Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) voted in support of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, House Democrats’ comprehensive legislation to invest more than $1.5 trillion in modern, sustainable infrastructure while creating millions of good-paying jobs, combatting the climate crisis and addressing disparities in communities of color in Tampa and throughout the country. “Floridians understand transportation gridlock and crumbling infrastructure and know that we can create millions of jobs when we inve...
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Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) voted to reduce health care costs and lower prescription drug prices as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, a legislative package that also provides a renewed financial path for the State of Florida to expand Medicaid as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many from their jobs and health insurance. “COVID-19 highlights the importance of affordable health care, treatments and access, and I will continue to stand up for my neighbors...
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U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement after House passage of the historic George Floyd Justice in Policing Act today: “The George Floyd Justice In Policing Act of 2020 answers the widespread calls to reform police practices and tackle systemic racism across America. I have listened to my Tampa area neighbors and their calls for “justice” during marches, prayers and protests. Black lives matter, and I dedicate my vote to the generations of our Tampa neighbors who have suffered t...
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Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) renewed her demand for the release of the State of Florida’s COVID-19 Testing and Tracing Plan - this time through an official public records request under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes. Castor previously requested Governor DeSantis release the plan three weeks ago, but has received no response. So, now Castor is following this legal course. The State was required to send Florida’s plan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services before May 25, unde...
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In an effort to advise Hillsborough County Public School leaders of the appropriate expenditure of emergency aid funds, today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) advised local leaders that CARES Act education dollars are intended for public schools despite the U.S. Department of Education's (DOE) inaccurate guidance that suggests that funds may be shared broadly with private schools. Castor advised that the guidance from DOE Secretary Betsy DeVos is incorrect and inconsistent with the specific langua...
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This news release was issued by U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA07). WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) today are leading an effort calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide additional assistance to American families as they look for new health insurance coverage options during the COVID-19 crisis. Since February 2020, 15.2 million Americans hav...
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Castor Champions Justice in Policing Act of 2020 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that she is an original cosponsor of the newly introduced Justice in Policing Act of 2020, civil rights-focused legislation crafted by the Congressional Black Caucus and the House Judiciary Committee. “Protests and calls to action in wake of the brutal murder of George Floyd must lead to changes across America, in city halls, in state capitals and in Congress,” said Castor. “House Democrats are answeri...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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