Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) urged Governor Ron DeSantis to veto anti-consumer and anti-clean energy H.B. 919, legislation that is awaiting his signature. Castor, who serves as Chair of the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, highlighted numerous concerns in her correspondence to the Governor. Earlier this month, Rep. Castor was joined by St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, the Climate Leadership Engagement Opportunities (CLEO) Institute and Florida Conservat...
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Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL14) and John Katko (NY24) reintroduced the bipartisan Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act. This legislation would provide immediate access to support and medical care for individuals with metastatic breast cancer who already qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and are therefore eligible for Medicare. Under current law, these individuals must wait five months for SSDI and 24 months for Medicare benefits to take effect. This bill would ...
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Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced that the Acting Secretary of the Air Force has approved MacDill Air Force Base as one of the final two operating bases up for consideration as the newest KC-46 Main Operating Base (MOB). This would replace 24 x KC-135s at MacDill with 24 x KC-46As. “The KC-46 is a next generation tanker aircraft, and locating the planes and personnel at MacDill would be an ideal choice. We do not have encroachment issues like other bases, and have well-paved runway...
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Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced more than $180 million in emergency funding for Hillsborough Community College (HCC), the University of South Florida (USF), the University of Tampa (UT) and students in Florida’s 14th Congressional District under the American Rescue Plan. The funding will help local institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue serving their students safely. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be...
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U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released a statement following the announcement that Hillsborough County Public Schools will receive a portion of the of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) II funds appropriated by Congress in December 2020. “While I am gratified that Hillsborough County Public Schools will benefit from Covid19 federal emergency aid, students and educators should not have been forced to wait over five months for the state to release a portion these funds....
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Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced her support for the 10 community projects allowed for consideration by the House Appropriations Committee in appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year. This year marks the first time that Members of Congress have been able to submit specific community projects for direct funding in over a decade. Rep. Castor is advocating for the 10 projects based upon community support and pressing local needs - from improving water quality to providing men...
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Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced that she will attend tonight’s address to a Joint Session of Congress by President Joe Biden, who is expected to outline the progress made by his Administration ahead of his 100th day in office. Rep. Castor - who serves as Chair of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis – also announced that she has invited a young Florida climate activist, Chere’ Erickson, as her virtual guest to witness the historic speech. “With passage of the American Rescue Plan ...
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Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced that more help is here for Tampa Bay businesses and jobs as the Small Business Administration’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program has begun accepting applications. Castor secured additional funding for the program as part of the American Rescue Plan’s support for small businesses. The program includes a total of over $16 billion in grants for shuttered venues. Local venue operators can get more information on how to apply at SBA.gov HER...
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Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) reintroduced her bipartisan Florida Coastal Protection Act with Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL16) and a bipartisan majority of the Florida delegation, to make permanent the moratorium on oil drilling off Florida’s coast that is slated to expire in 2022. Last Congress, this legislation passed the House with a bipartisan majority and sat on Mitch McConnell’s desk without a vote. “Here in the Sunshine State, our natural resources and beautiful beaches are central to our...
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Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) introduced the Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2021 which will increase access to solar energy across the Tampa Bay area for all neighbors, regardless of income. As we celebrate Earth Day, Rep. Castor is working to expand a Department of Energy program that encourages community solar projects nationwide and increases accessibility to energy produced by lower-cost solar power. Watch Rep. Castor’s bill introduction Facebook Live event here. “Clean energy...
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