Representative Kathy Castor

Dear Friend:

I hope you are doing well and staying healthy and safe! I am heartened to see the American Rescue Plan working to put shots in arms and more money in pockets, and provide needed emergency aid to our students, schools and small business owners.

Over 150 million Americans have been vaccinated since January, and everyone cheered CDC’s guidance yesterday that people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors, except under certain circumstances. President Biden called it a great day for America, and I am grateful for his leadership on vaccine distribution. We still have a long way to go, so please help your family and neighbors get vaccinated as soon as possible

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AID FOR

COLLEGE STUDENTS

This week, I announced more than $180 million in emergency funding for Hillsborough Community College, the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa and students provided under the American Rescue Plan to help them cope with the severe financial fallout from COVID-19 pandemic. At least half of the aid will be distributed as emergency cash assistance grants to students who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other hardships.

AID FINALLY HEADED TO HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS

Over five months after funds passed the Congress, some of the emergency aid allocated to Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) was finally released by the state and is on the way to help our schools, teachers and students. Unfortunately, the state is still slow-walking a large portion of emergency funds that are due to HCPS. Together with parents, teachers and local leaders, I intend to keep a close eye on the state to ensure that the federal emergency aid is provided according to federal law and serves the purpose we intended: to support our students and educators immediately, ensure continuity of student learning, avoid layoffs and other detrimental consequences.

HELP IS HERE FOR RESTAURANTS

Important for Tampa restaurants and eateries, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund through the Small Business Administration is now accepting applicants. This week I held an informational webinar with local restaurant owners to assist our fabulous local restaurants and breweries.

FILE YOUR 2020 TAX RETURN BY MAY 17!

With tax filing day on the horizon, be sure you are aware of the tax cut for most families with children provided under the American Rescue Plan to lift America’s children and help hardworking parents pay for childcare and the necessities involved in raising kids. Even if you do not normally file a tax return, you should do so this year to ensure you receive tax credits. If you need help filing your taxes, United Way Suncoast is scheduling free appointments.

Please find more information here in English and Spanish and share with your family and friends.

VACCINE UPDATE

The CDC has authorized the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children age 12 years or older! This will help us crush Covid19. Find more information here on where children can get vaccinated in the Tampa Bay area. For everyone, the Tampa Greyhound FEMA site is administering doses of the one-shot Johns & Johnson vaccine. Tampa Family Health Centers, Hillsborough County, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and others are holding events weekly. You can also contact your local pharmacy or primary care physician for details on how to receive a vaccine at their offices.

You can always access the latest information on my website, and I encourage you to share it with friends and family.

MY COMMITTEES

My Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health heard from Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra this week on vaccines, affordable health care and more.

I testified in front of the Natural Resources Committee on “Protecting Coastal Communities and Ocean Resources from Offshore Drilling” where they considered my bipartisan Florida Coastal Protection Act to make permanent the moratorium on oil drilling off Florida’s coast that is slated to expire in 2022.

VOTES THIS WEEK

H.R. 1065 – Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: This bipartisan legislation that I cosponsored would finally secure strong and clear protections for pregnant workers. No one should have to choose between their paycheck and a healthy pregnancy.

H.R. 49 – To designate the National Pulse Memorial located at 1912 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32806: I am proud to join my colleagues, led by Rep. Darren Soto, in calling for the establishment of the National Pulse Memorial to offer a sanctuary of hope & healing for Orlando & the broader LGBTQ community.

H.R. 958 – Protecting Moms Who Served Act: This bill I cosponsored would help women veterans by comprehensively studying the unique maternal health risks facing pregnant and postpartum veterans and by supporting VA maternity care coordination programs. It is also included in the Momnibus, a package of legislation crafted by the Black Maternal Health Caucus and would make critical investments in addressing social determinants of health, funding community-based organizations, growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce, and improving in data collection processes if passed.

H.R. 2547 – Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act: This legislation would regulate debt collectors and provide much-needed new relief to private student loan borrowers.

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

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor
Member of Congress