Press Releases
CASTRO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO INCREASE STEM EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) yesterday introduced legislation to promote and expand access to education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects. The Supporting Afterschool STEM Act (H.R.831) would create a grant to encourage afterschool programs that bolster STEM learning and provide students with opportunities to learn about the fields driving job creation in America. “It is essential we give our young people every opportunity to succeed in the … Continue Reading
February 10, 2015
CASTRO STATEMENT ON DEATH OF KAYLA JEAN MUELLER
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after news of the death of Kayla Jean Mueller, an American held captive by the terror group ISIS: “I am deeply saddened to learn of Kayla Jean Mueller’s tragic passing. Ms. Mueller was a selfless young woman committed to helping others in a part of the world enduring great suffering. Her bravery and compassion will not be … Continue Reading
October 10, 2014
CASTRO STATEMENT ON TEXAS VOTER ID BLOCK
San Antonio, TX-- Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after a federal judge in Texas found that the Texas voter ID law was intended to discriminate against minorities and declared it unconstitutional: "This is a great victory for Democracy. Far too many have sacrificed for our freedoms and rights as Americans. This voter ID law was found unconstitutional for discriminating against minorities. I applaud this ruling for staying true to our values of justice and … Continue Reading
October 06, 2014
CASTRO ON SUPREME COURT’S DECISION TO ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE TO PROCEED IN STATES
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released this statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to deny gay marriage appeals from five states seeking to prohibit same-sex marriage. This decision ensures that gay marriages is able to proceed in 30 states, in addition to Washington, DC: “Today’s decision by the Supreme Court not to reverse the victories for marriage equality in five states, effectively allows for folks in over half of the country to marry who they … Continue Reading
September 26, 2014
CASTRO STATEMENT ON CORRUPT USE OF TEXAS TAXPAYER FUNDS
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released this statement following an independent audit report that shows the corrupt practices of Governor Perry’s Texas Enterprise Fund. A fund that was started under the mandate that beneficiaries would be creating jobs, gave away almost half of the $500 million of taxpayer money to institutions that never promised to create jobs and many that did not even submit applications. “This independent audit illustrates, once again, how … Continue Reading
August 26, 2014
Castro Highlights STEM Education Efforts As San Antonians Go Back To School
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) is highlighting the importance of Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering (STEM) education as students in San Antonio head back to school this week. This year, Congressman Castro introduced the Supporting Afterschool STEM Act (H.R.5217), which would create a grant to encourage afterschool programs to bolster STEM learning. Congressman Castro also continues to support local efforts to make STEM education an integral part of the San … Continue Reading
August 02, 2014
CONGRESSMAN CASTRO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF GOP BORDER SUPPLEMENTAL AND ANTI-IMMIGRANT DACA BILL
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed two anti-immigrant bills - the GOP Border Supplemental, and legislation that would revoke legal status for DREAMERS, including almost 100,000 Texans, which allows them to go to college and work: “Tonight, Republicans passed bills that will not secure the border, will not bring an end to the humanitarian situation testing our nation’s conscience, and will do … Continue Reading
July 22, 2014
CONGRESSMAN CASTRO WELCOMES TAYLOR AS SAN ANTONIO’S INTERIM MAYOR
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released this statement welcoming Ivy Taylor as San Antonio’s Interim Mayor, as his brother Julian Castro resigns as Mayor to become Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: “Congratulations to Ivy Taylor for being selected Interim Mayor of the great city of San Antonio and making history as our city’s first African American mayor. I look forward to working with Mayor Taylor as we continue to fuel the momentum our city has achieved … Continue Reading
July 09, 2014
CASTRO STAMENT ON CONFIRMATION OF JULIAN CASTRO AS HUD SECRETARY
Washington, D.C. -Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released this statement following the bipartisan confirmation of his brother Julian Castro as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Senate Confirmed Julian Castro as HUD Secretary with an overwhelmingly bipartisan 71-26 vote : “Today’s bipartisan Senate confirmation is a testament to the incredible work Julian has done as Mayor of our hometown of San Antonio. I’m proud of Julian and excited for our … Continue Reading
June 20, 2014
BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL BILL TO ACCELERATE DEVELOPMENT GAINS AND PROMOTE INNOVATION AT USAID
Washington, D.C—Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Senator John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Global Development Lab Act [H.R. 4905/ S. 2502], which authorizes USAID’s U.S. Global Development Lab research-based work to help hundreds of millions of people lift themselves out of extreme poverty. This bipartisan and bicameral bill allows this new arm within USAID to harness innovation, science and technology, and … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014
CASTRO CALLS FOR STRONGER ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING SANCTIONS ON NORTH KOREA
Washington, D.C—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) offered an amendment to the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2014 (H.R. 1771) and made the following remarks during the House Foreign Affairs Committee consideration of the bill and amendment. Congressman Castro’s amendment was adopted unanimously by the Committee: “Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you and Ranking Member Engel for including my amendment to H.R. 1771 in the en bloc package. Recently, a U.N panel recommended that the … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014
VIDEO: CASTRO ON CHINA’S NEED TO SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS
Washington, D.C—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) spoke in support of H. Res. 599, urging the Government of the People’s Republic of China to respect the freedom of assembly, expression, religion, and all fundamental human rights of its citizens, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square demonstrations. The resolution passed by 379-1. Below is part of Rep. Castro’s remarks as delivered: “Thank you Mr. Speaker, with no other speakers, I’d simply say, the worth of a … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014
CASTRO SPEAKS IN SUPPORT OF TARGETED SANCTIONS IN VENEZUELA
Washington, D.C—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) spoke in support of targeted sanctions on Venezuela during U.S. House consideration of the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act (H.R. 4587). The bill was adopted by a voice vote by the U.S. House of Representatives. Below are his remarks as delivered: “Thank you Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. R. 4587, the Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act, and yield myself as much time as I may consume. I … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
CASTRO APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015
Washington, D.C -Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, applauds the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015 (H.R. 4435), which provides necessary authorities and $513.4 billion in funding provisions for our nation’s military. The NDAA was adopted by the House of Representatives with overwhelming support, 325-98. “I’m particularly proud that this bill recognizes the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform … Continue Reading
May 20, 2014
CASTRO CALLS ON CONGRESS TO OPEN MILITARY ACADEMIES TO DREAMERS
Washington, D.C—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015 that would allow students with Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status to become eligible to apply to the U.S Military Academies. Currently, military academies accept international students from select countries every year. However, students who have gone through the American school system and are eligible for a work-permit and Social … Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
VIDEO: CASTRO DISCUSSES POLITICAL UNREST IN VENEZUELA, COMMENDS TARGETED SANCTIONS
Washington, D.C—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) discussed the political unrest in Venezuela during House Foreign Affairs Debate on Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy Protection Act (H.R. 4587). Below are his remarks as delivered: “I want to speak on these resolutions, with respect to the Venezuela Resolution, thank you Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen for your work. You know, the United States one of our jobs around the world is to make sure we stand up for democracy and for human rights … Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
CASTRO ON VETERANS MEDICAL CENTER DELAY ALLEGATIONS
Washington, D.C—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement and letter following allegations of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials in Austin and San Antonio of manipulating medical appointment data at the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic and the North Central Federal Clinic in San Antonio: “The allegations reported about VA hospitals’ officials in Texas tampering with waitlists of our sick veterans are deeply troubling. That is why I’ve written to Veterans Affairs Secretary … Continue Reading
May 08, 2014
CASTRO STATEMENT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY
Washington, D.C- Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after the House Armed Services Committee voted against amending the Uniform Code of Military Justice to move prosecution of sexual assault cases in the military out of the chain of command: “Yesterday, during our work on the annual defense bill, the House Armed Services Committee debated for the first time to determine whether to take sexual assault cases out of the chain of command. I worked with … Continue Reading
May 01, 2014
REP. CASTRO ANNOUNCES $44 MILLION FOR SAN ANTONIO MILITARY PROJECTS
Washington, D.C- Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $44.1 million for two military projects in San Antonio as part of the 2015 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R 4486). $5.8 million will help fund the construction of a fire station at the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC). Currently, fire units stationed in the main base of Fort Sam Houston provide the firefighting and emergency response to the SAMMC complex. Because of the great size of … Continue Reading
April 15, 2014
ON TAX DAY, REP. CASTRO CALLS ON CONGRESS TO RESTORE TAX FAIRNESS FOR MIDDLE CLASS
San Antonio, TX- On Tax Day, Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced the Cut Taxes for the Middle Class Act (H.R. 4469) to restore tax fairness for America's middle class families. This bill extends 8 tax cuts that expired at the end of 2013 and are meant to lift Americans in a time of economic recovery. The beneficiaries of these tax cuts range from Texans and those in states with no income tax to students aspiring to get a higher education to businesses that hire low-income folks and … Continue Reading