Castor, Kathy RSS Articles

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Opposes Data Centers in Hillsborough County

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today expressed strong opposition to data centers in Hillsborough County in a letter to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. Castor highlighted the significant strains on pocketbooks and local resources associated with data center development that can drive up electric and water bills for residents, farmers and small businesses.

In Hillsborough County, the average electric utility bill has increased by over 40 percent in the past five years. Castor’s bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act would require data centers to pay the full costs of energy demand and protect ratepayers from data center rate hikes.

Castor concluded, “Data centers cannot come at a cost to neighbors who are already facing high grocery, gas, utility, health care and housing costs. We need to make sure these projects actually bring good-paying jobs to our community and that workers, families, and neighborhoods aren’t forced to pay the burden of rapid technology growth, while out-of-state tech billionaires get richer.”

Read the full letter below:

RE: Opposition to Data Center Development in Hillsborough County

Dear Commissioner[s]:

As the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners considers the future of data centers in our community, I would like to relay my strong opposition to the siting of data centers in Hillsborough County. The potential impacts on the cost of living for our residents and on our community’s essential resources are too significant to ignore.

As the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee, I have led the national conversation in Congress as we grapple with high energy bills and rising electricity demand from data centers. I’m proud to lead the Ratepayer Protection Act – a bipartisan bill that requires data centers to pay the full costs of their energy demand. Data centers cannot be allowed to pass on their costs to hardworking Florida families and small businesses. The Ratepayer Protection Act would preserve local control over siting and permitting decisions – because these are decisions that should be made by the people and communities where these facilities are being built.

Equally troubling is the immense water usage required for cooling these facilities. In a state where water resources are already under pressure from population growth and climate challenges, diverting millions of gallons for private corporations is neither sustainable nor in the public’s best interest. The county faces moderate to extreme drought conditions, limiting our public water supplies and hurting our farming communities. Hillsborough County and Tampa Bay Water are grappling with huge new water demand requirements and costs. Plant City is already turning to creative water solutions, like reuse for crop freeze protection, and population growth that are threatening local aquifer levels. Community leaders have expressed to me their strong opposition to data centers that could further strain our limited water supplies.

I am also deeply concerned about the new state law permitting nondisclosure agreements for data centers. Secret deals are wrong. This lack of transparency undermines public trust and prevents residents from fully understanding the environmental, economic, and infrastructural impact on their lives. Our community deserves immediate open access to information about developments that could affect our daily lives for decades to come.

Data centers cannot come at a cost to neighbors who are already facing high grocery, gas, utility, health care and housing costs. We need to make sure these projects actually bring good-paying jobs to our community and that workers, families, and neighborhoods aren’t forced to pay the burden of rapid technology growth, while out-of-state tech billionaires get richer.

Please act decisively to protect Hillsborough County’s residents, resources, and long-term sustainability.

I respectfully urge you to prioritize the public interest over private profit.

Thank you for your time, service, and commitment to our community.

Castor, Soto Demand Federal Investigation, Accountability After Grand Jury Finds Taxpayer Dollars Were Abused for Corrupt Political Purposes

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Darren Soto (FL-09) are demanding a federal investigation and full transparency following new reporting that $10 million in taxpayer funds from a Medicaid-related settlement were misappropriated and routed through the Hope Florida Foundation, with $8.5 million ultimately flowing to political committees.

In their latest letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Castor and Soto urged federal officials to investigate whether the diversion violated federal Medicaid law and determine who was responsible.

Earlier this year, a Florida grand jury concluded that the $10 million was misappropriated “as part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.” The grand jury investigation followed allegations uncovered through a Florida House Republican-led inquiry into the settlement.

Castor and Soto first called for a federal investigation in May 2025 after questions emerged about Florida’s $67 million Medicaid settlement with Centene. The settlement directed $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation. $8.5 million was then transferred through nonprofit organizations to political action committees controlled by James Uthmeier, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ then-chief of staff and now Florida Attorney General. According to the grand jury report, Uthmeier’s PAC transferred $7 million directly to the Republican Party of Florida and $1.23 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, another Uthmeier-controlled PAC.

The new grand jury report also raises questions about the unusual speed and timing of the transactions. Centene was required to transfer $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation within seven days, while being granted more than a year to repay the remaining $57 million to the State of Florida. The grand jury concluded the settlement appeared rushed because the 2024 election was only 45 days away and many Florida families were busy recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Despite concluding that taxpayer money was misappropriated for political purposes, the grand jury found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges because officials would not identify—or said they could not remember—who made the decision to send the $10 million to Hope Florida.

Castor and Soto argue that the inability to pursue state criminal charges does not end the federal government’s responsibility to determine whether Medicaid laws and regulations were violated and taxpayer dollars were misappropriated for political purposes.

Read the full letter here and below.

RE: Urging Transparency into and Accountability for Unlawful Diversion of Medicaid Funds in Florida

Dear Inspector General Bell and Administrator Oz:

On May 15, 2025, we wrote a letter urging your agencies to investigate whether the $10 million settlement scheme from Centene to the Hope Florida Foundation at the direction of the State of Florida in 2024 violated federal law and complied with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) legal and regulatory framework. Federal law requires that Medicaid proceeds be used solely for health services authorized by law and for the benefit of those served by Medicaid, but $8.5 million in funding was quickly redirected to political committees supporting a Governor DeSantis-led campaign against a ballot amendment to legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Recent press reports have brought new information to light regarding the settlement that we believe requires further investigation and clarity by federal agencies.

Earlier this year, a grand jury in Florida concluded that the DeSantis administration misappropriated $10 million in taxpayer money to Hope Florida Foundation and that the funds “were misappropriated as part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.” The inquiry followed allegations raised through a Florida House Republican-led investigation. These findings and gross abuse of taxpayer dollars demand immediate federal action.

The grand jury concluded that “these funds were misappropriated as part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.” The report provides important context on the timing of these financial transactions during the deadly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and suggests the State may have taken advantage of the chaos and confusion on the ground for purely political gain while Floridians were reeling from the destruction and devastation of sequential natural disasters. The expedited nature of the movement of unusually large amounts of money moving through various entities, and the quick disbursement to their final destination during the 2024 election appears to be illegal and morally wrong.

We learned several new items from the grand jury report, including an alarming money trail that funneled $8.5 million in taxpayer dollars into a political action committee (PAC) controlled by James Uthmeier, then Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ chief of staff and now Florida’s Attorney General. Uthmeier’s PAC then transferred $7 million directly to the Republican Party of Florida and $1.23 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, another Uthmeier-controlled PAC.

We also learned that the repayment schedule for the settlement required Centene to wire transfer the $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation within seven days, while allowing Centene a year and 45 days to repay the remaining $57 million to the State. The grand jury report noted that “The Centene settlement itself seems rushed as it materialized rapidly after years of inactivity. Then, once reached, it took a mere 7 days to fund. We believe the rush was due to the impending election which was just 45 days away.”

Unfortunately, reports from the grand jury conclude that “Despite our finding that the money was misappropriated, we find insufficient evidence to charge anyone criminally…Nobody will take responsibility for deciding the $10 million of taxpayer money would go to Hope Florida…or had any memory of who made it. We recognize that this would be an impediment to criminal prosecution. While we can’t provide who is responsible, we can plainly see that taxpayer money was misused for political purposes and we would like to see changes made to prevent this from happening again” (emphasis added). An inability to pursue state criminal prosecution because public officials profess memory lapses and CMS has recouped the federal share associated with the settlement does not eliminate the federal government’s independent responsibility to protect Medicaid and taxpayer dollars from abuse.

Federal interest is not theoretical. In February 2026, Florida Agency for Health Care Administrator Secretary Shevaun Harris confirmed that Florida calculated and returned the federal share using the full $67 million settlement – not $57 million – while characterizing the action as an “abundance of caution.” That accounting undercuts the claim that the $10 million was independent of the Medicaid recovery.

Section 1903(d)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act and 42 C.F.R. Part 433 require states to account for Medicaid overpayment recoveries and return the federal share; states report recoveries through Form CMS-64. HHS OIG regularly audits state reporting of Medicaid settlements and judgments. Reimbursement would not by itself cure the diversion of a Medicaid recovery through private entities for partisan political expenditures, identify the responsible officials or make Florida’s taxpayers whole.

While we thank you for your previous response and confirmation that CMS has recouped all federal share associated with the full $67 million settlement, we believe further questions remain, particularly given the new information that has come to light. We kindly request the answers to the following questions:

Did CMS or HHS OIG take any steps to ensure Medicaid and taxpayer dollars are protected following our May 15, 2025 letter, or was the matter simply considered resolved upon recouping the funds despite what the grand jury described as “a sophisticated scheme to divert taxpayer dollars for political purposes?”
For CMS: In the grand jury report, Mr. Weida confirmed that the State decided to reimburse the federal government’s share of the full $67 million settlement. Please detail all conversations between CMS and the State of Florida about this settlement and the recoupment of the federal share. Given the grand jury testimony, identify any false, incomplete or misleading statement made to CMS concerning the settlement, source of funds, federal share or intended use of the $10 million in taxpayer dollars.
For HHS OIG: In response to our letter, OIG stated that they had no role in overseeing the terms of the settlement agreed to between the State of Florida and Centene. Given this new information, can you confirm that the State of Florida did not violate federal law and fully complied with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) legal and regulatory framework?
Did the settlement provision directing $10 million to a private foundation – and the subsequent transfers to politically active nonprofits and committees – comply with the Social Security Act, 42 C.F.R. Parts 433 and 438, Form CMS-64 instructions, Florida’s approved Medicaid state plan and all federal award conditions?
Will CMS review other Florida Medicaid-related settlements for third-party carveouts, donations or unreported recoveries?
Will this be used as precedent for other states when determining how to use recouped settlement funding in the future? Will CMS adopt guidance or controls to prevent the routing of Medicaid-related taxpayer dollars to a private entity without enforceable restrictions, robust public reporting or appropriations through legislation?

The grand jury report ends with recommendations to enact legislation to prevent this from happening again, including rules for taxpayer funding, consequences for violating the law, and measures to ensure taxpayer funds are tracked and monitored. They write that “taxpayer money should have been treated as such instead of being allocated for partisan political purposes and without transparency.” We urge CMS and OIG to seriously consider the new information brought to light in this case and to provide full transparency into any federal government involvement with the State.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Administration to Protect American Farmers and Fertilizer Producers Against Rising Costs and Chinese Weaponization

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Administration to Protect American Farmers and Fertilizer Producers Against Rising Costs and Chinese Weaponization

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Zachary Nunn (IA-3), members of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, today led a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging immediate action to protect American farmers and domestic fertilizer producers from a deepening, deliberately engineered supply chain crisis.

Global conflicts and market manipulation by the People's Republic of China (PRC) has created a critical vulnerability in America's agricultural supply chain that is hurting American producers, rural communities, and families.

"Hardworking American farmers, workers and families are depending on the Administration to ensure farmers can access the fertilizer they need, at prices they can afford," Rep. Castor said. "The Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated a willingness to exploit global commodity disruptions to advance its strategic interests at the expense of American producers and consumers. We need to act now to protect our supply chain from bad actors who send costs skyrocketing."

"Iowa farmers shouldn't have to outbid Communist China for American-made inputs in their own backyard," said Rep. Nunn. "Adding fertilizer minerals like phosphate and potash to the U.S. Critical Minerals list was the first step. Now, I'm asking the Administration to work with us on a whole-of-government strategy to secure our fertilizer supply chain and give Iowa producers the certainty to plan for next season.”

Rep. Castor is urging USDA and USTR to secure domestic fertilizer production and develop a comprehensive fertilizer supply chain security strategy that accounts for geopolitical risk, adversarial commodity manipulation, and the strategic importance of domestic agricultural inputs before American businesses are irreversibly harmed.

Full text of the letter is below and available here:

Dear Secretary Rollins and Ambassador Greer:

We write as members of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party to urge action to protect American farmers and domestic fertilizer producers from a deepening supply chain crisis. The convergence of geopolitical disruptions, the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) strategic use of export controls, and PRC government intervention in global commodity markets have created a critical vulnerability in America’s agricultural supply chain. This challenge is one that requires a strong interagency response before irreversible harm can be done to American producers, rural communities, and ultimately, American families.

Sulfur is an indispensable input for the manufacture of phosphate fertilizer, an essential tool for sustaining American crop yields. [1] Over the past year, a series of geopolitical shocks including Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have severely restricted global sulfur supply. [2] The result has been an acute and artificial price spike. In December 2025, sulfur traded at approximately $450 per ton. Today, spot market prices have surged above $1,000 per ton. [3] The United States Gulf Coast, once a reliable but modest global supplier, has become the primary source of global sulfur supply by default. [4] Yet American manufacturers are being systematically outbid in their own backyard.

The crisis facing American fertilizer producers is not simply a function of market forces, it reflects a deliberate strategic posture by the PRC government. Chinese state-affiliated and state-linked companies are actively purchasing American-produced sulfur at elevated prices, outcompeting domestic manufacturers. Mosaic Company, a cornerstone of American phosphate fertilizer production, was recently outbid for a sulfur contract by CMOC, a PRC-linked metals and mining company operating in Brazil. American sulfur is leaving the country while American fertilizer plants are idled.

In early May 2026, the PRC enacted a ban on sulfuric acid exports. By purchasing American sulfur at premium prices, converting it into sulfuric acid domestically, and then restricting exports of that processed product, Beijing is effectively weaponizing a critical agricultural input. The move hoards upstream supply while locking downstream output behind export controls. It reflects a sophisticated strategy by the PRC government to acquire American raw materials, process them domestically, and then restrict re-export, achieving supply chain leverage over American agriculture while preserving its own food security and industrial base.

The consequences of inaction are no longer theoretical. For example, the Mosaic Company is currently in curtailment at two manufacturing facilities due to its inability to secure affordable sulfur. [5] These disruptions are having impacts on farmers as well. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects the average cost of production for an acre of corn to rise to $917 in 2026, up from $890.[6] This will layer on top of the increased cost of diesel and equipment and cut into the already thin margins that American farmers operate on. [7]

The window for preventive action is closing rapidly. Once phosphate manufacturing capacity is idled, restarting it is a slow and costly process. We urge you both to consider measures to resecure American fertilizer production. We urge USDA and USTR to develop a comprehensive fertilizer supply chain security strategy that accounts for geopolitical risk, adversarial commodity manipulation, and the strategic importance of domestic agricultural inputs.

American farmers, workers, and families are depending on this Administration to ensure farmers can access the fertilizer they need, at prices they can afford. Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated a willingness to exploit global commodity disruptions to advance its strategic interests at the expense of American producers and consumers.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and please advise on how you can help lessen the pain of the current supply chain crisis.

[1]https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/publications/113324/ERR-354.pdf?v=42889

[2]https://www.woodmac.com/press-releases/middle-east-conflict-disrupts-major-metals-and-mining-markets-threatening-global-supply-and-prices/

[3]https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/agriculture/052926-high-sulfur-prices-squeeze-fertilizer-margins-spur-production-cutbacks

[4]https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/agriculture/031926-sulfur-nitrogen-markets-under-pressure-as-middle-east-war-persists-analysts

[5]https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24654-mosaic-to-scale-back-us-phosphate-production-over-high-input-costs

[6] https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns

[7]https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/rising-fuel-prices-hit-us-farms-iran-war-drags-2026-06-09/

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Fights to Protect 700+ TPA Security Officers’ Jobs, Pay & Earned Benefits

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. — Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) urged Tampa International Airport (TPA) CEO Michael Stephens and Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) Chair Chip Diehl to reverse plans to privatize the airport’s passenger-screening workforce through the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Gold+ initiative. The change would replace more than 700 federal Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at TPA with a private contractor responsible for passenger screening and checkpoint equipment and technology.

“Every day, TPA TSOs greet and protect 70,000 passengers—neighbors, friends, and visitors—ensuring that each journey begins and ends with security and care. Their professionalism is not just a job requirement; it is a commitment to the well-being of our community. To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully,” said Castor in her letter.

"Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, where terrorists exploited lax airport security screeners, TPA should not weaken its safety framework. TSOs are vital to operating safely and smoothly, protecting tens of thousands of passengers every day. TPA TSOs continued reporting for duty through government shutdowns—even when their paychecks did not arrive. During those difficult periods, the vast majority of TPA’s TSOs stood by TPA and the traveling public. Now, TPA leadership must stand by them and reverse the plan to eliminate more than 700 federal officers and put their pay, health coverage and earned retirement benefits at risk in favor of a private for-profit contractor.”

If TPA continues on this track, it will be among the first airports in the country to weaken the post 9/11 security framework by entering into TSA Gold+, with the transition expected to be fully implemented by May 2027. Castor warned that privatization would create uncertainty for hundreds of Tampa Bay Veterans and longtime officers who have built careers serving the traveling public. TPA TSOs risk losing federal retirement benefits, health coverage and accrued vacation time they have earned over their years of federal service.

Castor challenged the argument that privatization is necessary to accelerate the deployment of modern screening technology, citing increases authorized by Congress for TSA’s technology funding to support the deployment of advanced screening equipment. The potential transfer of control of checkpoint technology to a private, for-profit contractor would put taxpayer dollars and travelers’ sensitive personal data at unnecessary risk, including through data breaches or misuse.

Castor’s letter is available here and below.

Re: Support for Tampa Airport TSA Security Officers and Opposition to TSA Gold+

Dear Mr. Stephens and Mr. Diehl:

I write not just as a representative, but as a member of the Tampa Bay community who deeply values the dedication and integrity of our Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at Tampa International Airport (TPA). The proposal to privatize the workforce of over 700 TSOs and outsource passenger screening under the TSA Gold+ program will profoundly affect the lives of hundreds of families, the safety of millions of travelers and the reputation of the best airport in the country.

Every day, TPA TSOs greet and protect 70,000 passengers, neighbors, friends, and visitors, assuring that each journey begins and ends with security and care. Their professionalism is not just a job requirement; it is a commitment to the well-being of our community. To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully, including the many veterans and long-serving officers in the TSO ranks.

I have heard directly from TPA TSOs, who have expressed their deep concern and opposition to privatization. Their sense of duty, pride and belonging cannot be replicated by a private entity. Tampa International Airport deserves world-class security, rooted in experience and dedication, not instability and uncertainty.

This proposal arrives as we approach the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks—a painful reminder of what happens when airport security is left to private firms with high turnover and inconsistent training. The Transportation Security Administration and federal TSOs were created by Congress after 9/11 to prevent another terrorist attack and ensure that our airports would never again be vulnerable to such tragedy. To weaken aviation security now is to forget the lessons learned at great cost and the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Privatization threatens not only security but also the economic stability of hundreds of Tampa Bay area families. TSOs face the loss of federal retirement benefits, health coverage and accrued vacation time. Even if offered comparable salaries initially, there is no guarantee of long-term financial security. At a time when inflation and living costs are high, this change would bring hardship to those who have given so much to our community.

TPA TSOs have shown unwavering dedication, maintaining low call-out rates during government shutdowns and high service standards. Their commitment has been inspiring. To discharge them now under TSA Gold+ would be a betrayal of trust and gratitude.

I understand that TSA proposes to allow TSA Gold+ contractors to ease deployment of screening technology. While modern screening technology is important, Congress already has provided TSA with increased funding to deploy these advancements. There is no need to risk taxpayer dollars or passenger data by handing over control to a private contractor whose primary motivation is profit, not public safety. The risks of data breaches and misuse are simply unacceptable.

Private contractors may cut corners on training, wages and benefits, leading to fatigue and reduced vigilance. Unlike federal officers, whose mission is public safety, contractors’ financial incentives may conflict with the imperative to protect lives. TPA TSOs should not be defunded.

For all of these reasons, I implore you to reject the change to TSA Gold+. Let us honor the memory of the Americans lost and injured on 9/11 by upholding the commitment to vigilance and security that has kept us safe for a quarter-century. Let’s also stand with our TSOs, local families, and our community. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor

United States Representative

Florida – District 14

Cc: Gary W. Harrod, Vice Chair, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Robert I. Watkins, Treasurer, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Mayor Jane Castor, Secretary, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Commissioner Harry Cohen, Assistant Secretary/Assistant Treasurer, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Ha Nguyen McNeill, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, Transportation Security Administration;
Markwayne Mullin, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.

ICYMI: Castor Delivers $2.29 Million to Cut Costs, Protect Property and Invest in Neighborhoods in St. Petersburg

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — This week, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced $2,290,288 in community project funding for two stormwater projects designed to cut costs and protect St. Petersburg residents, roadways and property from frequent flooding. St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, City Council Members Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Brandi Gabbard and community leaders cheered the local investments.

Castor secured the investments through federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) on behalf of the City of St. Petersburg. The projects will upgrade aging drainage infrastructure in two flood-prone areas, improve emergency access and public safety during storms and strengthen the city’s long-term resilience as heavy rainfall and tidal flooding become more frequent.

View photos from the press conference here.

“Tampa Bay families should not have to worry that a heavy rainstorm will flood their street, damage their property or cut them off from their neighborhood,” said Castor. “I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure these federal investments because protecting our neighbors from flooding requires reliable, modern infrastructure. These projects will help keep important roadways open, move stormwater more effectively and make our community safer and more resilient for years to come.”

Castor community projects include:

MLK Street South Flooding Alleviation — $1,145,144: The project will elevate and improve Martin Luther King Jr. Street South between 30th Avenue South and 36th Avenue South, where flooding can make the roadway impassable during heavy rainfall. The funding will also expand stormwater culverts to improve drainage capacity and reduce roadway flooding under current and future conditions.
88th Avenue North and 4th Street North Storm Drainage Improvements — $1,145,144: The project will address recurring street flooding near a tidally influenced stormwater outfall. Planned improvements include replacing and enlarging stormwater conveyance systems, installing new inlets and underground piping, and adding stormwater storage. Green infrastructure will be incorporated where feasible to reduce runoff and improve water quality.

Together, the projects will reduce the risk of roadway and structural flooding, protect nearby homes and businesses, improve access for residents and emergency responders during severe weather, and increase the reliability of St. Petersburg’s stormwater system.

Castor secured $19,607,288 for 15 community priority projects across Tampa Bay through the FY 2026 federal appropriations. These investments will lower costs, expand affordable housing, strengthen flood mitigation, improve transportation, create workforce training opportunities in trades and expand services for students, young people, veterans and military families.

A full list of Castor’s funded community projects is available here.

Castor, Welch Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Energy Grid, Lower Electric Bills

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, and Sen. Peter Welch (VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy and Credit, this week reintroduced the Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act, bicameral legislation that aims to make it easier for the United States to advance affordable, clean energy projects and strengthen its electric grid.

The Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that interstate and offshore transmission infrastructure projects allocate costs to beneficiaries more fairly. The legislation would help lower energy costs for consumers by accelerating the construction of interstate transmission lines that deliver vital affordable, clean energy to communities across the country.

“America’s aging electric grid and growing transmission bottlenecks are driving up energy costs for Florida families, slowing the development and deployment of newer, cheaper energy resources and leaving communities more vulnerable to increasingly extreme weather,” said Rep. Castor. “The Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act will help address these challenges by making it easier to complete essential transmission projects, reduce costly grid congestion and deliver affordable, reliable electricity where it is needed. This commonsense legislation will help build a cheaper, cleaner, stronger and more resilient energy future for families and businesses across Tampa Bay.”

“Strengthening America’s electric grid is essential to ensuring we can meet modern electricity and climate challenges. Finding ways that make it easier to construct and complete transmission projects that boost the resiliency of our grid and lower costs for consumers is a major part of that. We’re working to bolster our grid against extreme weather and help ensure every home across America has access to affordable and reliable electricity,” said Sen. Welch.

View the full text of the bill here.

Castor Opposes Blank Check for Iran War in Extreme Defense Spending Bill

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement on the extreme fiscal year 2027 defense spending bill:

“The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) typically is a bipartisan commitment to our armed forces and the men and women who defend our country. Unfortunately, extreme politicians in Washington hijacked this critical legislation with divisive policies that do nothing to fortify our military or improve the quality of life of service members, civilian workers and military families. The bill proposes to spend $1.5 trillion without a strategy for the war in Iran. I cannot support a blank check for an open-ended war with no clear objectives, timeline or exit strategy.

“The war has already cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars, driven up gas prices and transportation - painfully rippling through the pocketbooks of Tampa Bay families grappling with high-priced groceries and bills. The highest costs are being carried by our service members and their families, who deserve a clearly defined mission—not continued uncertainty. Americans have made clear that they do not want war, yet extreme politicians refuse to listen.

“Families and small businesses are struggling with the rising cost of housing, health care, electric bills, groceries and much more. Congress should be laser-focused on lowering costs—not writing a blank check for a war the American people oppose.

“I hope that the House and the Senate can come to a bipartisan agreement on the NDAA, removing harmful policy riders and refocusing the bill on supporting our military and service members as intended.”

Castor Breast Cancer Awareness Bill Passes House

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) celebrated passage of her bipartisan Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act Reauthorization (H.R. 4541) with Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Diana Harshbarger (TN-01).

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States, where the average risk for developing it sometime in her life is about 1 in 8. More than 316,000 new diagnoses and 42,000 deaths are expected from breast cancer in 2025. And with incidences rising in younger women each year, the earlier it’s caught, the better the chance to survive and overcome this devastating disease.

The key to early detection and treatment starts with education and awareness. This is especially true for younger women and those at greater risk of death from more aggressive forms of breast cancer.

“Too many young women face breast cancer without the knowledge or support they need to catch it early and fight back,” said Rep. Castor. “For more than fifteen years, the EARLY Act has supported young women through outreach and resources that meet them where they are. I’m proud to lead the charge for this bipartisan reauthorization to ensure these critical initiatives that empower women to understand their risks, advocate for their health and get the tools they need to fight the disease continue.”

View Castor’s remarks on the EARLY Act reauthorization here.

The EARLY Act authorizes three programs administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), designed to empower young and high-risk women. This includes the Bring Your Brave effort, which amplifies stories of real women to raise awareness of breast cancer in young women between the ages of 18 and 44, and encourages them to understand their risk and the signs and symptoms. It also funds the Young Breast Cancer Survivors Program, which provides grants to non-profit organizations aimed at delivering supportive services and resources to increase patients’ survival and improve their quality of life. And it offers continuing medical education (CME) courses for health care providers about breast cancer.

After fifteen years of successful implementation, it is now time to again reauthorize the EARLY Act to ensure that it continues to reach even more young and higher-risk women across the United States. Reauthorizing the EARLY Act is vital to continuing to save women’s lives.

The EARLY Act is endorsed by:

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
BRCAStrong
Breast Cancer Early Detection Coalition
Breast Cancer Ruckus
Brem Foundation
Cancer Support Community
DenseBreast-info, Inc
FORCE
GE HealthCare
Gilda's Club South Florida
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Prevent Cancer Foundation
Sharsheret
Susan G. Komen
Tigerlily Foundation
Women Health Advocates
Young Survival Coalition

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency in Rx Pricing, Lower Health Care Costs

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-28), Summer Lee (PA-12) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the Drug Deal Disclosure Act, legislation that would require the public disclosure of the White House’s prescription drug pricing agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and subject those agreements to independent review to determine whether they are actually lowering costs for patients and taxpayers.

“Floridians and Americans deserve lower drug costs,” said Rep. Castor. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for their lifesaving medications. After making health care out of reach for millions of Americans, the White House claims they are helping our neighbors afford prescription drugs through closed-door deals with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Americans are skeptical and deserve to know if those deals are truly lowering costs, or if they are another false promise. I was proud to work with my colleagues in the Congress to actually lower drug costs through Medicare negotiation, caps on insulin, no-cost vaccines and out-of-pocket limits. Our neighbors have waited long enough for fair prices for important medications, and I am committed to doing that in a transparent manner.”

“President Trump has repeatedly claimed that his Administration’s private deals with pharmaceutical companies will lower prescription drug prices for American families. If that’s true, then he should have nothing to hide,” said Rep. Chu. “Democrats didn’t ask Americans to simply trust us when we lowered prescription drug costs through the Inflation Reduction Act, we passed a law that empowered Medicare to negotiate drug prices, capped insulin at $35 a month for seniors, limited annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, and held drug companies accountable for unjustified price hikes. Those reforms are already delivering real savings. If President Trump wants the American people to believe his secret deals with Big Pharma will do the same, then he should release the agreements and let the facts speak for themselves.”

“No one in Western Pennsylvania should have to ration medicine or walk away from the pharmacy counter because Big Pharma and the Trump Administration are cutting deals behind closed doors,” said Rep. Lee. “More than one in four Pennsylvanians have already been forced to skip doses, cut pills in half, or leave prescriptions unfilled simply because of cost. People paying the price deserve to know who these agreements are really serving, and this bill would force the Administration to release these secret agreements and require independent analysis of whether they actually lower costs for patients and taxpayers. I’m proud to co-lead this bill and help build a healthcare system that works for the people, not billion-dollar corporations.”

“Deals made by the White House are the business of the American people. President Trump claims to have made secret agreements with Big Pharma CEOs under the pretense of lowering prescription drug prices but these savings have yet to appear. The American people deserve answers and this legislation will bring them to light,” said Rep. Pappas. “Granite Staters are paying too much for life-saving prescription drugs and this administration and Republicans in Congress have only made health care access worse and costs higher. I remain committed to doing everything I can to improve care and lower costs, and I will not stand for shady deals and false promises made by the administration.”

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publicly disclose records, communications, agreements, and related materials concerning drug pricing agreements and other arrangements negotiated between the White House and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The bill would also require reporting to Congress and direct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an independent analysis of the agreements’ economic and budgetary impacts.

Specifically, the legislation would:

Require HHS to publicly disclose agreements, communications, records, and related materials concerning covered agreements between the Trump Administration and pharmaceutical manufacturers;
Require disclosure of agreements involving Most-Favored-Nation pricing commitments, tariff exemptions, domestic investment commitments, Strategic National Stockpile agreements, Priority Review Vouchers, and other related arrangements;
Require HHS to report to Congress on all documents and information released or withheld, including the basis for any redactions; and
Direct CBO and GAO to publish an independent assessment of the agreements’ impacts on patients, taxpayers, prescription drug costs, Medicare, Medicaid, competition, and federal spending.

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act is the House companion to legislation introduced in the Senate by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden and Senate Democrats.

When Time Matters Most, Patients Shouldn’t Have to Wait

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

READ ON 535.news.

Access to affordable, quality health care remains a challenge for too many Americans. For those living with metastatic breast cancer who can no longer work because of their disease, the challenges are even greater.

Time is precious for people living with metastatic breast cancer and their families. Yet under current law, many are forced to wait 24 months for Medicare and five months for SSDI benefits they spent their careers paying into. The outdated waiting periods create unnecessary barriers for people facing a life-threatening illness.

Tragically, the median life expectancy for someone diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer is just three years. Too many patients die before the benefits they earned through a lifetime of work ever become available. In the meantime, they and their families face mounting medical bills, lost income, and overwhelming financial strain at a time when their focus should be on treatment and making the most of their time with loved ones.

That is why we are partnering with the National Breast Cancer Coalition to lead a bipartisan effort to eliminate these outdated waiting periods and ensure patients can access the benefits they have earned when they need them most. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would provide immediate access to Medicare and SSDI benefits for individuals living with metastatic breast cancer, eliminating barriers that prevent patients from receiving the support they have earned.

The consequences of arbitrary waiting periods are not abstract. They affect families and patients every day.

Our legislation would help those like Missouri resident Tiana Russell. Tiana is a single mother who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2020. In 2025, while she worked as long as she could, Tiana was forced to leave her job due to her illness. She has been living on savings, but those funds are running dry, and she is struggling to secure financial support for her health care and to provide for herself and her son. Eliminating the waiting period will provide Tina with much-needed income through SSDI and health care through Medicare.

Long Island resident Catherine Marquardt was not as fortunate. Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2018 and no longer able to work, access to health care coverage through Medicare may have lengthened Catherine’s life, eased her pain, and reduced financial hardship. Instead, Catherine passed away on December 2, 2020, at age 48, just one day after her two-year waiting period was up and she qualified for Medicare.

Tragically, a new law did not come in time to help Catherine and too many others, but we can act now and give those living with metastatic breast cancer a fighting chance.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act has earned the support of more than 100 health care organizations and a majority of the House of Representatives. The need is clear, the solution is straightforward, and the bipartisan support is already there.

It is time for Congress to finish the job. We urge our colleagues to move this legislation forward and send it to the President’s desk. Every day of delay means more patients are forced to wait for benefits they have earned and desperately need.

For people living with metastatic breast cancer, time is not a luxury. Congress has an opportunity to do the right thing and ensure these patients receive the care and support they deserve when they need it most.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) and Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) are the bipartisan lead sponsors of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, legislation to eliminate Medicare and Social Security Disability waiting periods for individuals living with metastatic breast cancer.