Press Releases
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
August 23, 2017
Castro Statement on Texas Voter ID Law Ruling
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after a federal judge struck down Texas’ voter ID law: "Once again, a federal court has found Texas' voter ID law to be discriminatory and in violation of the Voting Rights Act. Republican state leaders' transparent efforts to make it harder and less likely that some Texans will vote are … Continue Reading
August 18, 2017
Castro Announces $366K for UTSA Medical Imaging Technology Research
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $366,250.00 of federal funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to conduct collaborative research for Automated Medical Image Segmentation via Decomposition which allows medical professionals to provide customized medical care to patients. The grants are awarded through the Computing and Communications Foundation (CCF), which advances computing and communication … Continue Reading
August 09, 2017
Castro Statement on President Trump’s North Korea Comments
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s comments on North Korea: “We have twice seen the devastating consequences nuclear weapons can inflict on humanity. Every effort should be made to prevent that kind of destruction and suffering. This is not a playground. President Trump should not be matching reckless comments for reckless comments with Kim Jong Un. … Continue Reading
August 08, 2017
Castro Announces $798K for UTSA Earthquake Resilience Research
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $798,892.00 of federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to develop a new generation of computer simulation models that will characterize the impact of severe earthquake conditions on reinforced concrete columns. The grants are awarded through the Disaster Resilience (DR) Grants Research Program, which … Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Castro Statement on the RAISE Act
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced his support for the RAISE Act: "From the moment his campaign began, President Trump vilified immigrants to our nation, but claimed he only sought to curtail undocumented immigration. This new proposal is based on the false premise that all immigrants, including those who enter the country legally, are a drag on our economy. It runs counter to the spirit of … Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
Castro Statement on Passage of Intelligence Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3180, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018: “New and evolving threats around the world present grave challenges to the international community and require sophisticated abilities to combat. This legislation helps ensure America’s intelligence agencies have the … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Castro Statement on President Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Announcement
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement: “America’s armed forces need every patriotic person willing to serve and defend our country. The President’s policy announcement today is gratuitously discriminatory and will damage our national security. I’m grateful to all service members who have put their lives on the line for the United … Continue Reading
July 23, 2017
Castro Statement on Immigrant Deaths in San Antonio
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after several immigrants were found dead in a truck at a San Antonio Walmart: “These deaths are tragic and avoidable. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. I hope that those who remain hospitalized make swift and full recoveries. The smugglers responsible for the incident, who showed no regard for the lives of the people they were transporting, should be prosecuted to the … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Castro Statement on Malabar Naval Exercise
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus, issued the following statement after the successful conclusion of the Malabar 2017 naval exercise between the navies of the United States, India, and Japan: “The partnership between the United States, India, and Japan contributes greatly to regional security and prosperity. The three … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Castro, Doggett Request Explanation for Truncation of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Grants
Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Thomas Price requesting an explanation for the agency’s decision to cut short the grant awards for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP). HHS recently notified the grantees that their year three funding (supported by fiscal year 2017 appropriated funds) would be the final year of their projects, despite originally being granted … Continue Reading
July 17, 2017
Castro Statement on Texas Legislature’s Special Session
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement regarding the Texas Legislature’s 2017 special session: “Governor Abbott and Lt. Governor Patrick are forcing a special session and spending millions of taxpayer dollars to dictate bathroom policy. Instead of fixating on discriminatory legislation that will drive businesses away from our state, Republican leaders in Austin should focus on creating jobs, fixing schools, and combatting the persistent … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
Castro Announces $5 Million for UTSA Cybersecurity Research
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced a five-year federal grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), expected to total $5,000,000.00, for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). UTSA will receive the grant through the NSF’s Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program, which supports the enhancement of research capabilities of minority-serving institutions. The funding will go towards the establishment of a … Continue Reading