Press Releases
CASTRO STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Washington, D.C. -Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement regarding a government shutdown: "It is after midnight and the Republican Party has reaffirmed that it will rule through hostage politics. Instead of funding our government, extreme Republicans in both chambers have thrown our economic stability by the wayside to send out an ideological message. In the past week, Republicans have lost sight of what we were sent here to do. When we stop governing and … Continue Reading
September 29, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON GOP INSISTENCE ON GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Washington, D.C. -Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement regarding the House Republican Continuing Resolution and the potential for a government shutdown: "Today, the House Republicans doubled down on their desire for a government shut down. In the past week, extreme partisans in both chambers of Congress have showcased the most reckless of behaviors, playing 'hot potato' with our nation's economy. As I've heard from folks back home, the … Continue Reading
September 28, 2013
CASTRO REMARKS ON GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN & HEALTH CARE IN TEXAS
Washington, D.C. -Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] made the following remarks before the U.S. House of Representatives on the possibility of a government shutdown and to rectify the record on the importance of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Texas: You can watch Congressman Castro's remarks by clicking on the image below. … Continue Reading
September 25, 2013
CASTRO ON TEXANS’ AFFORDABLE CARE OPTIONS
Washington, D.C. -Congressman Joaquin Castro today released the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services released a report detailing affordable options for San Antonio residents seeking to sign up for new healthcare plans through the Affordable Care Act. One in four Texans do not have health care. Texas has the infamous reputation of being the state with the highest share of uninsured residents in the nation. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, about 78 percent of … Continue Reading
September 20, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF CONTINUING RESOLUTION
Washington, D.C. -Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the passage of the Continuing Resolution: "Yesterday, in the name of making 'ends meet,' the House Republicans made a false choice in sabotaging our nation's safety net for the hungry in America. The most powerful nation in the world should not let its people, especially our veterans and children, go hungry. Today, we see this extreme agenda holding Americans hostage once again. While the … Continue Reading
August 02, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON JULY JOBS REPORT
Washington, D.C. -Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the United States added 162,000 jobs to the economy in July and the unemployment rate decreased to 7.4%: "It is encouraging to see that our economy continues on a 41-month growth streak by adding 162,000 jobs last month. Congress must work to ensure that we are focused on strengthening our economy and gaining back the trust of the American people. Careless actions … Continue Reading
August 01, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON STUDENT LOAN RATE VOTE
Washington, D.C. -Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro released this statement following the U.S. House of Representatives vote to address the doubling of student loan rates:"Education should bolster our economy and student debt should not cripple our workforce. In Texas, tuition and fees at public institutions have increased over 90% in the past decade. This has caused students to increasingly rely on financial aid to supplement their education costs. On average, Texans have student loan debt of … Continue Reading
July 25, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCEMENT TO CHALLENGE CHANGES TO VOTER RIGHTS IN TEXAS
Washington, D.C. - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the announcement by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder that the U.S Department of Justice will challenge changes to voter rights laws in Texas: "I applaud the Department of Justice's proactive actions to stop the enactment of laws that have already been determined to be discriminatory in Texas. There are three key values that make America exceptional among the nations of the world: freedom, democracy, … Continue Reading
July 19, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON CONFIRMATION OF THOMAS PEREZ AS LABOR SECRETARY
Washington, D.C. - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro released the following statement after the Senate confirmation of Thomas Perez as United States Secretary of Labor: "I want to congratulate Thomas Perez on his confirmation as United States Secretary of Labor. I also commend my colleagues in the Senate for working together to overcome partisan filibusters and confirming a public servant with an extensive track record of pragmatic problem solving at the local, state and federal levels. As our … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM IN THE SENATE
Washington, D.C-Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro released this statement following passage of the bi-partisan 'Gang of 8' comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate: "Our nation was built and continues to grow on the shoulders of immigrants. In America, from generation to generation, we witness the many contributions immigrants have made to help make our nation what it is today. As a proud product of San Antonio, Texas, I am encouraged to see my colleagues in the Senate acknowledge … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Washington, D.C. - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the Supreme Court's decision to declare unconstitutional the Defense of Marriage Act:"Today's Supreme Court decision made it very clear that in the United States of America we will continue to stand for liberty and equality for all Americans. In every part of our daily lives-in marriage like in attending school or in deciding to have children-we must pride ourselves in the guarantee that in America we … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT VOTING RIGHTS ACT DECISION
San Antonio, TX- Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the Supreme Court's decision to strike Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act: "The courts have found intentional voter discrimination and suppression in Texas as recently as this past year. Fortunately for Texans, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act has been successfully used as a tool for the past 38 years to ensure that these anti-democracy efforts are not implemented. Today's Supreme Court decision … Continue Reading
June 21, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON FARM BILL
Washington, D.C. - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the failure of the 2013 Farm Bill (H.R. 1947) in the U.S. House of Representatives:"Today's vote is yet another example of Congress' inability to get to work on behalf of the American people. House Republicans attempted to hijack the Farm Bill and use American families who depend on food and nutrition programs during times of economic hardship as a straw man to an extreme agenda. House Republicans … Continue Reading
June 15, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON FINAL PASSAGE OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014
Washington, D.C. - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 (H.R. 1960), which provides necessary authorities and funding provisions for our nation's military. Congressman Castro worked closely with the House Armed Services Committee to include measures important to San Antonio-Military City USA-and military families across the USA, including an accountability report … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON KING IMMIGRATION AMENDMENT
Washington, D.C. - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the passage of an amendment to Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act [H.R. 2217] offered by Rep. Steve King [R-IA] that treat DREAMers, undocumented spouses of service members, and other immigrants in the same way as violent criminals. Under this amendment, even those already granted deferred action could be subject to deportation: "Just as national momentum is at an all-time high for … Continue Reading
May 25, 2013
CASTRO, BIPARTISAN HOUSE GROUP CALL FOR PROTECTION OF MILITARY COMMUNITIES IN TEXAS AND ACROSS USA
San Antonio, TX - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] is leading a coalition of 27 Republican and Democratic Congressmen to urge the Pentagon to assess military infrastructure abroad before calling for painful cuts in military communities at home. In a letter (attached and below) to Defense Secretary Hagel sent today, the bipartisan coalition-made up of 14 Texas representatives and 10 House Armed Services Committee members-is pressing the Pentagon for information on the hundreds of … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
CASTRO SUPPORTS CRITICAL TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAMS
Texas has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the nation. Our state ranks 48th of 50 in teen pregnancies. Of additional concern, in 2010, Texas led the nation in the rate of repeat births, with 22 percent of girls ages 15-19 having a second child. Teen pregnancies not only permanently impact the lives of youth, children and their communities, but also result in significant costs to the state. Unfortunately, our state is making less progress in reducing teen pregnancy than the nation … Continue Reading
March 30, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT HONORING CESAR CHAVEZ DAY
San Antonio, TX- Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro released the following statement celebrating Cesar Chavez Day, March 31: "On what would have been his 86th birthday, America honors the life and legacy of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. This day gives us a chance to pause and pay tribute to his leadership in the fight for social and economic justice for all Americans. His positive leadership and oratory skill live on today with the oft repeated phrase he coined, "Si se puede," yes it can … Continue Reading
March 14, 2013
GATES ADDRESSES FIRST BI-PARTISAN MEETING OF THE FRESHMAN CLASS
Washington, D.C.-Today, Bill Gates addressed the first bi-partisan meeting of the Freshman Class. Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where they work to expand opportunity to the world's most disadvantaged people by collaborating with grantees and partners. The luncheon was hosted by Republican Freshman Class President Luke Messer and Democrat Freshman Class Co-Presidents Rep. Matt Cartwright and Rep. Joaquin Castro. "It was an honor to talk to new … Continue Reading
March 08, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON FEBRUARY JOBS REPORT
San Antonio, TX - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the United States added 236,000 jobs to the economy in February and the unemployment rate decreased to the lowest level in four years to 7.7%: "I am encouraged by the signs of steady growth in core sectors like business and construction. The addition of 236,000 jobs in the past month is a clear indicator that our economy continues to improve. We know there is more … Continue Reading