardoned Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio: “President Trump used the power of the presidency to pardon a bigot today. Sheriff Arpaio is a stain on law enforcement. He directed the targeting of individuals based on their race, and continued the illegal, discriminatory practice after a judge ordered him to stop. “President Trump’s … Continue Reading