Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding the passage of the Claims Resolution Act, which will direct $1.15 billion toward black farmers who faced discrimination in receiving farm loans and assistance. Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced the filing of H.R.6434, the Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Restoration Act of 2010. The Act directs that the bulk of the fines and penalties to be paid by BP for the Deepwater Horizon disaster shall be devoted to the economic and environmental recovery of the Gulf Coast. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor pledged today before a group of retirees at River Apartments in Tampa that she would push for a boost in Social Security payments to counterbalance the flat cost-of-living increase this year. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor issued the following statement regarding the release today of the Gulf Coast Restoration Plan. The Gulf Coast Restoration Plan outlines a series of recommendations, including asking Congress to dedicate money from the civil Clean Water Act to the Gulf Coast’s recovery. Under existing law, BP will be fined for every barrel of oil spilled. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act, which is poised to pass the U.S. House of Representatives this afternoon and be sent to President Obama: Read more »

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor urged local veterans, military personnel and beneficiaries of service members who were involuntarily extended on active duty between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 to apply for retroactive supplemental pay by October 21, 2010. Thousands of veterans are eligible for these payments nationwide but many benefits have gone unclaimed. Castor called on the community to spread the word to ensure that military personnel and veterans receive the benefits they are due. Read more »

Thousands of Florida teachers will keep their jobs, and Florida's struggling budget will receive a helpful shot in the arm tomorrow when the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation that will save thousands of education jobs and avoid more drastic layoffs and cuts. Read more »

“We have listened to our small business owners. Read more »

The oil disaster legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today will hold the oil industry accountable for disaster cleanup, strengthen oversight of the oil drilling industry, restore the Gulf Coast and eliminate the current $75 million limit on what an oil company can be required to pay small businesses and individuals for losses they incur as a result of an oil disaster. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor has proposed four amendments to the oil disaster response package, which is expected to be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Castor’s amendments focus on ensuring oil drilling remains far from Florida’s coasts; helping our region’s fishermen and small businesses; guaranteeing expert input as the Gulf Coast recovers from the disaster; and protecting the environment in parts of the country where drilling is currently allowed. Read more »