Representative Kathy Castor

Dear friend,

House Republicans are failing America and our allies at a time when tyranny and terrorism are on the march. Extreme MAGA Republicans complain about border security but refuse to act to address the issue. Republicans care more about their politics than the best interests of the American people.

President Biden proposed a comprehensive security package months ago to protect America and stand with our democratic allies. He worked with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to add tough border security measures, but Republicans walked away. Instead, MAGA Republicans stalled U.S. national security aid to Ukraine, Israel and humanitarian aid to Gaza - and doubled down on political charades in the hope that the American people would be fooled into thinking that Republicans are doing something.

In an evenly divided Congress, members should work together in a bipartisan way to craft solutions, especially fixing our broken immigration laws. MAGA Republicans have not learned this lesson and that has resulted in the least productive Congress in U.S. history where chaos often reigns.

Speaker Johnson should return to the negotiating table to craft a national security agreement that secures the border and provides support for the people of Ukraine and Israel while also providing much-needed humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by conflicts around the world. Millions of Palestinians have been forced to leave their homes for cramped, dirty shelters as water and food supplies dwindle, deepening the already urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Failing to deliver humanitarian assistance will only undermine stability in the region.

Abandoning our allies at this moment risks emboldening authoritarians and terrorist groups that threaten global peace and security. House Republicans must put their dangerous, partisan political games aside and work with Democrats on bipartisan legislation that helps all of our allies, supports our national security and strengthens our border.

DO YOU SUPPORT BIPARTISAN BORDER SECURITY SOLUTIONS?

YES

NO

I DON'T KNOW

VOTES LAST WEEK

H.R. 485 – Higher Drug Costs Act: Yet another example of House Republicans doing Big Pharma’s bidding to keep prescription drug prices high for Americans. The historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) capped the price of insulin at $35/month, (finally) allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and explicitly banned the use of discriminatory cost-effectiveness measures, such as quality-adjusted life years. House Republicans’ bill would have raised costs and I voted “no”.

The sham impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas by MAGA Republicans was a tactic to distract Americans from the chaos and failure to accomplish anything on border security. In a closely divided Congress, members must work together on bipartisan solutions. The new Speaker rejected a bipartisan and tough border security proposal before he even read it because they didn’t want to give President Biden a win.

National Security Assistance - For months, MAGA Republicans have stalled critical security and humanitarian aid. This bill fell far short of what is needed to support our interests around the globe, but it would replenish the Iron Dome, a missile defense system that has helped protect the people of Israel from terrorist rocket fire and boost funding for operations to defend American bases, soldiers and interests located in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. CENTCOM is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

MY COMMITTEE WORK

Last week in my Energy and Commerce Committee, we debated the important pause of fossil gas exports to China and other countries. Electric bills in Florida are exorbitant due to being too reliant on gas, and methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas that is fueling the heating of the climate. The Energy Department made a responsible decision to reevaluate the national security, economic, and environmental consequences of greater gas exports. Republicans side with the oil and gas industry all of the time even if it dirties our air and coasts, raises electric bills, and provides gas to the China communist party. Cleaner, cheaper American energy should be our focus.

In my Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee, we took a look at the FDA’s ability to protect the health and safety of Americans from the myriad of drugs that are manufactured overseas. The FDA has a strong reputation for safety internationally, and its foreign inspections help ensure that our neighbors’ food and drugs meet high-quality standards—whether those products are made here or abroad. We need to keep it that way. It is critical that FDA has the resources to conduct foreign inspections to keep us safe.

VALENTINES FOR VETERANS

Spread the love this month to our Tampa Bay area veterans! Drop off a valentine at either my St. Petersburg or Tampa office anytime in February to be delivered to local veteran hospitals.

As always, you can call my office at (813) 871-2817 or (727) 369-0201.

I hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor

Member of Congress