I applaud the Administration -- Department of the Interior, NOAA and Department of Justice -- for negotiating with BP for this $1 billion down-payment. This includes a $100 million payment to the trustees of the state of Florida for Gulf Coast early environmental restoration. This is great news for Florida, coming one year after the BP/ Deepwater Horizon disaster devastated our state. Restoring our Gulf Coast is vital to our recovery. Read more »

The Republican budget resolution working its way through Congress would jeopardize improvements to Interstate 275 through Tampa and bridge repair and other safety projects, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said Thursday. Read more »

In one of the most high profile votes of the Republican-led Congress, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced her intended vote this afternoon against the GOP budget plan to end Medicare and replace it with a voucher system that would reduce benefits and shift costs to older Americans and their families. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor pressed Gov. Rick Scott in person to aggressively fight for Florida taxpayers – relating to the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster – at a Florida congressional delegation meeting this morning. Read more »

In response to a Republican-led proposal to end the Prevention and Public Health initiative, Congresswoman Kathy Castor highlighted today on the House floor the positive effects these community-led initiatives are having on the Tampa Bay area and the state of Florida. The University of South Florida, the Pinellas County Health Department and the Florida Department of Health, among others, are already using these investments to improve our health and wellness. Read more »

I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to finalize the compromise for the remaining budget year so workers can stay on the job and necessary services remain up and running for all Americans. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor is co-sponsoring an amendment today to the Republican-proposed 2012 budget that would turn back Republican cuts to schools, students and Head Start across America. The newly proposed Republican budget cuts elementary and secondary education (Title I) as well as Head Start and thousands of related jobs. Castor’s amendment is paid for by eliminating tax loopholes for major oil companies, corporate jets, and other special interest exclusions. Read more »

In response to a Republican-led proposal to terminate the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Congresswoman Kathy Castor highlighted today on the House floor the positive effects the initiative has had on neighborhoods throughout the Tampa Bay area. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced today that she and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise have created the bipartisan Gulf Coast Caucus to help address emergencies, and discuss legislation and policy affecting the Gulf Coast. Caucus members – Democrats and Republicans – will work together to find ways to boost the Gulf Coast economy and environment, which were severely affected by last year’s BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. The group’s work will focus on issues including oil-related restoration and recovery, hurricane response efforts, tourism and seafood marketing. Read more »

“Today, Gov. Scott turned his back on Floridians and sent our $2.4 billion in high-speed rail money, and the tens of thousands of jobs associated with it, to other states. Read more »