Dear friend,
How can we better support families across America? It’s one of my prime motivations in public service and a matter of concern for all Americans. This week I introduced the “Keep Kids Covered Act” and passed bills out of committee to keep kids safe online, provide them with a strong, healthy start in life, and lower costs for families. |
The Keep Kids Covered Act will ensure children have consistent access to stable, high-quality Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance coverage. Research shows that children with health coverage are healthier, do better in school and grow into more successful adults. |
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As the Co-Chair of the Children’s Health Care and Childhood Cancer Caucuses, I am enthused to lead the fight for affordable health care, and treatments and cures for childhood cancer patients at every stage. |
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September 19th was National Stillbirth Prevention Day, and I have worked tirelessly in the Congress to better understand and one day end the stillbirth crisis through meaningful legislation and investment in necessary research and resources. I am urging my colleagues here in Washington to bring my SHINE for Autumn Act to a vote on the House floor so we can save babies’ lives and reduce painful trauma for families. |
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After years of work to protect children from the harms of social media and invasions of privacy, my Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee! The GOP Speaker and Majority Leader are pressing to weaken the legislation, but a bipartisanship coalition of advocates and members are fighting back. Similar legislation passed in the Senate by an overwhelming vote of 91-3. Learn more here. |
The Committee also moved legislation forward that would protect access to AM radio broadcasting. The radio is a top, trusted choice for receiving local news, weather alerts, traffic updates, community opportunities, and so much more. The radio is particularly important for Florida by providing critical information to residents and visitors during storms and after times of crisis via the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN). The 13-station network is a critical resource for providing life-saving weather alerts, safety tips and evacuation information. Public radio is equally important after a storm subsides. That is why I am a proud sponsor of the Local Radio Freedom Act, a resolution that reaffirms Congress's support for local radio stations and opposes new fees or taxes on local, free broadcast radio. Watch my remarks here.
Finally, in my Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee, we held a hearing on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has demonstrated its commitment to protecting Americans and their data from deceptive and unfair acts and practices through rigorous enforcement, advocacy, research, and education. For too long, the FTC has been hamstrung in its ability to promulgate effective rules of the road for Americans and to penalize companies that harm our children and neighbors. I am a longtime supporter of the FTC and will continue advocating on their behalf here in the Committee. Watch my remarks here. |
Congress must pass a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown before September 30, but House Republicans are again embroiled in chaos and confusion. House Democrats remain focused on putting People over Politics and are committed to finding a bipartisan path forward. It is long past time for our colleagues to end their political games and work with us in good faith.
Instead, extreme MAGA Republicans are trying to force elements of Project 2025 into appropriation bills such as criminalizing abortion, removing consumer protections, giving polluters a free pass and raising costs for families. Watch my remarks with colleagues as we shed light on far-right Project 2025. |
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DO YOU AGREE THAT PROJECT 2025 IS A THREAT TO OUR CLEAN WATER, AIR AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES?
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Rather than offer solutions to avoid a government shutdown, the GOP offered only partisan messaging bills last week:
H.R. 5339 - would codify Trump-era rollbacks to financial regulations that protect consumers.
H.R. 5179 - would require products imported from areas in the West Bank where Israel exercises authority to be labeled as a Product of Israel and disallows the identification of goods as originating from a combo of “West Bank/Gaza.”
H.R. 7909 - Looking to score cheap political points, Republicans offered a bill to target and scapegoat immigrants. This overly broad legislation feeds into Donald Trump’s weird, racist ramblings about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs. The bill could result in harsh consequences for victims of domestic violence while pretending to protect them. Like every Republican effort since Trump killed the bipartisan border deal, this bill does not actually solve any problems with the immigration system or the border.
H.R. 3724 - This bill is part of a larger attempt by House Republicans to attack diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs across the country, particularly at colleges and universities. It attempts to remove many protections that colleges use to protect students from hateful, intimidating and harassing actions.
H.R. 4790 - Prioritizing MAGA Policies Over Economic Growth Act - This bill demonstrates the extreme MAGA obsession to deny that climate change is real and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Research shows that Environmental, Social, and Governance or “ESG” policies, and DEI policies help maximize shareholder value, and that the vast majority of investors want access to such metrics to make more informed decisions about their investments. H.R. 5717 - This bill would harm local and state initiatives to solve problems and keep people safe.
H.J. Res 136 - Project 2025 Polluter Protection Act - The Project 2025 Polluter Protection Act seeks to reverse EPA’s progress to curb toxic pollution from cars and trucks. Unlike Trump’s Project 2025, the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats are saving consumers money while standing up a clean energy economy. |
Are you a high school student interested in attending one of the prestigious service academies and serving our country? Join us at MacDill Air Force Base to learn about the application process and each of the academies on Saturday, October 26th at 9 a.m. – RSVP IS MANDATORY. RSVP here. Applications for a nomination from my office are now open to be considered for an appointment at a service academy! Apply by Friday, November 1st. |
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Interested in learning how to create an app? Each year, a nationwide app challenge is sponsored by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Middle school and high school students from the 14th Congressional District may create and submit their original apps for a chance to win the Congressional App Challenge. No experience is required! Submit your app by October 24th at 12 p.m. ET here. |
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Floridians pay more for property insurance than the residents of any other state due in part to the escalating risk of extreme weather fueled by the burning of fossil fuels. Policymakers must do more to reduce climate pollution, help communities adapt, and lower costs. Governor Ron DeSantis and the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature have made life more expensive in the Sunshine State by failing to move the state to cleaner, cheaper energy and managing climate risks. |
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Senate Budget Committee Chair Sheldon Whitehouse visited St. Petersburg to discuss solutions to lower costs and connect the dots between exorbitant property insurance and the climate crisis. Democrats have provided significant tools to lower costs and lower pollution through weatherization of homes, rebates and discounts to upgrade appliances and install solar panels. We must build on this momentum and put people—and their pocketbooks—over politics and the profits of Big Oil and slow-walking electric utilities. Learn all the ways you can save here. |
The U.S. Department of State just made it easier to renew your passport. REMEMBER: Before you book a trip, always check the passport requirements for your destination. Learn how to renew your passport online here.
As always, you can call my office at (813) 871-2817 or (727) 369-0201 for assistance.
I hope to see you soon! Sincerely,
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Kathy Castor Member of Congress |
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