Kathy Castor is a Democratic politician from Florida, currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 14th congressional district. She has been a member of Congress since 2007, representing Tampa and the surrounding area.
Career Path to Congress
- Born on August 20, 1966, in Miami, Florida, Kathy Castor grew up in Tampa.
- She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Emory University in 1988 and a J.D. from Florida State University College of Law in 1991.
- After law school, Castor worked primarily in public administration law.
- She served as the assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Community Affairs, enforcing growth management laws.
- From 2002 to 2006, Castor was a member of the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, focusing on healthcare issues.
- In 2006, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Florida’s 11th congressional district, which was later renumbered as the 14th district.
Sponsored Legislation
Kathy Castor has introduced and co-sponsored various legislation during her congressional career. Some notable bills include:
- H.R.8085 – Expediting Generator Interconnection Procedures Act of 2024, introduced on April 19, 2024.
- The Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) 2.0, introduced on April 9, 2024, aimed at enhancing protections for children’s privacy online.
- The Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Restoration Act, which sought funding for economic recovery and environmental restoration following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
- Legislation intended to improve children’s healthcare through a “health home” model.
- A bipartisan initiative to address the opioid epidemic.
Votes and Stances on Social Issues
Kathy Castor has supported various social policies, including:
- Advocacy for the Affordable Care Act to protect and expand healthcare access.
- Promotion of legislation to protect children’s online privacy, including COPPA 2.0.
- Support for immigration reform, such as the American Dream and Promise Act.
- Defense of protections for individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Votes and Stances on Economic Issues
Castor’s economic positions align with the Democratic Party’s platform:
- She opposed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (commonly referred to as the “bailout bill”) due to concerns about adequate support for middle-class families.
- She supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, viewing it as essential for economic recovery.
- Castor has advocated for lowering prescription drug costs and protecting Medicare for seniors.
- She has also supported initiatives aimed at job creation and economic strengthening.
Votes and Stances on National Defense, NDAA, and DARPA
While specific details regarding Castor’s votes on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and her positions on DARPA are not provided, her general stance on national defense includes:
- Support for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and the redeployment of troops from Afghanistan.
- Voting to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 in June 2021, advocating for Congress to regain its constitutional authority over military force.
- Serving on the House Armed Services Committee, indicating involvement in defense-related legislation.
- Co-chairing the Air Force Caucus and the Special Operations Caucus, demonstrating interest in specific defense areas.
Recent Demographic Data of Adults in Her Congressional District
Recent demographic data for adults in Kathy Castor’s congressional district is not included in the provided information. To obtain this data, it may be necessary to consult the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics or other reliable demographic sources pertinent to Florida’s 14th congressional district.
In summary, Kathy Castor is a Democratic representative focused on healthcare, environmental protection, and children’s rights. Her legislative record reflects a commitment to progressive policies while addressing the needs of her constituents in Florida. Although details on some national defense issues are limited, her overall record indicates an approach to both domestic and international concerns.
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Castor
[2] https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404532
[3] https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/kathy-castor
[4] https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-2007-pt1/html/CRECB-2007-pt1-issue-2007-01-05.htm
[5] https://castor.house.gov/biography/
[6] https://castor.house.gov/legislation/sponsoredbills.htm
[7] https://castor.house.gov/voterecord/
[8] https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Bjoiner%5D=and&advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=contains&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Kusnet&subcollections=0&submit_search=Search+for+items&sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CTitle&output=omeka-xml
[9] https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/kathy-castor/
[10] https://www.congress.gov/member/kathy-castor/C001066