Press Releases
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
February 24, 2016
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PASSES CASTRO LEGISLATION TO MAKE U.S. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS MORE IMPACTFUL AND COST-EFFICIENT
Washington, D.C. – Today, The Global Development Lab Act, a bill introduced by Congressmen Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee and moved one step closer to consideration by the full House of Representatives. The legislation authorizes and augments the capabilities of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Global Development Lab, an entity that applies science, technology, innovation, and partnerships to … Continue Reading
February 19, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON JAPANESE AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO SAN ANTONIO
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 after the conclusion of Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae's visit to San Antonio: "It was a pleasure and honor to host Ambassador Sasae in San Antonio today. I'm grateful that he took time to meet with local leaders and learn more about our city's economic and cultural ties with Japan. … Continue Reading
February 10, 2016
CASTRO TO HOST JAPANESE AMBASSADOR IN SAN ANTONIO
Washington, D.C. - 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, today announced that Japan's Ambassador to the United States, Kenichiro Sasae, will visit San Antonio next week on Friday, February 19. "It will be an honor to host Ambassador Sasae in my home city next week. San Antonio and Japan share strong economic ties, and we have a longstanding cultural bond through our Sister … Continue Reading
February 08, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON NORTH KOREA ROCKET LAUNCH
San Antonio, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement after North Korea's long-range rocket launch: "North Korea's rocket launch is unacceptable and an egregious violation of UN Security Council resolutions. This provocative act on the heels of last month's alleged nuclear test threatens the security of the United States and of the entire Asia-Pacific region. We … Continue Reading
February 01, 2016
U.S.-JAPAN CAUCUS ANNOUNCES WEBSITE LAUNCH
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S.-Japan Caucus launched a website to showcase its members work to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship. In addition to the website, the Caucus will also begin periodically issuing a newsletter and will provide updates on Caucus members' work using its new Twitter account, @USJapanCaucus. "Japan is a vital ally of the United States, and together our nations are fostering a more stable, secure, and prosperous Asia-Pacific region," said Congressman … Continue Reading
January 13, 2016
CASTRO VOTES TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND SANCTIONS AGAINST NORTH KOREA
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 757, the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act: "In the wake of North Korea's alleged hydrogen bomb test last week, the House of Representatives today sent a strong signal to Pyongyang that the United States will not tolerate such hostile behavior. The North Korean regime knowingly violated U.N. … Continue Reading
January 06, 2016
CASTRO ANNOUNCES $300K REIMBURSEMENT TO BEXAR COUNTY FOR RIVER PROJECT
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today announced a $300,000 reimbursement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) for the Mission Reach project. SARA will return the funds to Bexar County, which was the primary funding source for the project. This is the second tranche of a total $61.3 million USACE reimbursement Bexar County is entitled to receive for funding the Mission Reach project. "This second reimbursement from … Continue Reading
January 06, 2016
CASTRO STATEMENT ON NORTH KOREA'S CLAIMED HYDROGEN BOMB TEST
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement after North Korea claimed to have successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test: "North Korea's alleged hostile actions compromise the security and safety of the entire Asia-Pacific region and are a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. With such adversarial, reckless behavior, North Korea yet again makes clear its … Continue Reading