After thoughtful consideration and review, I voted against President Bush’s $700 billion bailout. The Bush plan does not provide sufficient help to middle-class families in the housing squeeze or taxpayer protections. I assisted hundreds of Tampa Bay families at my foreclosure workshops this summer and I understand the need for direct, immediate action. The Bush plan failed to provide such action. I will work to ensure that this freewheeling deregulation that has brought our great country to this serious day does not happen again. I strongly support the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee investigations which begin this week, and will push for accountability for those responsible for the damage to our communities. Congress should go back to the drawing board as soon as possible this week to tackle the issue. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today she is continuing to push for quality, affordable health care with an immediate increase of Medicaid dollars to Florida and other states suffering from the economic downturn. As Congress considers a second economic stimulus package, Castor will fight to focus the package on jobs and health care. Read more »

In addition to more drilling, the package also will set new standards for renewable energy use, repeal tax breaks given to oil companies, and invest billions of dollars in royalties that oil companies pay for drilling rights into the development of alternative energy. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL) today visited Meadowlawn Middle School to personally witness a classroom of struggling readers using the locally developed Tune In to Reading program. The school has made the most gains in reading in Pinellas County, going from a “C” school to a “B” school thanks to its partnership with Tampa-based Electronic Learning Products. Read more »

New federal help for the big mortgage lenders and first-time homebuyers could help revive Tampa's housing market. The quicker markets stabilize, the less taxpayers will have to pay in the complex bill with an unknown price tag. Read more »

“Toys with lead and other dangerous chemicals are now banned. Our children and families deserve to be protected from and advised about imported toys and products that threaten their health.” Read more »

“Our landmark legislation today throws a lifeline to families who are struggling to maintain the American dream of home ownership during this housing crisis and economic downturn,” said Castor from the House floor. Read more »

Monday morning, Burke stood beside Castor as the representative spoke about her plans to address the backlog. Burke, who said she suffers from diabetic neuropathy and other ailments, first applied for disability benefits in 2000. After her application was denied twice, she hired a lawyer to help her slog through the quagmire. In the meantime, though, she had to move in with her mother, who, though past retirement, continued to work to help the family survive, said Burke, 40. Read more »

President Bush and VP Cheney continue to side with Big Oil over the interests of the American people. Bush’s claim that drilling off of coastal Florida will lower gas prices is a hoax and a sham. Even Florida’s biggest pro business lobby states that drilling off our coast will not do anything to lower gas prices. Instead, a comprehensive energy plan is required that targets oil speculators to lower prices, promotes conservation and transit, forces oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres already available to them but not being tapped, and encourages drilling in the national reserve area to more immediately increase our oil supplies Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor says if oil companies are interested in drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, they should consider millions of acres already available to them that's not being tapped. Read more »