Castor, Kathy RSS Articles

ICYMI: U.S. Rep. Castor Presses for Higher Pay for MacDill AFB Civilians & Service Members, and Investments in Critical Missions

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) this week pressed for stronger investments in MacDill Air Force Base and higher pay for MacDill civilians and service members, and military families in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, outlining key priorities for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Representing the Tampa Bay region—anchored by MacDill AFB, home to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)—Castor called for targeted investments to strengthen national security and improve quality of life for service members and their families.

I recommend investments “of critical importance to MacDill presently: the strength of SOCOM, the quality and accountability of base housing, and the retention of the civilian workforce,” said Rep. Castor. “I look forward to working with members and staff of this committee to advance the priorities I have presented in efforts to support MacDill’s personnel and families, and our military as a whole, within a strong NDAA for Fiscal Year 2027.”

Read her written testimony here and view her recorded remarks here.

In her testimony, Castor urged Congress to:

Strengthen SOCOM by increasing resources and modernizing its aging headquarters at MacDill.
Improve military housing by holding private contractors accountable for unsafe conditions.
Address pay disparities affecting the civilian workforce caused by outdated locality pay designations.

Castor emphasized how these priorities are critical to supporting the more than 16,000 personnel and thousands of military families across the Tampa Bay region.

ICYMI: U.S. Rep. Castor Channels Popular Anger at Energy Sec. Wright for Sky-High Electric and Fuel Bills

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) grilled Trump-appointed Energy Secretary Chris Wright on policies that are costing Americans.

Trump and GOP policies and their war with Iran are driving massive price hikes and inflation. Rep. Castor grilled Energy Secretary Chris Wright over the painful energy squeeze, channeling the frustration of hardworking Americans over their wallets. Since the beginning of Trump’s second term, household energy bills have skyrocketed. In March 2026 alone, energy inflation increased by 10.9 percent, and gas prices increased by more than 21 percent—the largest increase in recorded history. Meanwhile, Wright and Trump have illegally canceled hundreds of clean energy projects already in progress, bent a knee to powerful oil and gas lobbies, and contributed to the rampant affordability.

“At best, the policy priorities from the DOE and the administration are incoherent. At worst, they pose a real risk to our energy reliability and resilience,” said Rep. Castor. “This budget does nothing to help hardworking American families. In fact, it actively hurts them. It’s a budget that will leave the United States further behind our competitors in the global energy race, while callously telling Americans, ‘good luck to you’ as they continue to scrape by.”

Castor pressed Secretary Wright to prioritize cheaper, cleaner energy in the Department’s budget, keeping Americans top of mind, rather than corporations and polluters.

Below are Castor’s remarks as delivered:

—

Welcome, Mr. Secretary. Mr. Secretary, the policies of the Trump administration have made life very expensive for our neighbors back home. It is truly soul-crushing what they are experiencing right now. Electric bills are way up under the Trump administration — household electric bills have risen as much as 13% nationally, and utilities are imposing massive rate hikes.

Trump’s war in Iran has sent an energy shock rippling through the economy with huge price spikes. Energy inflation is up 10.9% — that’s the highest in 20 years. Gas prices jumped over 21% in March alone, the biggest increase since records began in 1967.

Americans are grappling with wildly higher gas and diesel prices. And you know, consumer goods are transported across the country by trucks running on diesel, so folks are bracing for higher costs for consumer goods, too. The pain in the pocketbook comes at a rotten time for hard-working Americans.

They’re already paying more due to arbitrary and illegal Trump tariffs, and over the past few days, Republicans have been celebrating the Big Ugly Bill, but the impact has been devastating when it comes to energy bills for our neighbors back home. Because to pay for tax cuts for billionaires, Republicans in Congress rolled back many of the clean energy initiatives from the Inflation Reduction Act, which had been helping consumers save on energy costs. The Trump administration [and] the GOP eliminated tax credits for solar, wind, electric vehicles and home efficiency upgrades.

So altogether, what is happening is you’re really sticking hard-working Americans with higher electric bills. On top of all that, despite higher energy demand and the need to lower prices, the Department of Energy has effectively killed cleaner, cheaper energy projects — some fully permitted and under construction — to the point that the country, in many places, is grappling with a shortage of power, and rate payers are paying even higher electric bills. And it's troubling that the DOE is making it all the more expensive by forcing expensive, dirty coal plants to stay online — counter to the plans of utilities, state regulators and grid operators due to the cost of ongoing operation.

But do you know who’s making out like bandits through all this? Oil and gas executives.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Trump’s war in Iran is yielding a windfall for America’s top oil executives, particularly CEOs who have pocketed—get this—over the past couple of months, $1.4 billion. When the Chevron chief executive sold shares, he pocketed $104 million. ConocoPhillips’ CEO netted about $54.3 million in March alone. The CEO of Baker Hughes sold about $33 million worth of stock during the same month.

The Trump Administration and fossil fuel executives certainly have consumers over the barrel in more ways than one. You know, this Trump energy crisis almost seems intentional, and this is the context for the President's proposed budget. Aside from the NNSA, you’re proposing an 11% cut in areas that help consumers save, like full elimination of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the weatherization program that this committee reauthorized in a bipartisan fashion last year.

You proposed to cut initiatives for critical minerals, geothermal energy and hydropower—those are bipartisan issues that we all support. That seems backwards. As usual, the only thing that the administration reliably supports are polluters. The President's budget proposes $23 million to subsidize the dying coal industry. It requests over almost $2 billion for a new baseload power account to preserve coal, oil and gas industries.

At best, the policy priorities from the DOE and the administration are incoherent. At worst, they pose a real risk to our energy reliability and resilience.

You've lost a lot of employees. They were DOGE’ed. They were fired. Now, the DOE faces a historic labor shortage. It calls into question whether you can administer the law as Congress intended. You've now lost so many people that, rather than address it, you request new power for political appointees alone to make these decisions, and this opens the door to more corruption and grift that has become a hallmark of the Trump Administration.

This budget does nothing to help hardworking American families. In fact, it actively hurts them. It's a budget that will leave the United States further behind our competitors in the global energy race, while callously telling Americans ‘good luck to you’ as they continue to scrape by.

Our neighbors back home deserve better, Mr. Secretary. They deserve cheaper, more affordable, reliable, clean energy. I hope you can answer these questions, because we have a lot of them today. I yield back. Thank you very much.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Supports Haitian Neighbors

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement after voting in favor of legislation that would extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians following the actions of the Trump Department of Homeland Security to send hundreds of thousands of Haitians back to the dangerous country:

“Haitian families and neighbors legally living and working in the U.S. should not have the rug ripped out from under them by Trump and his Department of Homeland Security. Haitian neighbors are part of the fabric of our community and deserve respect after more than a decade of natural disasters and political instability. Armed militants and gangs control large parts of Haiti, and access to food and health care remains severely limited. The U.S. State Department’s Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory makes clear just how dangerous conditions are,” said Rep. Castor.

Castor continued, “In Florida and across the country, Haitian TPS holders are valued members of our communities—working hard, paying taxes, raising families, and contributing to the economy. Arbitrarily condemning hundreds of thousands of people who legally live and work in America would worsen a humanitarian crisis abroad and disrupt families, workplaces and local economies here at home. That’s why I voted to advance this legislation and stand with Tampa Bay’s Haitian families who deserve safety, security, and the opportunity to continue contributing to our community.”

“This vote to move TPS forward brings peace of mind to families and business owners across Tampa Bay who have built their lives here while supporting loved ones back home,” said Esther Wofia, Greater Haitian American Chamber. “Haitian community members are working hard, raising families, and contributing every day, and we are grateful to Rep. Castor for helping ensure their voices are heard, and this critical issue receives a vote in Congress.”

TPS is granted to individuals who cannot return home due to extraordinary conditions, and Haiti continues to face severe instability. More than 350,000 Haitians currently rely on TPS in the United States, with nearly one-third living in Florida. Roughly 20 percent of Haitians in the U.S. work in health care and other essential industries, contributing significantly to local economies, including in Tampa Bay.

Castor supported a discharge petition that forced the legislation to the House Floor for a vote, thereby overcoming opposition from the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress.

Castor: [Trump] is unfit to lead our great country

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. - Rep. Castor responds to President Trump threatening on Truth Social "A whole civilization will die tonight..." on Tuesday, April 07, 2026, in relation to his war with Iran.

"This morally repugnant threat comes from a feckless President who is betraying his own people and our national security. Plus, he continues to inflict higher costs and more pain during an affordability squeeze. He clearly is unfit to lead our great country."

Castor Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winner “A Million Paths To Take”

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – Out of 124 submissions from Tampa Bay area high school students, Blake High School Senior Cora Bowen was awarded the top prize at U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s annual Congressional Art Competition with the Mixed Media piece “A Million Paths To Take”. Cora’s artwork will be featured for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside other Congressional Art Competition winners from across the country.

“The arts unite us and help us see the world through one another’s experiences. At a time when we need more connection and inspiration, these students delivered powerful, deeply personal work that also speaks to the challenges they face. I’m so proud of the talent across Tampa Bay and can’t wait to see Cora represent our community in the national competition,” said Rep. Kathy Castor.

“Senior year to me feels like an open road. A million paths to take, which one will you choose? That’s the question about 60 million eighteen-year-olds are being asked across the United States, what will you do for the rest of your life? To me, rather than something overwhelming and burdening, I feel a lot of optimism, nothing guaranteed, but something will happen, and that’s exciting to me. In my piece, I wanted to utilize untraditional mixed-media techniques, like combining collage with classic glass mosaic, to express these feelings of winding, combining, parallel, linear and exponential paths, each unique in its own way. As a magnet art student at Blake, I previously participated in Rep. Castor’s Congressional Art Competition with digital media and a sculpture. This year, I was excited to use a combination of mediums to create a unique Mixed Media piece that showcases my interest across the art disciplines,” said Cora Bowen.

A photo of Cora’s art can be found here.

Tampa and St. Petersburg are blessed with a broad range of artists and art lovers who provide a substantial economic benefit. The Arts Council and Americans for the Arts demonstrated this recently in their detailed study of the economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

The results of the Hillsborough study found that in 2022, arts and culture generated $387.5 million in economic activity, supported 6,764 jobs and generated more than $76 million in tax revenue to local, state and federal governments.

The results of the Pinellas study found that in 2022, arts and culture generated $294.7 million in economic activity, supported 4,528 jobs and generated more than $58.9 million in tax revenue to local, state and federal governments.

Photos of the students’ art can be found here.

Photos from the Art Show can be found here.

U.S. Rep. Castor’s annual Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to celebrate the art and artists of Hillsborough and Pinellas County public and private high school students. The contest features drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures. This year, 124 entries were submitted by high school students from Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, and 56 were chosen to be displayed at the Tampa Museum of Art. The panel of judges is made up of local artists and experts from the Tampa Museum of Art and Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts.

U.S. Rep. Castor Blasts Trump for Selling Out Florida Families to Big Oil, Again

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today blasted the Trump Administration’s latest proposal to weaken endangered species protections in the Gulf of Mexico to benefit Big Oil. Castor warned that the move risks repeating the costly damage of past disasters while doing nothing to lower prices for Americans already facing rising costs driven by the Trump Administration’s policies.

“The Trump Administration is once again bending over backward for polluters at the expense of Florida’s families, our ocean wildlife, and the coastal economy that depends on clean water and healthy beaches. The so‑called ‘God Squad’ proposal to dismantle endangered species protections is reckless, dangerous, and costly. Floridians remember the billions in damages from the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster—we refuse to let history repeat itself.

“This proposal will do nothing to address the high prices families are paying at the pump as a result of Trump’s war in Iran. Big Oil already sits on thousands of unused leases and receives billions in taxpayer subsidies. They don’t need another giveaway—especially when Trump’s policies are already making life more expensive for hardworking Americans. I will continue fighting to permanently ban drilling in the Eastern Gulf and protect our coastal way of life.

“The Gulf is central to life in Tampa Bay—supporting tourism, national security, and the livelihoods of families across our region and down Florida’s coast. Weakening these protections is a direct threat to our pocketbooks at a time when people are already being squeezed by Trump’s policies. Despite bipartisan efforts and overwhelming public support to keep drilling away from Florida’s shores, President Trump continues to put our communities at risk, selling off our treasured lands and waterways to the highest bidder.”

Dr. Michael Tomor

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Michael A. Tomor after 40 years of working at and leading art museums across the nation, including more than a decade as Executive Director at the Tampa Museum of Art. Dr. Tomor has left a lasting impact on the Tampa Bay region through his dedication and civic leadership.

Tomor completed both his Master’s and Ph.D. studies in Art History at Pennsylvania State University. After finishing his education, he returned to his hometown of El Paso, where he began his professional career. Tomor’s work curating exhibitions, leading art education programs and directing art institutions has impacted millions, from students of all ages to artists and art lovers worldwide.

During his tenure, Tomor has been a passionate advocate for the role of art in children’s education and in uniting communities. His commitment to showcasing how museums foster learning and connection beyond the classroom reflects his dedication to enriching lives through art as a source of vitality and well-being.

Tomor’s guiding vision led him to serve as Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art, where he expanded the presence of artists in underserved school districts, tripling the number working directly with students. By integrating artistic activities into preschool programs, he helped develop methods that used creative expression to strengthen literacy. He later expanded these programs to serve military veterans coping with post-traumatic stress.

At the Tampa Museum of Art, Dr. Tomor oversaw a period of significant growth and transformation, reshaping the art landscape in Tampa by launching a major renovation and expansion project during its centennial year. The efforts enriched the museum’s collection by more than 1,500 works, broadened the cultural resources available to the public by adding approximately 32,000 square feet to the facility, and set the stage for an upcoming 51,000-square-foot expansion.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tomor has remained steadfast in advocating for civic and cultural engagement. He has often spoken about the importance of representation and authenticity in leadership, stating, “art is a reflection of so many things that make us human and encourages us to look beyond the surface.”

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Dr. Michael Tomor on his retirement and thank him for his dedication and service to the Tampa Bay area. He is a shining example of how hard work and service can inspire others to reach their highest potential. His legacy will continue to shape and strengthen our community for generations to come.

Castor Praises Introduction of the Energy Bills Relief Act by SEEC Leaders

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and 122 House Democrats, led by House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chairs U.S. Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06) and Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced the Energy Bills Relief Act, a family- and consumer-focused approach to United States energy policy that ensures Americans have access to the most reliable and low-cost source of power available – renewable energy.

The SEEC Energy Bills Relief Act incorporates legislative priorities to lower energy costs for hardworking American families that U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor has championed in Congress, including policies to connect more clean energy to the grid, deploy advanced technologies, and protect families and small businesses from rising power demand.

“Trump and Congressional Republicans are making electric bills unaffordable for our neighbors back home,” said Castor. “American families deserve better than a constant struggle with the high cost of living. Clean energy is the fastest, lowest-cost resource we can add to our electric grid to help lower bills. I’m thankful for Reps. Casten and Levin’s leadership, and I’m proud to support legislation that lowers costs and commits to clean energy innovation.”

Text of the legislation can be found here.

A section-by-section can be found here.

A one-page summary can be found here. A three-page summary can be found here.

Statements of support from key issues advocacy organizations and industry leaders can be found here.

The Energy Bills Relief Act prioritizes consumers and ensures access to low-cost energy for our homes, businesses, and economy by:

Reinstating tax credits for home and system-wide energy improvements that were ended by President Trump and Congressional Republicans
Incentivizing utility companies to save consumers’ money by rewarding them for making their systems more efficient, thereby lowering bills
Providing financial assistance to American families to make sure their power isn’t shut off
Cracking down on price gouging, so energy companies can’t take advantage of you to boost their profits
Ensuring that facilities like data centers are paying for their own costs because it’s not fair for their expenses to be pushed onto your household if one opens in your area
Giving a voice to the American people so they can benefit from energy projects in their community

Electricity rates are surging nationwide, and millions of households are struggling to pay their rising energy bills. The most effective way to lower utility costs for American households is to expand access to renewable energy — the most reliable and low-cost energy source.

We have the tools to power America with abundant, reliable, American-made clean energy. The missing link between those tools and expanded access to that low-cost and efficient energy is a consumer-first energy policy.

For too long, U.S. energy policy has boosted the profits of energy producers at the expense of energy consumers. The Energy Bills Relief Act shifts our focus to lowering costs and increasing reliability for American homes and businesses by deploying more renewable energy. It is firmly rooted in the American values of choice and competition. It prioritizes consumers and ensures access to low-cost energy for our homes, businesses, and economy.

The Energy Bills Relief Act is what American families need to see costs go down, reliability go up, and ensure our electric grid can meet rising demand.

Last September, Reps. Casten and Levin released a discussion draft of the legislation under the name of the Cheap Energy Act.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Calls for Urgent Action to Support Freedom, Human Rights, & Economic Opportunity for the Cuban People

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL) today issued a call for swift humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people and for a broad international effort to advance fundamental freedoms and long‑overdue economic reforms on the island.

As Cuban families face shortages, repression, and blackouts, Rep. Castor urged the Trump Administration and Cuban government to act—speed food and aid, restore power, and pursue real reforms. The need has grown more urgent with the recent energy grid collapse, which plunged the country into darkness.

“The Cuban people have endured decades of hardship under communist rule, and their courage in the face of repression continues to inspire,” Rep. Castor said. “They deserve the basic freedoms, human rights protections, and economic opportunities that people across our hemisphere enjoy. The international community must stand with them at this pivotal moment.”

Rep. Castor stressed that coordinated action with allies, the Cuban diaspora, and the Catholic Church is key to peaceful change. She emphasized pairing humanitarian relief with a clear commitment to democratic principles, warning that inaction risks instability and a refugee crisis.

“Humanitarian aid is needed now, but a broad economic and political transition is essential,” Castor said. “Progress will come when the Cuban people are free to speak, organize, innovate, and build a modern economy that reflects their talents and aspirations.”

Rep. Castor reaffirmed her longstanding support for policies that promote human rights, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen connections between Cuban families and Florida communities.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Statement on Congressional Republicans Putting Americans’ Safety at Risk

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released a statement following House Republicans’ failure to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without any guardrails or protections to keep Americans safe following well-documented abuses:

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans refuse to reform ICE to increase public safety after the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in the streets of Minneapolis. House Republicans are enabling significant abuses of power and holding hostage the rest of the Department of Homeland Security, including TSA, Coast Guard and FEMA. Republicans should at least pass legislation I cosponsor to fund these agencies while negotiations over ICE reforms continue.

“I cannot sanction taxpayer dollars being misused to brutalize U.S. citizens and immigrant families. The Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress must come to the negotiating table on ICE funding and policies, and until they do, they must pass House Democrats’ legislation to fully fund the law-abiding components of DHS, including FEMA, TSA and the United States Coast Guard.”

Read Rep. Castor’s statement on the January 22 vote here.