Press Releases
Castro Statement on SB 4 Becoming Law
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 4 into law: “The state legislature’s passage of SB 4 was a dark moment for Texas and for our nation. Now, Governor Abbott has signed the measure into law, legalizing the profiling of people based on their ethnicity and birthplace. Not only is this law morally wrong, it will strain our law enforcement and make our communities more dangerous. Our … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Castro Statement on House Passage of Republican Healthcare Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after voting against Republicans’ healthcare legislation, the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA): “Republicans’ healthcare bill lets state leaders in Austin abandon Texans who have preexisting conditions. States will have the option to allow insurance companies to inflict devastatingly high premiums on people suffering from ailments like cancer, heart disease, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, and … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Castro Statement Welcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), founding co-chair of the U.S. Congressional Caucus on ASEAN and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement welcoming foreign ministers from Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to Washington, D.C.: “I extend a warm welcome to ASEAN foreign ministers visiting Washington, D.C., and look forward to meeting with them while they’re in our nation’s capital. Recognizing the … Continue Reading
May 03, 2017
Castro, Wagner Introduce Resolution Recognizing ASEAN’s 50th Anniversary and the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN Relations
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressional Caucus on ASEAN founding co-chairs Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02) introduced a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and highlighting 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 … Continue Reading
April 27, 2017
Castro Introduces Legislation to Improve the Veterans Crisis Line
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced legislation to more swiftly connect veterans in crisis directly with professionally trained responders through a confidential and toll-free hotline. The Veterans Crisis Line Improvement Act requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that when a veteran places a telephone call to any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility, the first message a caller hears provides a mechanism by which the caller can … Continue Reading
April 10, 2017
Castro Statement on Texas Voter ID Law Ruling
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after a U.S. District Judge ruled that Texas’ voter-identification law was enacted with the intent to discriminate against black and Hispanic voters: “A federal court has reaffirmed that the Texas Legislature passed our state’s voter ID law with the intent to discriminate. Texans will continue to be disenfranchised until this law is permanently … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Castro Statement on Chairman Nunes’ Recusal from Russia Investigation
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement after Chairman Devin Nunes announced he will step aside from leading the committee’s investigation into Russia: “As Chairman Nunes has said, his decision today is in the best interests of the House Intelligence Committee and its investigation. I am hopeful that under the leadership of Mike Conaway we can move forward in a bipartisan … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Castro Introduces Legislation to Provide Local Pre-K Programs Direct Access to Federal Funding
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), founding co-chair of the Congressional Pre-K Caucus, introduced legislation that will help eligible local education entities across the country access federal prekindergarten (pre-k) funding. The Pre-K for USA Act provides school districts with a direct line to federal funding, eliminating their reliance on states to access federal pre-k dollars. “Over the years, states like Texas have failed to prioritize pre-k, causing … Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
Castro Statement on U.S. Strikes in Syria
San Antonio, TX - Tonight, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement: “Tonight, the United States launched missiles at an airfield in Syria. The Assad regime’s repeated chemical attacks on its own citizens are war crimes and indisputably horrific, but Congress plays an important role in authorizing military force. I continue to believe that Congress must authorize any additional use of force against the Syrian … Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Castro Statement on North Korea Missile Test
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and founding co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus, released the following statement on North Korea’s ballistic missile test: “North Korea’s continued missile tests violate UN Security Council resolutions and threaten regional stability. The United States is fully committed to defending our allies in the region, including Japan and South Korea. Nothing good will come from the Kim regime’s … Continue Reading
March 24, 2017
Castro Statement on Republicans’ Healthcare Bill
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after Republicans decided not to hold a vote on their healthcare reform legislation: “Members of Congress from across the country realized that this bill would hurt their constituents. Millions of people would have lost their coverage, including more than 660,000 Texans. The legislation also would have resulted in lost, or jacked up prices for, essential care like emergency room visits, prescription … Continue Reading
March 23, 2017
Castro Statement on HPSCI Chairman Devin Nunes’ Announcement
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), issued the following statement: “Chairman Nunes’ actions today compromise the effectiveness of the House Intelligence Committee. Speaking to both the media and the White House prior to conferring with fellow HPSCI members undermines the committee’s ability to do its job and provide appropriate oversight. “As recently as this morning, I have spoken … Continue Reading
March 21, 2017
Castro Statement on House Intelligence Committee Hearing
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on today’s public hearing: “Two portions of today’s hearing stood out as particularly significant. First, the American people learned that the FBI is investigating possible links between the Trump campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Second, both FBI Director Comey and National Security Agency Director Rogers … Continue Reading
March 13, 2017
Castro Statement on Death of Eligio “Kika” de la Garza, II
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the death of former Congressman Eligio “Kika” de la Garza: “I am very saddened to learn of Kika de la Garza’s passing. His life was one of committed service - first in the Navy and Army, then in the Texas Legislature, and later in the U.S. Congress. He worked tirelessly to make life better for Texans, pushing for greater educational opportunity and federal support for farmers and ranchers. De la … Continue Reading
March 10, 2017
Castro, Cornyn Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Local Cybersecurity Defenses
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) yesterday reintroduced The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act, H.R. 1465, legislation that 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. Every member of the San Antonio delegation in the House (Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Will Hurd (TX-23), and Lamar … Continue Reading
March 06, 2017
Castro Statement on New Travel Ban Executive Order
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed a new version of his previous executive order targeting travelers from several Muslim-majority countries: “President Trump is dead set on finding a way to implement the Muslim ban he called for throughout his campaign. Today’s slightly modified order … Continue Reading
February 22, 2017
Castro Statement on DHS Memos Regarding the Implementation of Immigration Executive Orders
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement regarding the two immigration-related memos that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly issued on the implementation of President Trump’s "Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States" and "Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements" executive orders: “Secretary Kelly’s memos confirm that the President’s aggressive immigration executive … Continue Reading
February 19, 2017
Castro Statement on 75th Anniversary of Executive Order Authorizing the Internment of Japanese Americans During WWII
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and founding co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus, issued the following statement on the 75th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II: “The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II was a dark moment in our nation’s history - one we must never repeat. On this anniversary, we recognize the … Continue Reading
February 15, 2017
Castro Introduces Legislation to Make Pre-K Teachers Eligible for the Educator Expense Deduction
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), founding co-chair of the Congressional Pre-K Caucus, introduced legislation to ensure pre-k teachers who spend personal funds on classroom supplies receive the same tax deductions as K-12 teachers. The Pre-K Teacher Parity Act, H.R. 1013, amends the educator expense deduction to include early childhood educators, providing them with a $250 deduction for certain teaching expenses. “Teachers at all grade levels in this nation … Continue Reading
February 15, 2017
Castro Statement on Resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn: “General Flynn’s resignation is a step in the right direction, but many questions remain. Who associated with the Trump Administration knew the details of Flynn’s conversations with Russian officials, and when did they know them? … Continue Reading