Press Releases
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
July 25, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCEMENT TO CHALLENGE CHANGES TO VOTER RIGHTS IN TEXAS
Washington, D.C. - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the announcement by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder that the U.S Department of Justice will challenge changes to voter rights laws in Texas: "I applaud the Department of Justice's proactive actions to stop the enactment of laws that have already been determined to be discriminatory in Texas. There are three key values that make America exceptional among the nations of the world: freedom, democracy, … Continue Reading
July 19, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON CONFIRMATION OF THOMAS PEREZ AS LABOR SECRETARY
Washington, D.C. - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro released the following statement after the Senate confirmation of Thomas Perez as United States Secretary of Labor: "I want to congratulate Thomas Perez on his confirmation as United States Secretary of Labor. I also commend my colleagues in the Senate for working together to overcome partisan filibusters and confirming a public servant with an extensive track record of pragmatic problem solving at the local, state and federal levels. As our … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM IN THE SENATE
Washington, D.C-Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro released this statement following passage of the bi-partisan 'Gang of 8' comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate: "Our nation was built and continues to grow on the shoulders of immigrants. In America, from generation to generation, we witness the many contributions immigrants have made to help make our nation what it is today. As a proud product of San Antonio, Texas, I am encouraged to see my colleagues in the Senate acknowledge … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Washington, D.C. - Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the Supreme Court's decision to declare unconstitutional the Defense of Marriage Act:"Today's Supreme Court decision made it very clear that in the United States of America we will continue to stand for liberty and equality for all Americans. In every part of our daily lives-in marriage like in attending school or in deciding to have children-we must pride ourselves in the guarantee that in America we … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
CASTRO STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT VOTING RIGHTS ACT DECISION
San Antonio, TX- Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the Supreme Court's decision to strike Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act: "The courts have found intentional voter discrimination and suppression in Texas as recently as this past year. Fortunately for Texans, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act has been successfully used as a tool for the past 38 years to ensure that these anti-democracy efforts are not implemented. Today's Supreme Court decision … Continue Reading