“This is great news for our hardworking small-business owners and tourism leaders on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Although the Tampa Bay area has had no oil on its beaches, our hotels, restaurants and fishermen have been affected nonetheless. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor was recognized today as a “Champion for Children” by First Focus, a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to children’s issues. 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 »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement about the Rev. Abe Brown. Castor attended Chamberlain High School when Brown was dean. She will speak at Saturday’s funeral. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor urges Floridians who are struggling to afford telephone service to stay connected by exploring the federal Lifeline and the state Link-Up initiatives. This week is National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week, but too few Floridians know they could be eligible for this vital help. Read more »

La Congresista Kathy Castor le urge a los Floridianos que tienen problemas haciendo sus pagos con su servicio telefónico, que exploren iniciativas federales tales como Lifeline y Link-Up que es una iniciativa del estado. Esta semana es la Semana Nacional del Descuento Telefónico de Lifeline, pero muy pocos Floridianos tienen conocimiento de que podrían ser elegibles para esta ayuda vital. 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 »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor toured a "weatherized" St. Petersburg home today to view energy-efficient improvements and jobs being spread throughout the community by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Due to its success over the past year, the Pinellas County Urban League won another $1.5 million to expand its weatherization initiative, create jobs and save local residents on electric bills. Read more »

In a letter to Congresswoman Kathy Castor today, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Stupak released findings of how much BP has spent on advertising since the oil disaster. The findings were released to Castor because she prompted the probe. Read more »