Last week, two members of the Florida congressional delegation reviewed their actions in 2023.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., noted that her office “worked to deliver over $13.3 million in aid, benefits and refunds to veterans, seniors, small businesses and families in 2023, including over $1.7 million to veterans and service members” in her Tampa Bay district.
“Over $1 billion in federal grants were secured for the community to invest in our schools and infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, lower costs, and foster safer, healthier neighborhoods. Local partners and nonprofits deserve kudos for playing a critical and collaborative role this year,” Castor’s office noted.
“The Tampa and St. Petersburg constituent services team works tirelessly to cut through red tape on behalf of families, veterans and businesses. In a year with an unprecedented number of passport cases and the implementation of the historic Honoring Our PACT Act, my office has delivered favorable results to our neighbors and veterans across the Tampa Bay area. I am grateful for all that Steven Angotti, Tania Fernandez, Damaris Gonzalez and Sean Saintil – as well as the entire Castor Team – did this year. I couldn’t be prouder of my dedicated casework team that went above and beyond working weekends to save many Tampa Bay families thousands of dollars as they faced disruptions in their overseas travel due to this year’s unprecedented surge of passport issues. Their expertise and compassion are critical to ensuring that veterans receive the benefits they have earned, and that Social Security and Medicare benefits are delivered on time,” said Castor.
“Amazingly, 207 federal grants bolstered neighborhoods from West Tampa to South St. Petersburg and more – for a total of $1,030,242,000 including important investments in righting the wrongs of the past with inclusive highway connections, safer streets, and fighting the Black maternal health crisis. I love my hometown and am committed to lifting every neighbor by revitalizing neighborhoods through meaningful environmental justice, supporting our youth, combatting extreme heat, and improving health outcomes for Black mothers and babies. There is so much to look forward to in the new year, as I champion investments that improve our lives through the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to the Tampa Bay area and into your pockets,” she added. “This year I was also proud to introduce legislation to protect our children online, create lasting solutions to the changing climate, and create more high-quality, affordable health care options. With over 30 pieces of legislation introduced, I kept your needs and best interests at the forefront of my work so I could continue to deliver for you and your families.”
Castor also looked ahead to the new year.
“Looking ahead, in 2024 we will bring home more investments to Tampa Bay families and communities by addressing our neighbors’ most critical needs through the Infrastructure Decade, combatting extreme weather, and strengthening the health and safety of our neighborhoods. The Tampa Bay area is a special community, and I will stand up for my neighbors to deliver solutions and advocate to bring every federal dollar home. I am grateful for the work of my team and the partnership of local leaders, businesses and nonprofits that allow our community to secure grants that will keep Tampa Bay an outstanding place to live,” Castor said.
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., also looked over his record in 2023.
“Whether it’s getting the supplies we need for our families or how we move from Point A to Point B, infrastructure impacts every aspect of our lives. That’s why I serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – so that I can work towards solutions to the problems that affect our community every day,” Mast noted. “On the local level, that means dealing with the expansion of Brightline’s rail service from Miami to Orlando and making sure it doesn’t disrupt the Treasure Coast way of life. With the announcement of a megagrant to replace the 90-year-old St. Lucie River railroad bridge, we took a big step forward in that fight.
“And at the national level, I continued to push for fixes to our supply chain, including cutting needless red tape in order to get more truckers on the road. The CABS Act is a common sense piece of legislation that ensures qualified drivers aren’t penalized by simple definitions from the U.S. Department of Commerce,” Mast continued. “There’s still plenty of work to be done in the new year, and I’m ready and excited to work with the Transportation Committee to keep our country moving forward.”
