“ As a parent and an American, my heart goes out to the victims and families in Newtown, Conn. We simply cannot tolerate this type of violence any longer. There is no reason people need access to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Commonsense regulation is appropriate. It is time for us as a Congress and as a nation to take swift action. Congress should consider and pass the assault weapons ban this week. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today the award of a $30 million grant for the revitalization of northern downtown Tampa and the Encore redevelopment. Tampa is one of only four communities nationwide to receive a grant today from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Choice Neighborhood initiative. Read more »

After years of resistance to the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) by Republican leadership in the State of Florida, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today that she is buoyed by reports that the state will not oppose an important ACA provision relating to increased reimbursements to primary care physicians treating Medicaid patients – predominately children, seniors and pregnant women. Castor championed this provision for inclusion into the ACA in July 2009 as a member of the Energy & Commerce Committee and has worked to ensure broad-based implementation because of its importance to Florida families and their access to health care. Read more »

Nearly 200,000 Florida seniors and people with disabilities have saved more than $338 million on prescription drugs as a result of the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today. Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also show that in 2012, almost 200,000 beneficiaries in the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “doughnut hole” have saved an average of $658. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and other Florida members of Congress urged the federal Civil Rights Commission this week to hold a hearing regarding the intent and people behind Florida’s voter suppression law, particularly following new information that the voter suppression effort was planned and coordinated. The new law limited access to the polls for minorities, seniors and college students. Among the changes, the new law eliminated the Sunday before Election Day as a day when voters could go to the polls. Data show that this had been a popular day for African-Americans and Hispanics to early vote. The Republican Legislature also targeted voter registration groups and made it more difficult to register voters. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott today, urging him to implement the provisions of the Affordable Care Act that would increase reimbursements to primary care physicians treating Medicaid patients. Castor, who served on the Energy & Commerce Committee while the legislation was written and helped write this provision, said the committee’s intent was for the payment increase to be automatic, meaning neither the governor nor state Legislature should delay the payment boost. Read more »

“The Justice Department’s settlement of BP’s criminal violations for the Deepwater Horizon blowout is a step towards justice for the families and communities that suffered the tragedy. BP must be held accountable for the loss of life, economic damage and environmental harm caused by the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout. Read more »

Nearly 1 million seniors in the Tampa Bay area would be forced to pay more for their health care premiums and would see a reduction in preventive care services if Congress implements Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said today, citing new data from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. House Republicans already have voted for the Ryan budget, which severely cuts Medicare and Medicaid. Under the plan, Floridians age 54 and younger would be given vouchers or coupons to cover their health care costs from a private insurance company. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and the mayors of Tampa and St. Petersburg encourage Tampa Bay area residents on Wednesday to line the route to honor the life of Army Spc. Brittany Gordon as her body is escorted in a dignified transfer procession through Tampa and St. Petersburg. Read more »

Sam Gibbons was truly one of Tampa’s greatest. He served his country with honor and distinction during World War II, in the state Legislature and in the United States Congress. Read more »