Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]

Funding Small Businesses During Shutdown Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2024

To ensure that United States diplomats and officials of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission are able to advance efforts seeking compliance by the United Mexican States with the 1944 Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2024

FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2024

FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of the coins shall be promptly paid by Treasury to FWC2026 US, Inc. (the U.S.-incorporated FIFA subsidiary operating the FIFA Men's World Cup 2026) for the purpose of aiding soccer programs and activities in the United States.

Connect the Grid Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2024

Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2024

FAIR Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2024

Nutrition CARE Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2024

Nutrition Counseling Aiding Recovery for Eating Disorders Act of 2024 or the Nutrition CARE Act of 2024 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for individuals with eating disorders. Such services must be furnished by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional pursuant to a referral from a physician, psychologist, or other authorized mental health professional.

Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2024

Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 This bill extends and provides FY2024 funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a monthly benefit that allows eligible low-income households to receive discounted internet service. The program also provides a one-time discount that may be used to purchase a connected device, such as a computer.

Commending Taiwan for its history of democratic elections, and expressing support of Taiwan in the preservation of its democratic institutions.

United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2024

This resolution commends Taiwan for its example of self-governance and regards Taiwan's democracy as a great strategic strength for the free world. The resolution also expresses concern about Chinese interference in Taiwan's 2024 elections and expresses commitment to continuing a strong partnership with Taiwan, regardless of the outcome of the elections.

Recognizing international days of peace, coexistence, and cooperation.

United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2023

This resolution recognizes the anniversaries of the International Day of Peace, Human Solidarity Day, the International Day of Living Together in Peace, and other specified international days. The resolution also expresses that Congress commits to (1) encouraging the people of the United States to continue commemorating international days of peace, coexistence, and cooperation; and (2) supporting activities on such days that promote thoughtful, deliberative, and cooperative actions to achieve peace.

Internet at Hardship Posts Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Internet at Hardship Posts Act This bill authorizes the Department of State to pay the residential internet service expenses of department personnel in foreign countries where the post hardship differential is equivalent to 30% or more above basic compensation.

Intelligence Community Joint Duty Improvements Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Intelligence Community Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Intelligence Community Families Act This bill makes officers or employees of the intelligence community (or their spouses and dependent children) who are domiciled or assigned to a duty station in a given state eligible for in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in that state. Such individuals retain their eligibility for in-state tuition provided they maintain continuous enrollment even if their domicile or duty station changes.

Restoring U.S. Leadership in International Organizations Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023

Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in recognition of the life of Roberto Clemente, baseball player and human rights activist. All sales of coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid to the Roberto Clemente Foundation. 

Passport System Reform and Backlog Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

Passport System Reform and Backlog Prevention Act This bill addresses issues related to the passport issuance process, including by providing the Department of State with emergency hiring authorities. Under this bill, the State Department may hire additional personal services contractors to meet the exigent needs of the Bureau of Consular Affairs from FY2024 through FY2026. The State Department may have up to 100 such positions at any given time, and such positions may not be for longer than two years. Furthermore, the bureau must award or expand contracts to implement certain information technology (IT) programs. Specifically, these contracts shall be to (1) provide a digital dashboard to congressional offices to track individual passport applications; (2) establish a program to provide automated messages and notifications to passport applicants, such as notifications of application errors; (3) establish a mobile application to allow passport applicants to communicate with the State Department and submit documents; (4) expand the online passport renewal system to also accommodate routine first-time adult passport applications; and (5) provide rules-based tools to screen online passport renewal applications with no changed biographical information against commercial databases. The bureau must also solicit the private sector for proposals about commercially available technologies that may improve the passport issuance process. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report to Congress a comprehensive review of the passport issuance process, including opportunities to enhance the process. The bureau must periodically report to Congress on its progress in implementing the GAO's recommendations.

ARMAS Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

Workers POWER Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

Fight Book Bans Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2023

Expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan.

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2023

This resolution expresses strong support for democracy in Pakistan, including free and fair elections. It calls on the President to work with Pakistan to uphold democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution also urges Pakistan to uphold democratic institutions and human rights.

Climate Displaced Persons Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2023

Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2023

Disarming Cartels Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2023

ARCC Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2023

Honoring the heroic military service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans from the great State of Texas.

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2023

This resolution honors the service, sacrifice, and contributions of Texas veterans and their families. The resolution also expresses that the House of Representatives commits to working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans are provided timely care and applicable benefits and compensation as a result of their service.

Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assign, for purposes of the disability compensation program, a disability rating of total to a veteran who meets certain parameters and is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to a service-connected disability. Specifically, the VA may make such a disability determination if a veteran has a service-connected disability rated at least 60%, or has two or more service-connected disabilities with one being at least 40% and a combined total of at least 70%. The VA may also make a determination on the disability rating in circumstances where a veteran meeting the specified parameters maintains marginal employment (income is less than the poverty threshold), or if the veteran maintains substantially gainful employment (exceeds the poverty threshold) and the VA determines that the rating is appropriate. The bill prescribes what disabilities may be considered as one disability (e.g., disabilities incurred or aggravated as a prisoner of war). The VA may not consider the age of a veteran or eligibility for retirement benefits when making any determination related to disability rating.

Open Source Intelligence Availability Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

Advanced Coursework Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

Advanced Coursework Equity Act This bill directs the Department of Education to establish three grant programs to increase enrollment and performance of underrepresented students in advanced courses and programs. Local educational agencies receiving grants or subgrants must use such funds for certain activities, such as conducting community engagement, expanding enrollment of underrepresented students in advanced courses, and providing direct services (e.g., tutoring) to underrepresented students.

911 SAVES Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023

Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act of 2023 or the 911 SAVES Act of 2023 This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, by 30 days after the bill's enactment, to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification System.

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1535 East Los Ebanos Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas, as the "1st Lieutenant Andres Zermeno Post Office Building".

United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2023

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1535 East Los Ebanos Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas, as the "1st Lieutenant Andres Zermeno Post Office Building."

Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), increases funding for the program, and provides additional delivery options for geographically isolated states (i.e., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam). TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases a variety of commodities and makes those food products (e.g., canned, frozen, dried, and fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, dairy, and whole-grain and enriched grain products) available to state distributing agencies. The bill increases funding for purchasing commodities under the program. Further, the bill directs USDA to coordinate with geographically isolated states to (1) establish alternative delivery options for allocated commodities, and (2) allow for the states to order commodities through the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  USDA may also provide geographically isolated states the ability to directly purchase domestically grown food in lieu of receiving a portion of the commodities. Under this option, USDA may distribute as cash to the state up to 20% of the cash value of the commodities that are allocated to the state under TEFAP.  Further, USDA may consider additional factors beyond lowest price in determining winning bids for contracts for fresh produce packages (including product variety and transportation distance). 

AMMO Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

Southeast Asia Partnership Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

U.S.-ASEAN Center Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

Commemorating the annual celebration of Día de los Muertos in the United States and around the world.

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023

This resolution recognizes the annual celebration of de los Muertos in the United States and around the world and recognizes the cultural contributions that Mexicans and Mexican Americans have made to the United States.

Original National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resolution of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023

Original National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resolution of 2023 This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Further, it expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to raise awareness of and support programs to end domestic violence.

YALI Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023

Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023

Represent America Abroad Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2023

Air America Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2023

Safe Schools Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023

Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), sex characteristics (including intersex traits), disability, or religion. Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

Federal Retirement Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023

Federal Retirement Fairness Act This bill modifies the federal civilian service that is creditable service under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Specifically, it expands the nondeduction service that may be creditable under FERS. Nondeduction service is federal service where an employee's pay is not subject to retirement deductions (e.g., service under a temporary appointment). Currently, nondeduction service performed before January 1, 1989, is creditable under FERS so long as a deposit is made into the retirement fund to cover the period of nondeduction service. This bill allows nondeduction service performed on or after January 1, 1989, to be creditable under FERS so long as a deposit is made into the retirement fund.

Medical Debt Relief Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023

Medical Debt Relief Act of 2023 This bill prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including medical debt on a consumer report (i.e., credit report). In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must amend regulations to prohibit creditors from obtaining or using medical debt information when considering whether to extend credit to a consumer. 

Clean Water Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2023

Calling on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during October 2023 attack on Israel.

United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023

This resolution calls on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution (1) condemns Hamas for attacking Israel, taking hostages, and for threats made against hostages; (2) demands that Hamas immediately release hostages; (3) recognizes that hostage-taking is a violation of international humanitarian law; and (4) expresses sympathy to the hostages, wounded, deceased, and their families.  

Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2023

This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.

Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2023

This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.

To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2023

Expressing support for increasing the number of Latino students and young professionals entering careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2023

This resolution supports the goal of increasing Latino individuals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a way to promote economic empowerment and sustainability, not only in their community, but in the overall U.S. economy. The resolution also encourages increased federal support for initiatives aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM education and career paths, particularly engineering. Finally, the resolution recognizes the important role that Hispanic-serving institutions and all institutions of higher education must play in order to achieve the goal of increasing Latino individuals in STEM.

Recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity in wages paid to Latina women in comparison to men.

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2023

This concurrent resolution recognizes the disparity between wages paid to Latina women and wages paid to men. The resolution reaffirms Congress's support for ensuring equal pay and closing the gender wage gap.