Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) wrote Governor Ron DeSantis urging him to release a COVID-19 testing plan that was required by Congress. The State of Florida’s testing plan was due to HHS 30 days after enactment of H.R. 266- the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. The bill was signed into law on April 24, 2020. “Your efforts to proceed with reopening must be based on good science and public health recommendations, and be transparent for Floridians and policymakers t...
Read more
U.S. Rep. Castor championed new legislation designed to provide a more flexible lifeline to small businesses that are trying to survive and provide for their families and employees. H.R. 7010- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act of 2020 passed the House this afternoon. The Senate should be urged to take up and pass the House bill with alacrity in order to rush help to our small businesses in dire need. The original PPP was included in the CARES Act to speed emergency resources to s...
Read more
Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) urged Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Scott Rivkees to provide answers regarding the apparent firing of Rebekah Jones, the geographic information system manager for Department of Health’s Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, who manages the State’s Coronavirus data portal. “Amidst pressure to “reopen” the state regardless of data and science, transparency is vital to keeping our neighbors safe and ensuring that they have confidence tha...
Read more
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement after House passage of the Heroes Act. The Heroes Act is the fifth coronavirus aid emergency package passed by the House of Representatives. “The Heroes Act will speed much-needed assistance to Tampa Bay area frontline heroes, communities and families. Many of our neighbors are hurting. They need assistance with day-to-day realities like paying the rent, taking care of children and putting food on the table. The Heroes Act will help. “As st...
Read more
This week, a bipartisan group of Florida Members joined U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) to direct Governor Ron DeSantis to pull down funds to safeguard the 2020 elections that were provided by Congress in the CARES Act. The funds are to help Florida ensure safe and robust efforts in spite of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for a safe and successful 2020 election cycle. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. “Voting is...
Read more
Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor provided a Congressional COVID-19 update to Tampa Bay health care, policy and elected leaders regarding health care coverage, testing and resources included in the four federal COVID-19 aid packages passed by Congress since early March. “Congress directed that testing be provided at no cost and that the Trump Administration work in partnership with states and local communities on a widespread testing framework to save lives as Governor DeSantis allows businesses to ...
Read more
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement after the Hillsborough County Commission voted today to allocate the $256,847,065 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding provided by Congress. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. “It is crucial that Hillsborough County develop and implement a sound plan to allocate the $257 million in emergency aid provided by Congress throu...
Read more
Today, U.S. Rep. Castor (FL14) announced a $420k Small Business Administration grant for the Tampa Bay Women’s Business Centre at the Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women. The grant will fund the Centre’s CARES Project which is designed to help female entrepreneurs and business owners with training, education, and counseling as they navigate the impact of the COVID-19 virus. “The Centre for Women provides crucial assistance to small business owners. Its services are especially vital during the CO...
Read more
Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced two grants for the Tampa Housing Authority totaling over $1.7 million. These grants were provided by Congress through the CARES Act’s Public Housing Operating Fund and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance provisions. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package for states and local communities passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, our neighbors who rely on public housing need peace of mind th...
Read more
Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced an additional $41.4 million in Health Provider Relief Funds provided by the CARES Act to help Tampa hospitals and other providers continue to serve our neighbors, combat the spread of COVID-19 and keep health care professionals on the job and safe. To date, Florida health providers received over $2.6b from Congress’ third coronavirus package, the CARES Act, that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. This week’s newly released funds total over $389....
Read more
