Press Releases
CASTRO VISITS TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
Washington, D.C- Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) released the following statement upon his return from visiting the U.S. military troops stationed in Afghanistan. Congressman Castro joined House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) and Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA) as part of the Congressional delegation chosen to visit the troops a week before Afghanistan holds presidential elections on Saturday, April 5, 2014. "I visited the U.S troops stationed in Kabul, Kandahar and … Continue Reading
March 26, 2014
CASTRO CHALLENGES IMMIGRATION REFORM STONEWALL, DEMANDS VOTE
Washington, D.C- Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) released the following statement upon the House Democrats announcement of a Discharge Petition on H.R 15, the bipartisan Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act: "Today, I'm proud to join my House colleagues in filing a discharge petition on immigration reform on behalf of the American people. Folks from all ends of the political spectrum, across industries and regions have demanded Congress to fix our … Continue Reading
March 24, 2014
CASTRO ANNOUNCES INAUGURATION OF U.S-JAPAN CAUCUS
Washington, D.C- Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) announces the creation of the bipartisan U.S- Japan Caucus. Rep. Castro is co-leading with Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) in the U.S. House of Representatives: "I'm thrilled to help establish this bipartisan caucus and further strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Japan on a range of issues including international economics, national security, and international development. As a Representative of San Antonio, it is especially important … Continue Reading
March 20, 2014
CASTRO ON THE 4th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT & LOCAL ENROLLMENT EFFORTS
San Antonio, TX - Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement highlighting the 4th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and local efforts to help San Antonians get access to affordable, quality health care: "The Affordable Care Act means access to quality, affordable health care coverage no matter your lot in life. The Affordable Care Act has benefited over 70 million Americans who already had insurance, but are now able to take advantage of preventive care … Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
CASTRO STATEMENT ON TEXAS BAN ON GAY MARRIAGE RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement in support of the federal court ruling in San Antonio striking down Texas’ ban on gay marriage: “Today is a triumphant day for equality in Texas. The federal court in San Antonio reaffirmed what we’ve believed all along, that in the United States of America equality and freedom are not dependent on the color of your skin, the origin of your last name, or the person you love. I welcome today’s … Continue Reading
February 12, 2014
CASTRO STATEMENT ON DEBT CEILING & MILITARY COLA FIX
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement after voting in favor of fixing the Military retirement COLA cuts that were negotiated as part of the Budget Deal, as well voting in favor of paying our nation’s bills and preventing default: “Congress governs in large part by authorizing expenditures and paying for those debts. By raising the debt ceiling and preventing an unprecedented national default, Congress is simply paying for the bills the … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
CASTRO HELPS INTRODUCE BILL TO PROVIDE IN-STATE TUITION FOR DREAMER STUDENTS
Washington, D.C. - Today, Thursday, January 16th, 2014 U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) introduced the Investing IN States To Achieve Tuition Equity (IN-STATE) for Dreamers Act of 2014. The IN-STATE for Dreamers Act establishes the American Dream Grant program, which encourages states to increase access to higher education for low-income students, regardless of immigration status. This program would provide $750 million in need-based student financial aid to … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
CASTRO STATEMENT ON OMNIBUS BILL PASSAGE
Washington, D.C— Congressman Joaquin Castro released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan $1.012 trillion omnibus bill, funding agencies for Fiscal Year 2014. The funding bill passed with 359 Representatives voting in favor and 67 voting against. “Stopgap funding measures have been mired by partisan politics causing the budget cycle to be unsteady and inefficient. After years of operating without a long-term budget funding government … Continue Reading
January 09, 2014
CASTRO URGES APPROPRIATORS TO FUND SAN ANTONIO COURTHOUSE
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] along with a group of bipartisan legislators wrote a letter today to urge the powerful House Appropriations Committee to provide adequate funding for Federal Buildings Fund construction in FY 2014 before the January 15 funding deadline. This funding will enable construction to begin on critical projects across the country, including the San Antonio Courthouse. “The San Antonio Courthouse is among the busiest in the nation, but because … Continue Reading
January 07, 2014
CASTRO APPLAUDS BIPARTISAN FIRST STEP TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement applauding the Senate's vote to begin debate on a bipartisan extension of unemployment insurance and calling on the House to take up the vote: “Today the Senate took an important first step toward providing economic stability for the millions of Americans who have been dropped off unemployment insurance. Over 64,000 Texans lost their unemployment insurance in the middle of the holidays. As we mark the … Continue Reading
December 27, 2013
CASTRO CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AS FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS
San Antonio, TX - 1.3 million Americans, including over 64,000 Texans, are losing all of their federal unemployment insurance tomorrow, December 28. An additional 106,900 Texans will lose their unemployment insurance in the first 6 months of 2014. Rep. Joaquin Castro is calling on Speaker Boehner to bring up this important piece of legislation for debate as the first order of business in the new year. U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro along with 173 other members of Congress urged Speaker … Continue Reading
December 13, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014
San Antonio, TX-Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement in support of the reauthorization of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, which provides necessary authorities and important funding provisions for our nation’s military. Congressman Castro originally voted in favor of passage of the House version of NDAA bill on June 14, 2013. “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I worked closely with my colleagues to ensure San … Continue Reading
December 13, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF FARM BILL EXTENSION
Washington, D.C. -Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement in support for the Farm Bill extension, which passed with unanimous support in the U.S. House of Representatives: “This bill extends current agriculture-related law for another month in order to prevent the possibility that the law’s expiration could adversely affect commodity prices, like dairy. It also allows, Congress to flesh out a long-term Farm Bill. I am hopeful that my House and Senate colleagues … Continue Reading
October 17, 2013
CASTRO VOTES TO REOPEN GOVERNMENT AND PAY DEBTS
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted in favor to re-open the government and pay the nation's bills, 285-144: "After sixteen long days for the 140,000 furloughed Texans and the thousands of Americans affected by the government shutdown, the Senate and the House finally voted to fund the government, get folks back to work, and pay our nation's bills. In the past couple of weeks, the American economy lost $24 … Continue Reading
October 16, 2013
CASTRO ON HARMFUL CONSEQUESCES OF GOVERNMENT DEFAULT IN TEXAS
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro today called on the House to reach a responsible solution to end the government shutdown and avoid a default citing the detrimental effects a default would have on Texans. "Texans and Americans of all walks of life and generations stand to lose in big ways if our nation fails to pay the debts Congress has already incurred. The uncertainty created in the last couple of weeks should teach Congress a lesson that we shouldn't have government by … Continue Reading
October 12, 2013
CASTRO, HUNDREDS OF REPRESENTATIVES SIGN PETITION TO REOPEN GOVERNMENT
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joaquin Castro today announced that he signed a petition to reopen the government. This congressional procedure allows a majority of members to force a vote on a bill to fully fund the government. "I've spent the past few days calling back some of the hundreds of San Antonians who have written letters, called, and emailed me to share the harsh and personal reality of this government shutdown on their families," said Rep. Castro. "As their representative in … Continue Reading
October 05, 2013
CASTRO VOTES TO PAY FURLOUGHED WORKERS
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro released this statement following passage of the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act: "Today, I voted to make sure that furloughed workers will receive their pay once the government shutdown is over, because it is the right thing to do. Texas is home to over 130,000 federal employees, 13 national parks, and 15 military installations. This shut down is hurting Texans and folks across the nation. The government shutdown is not … Continue Reading
October 05, 2013
CASTRO ANNOUNCES ORGANIZATIONS FOR SALARY DONATION DURING SHUTDOWN
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro today announced the organizations that will be receiving his pay for the duration of the government shutdown. Castro announced he would be donating his paycheck Monday, September 30 as it grew increasingly evident the government would be shut down as a result of Republican insistence on defunding the Affordable Care Act. "I am disappointed that Congress could not put differences aside and come together to fund our government. As the state … Continue Reading
October 01, 2013
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