Press Releases
CASTRO CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today sent a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Edward Royce (CA-39) calling for a congressional hearing on the Syrian refugee crisis. Hundreds of thousands of individuals have been displaced due to the violence and destruction of the four-year Syrian civil war. Since the Syrian conflict began in 2011, the United States has accepted only 1,554 Syrian refugees. "The unthinkably tragic refugee crisis unfolding in Europe … Continue Reading
September 01, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON RECENT SAN ANTONIO SHOOTING
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement regarding the fatal shooting of a San Antonio man by Bexar County Sheriff's deputies: "The encounter is extremely disturbing as it appears to show an unarmed man with his hands up being shot by a deputy. This incident is further evidence that police officers and deputies should wear body cameras. The widely-supported technology brings transparency and accountability that protects law enforcement and … Continue Reading
August 28, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON TRIP TO JAPAN
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), co-chair of the Congressional U.S.-Japan Caucus, issued the following statement after the conclusion of his five-day trip to Japan: "The United States and Japan share a close relationship that benefits our respective nations and the entire Asia-Pacific region. Texas and my home city San Antonio have felt firsthand the positive impact of strong economic and cultural relations with Japan. Japan is a leader in foreign direct … Continue Reading
August 14, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON U.S. EMBASSY OPENING IN HAVANA
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Havana: "Reestablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba, and raising the American flag at the U.S. Embassy on the island, will allow the power of American culture, technology, and democracy to have a positive impact on Cuban society. "Of course, in areas like human rights, Cuba has a real need for reform. … Continue Reading
August 14, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON U.S. OIL SWAPS WITH MEXICO
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement regarding the Department of Commerce's approval of limited sales of U.S. crude oil to Mexico: "I applaud the decision by President Obama and the Department of Commerce to allow crude oil export swaps with Mexico. Swapping Mexican heavy crude with light sweet crude from the U.S. will better integrate our energy sectors and deepen our economic relationship. More importantly, this will significantly … Continue Reading
August 10, 2015
CASTRO ANNOUNCES OVER $430K TO SUPPORT SAN ANTONIO UNIVERSITIES
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today announced $439,983 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education for two universities in San Antonio. St. Mary's University and San Antonio College will receive the funding through the TRIO Student Support Services Program (SSS), a grant program that provides academic and other support services to first-generation, low-income, or disabled students to increase those students' retention and graduation rates. These new grants … Continue Reading
July 30, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement recognizing the 50th anniversary of the creation of Medicare and Medicaid: "Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law, ensuring millions of vulnerable Americans would have access to affordable health care coverage. Seniors, individuals with disabilities, low-income communities, and working families are healthier and more financially secure because of … Continue Reading
July 29, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON HIGHWAY FUNDING VOTE
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 3236, the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015: "The transportation funding bill the House passed today not only provides reassurance for the hundreds of thousands of workers and thousands of vital construction projects across the country that depend on federal funding, it fills the budget shortfall for the Department of … Continue Reading
July 20, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON OPENING OF CUBAN AND U.S. EMBASSIES
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the opening of Cuba's Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Embassy in Havana: "Today's historic embassy openings are part of the U.S. effort to prepare for the post-Castro era. In reestablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba, the U.S. will better be able to help democratize the nation and truly bring it into the fold of the countries of the … Continue Reading
July 16, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON SHOOTINGS IN TENNESSEE
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement on the shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee: "The terrible shootings in Tennessee that killed four of our Marines are tragic and deeply concerning. Violence against those who so bravely and selflessly serve our nation is truly despicable. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected and the entire Chattanooga community in this difficult … Continue Reading
July 15, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON HIGHWAY TRUST FUND VOTE
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 3038, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, Part II: "While I would prefer Congress approve a long-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund, the legislation that passed today is a positive step that will provide temporary relief and certainty to the hundreds of thousands of workers and thousands of vital construction projects across the country that … Continue Reading
July 15, 2015
CASTRO ANNOUNCES OVER $675K TO SUPPORT SAN ANTONIO UNIVERSITIES
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today announced $675,043 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education for three universities in San Antonio. University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio College, and University of the Incarnate Word will receive the funding through the TRIO Student Support Services Program (SSS), a grant program that provides academic and other support services to first-generation, low-income, or disabled students to increase those students' … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON IRAN AGREEMENT
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees issued the following statement after the Obama Administration announced that negotiators of the P5+1 nations have reached a nuclear agreement with Iran: "I commend Secretaries Kerry and Moniz for their tireless efforts negotiating this agreement and for their and President Obama's steadfast commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
CASTRO AMENDMENT SUPPORTING YOUNG SCIENTISTS UNANIMOUSLY PASSES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced an amendment to support young scientists and strengthen America's scientific workforce that passed the House of Representatives with a unanimous, bipartisan voice vote. The amendment requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to report on its efforts to attract, retain, and develop women and minority emerging scientists. Rep. Castro's amendment is on H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act, which passed the House of … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
CASTRO INTRODUCES RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS' UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE DESIGNATION
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today introduced a resolution recognizing the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee's designation of the San Antonio Missions as a World Heritage site on Sunday at the 39th Session of the World Heritage Convention in Bonn, Germany. "The San Antonio Missions are a beautiful part of our city's living history, and I am proud they received this prestigious international honor. … Continue Reading
July 08, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT VOTE
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after his vote in opposition to H.R. 5, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA): "The original intention of the ESEA in 1965 was to support America's schools and increase opportunity for our children - especially minority students, students from low-income families, and students with disabilities - but the legislation the House passed today does just the opposite. House Republicans put … Continue Reading
July 05, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE DESIGNATION
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee designated the San Antonio Missions a World Heritage Site: "I am proud and grateful that UNESCO designated the San Antonio Missions a World Heritage Site. Today is particularly special for the many San Antonians who have worked for years to make this prestigious honor a reality. Not only … Continue Reading
June 26, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON THE SUPREME COURT'S OBERGEFELL V. HODGES RULING
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled that states must issue licenses for and recognize same-sex marriages: "Today, love prevailed. Finally, folks in each and every state can enjoy true marriage equality. This is welcome and overdue progress for our great nation, and I am proud that all committed, loving couples will now be treated fairly under the … Continue Reading
June 25, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON THE SUPREME COURT'S KING V. BURWELL RULING
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court's decision upholding the legality of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for the 34 states, including Texas, that use the federal marketplace: "Today's ruling is a victory for the millions of Americans, including nearly 1 million Texans, who gained health insurance because of the Affordable Care Act. Despite unrelenting Republican attempts to repeal the ACA, the law has … Continue Reading
June 23, 2015
CASTRO, MEMBERS OF TEXAS DEMOCRATIC DELEGATION URGE SPEAKER BOEHNER TO ALLOW VOTE ON EX-IM BANK REAUTHORIZATION
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressmen Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and fellow members of the Texas Democratic Delegation sent a letter urging U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (OH-08) to allow a vote on the reauthorization of the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank. Without congressional action, the Ex-Im Bank's charter expires on Tuesday, June 30. "The Ex-Im bank provides critical financing for Texas businesses looking to export their goods, supports Texas jobs, and costs American … Continue Reading