To combat the ever-evolving terrorist threat, our military must have the flexibility to adapt to the tactics of the radical jihadis, and the Global Coalition to Counter IS must contribute more to the effort. Specifically, America’s Special Forces must have the most modern intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools to battle terrorist extremists and to keep us safe. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding H.R. 4038. Please also see U.S. Rep. Castor’s op-ed, “To combat Islamic State, strengthen Special Forces and insist on more help from other nations,” published today. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today voted for the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, a budget agreement that breaks the gridlock that has gripped Congress and averts a government default. Read more »

Like the Select Committee on Benghazi, which has squandered a total of more than $4.5 million since it was established 72 weeks ago, House Republicans are once again abusing power and taxpayer money on another witch-hunt. This time their target is Planned Parenthood and women’s health care. A resolution to create this select committee is under consideration today. Read more »

With 151 House Republicans who voted to shut down the government yesterday and opposed the short-term budget, or Continuing Resolution, uncertainty and unease are building across America’s armed services as a new deadline of December 11 looms over vital national security funding. Republicans in Congress also have ignored calls from Defense Secretary Ash Carter and military leaders on the troubling direction of the Republican defense bill. Secretary Carter is recommending a veto of the typically bipartisan national defense bill over Republican budget gimmicks that would weaken America’s national security. Such uncertainty directly impacts all military services and missions, including the vital operations of U.S. Central Command and Special Operations Command that are headquartered at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Fla. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) sent the attached letter to James A. Haley VA Hospital regarding recent media reports of rodents and pests in the hospital’s food service areas. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) joined top military commanders in criticizing the Republican budget gimmick that leaves the Pentagon unsure about future funding and takes the country down a fiscally irresponsible path. Despite the warnings, House Republicans today passed a $579 billion defense spending bill -- above the ceiling of $523 billion set by the 2011 Murray Ryan Budget Control Act. The bill also drew criticism because in addition to busting the caps, $88 billion of the total $579 billion represents Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funds – unstable funds with limited uses. The bill passed by a vote of 278-149. Read more »

By U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, published in The Tampa Tribune on May 25, 2015. Every generation of American service men and women defines the courage and determination of our nation. Salutes to the Greatest Generation are especially poignant this year as we recognize the 70th anniversary of World War II Victory in Europe (V-E) Day and the 70th anniversary of Victory in Japan (V-J) Day. The… Read more »

Just a week after U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter called the bill a “road to nowhere,” House Republicans are poised to bust the federal budget caps in the annual defense bill and thereby delay implementation of the nation’s defense requirements. Read more »

Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL14) and David Jolly (R-FL13) met with wing commanders at MacDill Air Force Base for a strategy session on base requirements, such as infrastructure updates needed for the new KC-135 tanker aircraft scheduled to arrive at MacDill in FY18, expanded base housing and relocated Army Reserve helicopter units “A year ago, the Tampa Bay community learned that… Read more »