Press Releases
Castro, Escobar, and Texas Democrats Call on the Department of Justice to Investigate Operation Lone Star National Guard Shooting
SAN ANTONIO - This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and nine additional Democrats from the Texas House delegation sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) asking for a comprehensive investigation into the shooting of a Mexican national by a Texas National Guard servicemember along the border of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. The letter, led by Congresswoman Escobar, comes amid Governor Greg Abbott’s continued interference with federal … Continue Reading
August 23, 2023
Congressman Castro, Texas Democrats Call on Biden Administration to Stop Catastrophic Loss of Medicaid Coverage in Texas
SAN ANTONIO – This week, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) and Greg Casar (TX-35), together with the entire Texas Democratic congressional delegation, urged the Biden Administration to quickly intervene in the Medicaid redetermination process in Texas to prevent the catastrophic loss of health care coverage for vulnerable Texas families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress required states to protect public health by maintaining Medicaid coverage for enrollees … Continue Reading
August 21, 2023
Congressman Castro Nominates 27 Latino-Driven Films for Inclusion in National Film Registry
WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) nominated 27 Latino-driven films for inclusion to the National Film Registry – the nation’s preeminent archive of films with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States. The list of films was cultivated from hundreds of public suggestions after a nationwide call was put out by Congressman Castro and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “Given the film … Continue Reading
August 16, 2023
Congressman Castro and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members Call on the Biden Administration to Investigate Governor Abbott’s Migrant Family Separation Practices
WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Nanette Barragán, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and 23 additional CHC members sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) demanding a full and transparent investigation into the intentional separation of migrant families at the hands of the Texas … Continue Reading
August 11, 2023
Statement from Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jesús “Chuy” García on Death of a Three-Year-Old Child on Asylum-Seeker Bus from Texas to Chicago
SAN ANTONIO AND CHICAGO — Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement in response to the reported death of a three-year-old child on a bus sponsored by the state of Texas that was carrying asylum-seekers from Texas to Chicago: “Migrant parents make the journey to our country seeking safety and stability for their children. We are saddened and horrified, but not surprised, by the death of a three-year-old … Continue Reading
August 11, 2023
Congressman Castro Celebrates Negotiated Release of Five Americans Held in Iran
SAN ANTONIO — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement applauding the announcement of a successful negotiation by the Biden administration to free five Americans who were wrongfully detained in Iran: “Yesterday’s news is long-awaited relief for Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi and Morad Tahbaz, and two other Americans who I hope will be back home soon. “Over the last several years, the Biden administration has quietly negotiated for the … Continue Reading
August 10, 2023
Castro, Salazar, Meeks, McCaul Statement on Assassination of Ecuadorian Presidential Candidate Fernando Villavicencio
WASHINGTON — Today, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Ranking Member Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (NY-05) and Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10), issued the following statement expressing outrage and calling for an investigation and prosecution of the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio: “We are outraged and deeply saddened by the … Continue Reading
August 09, 2023
Castro, Casar, Cuellar, Gonzales Urge USPS to Bring Back Water for San Antonio Letter Carriers
In the middle of a historic heat wave, San Antonio’s letter carriers are no longer receiving the water bottles they used to get at the start of work SAN ANTONIO - Today, San Antonio Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Greg Casar (TX-35), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) are calling on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to resume providing water for letter carriers on their routes. According to San Antonio letter carriers, USPS had previously provided water bottles but … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Congressman Castro Urges Veterans to File PACT Act Claims Ahead of August 9 Deadline for Retroactive Benefits
SAN ANTONIO – Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) is urging all eligible veterans to file claims or submit notice of their intention to file claims under the Honoring Our PACT Act by the August 9, 2023 deadline for retroactive benefit eligibility. The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act expands health care and benefits for more than five million servicemembers who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxins during their … Continue Reading
July 29, 2023
Castro, Kamlager-Dove Lead Democratic Colleagues Calling on the Biden Administration to Support Democratic Resilience and Human Rights in Peru
WASHINGTON — This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) led 13 of their Democratic colleagues in a letter calling on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take action to support Peru's democratic resilience and promote accountability for human rights violations committed by security forces during recent protests.Following former President … Continue Reading
July 24, 2023
Castro, Veasey, Allred Introduce Resolution Standing Against Republican Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts in Higher Education
WASHINGTON – Last week, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Colin Allred (TX-32) led a resolution highlighting the importance of protecting and bolstering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at institutions of higher education. The resolution responds to recent Republican-led attacks on diversity efforts in higher education institutions in Texas and across the country. In June, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law that bans … Continue Reading
July 21, 2023
Congressman Castro Leads 80+ House Democrats Calling on the Administration to Intervene in Operation Lone Star
WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led 87 House Democrats, including the full Texas Democratic delegation and the chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Asian-Pacific American Caucus, in a letter calling on the Biden administration to assert its authority over federal immigration policy and foreign relations to investigate Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star border operation and pursue legal action … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
House Passes Castro/Salazar Amendment to Improve Transparency and Opportunity in Federal Transit Contracting
WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) that will improve transparency and opportunity within the Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, which aims to level the playing field for small businesses competing for federally-funded transit contracts. The legislation, introduced as Amendment 13 to H.R. 3935, … Continue Reading
July 19, 2023
Congressman Castro and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members Seek Public Suggestions for Latino Films to Nominate to the National Film Registry
WASHINGTON — Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are launching a nationwide call for Latino-driven films to nominate to the National Film Registry — the nation’s preeminent archive of films with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States. Films can be submitted by visiting Castro.House.gov/film. To be generally eligible, films must be at least ten years old. To be eligible for the … Continue Reading
July 17, 2023
Castro, Doggett Urge EPA to Reject Texas Railroad Commission’s Application for Primacy of Class VI Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Wells
In letter, members cite concerns about The Texas Railroad Commission’s subpar enforcement of environmental protections and disregard for marginalized communities. WASHINGTON – Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) are urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject the Texas Railroad Commission’s application for primacy enforcement of the Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) well program under the Safe Water Drinking Act. In a … Continue Reading
July 11, 2023
Castro and Casar Introduce Defense Bill Amendment to Fund Child Care for Military Families
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) announced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would give the Department of Defense greater flexibility to reallocate Congressionally-appropriated program and weapons funding that exceeds the Pentagon’s budget request to expand child care programs for military families. “Supporting our troops starts with supporting military families,” said Congressman … Continue Reading
July 06, 2023
Congressman Castro Presses Biden Administration on TPS and Broader Immigration Relief for Caribbean and African Migrants
WASHINGTON – Ahead of a trip this week to Trinidad and Tobago to meet with Caribbean leaders at CARICOM's Heads of Government Conference, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) joined 65 members of Congress in a letter urging President Biden to advance immigration relief for migrants and asylum-seekers from Caribbean and African nations. The letter highlights the unique challenges faced by Black migrants and calls on the administration to protect DACA recipients, use existing legal … Continue Reading
July 05, 2023
Ranking Member Castro to Meet with Caribbean Leaders During Congressional Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a six-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, is accompanying Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (NY-05) and other top-ranking members of Congress on a bipartisan delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. During the visit, Congressman … Continue Reading
June 30, 2023
Castro, Wasserman Schultz, Barragán, and Pocan Lead Members in Supporting Asylum Access for Vulnerable LGBTQI+ Individuals and Families
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, led dozens of their Democratic colleagues in a letter to President Biden, Secretary of … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
Statement from Congressman Castro on the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling
SAN ANTONIO – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the Supreme Court overturned decades of precedent to severely restrict how colleges and universities can consider race in college admissions: “Decades after Brown v. Board of Education and subsequent cases ended legal segregation, the opportunities that make students most competitive for college admissions are still inequitably distributed across racial lines. Today’s Supreme Court … Continue Reading