Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month to honor a Tampa Bay native and visionary business leader, Candy Lowe Jones. As a champion of Black owned businesses and equitable economic opportunity, Candy Lowe has opened doors for connection, collaboration, and community empowerment across the Tampa Bay region. Born in Tampa, Florida, Lowe attended C. Leon King High School and… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced that Tampa small business owner Linda Misner will join her as her guest to President Trump’s State of the Union address to highlight how Republicans in Congress and the Trump Administration are driving up health care costs for working families and small business owners while giving massive tax giveaways for the wealthy and… Read more »

“Today is a good day for the American people who deserve relief from Trump’s wallet-busting tariffs. Floridians are grappling with higher prices for groceries, housing, appliances and electric bills - made worse by Trump’s illegal tariffs. Families are paying up to $1700 more per year under the Trump tariffs. The Supreme Court just confirmed that the President does not have the ability… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month to celebrate the entrepreneurial legacy of Elihu and Carolyn Brayboy, owners of Chief’s Creole Café. Like a hearty bowl of gumbo, the Brayboy’s and their beloved café brought comfort and community to neighbors across the Deuces corridor. Their commitment to preserving and investing in Black-owned businesses remain a pillar of their… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month to honor a captivating storyteller, entrepreneur and economic changemaker, Gypsy Gallardo. Ms. Gallardo devoted herself to leadership and advocacy for equitable economic, social, and political empowerment to benefit all Americans particularly Tampa Bay Area neighbors. Gallardo persevered through family substance abuse that tragically… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month to commemorate Starling School, located in the Childs Park neighborhood of St. Petersburg, and the leadership of Carolyn Cloud as a bedrock educational institution in St. Petersburg. Founded in 1974 by Viola and Jimmy Starling, Starling School has remained steadfast in its commitment to embracing and nurturing local youth. Jimmy… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month to commemorate the Johnson family and The Weekly Challenger, an unwavering pillar of journalism that has kept our Tampa Bay area neighbors connected with uplifting local stories. Their dedication to preserving the Black community shapes a legacy for generations to come. The Weekly Challenger origin story starts with Mr. Cleveland… Read more »

TAMPA, Fla. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) condemned President Trump’s decision to rescind the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Air Act “Endangerment Finding,” which requires the EPA to protect people from pollution that drives extreme weather and its costly, dangerous impacts under the Clean Air Act. “Trump has cemented his legacy as the most pro-polluter,… Read more »

Today, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement after voting ‘no’ on an extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):    “This is a moral moment for America. After the brutal murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and the widespread abuse of power by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released a statement on House Republicans’ legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): “The militarization of American cities is dangerous and un-American. At Donald Trump’s direction, ICE has discarded its core mission and is operating without… Read more »