U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and other Florida members of Congress urged the federal Civil Rights Commission this week to hold a hearing regarding the intent and people behind Florida’s voter suppression law, particularly following new information that the voter suppression effort was planned and coordinated. The new law limited access to the polls for minorities, seniors and college students. Among the changes, the new law eliminated the Sunday before Election Day as a day when voters could go to the polls. Data show that this had been a popular day for African-Americans and Hispanics to early vote. The Republican Legislature also targeted voter registration groups and made it more difficult to register voters. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott today, urging him to implement the provisions of the Affordable Care Act that would increase reimbursements to primary care physicians treating Medicaid patients. Castor, who served on the Energy & Commerce Committee while the legislation was written and helped write this provision, said the committee’s intent was for the payment increase to be automatic, meaning neither the governor nor state Legislature should delay the payment boost. Read more »

“The Justice Department’s settlement of BP’s criminal violations for the Deepwater Horizon blowout is a step towards justice for the families and communities that suffered the tragedy. BP must be held accountable for the loss of life, economic damage and environmental harm caused by the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout. Read more »

Nearly 1 million seniors in the Tampa Bay area would be forced to pay more for their health care premiums and would see a reduction in preventive care services if Congress implements Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said today, citing new data from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. House Republicans already have voted for the Ryan budget, which severely cuts Medicare and Medicaid. Under the plan, Floridians age 54 and younger would be given vouchers or coupons to cover their health care costs from a private insurance company. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and the mayors of Tampa and St. Petersburg encourage Tampa Bay area residents on Wednesday to line the route to honor the life of Army Spc. Brittany Gordon as her body is escorted in a dignified transfer procession through Tampa and St. Petersburg. Read more »

Sam Gibbons was truly one of Tampa’s greatest. He served his country with honor and distinction during World War II, in the state Legislature and in the United States Congress. Read more »

“Small-business owners and farmers across Florida worked diligently to make their case to the Obama Administration regarding unfair trade practices and the "dumping" of fresh tomatoes in the U.S. market. Unfair trade and unlawful dumping hurt Florida businesses and tomato farmers. We are grateful that the Obama Administration listened and we are on track to preserve jobs and boost the economy for these home-grown products. The benefits will be felt in Ruskin, Hillsborough County, Palmetto, Manatee County and throughout Florida." Read more »

“The investment of $500 million in community college students and the jobs of the future is a great shot in the arm for the State of Florida. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and the Obama Administration are right on track in their focus on education initiatives that will train our students for the jobs of the 21st century. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent traveled to Scott Air Force Base yesterday and made the case for jobs and economic development tied to the next generation of refueling tankers at MacDill Air Force Base and the community-wide MacDill Means Mobility campaign. Air Mobility Command, which is in charge of air refueling missions and tankers for the U.S. Air Force, is based at Scott. Scott also provides global oversight of the air refueling wing at MacDill and commands the global aeromedical evacuation mission and cargo mission. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today the United States Post Office located in East Tampa on East Hillsborough Avenue is officially renamed the Reverend Abe Brown Post Office. Castor's bill redesignating the post office was signed into law by President Obama on Friday. Castor held a news conference today with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, members of Brown’s family and many East Tampa community leaders to celebrate the change. Read more »