Press Releases
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
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