Representative Kathy Castor

Dear friend,

I trust that you and your loved ones had an enjoyable and safe Thanksgiving. Like you, I missed seeing many family members and friends, but we all must do our part to keep everyone safe.

The House is finishing the year strong by crafting government funding bills that meet the needs of our neighbors, businesses, schools, our military, while continuing to press for more COVID-19 relief for front line workers, families and businesses.

Every day, the coronavirus and accompanying economic crisis continue to wreak havoc and cost lives. I've never given up pressing Senate Republicans and President Trump to pass another emergency aid package to boost families, teachers, small businesses and our heroic frontline workers. This week, Florida became the third state to hit one million coronavirus cases, and as we look towards the promise of a vaccine, our neighbors need peace of mind that policymakers have their best interests at heart. We have hope on the horizon, so it is more important than ever not to let up, to listen to public health experts, wear your mask and stay safe.

Sign up to receive future email updates from my office here.

VOTES THIS WEEK

H.R. 1380 – Big Cat Public Safety Act: I’m proud to share that legislation that I advocated for with Tampa Big Cat Rescue’s Carole Baskin who was seen on Netflix’s Tiger King to end private ownership of big cats will be taken up by the House this week. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation aims to protect both animals and people alike and should be taken up by the Senate immediately.

H.R. 1049 – The National Heritage Area Act of 2020 that I cosponsored tackles the current patchwork system for maintaining U.S. Heritage Areas and replaces it with clear, transparent standards that make it easier for local partnerships to develop and maintain the Heritage Areas our neighbors love and enjoy across the country.

H.R. 3884 – MORE Act of 2019: I’m cosponsoring the bill to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, reassess marijuana convictions, and invest in local communities. Federal marijuana laws are often unfairly racially enforced leading to convictions that damage job prospects, access to housing, and the ability to vote. Like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 that I championed, this bill works to eliminate discriminatory police practices and structural racial bias. It’s incumbent on Congress to modernize its laws alongside state regulations and ensure that policies are fair, equitable and inclusive for all Americans.

OPEN ENROLLMENT

Open enrollment season is well underway and will end on December 15! I was joined by Jodi Ray, Program Director of Florida Covering Kids & Families and community partners to answer your questions and remind everyone that the health care marketplace is open for the next two weeks. Florida residents can call on local Navigators for provide free assistance for the best coverage plan for their families and appointments (even virtually!) at www.CoveringFlorida.org. Free assistance in Spanish is also available.

Hillsborough families also should check out the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County at www.familysupporthc.org/contact-us. When shopping, beware of skimpy, “junk” insurance plans that don’t provide required coverages often marketed by scam artists who advertise online, call you on the phone or email you.

Be safe and know that my office is here to help at 813-871-2817.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor
Member of Congress