Press Releases
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 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 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 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
June 19, 2015
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