Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding the change of command at Tampa- headquartered U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM): Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced today that $15.2 million is allocated for infrastructure expansion at MacDill Air Force Base, a construction initiative that will create and maintain jobs in the Tampa Bay area. The money is designated in the fiscal year 2012 Military Construction/ VA Appropriations bill, which the House of Representatives is expected to vote on today. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor successfully amended the National Defense Authorization Act to improve the prospects for local job creation as the House Armed Services Committee passed the bill out of committee early today. The Castor amendments provide additional funding for national air force base infrastructure and health care research that can be leveraged for MacDill Air Force Base, the University of South Florida, and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. Castor also authored a specific commendation to the Special Operations personnel for the successful and historic mission to bring Osama bin Laden to justice. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor is urging eligible veterans, military personnel and their beneficiaries to apply for retroactive supplemental pay as soon as possible because the new deadline – April 8 – is approaching. Read more »

On Memorial Day we are reminded of the brave sacrifice our troops have made for America. We remember those who have died defending our great nation, leaving behind mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives. Read more »

The U.S. Congress passed a defense appropriations bill that includes almost $10 million in investments that Congressman Kathy Castor secured for the Tampa Bay area, including for the University of South Florida and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Read more »

With Congress designating 2009 as the Year of the Military Family, Congresswoman Castor continued her commitment to our troops and their families as the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Defense Authorization bill today. Read more »

Working to improve medical care for injured soldiers and war veterans, Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced today that federal funding is being directed to Tampa to support the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and MacDill Air Force Base. Read more »

U.S. Central Command will orchestrate wars from a four-story, $60 million headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base, where officials broke ground on the project Monday. The 250,000-square-foot facility will house about 1,800 military employees who run the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as oversee counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, humanitarian relief and other operations in 20 countries. Read more »

Castor on Wednesday said the "safe haven for Al Qaeda in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border is one of the greatest strategic threats to the United States" and the Bush Administration "must refocus" its attention there. "Further, I hope General Petraeus' experiences in Iraq will force him to take into account the wear and tear on our war fighters, their equipment and their families," said Castor. Read more »