WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With Florida leading the country in the number of reported Zika virus cases, today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa Bay) criticized the Republican leadership in Congress for not only delaying support to fight the spread of the virus that causes severe birth defects, but also for falling short of the needed funding for CDC and NIH prevention and treatments. Read more »

Today, U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced the Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act, legislation that will increase safety for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding and must take medication. This bipartisan solution will identify major research gaps involving pregnant and lactating women who take prescription medication, and detail ways to promote safer medications for them to use. Read more »

Workers with skills in transportation and logistics are in high demand in Florida, with more than 50,000 jobs expected in these fields through 2020. To meet the demand, Hillsborough Community College has been building out a regional Advanced Transportation Technology Center (ATTC), a program that will now be completed through a $1 million grant from JPMorgan Chase & Co.—the largest-ever corporate contribution to the College. Read more »

Please view letter sent today by members of the Florida’s Congressional Delegation to Gov. Rick Scott regarding the State of Florida’s Department of Health (FDOH) data on new HIV infections in the state. Read more »

Today U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) was joined by local public health experts, Hillsborough County Mosquito Control and Hillsborough County Healthy Start to rally the community to prepare and fight the Zika virus. U.S. Rep. Castor emphasized, “fighting Zika starts at home" as all speakers urged the public to take action now to prepare for the virus known to cause birth defects. U.S. Rep. Castor also highlighted a study earlier this year that found that Florida and other Gulf coast states are some of the most vulnerable parts of the continental United States for year-round incursion by the Zika. The virus is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito which can be found in warm weather climates. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement after oral arguments today at the U.S. Supreme Court on the President’s Immigration Executive Actions: Read more »

The Congressional Budget Act requires Congress to enact a budget resolution by today, April 15. However, while the Republican Congress introduced one of most brutal budgets ever and even passed it out of the Budget Committee, Republicans failed to meet their obligation to bring it to the House Floor for a vote today. The surprising turn of events for the “majority” party highlights the dysfunction and turmoil in the Republican-led Congress where their already-savage budget proposal proved not radical enough to move for final passage. House Democrats remain committed to fighting for working Americans and bringing forth a budget consistent with the bipartisan, bicameral agreement already reached last fall. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) today called for a federal review of the Florida Department of Health’s significant downward revision to its reported HIV cases for 2014. After much public discussion over the noteworthy increase in Florida of HIV infections, FDOH recently reduced the number of reported cases from 6,147 to 4,613. Read more »

Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) sent a letter to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service urging for a more thorough review based upon available science, and Florida's continued population growth and climate change issues before considering the downlisting of the Florida manatee. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement after receiving a letter from the U.S. Department of Education stating it will conduct a compliance review of Pinellas County public schools: Read more »