Congressional Democrats will file a petition tomorrow morning to reopen the U.S. government and provide Republicans with an opportunity to vote to end the shutdown.  “Republican colleagues who have voiced support for a clean resolution to fund government operations will have an opportunity to bring that vote to the floor and halt further economic damage to our Tampa Bay neighbors… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) released the following statement upon U.S. Rep. Bill Young’s announcement of his planned retirement in 2014: Read more »

Below is a statement released by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) regarding the government shutdown: "Congressional Republicans’ refusal to back off their extreme demands has led to a shutdown of American government.  The Tea Party government shutdown will cause significant economic damage.  Our neighbors, veterans and business owners back home will suffer… Read more »

Florida families and individuals will benefit from a broad range of new health insurance options and lower than expected rates in the new Health Insurance Marketplace that will open next week. Rates in Florida are lower than expected and new tax credits for middle class families will help make health insurance even more affordable, according to today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "This is great news for our neighbors across the Tampa Bay area and all Floridians. Low rates and a wide range of choices will be a godsend to families. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) released the following statement in regards to the Continuing Resolution: Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor sent the attached letter to Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Surgeon General John Armstrong regarding yesterday’s decision by the Florida Department of Health to block navigators from local health department offices. Read more »

Without a direct threat to the national security of the United States, I oppose an overt military strike against Syria. As I have visited with my neighbors across my district this month I have heard from many of them who are extremely wary of military action that could lead to greater entanglement in a region where fighting factions are not aligned with the United States and our allies or our national interests. I urge you to be cautious and conservative and fully analyze the strategic aftermath. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) held an Affordable Care Act question-and-answer session today for small businesses at the University of South Florida Small Business Development Center. Attendees learned from experts about the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), a marketplace where employers will be able to choose from a range of affordable plans to offer their employees. With the ability to join a large pool through SHOP, small businesses will now have access to the same types of quality, affordable coverage that only large firms have today. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) and Tampa Bay’s tourism leaders today rallied at Busch Gardens around the pro-travel provisions of comprehensive immigration reform. The JOLT Act (Jobs Originated through Launching Travel) is part of the Senate-passed comprehensive immigration reform bill and the JOLT Act’s provisions are estimated to facilitate the arrival of nearly 100 million visitors by 2020 and support 1.3 million new domestic jobs, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) released the statement below following U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius’ announcement in Tampa today of a major grant to the University of South Florida (USF) as part of the $67 million awarded across the country to “navigators,” who will help consumers and small businesses shop for and enroll in the health insurance marketplace beginning Oct. 1: Read more »