Representative Kathy Castor

It is with a heavy heart that I announced the passing of our beloved Director of Constituent Services, Tery Sanchez. I am grateful for the outpouring of love and stories this week, and encourage you to read more about Tery’s incredible and impactful life here.

I could not have asked for a better partner and aide than Tery Sanchez. I would not be here without her. She was the best navigator for our neighbors when I served on the Hillsborough County Commission and then as a Member of the U.S. Congress – serving Tampa veterans, those in need of immigration and health care assistance and more. She was a fierce public servant who never gave up on getting answers, righting wrongs, and serving each constituent with professionalism, expediency, and dignity. She shared her knowledge with other caseworkers in my office so they too could gain from the gratification of helping people right away. And Tery remained positive throughout each endeavor, ensuring that every participant was appreciated. She will be deeply missed.

VOTES THIS WEEK

House Democrats are hard at work standing up to corporate price gouging and taking action to lower food, fuel and shipping costs. Russia’s cruel war against Ukraine is driving up prices all over the world. Putin’s price hike has increased gas prices by $2 a gallon in many places since Russian troops began to threaten Ukraine. I know the squeeze is being felt by Tampa families and I am working to tackle rising costs.

Here are a few of the bills passed this week to help:

H.R. 7606 – The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act will lower prices in the grocery store and at the gas pump by giving America’s farmers and ranchers the support they need to lower fertilizer costs, increase meatpacking and poultry production. We are pushing to lower prices at the pump by making cheap, cleaner Unleaded 88 more available in Tampa and around the country. Passed 221-204.

H.R. 2773 – Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2022: Florida’s awesome biodiversity makes our state special, but overdevelopment and the stresses of the climate crisis leave many species in grave danger. I voted yes on RAWA to ensure our marine life, manatees and wildlife survive for future generations and to provide sustainable wildlife management, including in Florida’s important wildlife corridors. In Florida, our economy is directly tied to a healthy environment and Gulf of Mexico. Passed 231-190.

H.R. 2543 – The Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Economic Justice Act aims to bring more jobs and equity in housing, banking & more to underserved communities. It is time to eliminate discriminatory practices in the housing and financial institutions to ensure equal access to opportunity and help our economy and neighbors thrive. Passed 215-207.

S. 3580 – The Ocean Shipping Reform Act will crack down on outrageous and exorbitant fees being charged by international shipping companies that have made goods more expensive for small businesses and consumers. Some carriers increased their prices by as much as 1000 percent during the pandemic. The Federal Maritime Commission will have new tools to police the market to prevent overcharging and American products being left on the dock. The bill is headed to President Biden’s desk for signature to reduce transportation costs and inflation. The bill is widely embraced by farmers, producers and manufacturers across the country. Passed 369-42.

MY COMMITTEES

Tuesday was a long-awaited day for parents, advocates and Americans who value their personal privacy and do want to constantly surveilled through their online searches and purchases. The Energy and Commerce Committee discussed the bipartisan American Data Privacy and Protection Act which includes my legislation to protect our children online, and will safeguard consumer data. Watch my remarks here.

Do you support efforts to update current online privacy and security laws to protect children?

Yes

No

I Don't Know

My Select Committee on the Climate Crisis held a hearing entitled “State Perspectives on Cutting Methane Pollution.” We heard from the current governors of New Mexico and Wyoming, who shared important perspectives on their states' efforts to cut harmful methane pollution from oil and gas production, reduce energy waste and ways that states are benefiting from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to plug abandoned oil and gas wells across America.

GUN VIOLENCE TELEPHONE TOWN HALL

Thank you to all of our neighbors who joined last week’s telephone town hall to discuss the work being done locally and in Congress to reduce gun violence and keep these weapons out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.

This conversation is a great resource on ways Tampa organizations are supporting victims of gun violence and preventing future tragedies, as well as an update on bills I’m supporting in Washington.

You can listen to the full discussion here.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor
Member of Congress

Thank you to our neighbors who took last week’s survey on your support for Congress’ work to address gun violence. 68.4 percent of people support gun violence prevention measures, 28.5 percent do not, and 3 percent don’t know. Check back next week for the result’s to today’s survey.