Press Releases
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
March 31, 2014
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