Press Releases
Statement from Ranking Member Castro and Congresswoman Norma Torres on Guatemalan General Election
WASHINGTON – In response to yesterday’s general election in Guatemala, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), the first Member of Congress to be born in Central America, issued the following statement: “As we monitor the results from yesterday’s election, we remain deeply troubled that the Giammattei government blocked candidates from seeking … Continue Reading
June 23, 2023
Castro, Jayapal, Booker, Hirono, and Durbin Lead 80 House and Senate Democrats in Push to Extend ACA Eligibility to DACA Recipients
WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Senators Cory Booker (NJ), Mazie Hirono (HI) and Dick Durbin (IL) led 80 House and Senate Democrats in a comment letter expressing support for the Biden administration’s proposed rule to extend eligibility for ACA coverage and certain other federal health insurance programs to recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In the 2010 Patient Protection and … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Castro, Meeks, McGovern, Lee Lead Key Democrats Calling on the Biden Administration to Prioritize Constructive Engagement with Venezuela
WASHINGTON – Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, James P. McGovern (MA-02), ranking member of the House Rules Committee, and Barbara Lee (CA-12), ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, led key Democratic members of Congress in a letter calling on the Biden … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Castro, Neguse, Curtis, Warner and Braun Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help More Transfer Students Earn College Degrees
WASHINGTON – This week, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and John Curtis (UT-03), along with Senators Mark R. Warner (VA) and Mike Braun (IN) introduced the Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act, bipartisan legislation that would make it easier for community college transfer students to earn associate’s degrees as they continue their studies at four-year institutions. The bill would amend the Family Educational … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Castro, Jacobs, Jackson, Phillips and Kamlager-Dove Reintroduce U.S. Commitment to Peacekeeping Act
WASHINGTON – Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Dean Phillips (MN-03), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) reintroduced the U.S. Commitment to Peacekeeping Act, which would eliminate the Congressionally-mandated cap of United States contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations and help restore U.S. standing on the global stage. In 1994, Congress voted to cap U.S. contributions to UN peacekeeping operations at 25 percent. But … Continue Reading
June 14, 2023
Castro, Wasserman Schultz, Salazar, And Waltz Reintroduce Bipartisan Effort to Protect Human Rights in Venezuela
WASHINGTON – This week, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), co-chair of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus, Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Michael Waltz (FL-06), reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral AFFECT Human Rights in Venezuela Act. This legislation aims to hold the Maduro regime … Continue Reading
June 13, 2023
Statement from Congressman Castro on the Biden Administration’s Failure to Redesignate TPS for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, released the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s decision not to redesignate Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal. “In recent years, families from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal have fled brutal violence, catastrophic climate disasters, and … Continue Reading
June 08, 2023
As Vice President Harris Meets with CARICOM Leaders, Castro, Salazar, and Espaillat Release Bipartisan Roadmap for U.S. Engagement with the Caribbean
WASHINGTON - Today, as Vice President Kamala Harris visits The Bahamas for high-level meetings with Caribbean leaders, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) announced the U.S.-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2023, a comprehensive roadmap to modernize U.S. engagement with Caribbean nations. Castro and Salazar are the ranking member and chairwoman, respectively, of the House Foreign Affairs … Continue Reading
June 02, 2023
Congressman Castro Joins Prosper West, Community Partners to Celebrate Completion of Inaugural Casa Bella Affordable Home
SAN ANTONIO – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) joined Prosper West, Bexar County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, the San Antonio Area Foundation, and Texas Capital Bank for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of the first new affordable housing redevelopment under the new Casa Bella program. Congressman Castro delivers remarks at the new Casa Bella property “As San Antonio grows, we need to be intentional about keeping the Westside affordable for the … Continue Reading
June 02, 2023
Castro and Casar Get $2.8 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Education and Small Business Development Programs in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) announced their offices have secured more than $2.8 million in AmeriCorps funding for education and small business development programs run by City Year San Antonio and LiftFund Inc. The funding comes in addition to more than $13 million in new state formula funding announced by AmeriCorps last month for programs throughout Texas. "Since I came to Congress, I've focused on building out what I call the … Continue Reading
May 24, 2023
With Help from Elmo, Grover, and Daniel Tiger, Reps. Castro, Hinson, Bonamici and Fitzpatrick Launch the Bipartisan Pre-K and Child Care Caucus for the 118th Congress
WASHINGTON - Last night, at a reception hosted on Capitol Hill, Bipartisan Pre-K and Child Care Caucus co-founder Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and new co-chairs Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) hosted a reception with the First Five Years Fund, Sesame Workshop, and PBS Kids to officially launch the work of the Caucus for the 118th Congress. The Caucus, founded in 2016, works to foster bipartisan efforts to improve access to high-quality, affordable early … Continue Reading
May 23, 2023
Congressman Castro Calls for Hate Crimes Charges in the Murder of Aaron Martinez
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement calling for hate crimes charges against Trevor McEuen in the murder of Aaron Martinez. Prior to the murder, McEuen repeatedly harassed the Martinez family and told them Hispanics were not welcome in Kaufman County, a growing community outside of Dallas. "Three weeks ago, Aaron Martinez was murdered in cold blood by a man who wanted to drive Hispanics out of Kaufman County. Last fall, two brothers in West … Continue Reading
May 23, 2023
VIDEO: Congressman Castro Honors Uvalde Victims and Families in House Floor Speech
WASHINGTON – Today, ahead of the one-year commemoration of the May 24, 2022, mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to honor the victims of the shooting and call for stronger gun safety laws to save lives. Congressman Castro speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives. To download this video, click here for the floor camera recording or here for the … Continue Reading
May 20, 2023
Congressman Castro Announces Winners of Congressional Art Competition for the 20th District of Texas
SAN ANTONIO – Today, during an awards ceremony at the Westside Education and Training Center, Congressman Joaquin Castro announced Hogai Qasmi, a senior at Louis D. Brandeis High School, Natalie Garcia-Ramos, a junior at the International School of the Americas, and Amberly Wintheiser, a junior at Louis D. Brandeis High School as the first, second, and third-place winners, respectively, of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for the 20th District of Texas. Prizes for the winners were … Continue Reading
May 16, 2023
House Committee Passes Bipartisan Castro Amendment to Tackle Youth Drug Abuse and Prevent Fentanyl Deaths
WASHINGTON – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved legislation authored by Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Ranking Member Joaquin Castro (TX-20) that would increase collaboration between United States and Mexican law enforcement and public health agencies to support programs and public awareness campaigns that address youth drug use. The legislation, introduced as Amendment 42 to H.R. 3205, would support cross-border efforts to share information and best … Continue Reading
May 09, 2023
Rep. Castro: “Cruel, restrictive policies like Title 42 and Remain in Mexico do not stop desperate people from fleeing persecution, oppression, and violence.”
In Testimony Before the House Rules Committee, Congressman Castro Slams Counterproductive and Dangerous Proposals in H.R. 2, the So-Called "Secure the Border Act" WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, testified in opposition to Title III of H.R. 2, Republican legislation that would end nearly all access to humanitarian protections for asylum-seekers fleeing from violence and persecution. … Continue Reading
May 05, 2023
Ahead of the End of Title 42, Castro and Casar Announce $38 Million in Expedited FEMA Funding for Migrant Response
SAN ANTONIO - Ahead of the expected end of Title 42 on May 11, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) announced today that their offices have expedited more than $38 million in funding to meet the humanitarian needs of migrant families in San Antonio, including providing shelter and food. The funding, which comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Food and Shelter Program, includes $31,955,232 for Catholic Charities of San Antonio, … Continue Reading
May 03, 2023
Castro, Lieu Renew Push for Pathway to Citizenship for Essential Workers
WASHINGTON - This week, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Ted Lieu (CA-36) reintroduced the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, legislation that would create a pathway to citizenship for the essential workers and families who worked to keep Americans healthy, safe, and fed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senators Alex Padilla (Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate. "During the worst days of the pandemic, millions of undocumented immigrants … Continue Reading
May 02, 2023
Castro, Kim Introduce Millennium Challenge Corporation Candidate Reform Act
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40), chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, introduced the Millennium Challenge Corporation Candidate Reform Act, bipartisan legislation that would modernize the statutory criteria for Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) country partnerships to expand the impact of U.S. development … Continue Reading
April 28, 2023
Castro, Espaillat, Padilla Introduce Landmark Legislation to Remove Unjust Barriers to Citizenship and Prevent Unfair Deportations
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Senator Alex Padilla (CA) introduced the Fair Adjudications for Immigrants Act, which would remove unjust barriers to naturalization and prevent the unfair removal of immigrants based on a previously dismissed or pardoned criminal conviction. In particular, the bill would ensure that past criminal convictions that have been expunged, vacated, or pardoned by the sentencing court would no longer … Continue Reading