Representative Kathy Castor

Dear Friend,

I hope this finds you safe and well. I am praying for the heroic American service members who were bravely standing guard to assist Americans, Afghans and their families depart Afghanistan. My team and I will support the families and injured in the days ahead. I trust that we will hold accountable the terrorists responsible for this heinous attack. Since the end of July, the U.S. has helped re-locate 110,600 people out of Afghanistan, and we are assisting additional individuals who intend to depart in the coming days.

This week was an important one for the Build Back Better agenda and voting rights. In the House, we passed:

Build Back Better budget resolution: paves a path for passage of the Build Back Better Act, a once-in-a-century opportunity to deliver more jobs, cut taxes and lower health care costs, and does so in a fiscally-sound way, including by making the wealthiest and big corporations pay their fair share.
H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act: restores the power of the Voting Rights Act to protect every American’s right to vote and participate in our democracy.

HAITI

U.S. AID and the Department of Defense Southern Command are assisting the people of Haiti + the first responders who are conducting search & rescue following the horrific earthquake earlier this month. If someone you know needs assistance, please contact my office at 813-871-2817.

Local organizations are helping provide relief to those impacted – you can find ways to help here.

LATEST COVID19 RESOURCES

Positivity rates of Covid19 cases in Florida are among the highest in the nation and our local hospitals are swamped as frontline heroes work tirelessly to aid our sick neighbors. This week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first Covid19 vaccine. This is another indication that vaccinations are safe and effective – it’s easier than ever to find convenient locations in the Tampa Bay area, and you can visit www.vaccines.gov to find the site closest to you.

Due to an increased demand for Covid19 testing, free sites have now reopened.

The following Covid19 testing sites are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

Cordelia B Hunt Center at Al Lopez Park (4602 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614)
- Pre-register: https://mdc.nomihealth.com/signup/fl/COT
Al Barnes Park (3101 E 21^st Ave Parking Lot)
- Pre-register: https://www.impacthealth.com/cityoftampa/
Palm River Park Community Center (725 S. 58^th St., Tampa, FL 33619)
Code Enforcement Complex (1101 E. 139^th Ave., Tampa, FL 33613)

VOTES THIS WEEK

H.R. 4 – John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021: The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and for more than 50 years the Voting Rights Act was there to protect everyone’s access to this basic tenet.

Many marched, bled and even died to establish these protections. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2013 decision Shelby v. Holder gutted important protections to the right to vote. Voter suppression campaigns, voter roll purges and insidious barriers to the voting booth, including elimination of “preclearance” requirements in Florida swept the country.

By preventing states with a recent history of voter discrimination from restricting the right to vote, this bill restores the full promise of our democracy. Passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will restore important, modern protections to the right to vote ensuring that every eligible American voter has the ability to have their voice heard.

S.Con.Res. 14 – Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031: This budget makes great strides to lift Tampa’s working families, create jobs and and lower health care costs.

Stay safe and know my office is always here to help at 813-871-2817.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor
Member of Congress