Today, U.S. Rep. Castor filed the Permanent Investment in Health Research Act to remove medical research funding from the political whims of congressional budget battles and place the National Institutes of Health on more certain footing. The legislation was inspired by young researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center and University of South Florida who have expressed deep concern for the drastic cuts to research grants and their offers of jobs outside the United States. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) led the charge for higher wages and a modern American transportation and infrastructure plan today as the powerful House Budget Committee reviewed President Obama’s proposed FY2016 budget with Office of Management and Budget Director, Shaun Donovan. U.S. Rep. Castor zeroed in on specific needs for bigger paychecks and the Tampa Bay area’s economic and infrastructure needs. Read more »

Today U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) and Energy and Commerce Chairman Emeritus Joe Barton (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Advancing Care for Exceptional (ACE) Kids Act to improve the coordination of care for children with complex medical needs, while containing costs. The “medical home” model is based upon an innovative clinic started at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa 14 years ago. A Senate companion will also be introduced and Florida Senator Bill Nelson is an original cosponsor. Read more »

Today, local businessman and past Greater Tampa of Chamber of Commerce chair, Jose Valiente, will accompany U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) to the President’s State of the Union address. Coming off the heels of the President’s announcement last month to normalize relations with Cuba, Cuban-born Jose Valiente epitomizes the evolving views towards Cuba and the leading role Tampa Bay is poised to take as more engagement and expanding business ties with Cuba are underway. Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) praised historic changes to U.S./Cuba travel and trade policy that are certain to boost Tampa International Airport, expand educational, cultural and religious exchanges, and empower Cuban entrepreneurs. The U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments announced broad new regulations effective tomorrow that execute President Obama’s recent announcement of modernization of U.S. policy toward Cuba. Read more »

Please see the attached letter sent today to Health & Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell. “The violations of law outlined by the federal court are so egregious that the Florida’s Democratic Congressional Delegation from all parts of the state are joining me to urge federal oversight of health services to children enrolled in Florida Medicaid. Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s… Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) slammed the House Republican leadership’s reckless and ideological bill amendments that could result in defunding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor sent the attached letter today to U.S. HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell urging rigorous federal oversight of the State of Florida’s egregious, systematic failures to provide adequate health services to children enrolled in Medicaid. Last week, a U.S. Federal District Court ruled that Florida knowingly denied access to medical care to children enrolled in Medicaid in violation of federal law. U.S. Rep. Castor also criticizes Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to squander millions of taxpayer dollars on lawyers to fight the ruling rather than spend the money on essential health services to children. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) cheered the end of discrimination against gay couples in Florida on this first, historic day of marriage equality. U.S. Rep. Castor credited equal rights advocates across Florida for progress and congratulated all of Florida’s committed couples who have waited so long for marriage equality.   “Equal rights are fundamental to our… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today that she will host a Community Forum early in 2015 with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Tampa International Airport to educate Tampa Bay families and businesses on the evolving landscape tied to President Barack Obama’ historic announcement to normalize relations with Cuba last week. Read more »