Press Releases
CASTRO INTRODUCES RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DACA'S ANNIVERSARY AND POSITIVE IMPACTS
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced a resolution recognizing the third anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and calling for additional solutions to America's broken immigration system. "DACA is working. In just three years it has changed the lives of more than 660,000 young people who call America home,"? said Rep. Castro. "While this resolution highlights the ways in which the DACA program improves our nation's … Continue Reading
June 02, 2015
CASTRO POLICE BODY CAMERA AMENDMENT PASSES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced an amendment to increase funding for police body cameras that passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. The amendment allocates an additional $10 million to the Department of Justice's Body Worn Camera Partnership Program and brings funding for that program up to $25 million. Rep. Castro's amendment is on H.R. 2578, the CJS Appropriations bill, on which the House is expected to vote in the coming days. "In … Continue Reading
May 27, 2015
CASTRO CALLS TO END FAMILY DETENTION
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and 135 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson calling for DHS to end its use of family detention facilities. Multiple reports documenting excessively long detention times, developmental delays in children, and poor, neglectful healthcare in the DHS centers prompted the lawmakers' letter. "Women and children fleeing violence and abuse who come … Continue Reading
May 26, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON FEDERAL COURT'S RULING TO KEEP IMMIGRATION ACTION ON HOLD
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after the Fifth Circuit denied the Obama Administration's emergency stay request to permit implementation of the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: "Today's ruling maintains the unacceptable status quo of inaction when it comes to immigration reform in the United States,"? said Rep. Castro. "I believe … Continue Reading
May 26, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON TEXAS STORMS AND FLOODING
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today released the following statement on the severe weather moving through Texas: "The scenes of destruction and reports of lives lost due to the storms in Texas are heart-wrenching,"? said Rep. Castro. "I am grateful for the brave first responders helping as our state continues to contend with this disaster. My prayers are with all those affected in communities across Texas." Knowing the steps to take when severe weather … Continue Reading
May 22, 2015
Castro Amendment to Include Nonprofits in NASA Study Passes the House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) authored a space research amendment that today unanimously passed the House of Representatives. The amendment allows nonprofits that are conducting research on space science to collaborate with NASA on the problem of orbital space debris. Orbital space debris is defunct, human-made objects that orbit the Earth and pose a collision threat to operational satellites and manned spacecraft. “The amount of manmade junk orbiting our planet has … Continue Reading
April 30, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON HASC PASSAGE OF FY2016 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), today issued the following statement after his vote in favor of passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016 out of HASC: “Earlier today, I voted to pass out of committee the FY2016 NDAA, a bill that, while not perfect, strengthens our defenses, reforms flawed programs, and supports our military workforce. I worked closely with the Armed Services … Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER ABE'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Co-Chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus in the House and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement recognizing Japanese Prime Minister Shinz? Abe’s visit to Washington, D.C.: “This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and seven decades of peace between America and Japan. Today, our two countries are close, critical allies and partners in … Continue Reading
April 24, 2015
CASTRO, MCCAUL URGE PRESIDENT OBAMA TO ALLOW INCREASED CRUDE OIL EXPORTS
Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Michael McCaul (TX-10) today sent a letter urging President Barack Obama to lift the prohibition on U.S. crude oil exports to Mexico. Doing so would afford Mexico the same trade exemption granted to Canada thirty years ago. “Mexico is Texas’ largest trade partner, and the country’s recent energy reforms open the door for our economic ties to expand even further,” said Rep. Castro. “Lifting these crude oil export restrictions will … Continue Reading
April 23, 2015
CASTRO CYBERSECURITY AMENDMENTS UNANIMOUSLY PASS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced two cybersecurity amendments that today both unanimously passed the House of Representatives. The first amendment elevates the profile of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and highlights the cybersecurity work being done there. The second amendment makes self-assessment tools available to small and medium-sized businesses for determining their cybersecurity readiness. The amendments are on H.R. 1731, the National … Continue Reading
April 16, 2015
CASTRO INTRODUCES TAX CUTS FOR AMERICA ACT
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today introduced legislation to extend tax credits that will spur economic growth, boost job creation, and help hardworking Americans. The Tax Cuts for America Act would support veterans, teachers, businesses, and energy efficient projects by extending a variety of tax credits that expired at the end of 2014. “When Americans reflect on what makes this country great, we think about our educators, our men and women in uniform, and our … Continue Reading
April 15, 2015
CASTRO SEEKS CLARITY ON BORDER SECURITY EFFORTS
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske requesting data on federal efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico border. Rep. Castro released the following statement explaining the rationale behind this request: “The state of Texas has spent a significant amount of money implementing former Governor Perry’s Operation Strong Safety (OSS) to secure the Texas-Mexico border, and there’s a budget request … Continue Reading
April 02, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON IRAN FRAMEWORK
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after a framework to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was announced. “I welcome the preliminary framework agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear program the United States and our international partners have achieved. This is a positive step towards cutting off Iran’s pathway to a nuclear weapon and an arms race … Continue Reading
April 01, 2015
CASTRO HONORS WORLD WAR II VETERAN WITH MEDAL PRESENTATION
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today presented World War II veteran and San Antonio resident Paul Garcia with five medals to honor his military service. Rep. Castro awarded Mr. Garcia the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Honorable Service Lapel Button, and the Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin. “Mr. Garcia is an example of the best San Antonio, and America, has to offer,” said Rep. Castro. “His willingness … Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF MEDICARE ACCESS AND CHIP REAUTHORIZATION ACT
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the bipartisan Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. The measure passed the House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 392-37. “Passage of this bipartisan legislation marks significant progress for American seniors, children, and families who will now have more secure access to healthcare. Implementing a permanent solution that does away with the … Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON HOUSE BUDGET VOTE
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today issued the following statement after casting his vote against the House GOP’s budget. The measure passed the Republican-led House of Representatives 228-199. "The Republican budget that passed in the House of Representatives today is a disservice to the American people. It favors the ultra-wealthy, stifles opportunity, and stacks the deck against hardworking, middle class folks. Instead of strengthening families, the Republican … Continue Reading
March 17, 2015
REPS. CASTRO, PETERS LEAD EFFORT TO CLEAR GREEN CARD BACKLOG
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Scott Peters (CA-52) led 71 other colleagues in a letter to President Obama, urging him to take concrete actions to help clear the green card backlog, improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, and provide a critical shot in the arm for innovation and job creation. “The United States provides top-notch educations to smart folks from around the world, and our economy stands to benefit from their brilliance … Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the 2015 Fiscal Year: “Today Congress did right by the American people and passed a clean, long-term funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Funding for an agency as critical as DHS should never be a vehicle for partisan attacks. The brinksmanship we witnessed these … Continue Reading
February 28, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON FAILURE OF SHORT-TERM DHS FUNDING
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the House failed to pass a three-week Continuing Resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security: “Today, I voted against a three-week band-aid to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). I support funding DHS for a full year. We need to provide certainty to all Americans that our nation’s security will not lapse because of the musings of Congress. At a time when we are … Continue Reading
February 27, 2015
HOUSE GOP REJECTS CASTRO AMENDMENT TO HOLD STUDENTS' TEXTBOOKS TO HIGHEST ACADEMIC STANDARDS
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) today introduced an education amendment, which was rejected by House Republicans on H.R.5. The commonsense amendment would appoint a neutral ombudsperson in the Department of Education to ensure American students’ textbooks meet the high academic standards our young people need to succeed in their future pursuits. This nonpartisan ombudsperson would field and help resolve K-12 textbook disputes. “Our students deserve textbooks that … Continue Reading