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 joined with the Congressional Black Caucus today in an organized protest and "walk out" of the U.S. House chamber when Republicans called for a vote to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor was joined by small business and community leaders today for a roundtable discussion about the challenges facing women when it comes to equal pay in the workplace and the effect that has on our local economy. Castor urges the Senate to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act this afternoon and encourages the House to bring this critical legislation to a vote. Read more »

In 2009, Tampa surgeon Dr. Sharona Ross launched the Women in Surgery initiative at the University of South Florida. Ross was troubled that so few bright, motivated female medical school students chose surgery as their specialty area. She is committed to turning that around. Read more »

In advance of Friday’s U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to be held in Tampa, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor today joined with leaders in the African American, Hispanic, and student communities to highlight how Gov. Rick Scott’s voter suppression laws are disproportionately harming their communities and the ability to vote. Read more »

The U.S. House gave final approval today to the federal hate crimes legislation. Congresswoman Kathy Castor co-sponsored a similar bill in the House. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor hails the passage today of the Federal Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which will ensure that hate crimes based on sexual orientation will be treated the same way as hate crimes committed on the basis of race, religion and national origin. I Read more »