Castor, Kathy RSS Articles

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Fights to Protect 700+ TPA Security Officers’ Jobs, Pay & Earned Benefits

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. — Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) urged Tampa International Airport (TPA) CEO Michael Stephens and Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) Chair Chip Diehl to reverse plans to privatize the airport’s passenger-screening workforce through the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Gold+ initiative. The change would replace more than 700 federal Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at TPA with a private contractor responsible for passenger screening and checkpoint equipment and technology.

“Every day, TPA TSOs greet and protect 70,000 passengers—neighbors, friends, and visitors—ensuring that each journey begins and ends with security and care. Their professionalism is not just a job requirement; it is a commitment to the well-being of our community. To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully,” said Castor in her letter.

"Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, where terrorists exploited lax airport security screeners, TPA should not weaken its safety framework. TSOs are vital to operating safely and smoothly, protecting tens of thousands of passengers every day. TPA TSOs continued reporting for duty through government shutdowns—even when their paychecks did not arrive. During those difficult periods, the vast majority of TPA’s TSOs stood by TPA and the traveling public. Now, TPA leadership must stand by them and reverse the plan to eliminate more than 700 federal officers and put their pay, health coverage and earned retirement benefits at risk in favor of a private for-profit contractor.”

If TPA continues on this track, it will be among the first airports in the country to weaken the post 9/11 security framework by entering into TSA Gold+, with the transition expected to be fully implemented by May 2027. Castor warned that privatization would create uncertainty for hundreds of Tampa Bay Veterans and longtime officers who have built careers serving the traveling public. TPA TSOs risk losing federal retirement benefits, health coverage and accrued vacation time they have earned over their years of federal service.

Castor challenged the argument that privatization is necessary to accelerate the deployment of modern screening technology, citing increases authorized by Congress for TSA’s technology funding to support the deployment of advanced screening equipment. The potential transfer of control of checkpoint technology to a private, for-profit contractor would put taxpayer dollars and travelers’ sensitive personal data at unnecessary risk, including through data breaches or misuse.

Castor’s letter is available here and below.

Re: Support for Tampa Airport TSA Security Officers and Opposition to TSA Gold+

Dear Mr. Stephens and Mr. Diehl:

I write not just as a representative, but as a member of the Tampa Bay community who deeply values the dedication and integrity of our Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at Tampa International Airport (TPA). The proposal to privatize the workforce of over 700 TSOs and outsource passenger screening under the TSA Gold+ program will profoundly affect the lives of hundreds of families, the safety of millions of travelers and the reputation of the best airport in the country.

Every day, TPA TSOs greet and protect 70,000 passengers, neighbors, friends, and visitors, assuring that each journey begins and ends with security and care. Their professionalism is not just a job requirement; it is a commitment to the well-being of our community. To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully, including the many veterans and long-serving officers in the TSO ranks.

I have heard directly from TPA TSOs, who have expressed their deep concern and opposition to privatization. Their sense of duty, pride and belonging cannot be replicated by a private entity. Tampa International Airport deserves world-class security, rooted in experience and dedication, not instability and uncertainty.

This proposal arrives as we approach the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks—a painful reminder of what happens when airport security is left to private firms with high turnover and inconsistent training. The Transportation Security Administration and federal TSOs were created by Congress after 9/11 to prevent another terrorist attack and ensure that our airports would never again be vulnerable to such tragedy. To weaken aviation security now is to forget the lessons learned at great cost and the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Privatization threatens not only security but also the economic stability of hundreds of Tampa Bay area families. TSOs face the loss of federal retirement benefits, health coverage and accrued vacation time. Even if offered comparable salaries initially, there is no guarantee of long-term financial security. At a time when inflation and living costs are high, this change would bring hardship to those who have given so much to our community.

TPA TSOs have shown unwavering dedication, maintaining low call-out rates during government shutdowns and high service standards. Their commitment has been inspiring. To discharge them now under TSA Gold+ would be a betrayal of trust and gratitude.

I understand that TSA proposes to allow TSA Gold+ contractors to ease deployment of screening technology. While modern screening technology is important, Congress already has provided TSA with increased funding to deploy these advancements. There is no need to risk taxpayer dollars or passenger data by handing over control to a private contractor whose primary motivation is profit, not public safety. The risks of data breaches and misuse are simply unacceptable.

Private contractors may cut corners on training, wages and benefits, leading to fatigue and reduced vigilance. Unlike federal officers, whose mission is public safety, contractors’ financial incentives may conflict with the imperative to protect lives. TPA TSOs should not be defunded.

For all of these reasons, I implore you to reject the change to TSA Gold+. Let us honor the memory of the Americans lost and injured on 9/11 by upholding the commitment to vigilance and security that has kept us safe for a quarter-century. Let’s also stand with our TSOs, local families, and our community. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor

United States Representative

Florida – District 14

Cc: Gary W. Harrod, Vice Chair, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Robert I. Watkins, Treasurer, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Mayor Jane Castor, Secretary, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Commissioner Harry Cohen, Assistant Secretary/Assistant Treasurer, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Ha Nguyen McNeill, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, Transportation Security Administration;
Markwayne Mullin, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.

ICYMI: Castor Delivers $2.29 Million to Cut Costs, Protect Property and Invest in Neighborhoods in St. Petersburg

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — This week, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced $2,290,288 in community project funding for two stormwater projects designed to cut costs and protect St. Petersburg residents, roadways and property from frequent flooding. St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, City Council Members Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Brandi Gabbard and community leaders cheered the local investments.

Castor secured the investments through federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) on behalf of the City of St. Petersburg. The projects will upgrade aging drainage infrastructure in two flood-prone areas, improve emergency access and public safety during storms and strengthen the city’s long-term resilience as heavy rainfall and tidal flooding become more frequent.

View photos from the press conference here.

“Tampa Bay families should not have to worry that a heavy rainstorm will flood their street, damage their property or cut them off from their neighborhood,” said Castor. “I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure these federal investments because protecting our neighbors from flooding requires reliable, modern infrastructure. These projects will help keep important roadways open, move stormwater more effectively and make our community safer and more resilient for years to come.”

Castor community projects include:

MLK Street South Flooding Alleviation — $1,145,144: The project will elevate and improve Martin Luther King Jr. Street South between 30th Avenue South and 36th Avenue South, where flooding can make the roadway impassable during heavy rainfall. The funding will also expand stormwater culverts to improve drainage capacity and reduce roadway flooding under current and future conditions.
88th Avenue North and 4th Street North Storm Drainage Improvements — $1,145,144: The project will address recurring street flooding near a tidally influenced stormwater outfall. Planned improvements include replacing and enlarging stormwater conveyance systems, installing new inlets and underground piping, and adding stormwater storage. Green infrastructure will be incorporated where feasible to reduce runoff and improve water quality.

Together, the projects will reduce the risk of roadway and structural flooding, protect nearby homes and businesses, improve access for residents and emergency responders during severe weather, and increase the reliability of St. Petersburg’s stormwater system.

Castor secured $19,607,288 for 15 community priority projects across Tampa Bay through the FY 2026 federal appropriations. These investments will lower costs, expand affordable housing, strengthen flood mitigation, improve transportation, create workforce training opportunities in trades and expand services for students, young people, veterans and military families.

A full list of Castor’s funded community projects is available here.

Castor, Welch Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Energy Grid, Lower Electric Bills

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, and Sen. Peter Welch (VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy and Credit, this week reintroduced the Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act, bicameral legislation that aims to make it easier for the United States to advance affordable, clean energy projects and strengthen its electric grid.

The Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that interstate and offshore transmission infrastructure projects allocate costs to beneficiaries more fairly. The legislation would help lower energy costs for consumers by accelerating the construction of interstate transmission lines that deliver vital affordable, clean energy to communities across the country.

“America’s aging electric grid and growing transmission bottlenecks are driving up energy costs for Florida families, slowing the development and deployment of newer, cheaper energy resources and leaving communities more vulnerable to increasingly extreme weather,” said Rep. Castor. “The Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act will help address these challenges by making it easier to complete essential transmission projects, reduce costly grid congestion and deliver affordable, reliable electricity where it is needed. This commonsense legislation will help build a cheaper, cleaner, stronger and more resilient energy future for families and businesses across Tampa Bay.”

“Strengthening America’s electric grid is essential to ensuring we can meet modern electricity and climate challenges. Finding ways that make it easier to construct and complete transmission projects that boost the resiliency of our grid and lower costs for consumers is a major part of that. We’re working to bolster our grid against extreme weather and help ensure every home across America has access to affordable and reliable electricity,” said Sen. Welch.

View the full text of the bill here.

Castor Opposes Blank Check for Iran War in Extreme Defense Spending Bill

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement on the extreme fiscal year 2027 defense spending bill:

“The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) typically is a bipartisan commitment to our armed forces and the men and women who defend our country. Unfortunately, extreme politicians in Washington hijacked this critical legislation with divisive policies that do nothing to fortify our military or improve the quality of life of service members, civilian workers and military families. The bill proposes to spend $1.5 trillion without a strategy for the war in Iran. I cannot support a blank check for an open-ended war with no clear objectives, timeline or exit strategy.

“The war has already cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars, driven up gas prices and transportation - painfully rippling through the pocketbooks of Tampa Bay families grappling with high-priced groceries and bills. The highest costs are being carried by our service members and their families, who deserve a clearly defined mission—not continued uncertainty. Americans have made clear that they do not want war, yet extreme politicians refuse to listen.

“Families and small businesses are struggling with the rising cost of housing, health care, electric bills, groceries and much more. Congress should be laser-focused on lowering costs—not writing a blank check for a war the American people oppose.

“I hope that the House and the Senate can come to a bipartisan agreement on the NDAA, removing harmful policy riders and refocusing the bill on supporting our military and service members as intended.”

Castor Breast Cancer Awareness Bill Passes House

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) celebrated passage of her bipartisan Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act Reauthorization (H.R. 4541) with Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Diana Harshbarger (TN-01).

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States, where the average risk for developing it sometime in her life is about 1 in 8. More than 316,000 new diagnoses and 42,000 deaths are expected from breast cancer in 2025. And with incidences rising in younger women each year, the earlier it’s caught, the better the chance to survive and overcome this devastating disease.

The key to early detection and treatment starts with education and awareness. This is especially true for younger women and those at greater risk of death from more aggressive forms of breast cancer.

“Too many young women face breast cancer without the knowledge or support they need to catch it early and fight back,” said Rep. Castor. “For more than fifteen years, the EARLY Act has supported young women through outreach and resources that meet them where they are. I’m proud to lead the charge for this bipartisan reauthorization to ensure these critical initiatives that empower women to understand their risks, advocate for their health and get the tools they need to fight the disease continue.”

View Castor’s remarks on the EARLY Act reauthorization here.

The EARLY Act authorizes three programs administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), designed to empower young and high-risk women. This includes the Bring Your Brave effort, which amplifies stories of real women to raise awareness of breast cancer in young women between the ages of 18 and 44, and encourages them to understand their risk and the signs and symptoms. It also funds the Young Breast Cancer Survivors Program, which provides grants to non-profit organizations aimed at delivering supportive services and resources to increase patients’ survival and improve their quality of life. And it offers continuing medical education (CME) courses for health care providers about breast cancer.

After fifteen years of successful implementation, it is now time to again reauthorize the EARLY Act to ensure that it continues to reach even more young and higher-risk women across the United States. Reauthorizing the EARLY Act is vital to continuing to save women’s lives.

The EARLY Act is endorsed by:

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
BRCAStrong
Breast Cancer Early Detection Coalition
Breast Cancer Ruckus
Brem Foundation
Cancer Support Community
DenseBreast-info, Inc
FORCE
GE HealthCare
Gilda's Club South Florida
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Prevent Cancer Foundation
Sharsheret
Susan G. Komen
Tigerlily Foundation
Women Health Advocates
Young Survival Coalition

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency in Rx Pricing, Lower Health Care Costs

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-28), Summer Lee (PA-12) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the Drug Deal Disclosure Act, legislation that would require the public disclosure of the White House’s prescription drug pricing agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and subject those agreements to independent review to determine whether they are actually lowering costs for patients and taxpayers.

“Floridians and Americans deserve lower drug costs,” said Rep. Castor. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for their lifesaving medications. After making health care out of reach for millions of Americans, the White House claims they are helping our neighbors afford prescription drugs through closed-door deals with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Americans are skeptical and deserve to know if those deals are truly lowering costs, or if they are another false promise. I was proud to work with my colleagues in the Congress to actually lower drug costs through Medicare negotiation, caps on insulin, no-cost vaccines and out-of-pocket limits. Our neighbors have waited long enough for fair prices for important medications, and I am committed to doing that in a transparent manner.”

“President Trump has repeatedly claimed that his Administration’s private deals with pharmaceutical companies will lower prescription drug prices for American families. If that’s true, then he should have nothing to hide,” said Rep. Chu. “Democrats didn’t ask Americans to simply trust us when we lowered prescription drug costs through the Inflation Reduction Act, we passed a law that empowered Medicare to negotiate drug prices, capped insulin at $35 a month for seniors, limited annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, and held drug companies accountable for unjustified price hikes. Those reforms are already delivering real savings. If President Trump wants the American people to believe his secret deals with Big Pharma will do the same, then he should release the agreements and let the facts speak for themselves.”

“No one in Western Pennsylvania should have to ration medicine or walk away from the pharmacy counter because Big Pharma and the Trump Administration are cutting deals behind closed doors,” said Rep. Lee. “More than one in four Pennsylvanians have already been forced to skip doses, cut pills in half, or leave prescriptions unfilled simply because of cost. People paying the price deserve to know who these agreements are really serving, and this bill would force the Administration to release these secret agreements and require independent analysis of whether they actually lower costs for patients and taxpayers. I’m proud to co-lead this bill and help build a healthcare system that works for the people, not billion-dollar corporations.”

“Deals made by the White House are the business of the American people. President Trump claims to have made secret agreements with Big Pharma CEOs under the pretense of lowering prescription drug prices but these savings have yet to appear. The American people deserve answers and this legislation will bring them to light,” said Rep. Pappas. “Granite Staters are paying too much for life-saving prescription drugs and this administration and Republicans in Congress have only made health care access worse and costs higher. I remain committed to doing everything I can to improve care and lower costs, and I will not stand for shady deals and false promises made by the administration.”

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publicly disclose records, communications, agreements, and related materials concerning drug pricing agreements and other arrangements negotiated between the White House and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The bill would also require reporting to Congress and direct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an independent analysis of the agreements’ economic and budgetary impacts.

Specifically, the legislation would:

Require HHS to publicly disclose agreements, communications, records, and related materials concerning covered agreements between the Trump Administration and pharmaceutical manufacturers;
Require disclosure of agreements involving Most-Favored-Nation pricing commitments, tariff exemptions, domestic investment commitments, Strategic National Stockpile agreements, Priority Review Vouchers, and other related arrangements;
Require HHS to report to Congress on all documents and information released or withheld, including the basis for any redactions; and
Direct CBO and GAO to publish an independent assessment of the agreements’ impacts on patients, taxpayers, prescription drug costs, Medicare, Medicaid, competition, and federal spending.

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act is the House companion to legislation introduced in the Senate by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden and Senate Democrats.

When Time Matters Most, Patients Shouldn’t Have to Wait

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

READ ON 535.news.

Access to affordable, quality health care remains a challenge for too many Americans. For those living with metastatic breast cancer who can no longer work because of their disease, the challenges are even greater.

Time is precious for people living with metastatic breast cancer and their families. Yet under current law, many are forced to wait 24 months for Medicare and five months for SSDI benefits they spent their careers paying into. The outdated waiting periods create unnecessary barriers for people facing a life-threatening illness.

Tragically, the median life expectancy for someone diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer is just three years. Too many patients die before the benefits they earned through a lifetime of work ever become available. In the meantime, they and their families face mounting medical bills, lost income, and overwhelming financial strain at a time when their focus should be on treatment and making the most of their time with loved ones.

That is why we are partnering with the National Breast Cancer Coalition to lead a bipartisan effort to eliminate these outdated waiting periods and ensure patients can access the benefits they have earned when they need them most. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would provide immediate access to Medicare and SSDI benefits for individuals living with metastatic breast cancer, eliminating barriers that prevent patients from receiving the support they have earned.

The consequences of arbitrary waiting periods are not abstract. They affect families and patients every day.

Our legislation would help those like Missouri resident Tiana Russell. Tiana is a single mother who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2020. In 2025, while she worked as long as she could, Tiana was forced to leave her job due to her illness. She has been living on savings, but those funds are running dry, and she is struggling to secure financial support for her health care and to provide for herself and her son. Eliminating the waiting period will provide Tina with much-needed income through SSDI and health care through Medicare.

Long Island resident Catherine Marquardt was not as fortunate. Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2018 and no longer able to work, access to health care coverage through Medicare may have lengthened Catherine’s life, eased her pain, and reduced financial hardship. Instead, Catherine passed away on December 2, 2020, at age 48, just one day after her two-year waiting period was up and she qualified for Medicare.

Tragically, a new law did not come in time to help Catherine and too many others, but we can act now and give those living with metastatic breast cancer a fighting chance.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act has earned the support of more than 100 health care organizations and a majority of the House of Representatives. The need is clear, the solution is straightforward, and the bipartisan support is already there.

It is time for Congress to finish the job. We urge our colleagues to move this legislation forward and send it to the President’s desk. Every day of delay means more patients are forced to wait for benefits they have earned and desperately need.

For people living with metastatic breast cancer, time is not a luxury. Congress has an opportunity to do the right thing and ensure these patients receive the care and support they deserve when they need it most.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) and Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) are the bipartisan lead sponsors of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, legislation to eliminate Medicare and Social Security Disability waiting periods for individuals living with metastatic breast cancer.

ICYMI: Rep. Castor Highlights Hurricane Recovery & Resilience Assistance, Hosts Pop-Up Help Session for Hillsborough Neighbors

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla.—Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) was joined by Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen, CEO of Boricuas de Corazón and caseworkers with Hillsborough County to highlight the County’s Rebuilding for Tomorrow Hurricane Recovery and Resilience initiatives made possible through $709 million in federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR).

Hillsborough County caseworkers were on-site and available to assist residents directly in submitting applications for available hurricane recovery assistance.

Photos and videos from today's event can be viewed here.

BACKGROUND:

Rebuilding for Tomorrow is a CDBG-DR initiative administered by Hillsborough County and funded by the Congress through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), providing funding to help communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The initiative supports long-term recovery efforts, including housing rehabilitation, infrastructure restoration, economic revitalization and mitigation projects, with funding prioritized for the most impacted areas and low- and moderate-income households.

Castor continues to support CDBG-DR initiatives that help Tampa Bay communities build back stronger following disasters. She most recently championed the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act through Congress, which—when signed into law—will confront rising housing costs, including by improving CDBG-DR to expedite recovery dollars for Tampa Bay neighbors.

Castor Leads Long-Overdue Bipartisan Action to Protect Kids Online

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and longtime leader for stronger online protections for children and teens, released the following statement after the House passed the bipartisan KIDS Act, legislation to strengthen outdated privacy and safety protections for young people online. The KIDS Act passed the House 267-117.

“Today’s adoption of the bipartisan KIDS Act is a long-overdue and meaningful step toward protecting America’s children in the digital age,” said Rep. Castor. “For years, parents, young people, pediatricians, psychologists, teachers and advocates have made clear that Big Tech must act to reduce the harms experienced by too many kids online. This bill strengthens privacy protections for children and teens, bans targeted advertising to young people, gives families more control and preserves parents’ ability to seek justice in court.

“This is an important step, but it is not the end of our work. I will continue to press to create a safer digital environment for children and teens.”

The KIDS Act would strengthen and expand existing online privacy protections for children and teens, limit the collection and use of young people’s personal information, require stronger safeguards and tools for families, support state and federal enforcement, and preserve families’ ability to pursue justice through the courts. Castor has led bipartisan efforts for years to strengthen the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and adopt age-appropriate design requirements for Big Tech corporations. The KIDS Act reflects much of Castor’s work to improve the law.

Background:

Children and teens face growing risks online, including harmful content, cyberbullying, exploitation and manipulative design features that keep young people addicted.

Up to 95% of youth ages 13-17 report using a social media platform, with more than a third saying they use social media almost constantly, according to a 2023 Surgeon General report.
1 in 5 teens say social media sites hurt their mental health, and a growing share think they harm people their age, according to Pew Research Center.
A 2024 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report found that social media companies failed to adequately protect children and teens
In the United States, teens who spend four or more hours online each day are more than twice as likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Studies show a dramatic rise in online sexual exploitation, including a 26,000% increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material reported globally in 2025.

The bipartisan KIDS Act would:

Extend online privacy protections to teens for the first time by strengthening and expanding existing protections from children under 13 to young people up to age 17.
Ban targeted advertising to children and teens.
Require Big Tech platforms to provide safeguards and tools that give young people and families more control over their online experience.
Help families hold Big Tech accountable for harms caused online.
Establish a federal safety floor for parents and children while allowing states to enact even stronger protections.
Protect existing and future lawsuits seeking justice for children and families harmed online.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Calls on the President to Sign the Bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to Lower the Cost of Housing for Floridians

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement after Congress passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:

“This week, the Congress passed meaningful, bipartisan legislation that will help make home ownership more attainable for hard-working neighbors across the Tampa Bay area who have seen the dream of homeownership move farther out of reach due to high costs,” said Rep. Kathy Castor. “The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes several policies I championed, including limiting the ability of hedge funds to buy a large number of homes while driving costs through the roof. The bipartisan bill also incentivizes the permitting and construction of new homes and residences. Homes are for people, not for hedge fund managers. I am particularly pleased that, through this legislation, we will improve Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR), which has delivered billions of dollars in disaster recovery funding to Tampa Bay communities and neighbors impacted by recent hurricanes. I’m proud of the bipartisan work accomplished through this legislation to address a real, significant challenge in the Tampa Bay area and beyond.

“The President’s last-minute decision today to cancel the signing of the critical 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to push a bill to limit access to the ballot box ignored the real needs of American families and young people trying to buy a home in an increasingly unaffordable economy. I urge President Trump to reverse course and sign the bill to rein in the cost of housing for American families.”

The bipartisan and bicameral 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents the most comprehensive housing reform legislation in decades to jumpstart the construction of homes people can actually afford.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act would:

Remove barriers to expedite the building of new homes
Codify the CDBG-Disaster Relief initiative, which will expedite funds to my neighbors rebuilding from storms
Responsibly rein in corporate landlords, banning large institutional investors from purchasing up single-family homes
Improve transparency for Veteran homebuyers

View a one-page summary of the legislation here.