Thank you for your extensive outreach over the past week. I share your alarm over the Trump administration's many illegal and harmful actions.
Elon Musk’s incursion into U.S. Treasury payment systems and access to personal, private taxpayer data triggered new legislation to protect private records and Medicare and Social Security. I also am tracking closely the announced threat to elementary and secondary schools, students with disabilities and special education, Pell grants and financial aid as the new president targets closure of the U.S. Department of Education.
The harm to students, schools, colleges, and teachers in the Tampa Bay region would be immense. It is unlawful and unconstitutional to dismantle federal agencies and initiatives without a change in the law and approval by Congress. That’s why a huge number of lawsuits have been filed to challenge illegal executive orders such as the shutdown of all federal operational resources, grants, and loans.
The federal court that issued the temporary restraining order on the shutdown in funding noted that such shutdown would have “catastrophic impacts on people across the country, denying them access to essential programs.” You can track the wide-range of legal challenges here Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions. Meanwhile, any focus on reducing costs and tackling the cost of living by the new Administration seems to have fallen by the wayside. |
There is good news at home! Our longtime initiative to ensure that MacDill Air Force Base (AFB) will be home to the new KC-46 refueling tankers is official. 6th Air Refueling Wing Commander Col. Edward Szczepanik and I broke ground to kick off the update to hangars, flightline and more for the KC-46 Pegasus. |
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The KC-46 boasts a larger height, width and wingspan than the KC-135 Stratotanker. “The KC-46 is the pinnacle of air-refueling technology,” said Szczepanik. “We are taking a historic step forward as we break ground on the future of air refueling. The KC-46 is not just an upgrade, it’s a game changer.”
The KC-46 mission cements MacDill for decades to come as a lead refueling operational base - vital to our national security and mobility across the globe. |
Hurricane Heroes at MacDill Air Force Base, Boricuas de Corazon and Konan’s BBQ provided vital support by feeding their neighbors for free, helping communities remove drywall from flooded homes, or educating their neighbors on best practices before, during and after the storm. They all have one thing in common: they put their communities before themselves, and that is what makes a strong and resilient recovery.
I am grateful for each groups selfless aid to the Tampa Bay area. Thank you, heroes! |
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Thank you to everyone who joined me at my Tampa Black History Month celebration where we honored the achievements of Commander Eunice Butts and educator and librarian Carrie Hurst at the Robert W. Saunders Public Library – one of two African American Research Libraries in the state of Florida! Ms. Butts’ and Ms. Hurst’ stories are inspiring, and it is imperative we to honor their legacy, among many others. I look forward to my St. Pete celebration later this month. |
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Thank you to the churches, the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County and other partners who helped build new affordable apartments in Tampa at Casabel-Mar!
Federal housing dollars are critical to lowering costs and bringing down rent The ribbon has officially been cut and move-ins have begun. Welcome home! |
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I was thrilled to honor Vietnam War Veterans who may not have been welcomed home with open arms in the 1960s and 1970s with the official 50th War Anniversary Pins with the help of USF St. Pete and USF Office of Veterans Success.
Thank you for your service! |
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I love checking in with talented students, including at St. Pete Studio 620 where Pinellas County students are displaying scenes of resilience after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Their storytelling is important for our community to heal and build back stronger. |
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H.R. 27: Far too many families in Florida struggle with opioid addiction, and I have worked intently on solutions like treatment, research and support for law enforcement.
The opioid crisis is real and devastating, and addressing it requires a multi-prong, public-health-centered approach. That’s why I helped pass the SUPPORT Act last year in the House to send help to communities that need it. Unfortunately, Elon Musk tanked the bipartisan bill in December. Rather than bring that bill back, House Republicans passed a bill that was opposed by the vast number of providers and simply provides mandatory minimum sentences for an over-broad list of fentanyl precursors.
Watch my remarks on the House Floor: |
H.R. 26: Although the Trump Administration is not proposing to ban fracking for gas, Republicans passed a bill to more broadly allow fracking on public lands. Big Oil and Gas companies are producing more in the U.S. than at any time in history and by any country.
This is part of the push to export more gas, which would have the effect of raising prices on Americans. We know this in Tampa Bay area because 75% (!) of our electricity is generated by gas and it’s been so volatile but quite lucrative for utility shareholders – crazy in the Sunshine State.
You can count on me to protect your pocketbooks and public lands for future generations. |
I kicked off my first hearing as Ranking Member of the Energy Subcommittee in Energy and Commerce this week!
I will use my leadership position to lower the cost of energy, expand cost-saving energy efficiency, and ensure that cleaner, cheaper energy is available for everyone. I am not afraid to stand up to our local utilities, Big Oil and Gas and the politicians who double down on their profits without regard to the public. Plus, China is eager for President Trump to kill America’s clean energy economy so it can dominate the global market.
Today, clean energy, battery and EV factories are opening across America because we’ve invested domestic manufacturing and pollution reduction - investments that make us more energy secure and lower costs for working families. |
If you are having issues with Social Security, Medicare, Disaster Assistance, Veterans Affairs, Immigration or need assistance with a passport renewal, contact my offices for help by calling (813) 871-2817 or (727) 369-0201.
I pledge to always fight for you and your family, not self-interested billionaires. |
Thanks and see you soon, Kathy Castor |
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