Press Releases
CASTRO JOINS HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced that Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) will join the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), effective immediately. "I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on this critical committee and I'm grateful for Leader Pelosi's trust," said Rep. Castro. "The United States' intelligence operations are instrumental in our nation's efforts to combat terror around the world and keep the American people … Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
CASTRO STEM EDUCATION LEGISLATION INCLUDED IN DEMOCRATS' MAKE IT IN AMERICA PLAN
San Antonio, TX - Today, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) announced that House Democrats' updated Make It In America plan includes Congressman Joaquin Castro's (TX-20) Supporting Afterschool STEM Act (H.R. 831). Rep. Castro's bill would create a grant to encourage afterschool programs that bolster science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning and provide students with opportunities to learn about the fields driving job creation in America. The Make It In America plan … Continue Reading
June 27, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON WHOLE WOMAN'S HEALTH V. HELLERSTEDT DECISION
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled to strike down Texas House Bill 2 with its Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt decision: "This ruling protects millions of Texas women's rights and their access to personal, critical healthcare. Thanks to the Supreme Court's decision, women can receive the care they need in safe facilities with good … Continue Reading
June 24, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON THE U.K.'S EUROPEAN UNION REFERENDUM
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding the United Kingdom's European Union referendum results: "The British people have spoken, and the United States will respect their decision to leave the European Union. While this vote prompts a period of transition for the United Kingdom and the EU, the United States' special relationship with the U.K. will not falter. Just as the U.S.-U.K. … Continue Reading
June 23, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DAPA AND EXPANDED DACA RULING
Washington, D.C - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court's 4-4 ruling in United States v. Texas, the case concerning the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs: "Today's ruling is a setback, but it's not the end of the road for these much-needed programs or for the millions of people eligible for them. I am confident that this … Continue Reading
June 22, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON NORTH KOREAN MISSILE TESTS
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, released the following statement on North Korea's ballistic missile tests: "The North Korean regime's flagrant, hostile behavior violates United Nations Security Council resolutions and threatens the stability of the Asia-Pacific region. Tests like the ones carried out this morning are reckless and unacceptable. Pyongyang's repeated affronts only further isolate … Continue Reading
June 09, 2016
CASTRO BRINGS "ALIEN" DEBATE TO HOUSE FLOOR, GOP DOUBLES DOWN ON SUPPORT FOR DEHUMANIZING TERM
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) took to the House floor where he requested a point of order and brought attention to House Republicans' campaign to force the Library of Congress to continue its use of the offensive term "illegal alien" in its subject headings system. Republicans included language in the FY17 Legislative Appropriations bill's committee report that blocks the Library of Congress from carrying out its proposal to update its subject headings by … Continue Reading
June 09, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON THE RULES COMMITTEE'S REJECTION OF HIS "ALIEN"-RELATED AMENDMENTS
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the House Committee on Rules rejected his FY 2017 Legislative Branch Appropriations amendment seeking to allow the Library of Congress to move forward with its proposal to replace "illegal alien" in its subject headings system: "Republicans are using the Legislative Appropriations bill to force the Library of Congress to abandon proposed subject heading changes and continue its use of the … Continue Reading
May 27, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S HIROSHIMA VISIT
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), founding co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus and member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement on President Barack Obama's historic visit to the Hiroshima memorial: "Over the past seven decades, the U.S.-Japan relationship has evolved into a strong friendship built on shared priorities and mutual respect. President Obama's visit to Hiroshima underscores how far our nations' alliance … Continue Reading
May 19, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON ZIKA LEGISLATION VOTE
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after his vote in opposition to H.R. 5243, the Zika Response Appropriations Act, 2016: "This legislation is a woefully inadequate response to a serious public health threat. By providing less than one-third of the funds President Obama requested to protect the American people from Zika, critical immediate needs - including mosquito control - lack essential resources. "Moreover, due to Congress' inaction … Continue Reading
May 17, 2016
CASTRO CYBERSECURITY LEGISLATION PASSES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Joaquin Castro's (TX-20) bill to bolster our nation's cyber defenses and keep local communities safe from attacks. Rep. Castro's legislation, H.R. 4743, The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act, allows non-profit entities, including universities, to work more closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address cybersecurity risks and incidents at the state and local level. … Continue Reading
May 16, 2016
CASTRO, TRI-CAUCUS URGE REMOVAL OF "ALIEN" PROVISION FROM APPROPRIATIONS LEGISLATION
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Second Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led a letter to the House Appropriations Committee, urging them to strike a provision from the FY2017 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill that would require the Library of Congress to use the terms "aliens" and "illegal aliens" in its subject headings. In March, the Library of Congress decided to replace the term "aliens" in its subject headings with "noncitizens," and … Continue Reading
May 02, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON TEXAS MEDICAID WAIVER EXTENSION
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' decision to grant a temporary, 15-month extension for Texas' 1115 Medicaid Waiver: "Texas' conservative state leaders have bungled healthcare by refusing more than 1 million Texans coverage and cutting healthcare for the most severely disabled children. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has been marked by corruption and … Continue Reading
April 28, 2016
HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE PASSES CASTRO CYBERSECURITY LEGISLATION
Washington, D.C. - Today the House Homeland Security Committee passed H.R. 4743, The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act, a bill introduced by Congressmen Joaquin Castro (TX-20). The legislation allows non-profit entities, including universities, to work more closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address cybersecurity risks and incidents at the state and local level. "Cyber attacks are becoming more prevalent and increasingly complex each day," said Rep. … Continue Reading
April 14, 2016
CASTRO LAUNCHES CONGRESSIONAL PRE-K CAUCUS WITH BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) will launch the first-ever Congressional Pre-K Caucus. Rep. Castro is a co-chair of the bipartisan group, which seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of early childhood education and promote policy recommendations to expand high-quality pre-k access in the United States. Congressman Richard Hanna (NY-22), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-05), and Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) are also co-chairs, and will join Rep. Castro … Continue Reading
April 08, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON SHOOTING AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after reports of a shooting at Lackland Air Force Base: "I'm devastated that violence struck our community this morning. My prayers are with everyone at Lackland and all who have been affected by this tragedy. I'm grateful to our city's first responders who provided assistance today, and I offer my deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who … Continue Reading
March 17, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF ANTI-IMMIGRANT REPUBLICAN RESOLUTION
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after voting against H.Res. 639, a Republican measure that would allow Speaker Paul Ryan to file an amicus brief on behalf of the House in the U.S. v. Texas litigation challenging President Obama’s executive actions on immigration: “The United States is a nation of immigrants and it always will be. That’s what makes our country strong. This Republican resolution was … Continue Reading
March 16, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NOMINATION OF MERRICK GARLAND TO THE SUPREME COURT
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after President Barack Obama announced Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court: “Today President Obama fulfilled his constitutional duty and announced a nominee to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. I trust the President’s confidence in Merrick Garland and the thorough review he undertook in making this selection. “Now it’s time for … Continue Reading
March 15, 2016
CASTRO INTRODUCES CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS LEGISLATION
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced legislation to strengthen America’s cyber defenses. The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2016 would give the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authority to formally establish the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC) within DHS. The consortium – led by the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) – will address unique issues related to … Continue Reading
February 25, 2016
CASTRO CALLS ON TEXAS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER TO IMPROVE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM'S EFFICIENCY
Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Filemon Vela (TX-34) today sent a letter to Commissioner Sid Miller, urging the Texas Department of Agriculture to apply to participate in a new federal pilot program seeking to increase the number of children who receive free and reduced price meals by simplifying the process states use to certify qualified students. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the program, which allows states to use existing … Continue Reading