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 »

Today, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor announced strong support for historic changes in U.S. policy towards Cuba. President Obama detailed the changes which include reestablishing diplomatic relations, expanding travel opportunities and support for the Cuban people. U.S. Rep. Castor has been working for years to encourage the changes announced by the President today. Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) issued the following statement regarding the House Republican Spending Bill: Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced that the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today, includes a pay increase for servicemembers, important new investments for special operations, authorizes replacement of the Air Force’s KC-135 tankers with new KC-46 aerial refueling tankers, and provides significant polices for MacDill Air Force… Read more »