U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor

Back in Washington after a busy week home in Tampa! I enjoyed seeing friends and neighbors as we honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 40th annual Tampa Organization of Black Affairs breakfast, parade and uplifting interfaith service at Allen Temple A.M.E. This week I continue to feel inspired by Dr. King’s words: “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Across the Capitol, the Impeachment trial of President Trump on his Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress continues. Thank you for contacting Florida’s U.S. Senators to urge them to conduct a fair trial with witnesses and documents so that all information is made plain to the American people. Tune in today and tomorrow for question from senators.

My Committees

My Energy and Commerce Committee is holding two hearings: my Subcommittee on Consumer Protection & Commerce is holding a hearing is entitled, “Legislation to Promote the Health and Safety of Racehorses,” and my Subcommittee on Health is holding a hearing entitled “Improving Safety and Transparency in America’s Food and Drugs.”

I called on Google this week to take steps to stop the spread of dangerous climate denial and climate misinformation videos on YouTube, the most used social platform in the United States as it has done with other dangerous misinformation. Google should take steps to address this harmful misinformation, including ending free advertising of videos promoting harmful falsehoods about the causes and effects of the climate crisis. Full text here.

Votes This Week

H.R. 3621 –Comprehensive CREDIT Act of 2020: This bill removes adverse credit file information relating to defaulted or delinquent private education loans for borrowers who demonstrate a history of timely loan repayments for their loans. Additionally, the bill provides much-needed protection for student loan borrowers by making repayment plans more affordable.

H.R. 550 –No War Against Iran Act; To repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002: This bill includes amendments that would repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) – the Iraq Resolution of 2002 - and prohibit funding for military action against Iran that is not authorized by Congress. Since my first congressional campaign in 2006, I have supported a withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq and redeployment of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Although the Constitution vests Congress with the sole power to declare war, President Trump like other presidents before him has taken military action without consulting Congress. I will vote in support of repealing the 2002 Iraq AUMF so that it cannot be used to justify new and unrelated, offensive military actions.

H.R. 943 - Never Again Education Act: On Monday, 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the House adopted an important initiative to combat antisemitism by passing bipartisan legislation to provide schools with tools to teach about the Holocaust. I'm proud to cosponsor this bill. We have a moral obligation to teach about the horrors of the past so they are never repeated.