Press Releases
Castro Statement on Passage of FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after voting in favor of passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018: “This evening, I voted in favor of the FY2018 NDAA Conference Report which supports our military and national security around the world and strengthens our nation’s defense capabilities. San Antonio is Military City, USA and this legislation included measures that matter to San Antonians and reflect … Continue Reading
November 04, 2017
Castro Statement on Rosa Maria’s Release
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released Rosa Maria Hernandez, a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who is recovering from gallbladder surgery: “Finally, Rosa Maria has been released to her family where she belongs. This young girl and her loved ones have been through a traumatizing ordeal. I wish them the best, and hope Rosa Maria’s health improves. “While this is welcome … Continue Reading
October 31, 2017
Castro, O’Rourke Call for Release of 10-Year-Old Rosa Maria Hernandez from Federal Custody
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressmen Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Beto O’Rourke (TX-16) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke, calling for the immediate release of Rosa Maria Hernandez, a 10-year-old child with cerebral palsy who was detained last week by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents after receiving emergency gallbladder surgery. “Rosa Maria’s health requires immediate attention, and her safe return to her parents and doctors is … Continue Reading
October 31, 2017
Castro Statement on Manafort and Gates Indictments and Papadopoulos Plea
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement: “George Papadopoulos’ plea and Paul Manafort’s and Rick Gates’ indictments are significant developments in Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation and shine further light on the disturbing contacts high-level Trump campaign officials had with Russians. Evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian agents continues to … Continue Reading
October 27, 2017
Castro Calls for Burn Pits Congressional Hearing
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and 10 fellow members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Representative Phil Roe (TN-01), and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Representative Tim Walz (MN-01), requesting a hearing on the use of burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan and the potential health risks they pose to military personnel. “It’s devastating to hear of veterans who bravely … Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
Castro Statement on DHS’ Planned Apprehension of Hospitalized 10-Year-Old Girl
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement regarding reports that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials plan to apprehend a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who recently underwent gall bladder surgery at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas: “Right now, federal agents are staking out the hospital room of a sick, 10-year-old child. The Trump Administration plans to rip this ailing little girl from her family, and … Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
Castro, McCaul Introduce Bipartisan International Development Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Michael McCaul (TX-10), both members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced legislation aiming to make the United States’ international development efforts more impactful and cost-efficient. The Global Development Lab Act authorizes and augments the capabilities of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) U.S. Global Development Lab, an entity that applies science, technology, innovation, and … Continue Reading
October 23, 2017
Castro, Wagner Welcome Singapore Prime Minister to the United States
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN and members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement welcoming Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to the United States: “Prime Minister Lee’s visit is an opportunity to build on decades of cooperation and coordination between the United States and Singapore. We welcome him to Washington and appreciate his … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
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