Press Releases
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
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