Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) is accompanying President Barack Obama on Air Force One to travel to Tampa, FL in support of his visit with active duty members at MacDill Air Force Base, home of the U.S. Special Operations Command, the 6th Air Mobility Wing and U.S. Central Command. Rep. Castor is also traveling with the President in support of the counterterrorism campaign he has directed as Commander-in-Chief. Read more »
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.
“I am pleased that a number of provisions in the bill passed today could benefit the Airmen and their families who serve at MacDill Air Force Base, including a 2.1 percent pay raise for our troops and their families and an authorization for an Army Reserve… Read more »
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement regarding today’s change of command ceremonies (CENTCOM and SOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, which she represents as part of her congressional district: Read more »
MacDill Air Force Base is on a short list of bases to be considered for the next base selection round of next generation of air refueling tankers, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today. If selected, MacDill could become home to 36 new KC-46 tankers in the spring of 2020. A final basing decision could come as early as the end of 2016. Read more »
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 »