Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced nearly $6 million to boost Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education opportunities, especially for Hispanic-American students. The grant is for five-years from the U.S. Department of Education to Hillsborough Community College (HCC) and is the largest in its history in this category. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions – Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (HSI STEM) and Articulation Program. HSI provides grant funding to colleges and universities to assist with bolstering academics to expand educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans and other underrepresented populations. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor attended today's oral arguments in West Virginia v. EPA in which certain states, utilities and fossil fuel companies are challenging President Obama’s Clean Power Plan at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.   “America needs to move toward clean, renewable energy sources now to slow climate change through policies that support renewable energy and… Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced that the Tampa Housing Authority and local partners received a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant for $2.5 million to connect residents to education, training and jobs as part of the Jobs-Plus Initiative. The Tampa Housing Authority is one of only six recipients of the grant nationwide and the only Florida recipient. The Tampa… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Castor announced a $1.1 million U.S. Department of Labor grant for CareerSource Pinellas’ YouthBuild, which gives youth seeking a second chance in life a bright and hopeful future by giving them the education and job training they need to turn their lives around. Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) and House Speaker Paul Ryan welcomed Rev. Clarence A. Williams, Pastor of Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E., of St. Petersburg, Fla. to the U.S. House of Representatives as Guest Chaplain. Rev. Williams opened today’s session of the U.S. House of Representatives by leading it in its opening prayer. U.S. Rep. Castor followed with remarks on House floor that highlighted Rev. Williams’ lifetime commitment to equal rights and economic opportunity for all our neighbors and especially Tampa Bay’s children. Below is video of Rev. Williams’ opening prayer as well as U.S. Rep. Castor’s remarks. Read more »

After calling for a congressional hearing last week on the outrageous cost increases by Mylan corporation for the price of the EpiPen, today U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) cosponsored bipartisan and bicameral legislation to address skyrocketing prescription drug price increases by corporations. The FAIR Drug Pricing Act would require basic transparency for pharmaceutical corporations that increase drug prices by more than 10 percent a year. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that Tampa International Airport received a $5.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for important airfield upgrades. The new infrastructure dollars follow two other significant transportation announcements: New Tampa International Airport flights to Cuba and new, modern buses for HART. All are welcome news for hard-working families and businesses of Tampa Bay. Read more »

After returning from the longest summer recess in at least 60 years, House Republicans once again refused to address the public health threat of the Zika virus and announced they have no plans to take up a bill next week to address the fight against a growing outbreak. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement and helpful list of resources available to help former ITT students following its abrupt closure earlier this week: Read more »

U.S. soldiers serving deployments across the globe enjoy care packages sent by charitable organizations and grateful communities back home. These care packages soon will be missing a popular item if Congress does not act:  Cigars. Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor – who represents Tampa, Fla., historically dubbed “Cigar City” – filed legislation to restore charitable contributions of… Read more »