Representative Kathy Castor

Dear friend,

The House is taking significant action to lower costs and strengthen the economy through the America COMPETES Act – a bill to boost domestic manufacturing, turbocharge American scientific and technological leadership, and give American workers and businesses a competitive edge in the global economy. We are focused on detangling global supply chains and addressing the semiconductor shortage, and growing American manufacturing of chips, cars, trucks, solar panels, and new innovative technologies. America COMPETES is supported by a broad coalition of business, labor and consumer groups, and I am hopeful the House will pass it this week.

America COMPETES builds on the investments of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with an eye towards resiliency and lessons learned through the global economic shakeup caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Tampa Bay area already has secured $17 million for Port Tampa Bay and additional funding for roadway improvements. Local partners and I are ready to win competitive grants to help lower costs, ease congestion and create jobs.

This week, President Joe Biden and I announced a new Guidebook with important information on competitive funding for communities across America. The ‘Building a Better America’ Guidebook highlights how we can take full advantage of urgently-needed infrastructure funding for expanded public transit, Tampa airport upgrades, a clean and healthy Tampa Bay and other critical projects. This helpful guide can be found here.

MY COMMITTEES

My Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce held a hearing entitled, “Pandemic Profiteers: Legislation to Stop Corporate Price Gouging” to discuss federal penalties for price-gouging during the pandemic.

My Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled, "FDA User Fee Reauthorization: Ensuring Safe and Effective Drugs and Biologics” where FDA leaders provided an update on new initiatives to facilitate drug development and ensure the FDA can continue its critical mission of reviewing and approving drugs and medical devices that save lives and improve the quality of life for our neighbors.

My Select Committee on the Climate Crisis held a hearing entitled, “Manufacturing a Clean Energy Future: Climate Solutions Made in America” where we examined how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, now signed into law, and Build Back Better Act will lower costs for consumers, attract new investment to clean up hard-to-decarbonize sectors, expand domestic supply chains and manufacturing of climate solutions, and create good-paying jobs.

VOTE THIS WEEK

H.R. 4521 – America COMPETES Act of 2022 is a comprehensive, strategic package that will power the success of America’s workers, businesses and economy at home and position America to compete – and win – on the world stage. It will super-charge American innovation and competitiveness, immediately and in the long-run, including by making critically needed semiconductors in America, fixing the supply chain, and strengthening our nation’s STEM workforce.

VALENTINES FOR VETERANS

In addition to working to ensure veterans obtain the benefits they have earned every day, I’m launching Valentines for Veterans to give the Tampa Bay community a chance to share its devotion to them. All of our neighbors can join in by sending a card to my office – details below:

COVID19 UPDATE

Covid19 cases are now dropping across the United States – this is good news. We know that getting your Covid19 vaccine is the best way to guard against serious illness or hospitalization, so I encourage all of our neighbors to take time to go to their nearest provider to receive their Covid19 vaccine or booster shoot. Bring your family with you! Find the latest information on local testing and vaccination sites here.

Stay safe and know that my office is here to help, 813-871-2817.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor
Member of Congress