Press Releases
Castro Statement on the Inauguration Ceremony
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement regarding his decision not to attend this year’s inauguration ceremony: “Every American should respect the office of the presidency and the fact that Donald Trump will be the 45th President of the United States. But winning an election does not mean a man can show contempt for millions of Americans and then expect those very people to celebrate him. “I come from a family and a place, Texas, … Continue Reading
January 07, 2017
Castro Statement on Declassified Report on Russian Interference in the U.S. Election
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding the declassified Intelligence Community Assessment of Russia’s involvement in the 2016 U.S. election: “The intelligence community has determined that President Putin ordered the Russian government to manipulate our nation’s presidential election through an extensive cyber operation and … Continue Reading
January 05, 2017
Castro Named Chair of Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Washington, D.C. - Today, the members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) named Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). In this role, Congressman Castro will help foster the next generation of Hispanic leadership in the United States. “I look forward to invigorating our nation’s future Hispanic leaders through my chairmanship of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute,” said Rep. Castro. “CHCI connects young Latinos with … Continue Reading
December 29, 2016
Castro Statement on New Russian Sanctions
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s new sanctions on Russia for its interference in the United States’ 2016 election: “I support the Administration’s actions against Russia’s interference in the U.S. election and will work in Congress to ensure these sanctions remain in place. We must defend our … Continue Reading
December 27, 2016
Castro Statement on Prime Minister Abe’s Visit to Pearl Harbor
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), founding co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding Japanese Prime Minister Shinz? Abe’s visit to Pearl Harbor today with President Barack Obama: “In the 75 years since the tragic loss of life at Pearl Harbor, the United States and Japan have built an alliance that seeks to foster peace and stability around the world. Both President Obama and Prime … Continue Reading
December 17, 2016
Castro Statement on Enactment of FY2017 State Department Reauthorization
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement after President Barack Obama signed into law the Department of State Authorities Act for Fiscal Year 2017: "This marks the first time in 14 years State Department reauthorization legislation has become law. The legislation the Congress passed and President Obama signed strengthens our nation's … Continue Reading
December 12, 2016
Castro Statement on Russian Interference in the U.S. Election
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election: "Reports of Russian interference in our nation's election to influence the outcome for one candidate are extremely distressing. Congress must investigate this breach and determine the full extent of Russian involvement. This kind of electoral … Continue Reading
December 07, 2016
Castro Statement on 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), founding co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor: "Today we mark a solemn date in our nation's history. The loss of life at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago was a tragedy that will never be forgotten. "Since that time, the United States' relationship with Japan has grown into a strategic alliance … Continue Reading
December 06, 2016
Castro Statement on San Antonio Sinkhole
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement regarding the sinkhole that took the life of Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy Dora Linda (Solis) Nishihara: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Sheriff's Deputy Nishihara. I join the entire San Antonio community in mourning her passing and offer my condolences to her loved ones. Our city is grateful for her service and sacrifice. "The sinkhole that took Sheriff's Deputy Nishihara's life and … Continue Reading
December 06, 2016
Castro Statement on House Passage of FY2017 State Department Reauthorization
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Department of State Authorities Act for Fiscal Year 2017: "Today's State Department reauthorization legislation strengthens the United States' diplomatic corps, provides increased safety protections for our diplomats and embassies abroad, and ensures Congress … Continue Reading
December 02, 2016
Castro Statement on House Passage of FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017: "Today I voted to pass the FY2017 NDAA, an imperfect bill, but one that supports our military and national security around the world and strengthens our nation's defense capabilities. I cast this vote with the priorities of Military City USA and our people in mind. "The wellbeing of our servicemen and … Continue Reading
December 01, 2016
Castro Announces $5.29M for UTSA Brain Health Research
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced an eight-year, federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services expected to total $5,292,000.00 for The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). UTSA will receive the grant through the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which aims to reduce the burden of neurological disease by supporting and conducting neuroscience research. The … Continue Reading
December 01, 2016
Castro Elected First Vice Chair of Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Washington, D.C. - Today, the members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) elected Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) to serve as the Caucus' First Vice Chair. In this role, Congressman Castro will help steer the CHC's legislative priorities. "I am grateful to my CHC colleagues for entrusting me with this new responsibility," said Rep. Castro. "As we look ahead to the 115th Congress, great challenges loom. We will need to contend with a new administration and a President who … Continue Reading
September 29, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF SHORT-TERM CONTINUING RESOLUTION
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5325 - Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 and Zika Response and Preparedness Act, 2016: "I'm glad that Congress reached an agreement to avert a government shutdown. The package we passed contains $1.1 billion to combat Zika, a virus that poses a serious threat to … Continue Reading
September 29, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT VOTE
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA): "The passage of this infrastructure and jobs legislation allows an important flood control project in San Antonio to move forward. The bill authorizes the Leon Creek Watershed flood risk management project to prevent future flooding at an aircraft engine testing facility at Port San Antonio. In addition to the … Continue Reading
September 28, 2016
CASTRO LEADS CALL FOR USCIS TO ADDRESS DACA RENEWAL BACKLOG
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Second Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led a letter to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Leon Rodriguez to answer several questions regarding a backlog of several hundred Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications. On August 10, 2016, USCIS announced that DACA recipients who submitted a request for DACA renewal between February 14 and May 14, 2016 may … Continue Reading
September 28, 2016
CASTRO ANNOUNCES $5.3M FOR ST. MARY'S STEM EDUCATION
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced a five-year, federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education expected to total $5,325,975.00 to support St. Mary's University's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. St. Mary's will receive the funding through the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) STEM Program, which aims to develop and carry out activities to improve and expand institutions' capacity to serve Hispanic and other low-income … Continue Reading
September 27, 2016
CASTRO ANNOUNCES $3M FOR UTSA CYBERSECURITY CONSORTIUM
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced a $3,015,000.00 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The funding will support UTSA's leadership of the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC), a partnership of five universities that work to improve American communities' cyber defenses. "UTSA is leading the charge to ensure our first responders and state and local … Continue Reading
September 22, 2016
CASTRO, MCCAUL INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEGISLATION PASSES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressmen Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Michael McCaul's (R-TX-10) legislation aiming to make the United States' international development efforts more impactful and cost-efficient. The Global Development Lab Act (H.R. 3924), 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 partnerships to … Continue Reading
September 16, 2016
CASTRO ANNOUNCES $635K FOR UTSA OBESITY PREVENTION RESEARCH
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced a $635,101.00 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The funding will go towards a UTSA College of Education and Human Development study that will evaluate the efficacy of the early childhood obesity prevention program "Míranos! Look at Us, We Are Healthy!" which promotes healthy growth of predominantly Latino children in Head Start. … Continue Reading