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… 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… 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… 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… 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… 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,… Read more »

“Today, the House of Representatives passed a fourth bipartisan coronavirus aid package to speed significant emergency resources to small businesses, provide critical resources for brave frontline health workers including personal protective equipment and boost hospitals and health providers like Tampa General, BayCare and Tampa Family Health Centers that are serving the Tampa community… Read more »

Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL14), Stephanie Murphy (FL07) and Donna Shalala (FL27) wrote Governor Ron DeSantis urging him to implement the free coronavirus testing that Congress provided in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which was signed into law on March 18, 2020. This law authorized governors to amend state Medicaid plans to cover COVID-19 testing and testing-related… Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Gulf Marine Repair a $692,100 Maritime Administration (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant. The Maritime Administration's Small Shipyard Grant Program is designed to support small shipyard projects that make capital and related improvements or provide training for workers in… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor led the Florida Congressional Democratic delegation in calling for Governor Ron DeSantis to take immediate steps to protect the health and wellbeing of Floridians during the COVID-19 crisis.  These steps include ensuring congressionally passed aid gets to states and localities, expanding Medicaid, reinstating Medicaid retroactive eligibility, boosting resources… Read more »