Dear friend,
Happy New Year! |
The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program emanated out of a recommendation of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis to replace dirty, fuel-based buses to improve public health and lower pollution that is overheating the planet and fueling costly, catastrophic weather events. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Environmental Protection Agency are working for you. |
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DO YOU SUPPORT TAKING DIRTY SCHOOL BUSES OFF OUR ROADS?
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Submit survey to sign up for updates on my work in Congress.*
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If anyone had any illusions that 2024 might be different, the GOP proved again that they have zero interest in doing anything productive to help the American people. In the first vote of the new year, the extreme MAGA Republicans in the House, aka the Chaos Caucus, revolted and nearly tanked the entirety of this week’s floor schedule as we face a fast-approaching deadline to avoid a government shutdown. |
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Congress passed a budget deal into law last summer to restrain spending levels for FY 24/25, but the House GOP has broken its word in an effort to pass extreme measures like an abortion ban. Their inability to govern and focus on impeachments and closed-door investigations weakens America at a time when we should be united to tackle problems at home and tamping down conflict across the globe. |
Speaking of closed-door investigations, as lead the Democrat of the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, I spent all day Monday and Tuesday in a closed-door interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the retired Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Fauci served America with distinction under six presidents and provided the best scientific guidance during HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19 outbreaks, including advancing the rapid development of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.
Nevertheless, Dr. Fauci has been targeted by the MAGA crowd in Congress and Gov. DeSantis. Instead of using the time to examine the lessons learned from the pandemic and how we can protect our communities in the future, the Republicans used it to continue spreading widely debunked conspiracy theories and vilifying public health. It was a missed opportunity that should have been used to determine how the United States can better respond to emerging health threats. I urge the GOP to release the transcripts as soon as possible, including my discussion of the dangerous misinformation spread by Gov. DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Ladapo regarding the safe and effective COVID-19. Their distortions have cost lives. “The challenge we continue to face is the ongoing proliferation of misinformation and disinformation about these vaccines which results in vaccine hesitancy that lowers vaccine uptake. Given the dramatic reduction in the risk of death, hospitalization and serious illness afforded by the vaccines, lower vaccine uptake is contributing to the continued death and serious illness toll of COVID-19.” Read more on the latest response from the FDA to misguided policy by Surgeon General Ladapo here.
America is currently experiencing a COVID-19 surge, so I encourage you to stay up-to-date with your booster shot so you and your family stay healthy. Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you by visiting vaccines.gov. |
I also participated in the Environment Subcommittee hearing to push back on Republican attacks on the Environmental Protection Agency and its efforts to curb methane emissions, a potent and dangerous greenhouse gas. Notably, it was discovered that two of the Republican witnesses at the hearing submitted testimony from the same oil and gas lobbyist; yikes!
I will always work to protect our climate, lower costs and invest in healthy communities. |
I opposed S.J.Res. 38, which would weaken Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers; H.R. 788, which would prevent federal court settlements to non-federal entities; and H.J.Res. 98, which would overturn a ruling of the National Labor Relations Board. |
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In Florida, 47% of parents reported difficulties keeping food on the table for their families. This startling reality has pushed too many families to skip meals or go an entire day without eating. To confront this growing crisis, $248 million in federal funding was offered to the State of Florida in summer food assistance for kids through the federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). Instead of confronting this growing crisis, Governor DeSantis rejected this funding and deprived approximately 2 million Florida children of nutritious meals. It’s cruel and unnecessary. Governor DeSantis is putting Florida families at a disadvantage yet again due to his extreme politics by rejecting $248 million that would benefit approximately 2 million children across the state. He has turned his back on families and children and, again, failed to bring our tax dollars back to Florida. DeSantis’ short-sighted, reckless, and downright cruel rejection of this funding will take food away from children and risk significant harm to the health and well-being of children throughout the state. Read my full statement here. |
The numbers are in, and over 4 million Floridians have enrolled in high-quality, affordable health care plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. Across the country, over 20 million Americans have signed up to receive health coverage in 2024. Thanks to House Democrats and President Biden, the Inflation Reduction Act makes health coverage more affordable and accessible than ever before. Sign up by January 16th for an affordable health care plan in 2024 by clicking here. |
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As always, you can call my office at (813) 871-2817 or (727) 369-0201.
I hope to see you soon! |
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Sincerely,
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Kathy Castor
Member of Congress
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