Texas
JC

Joaquin Castro

D

U.S. Representative · Texas

Last updated

May 11, 2026

Next election

November 2026

Votes cast

949

On record

Bills sponsored

0

Including co-sponsored

Ledger entries

949

All actions

Policy pillars — derived from activity record

Electoral integrity

16 actions

Castro supports election monitoring and ballot tracking mechanisms while opposing citizenship verification requirements and restrictions on voting access, reflecting a tension between transparency and participation-focused electoral integrity concerns.

Criminal justice

50 actions

Castro's criminal justice votes reflect support for drug enforcement, victim protection, and police wellness initiatives alongside opposition to expansive drug scheduling powers and certain law enforcement discretion measures, indicating a pragmatic rather than ideologically consistent approach.

Fiscal policy

86 actions

Castro's fiscal policy votes reflect support for revenue-raising measures and spending continuity while opposing mechanisms for unilateral spending cuts, indicating a preference for maintaining government fiscal commitments over deficit reduction.

Healthcare

34 actions

Castro demonstrates a consistent pattern of supporting government-funded healthcare expansions and disease prevention measures while opposing efforts to reduce federal healthcare protections or funding.

Education

26 actions

Castro demonstrates a consistent pattern of opposing education policies that expand parental oversight, employer training flexibility, and financial aid efficiency while supporting only targeted support measures for pregnant students.

Economy and labor

49 actions

Castro demonstrates a consistent ideological commitment to labor protections and government-directed economic intervention, favoring collective bargaining rights and regulatory oversight while skeptical of market-based approaches to capital formation and small business deregulation.

Environment and energy

166 actions

Castro's votes on environment and energy reflect inconsistent support, combining backing for pollution reduction and ecosystem protection measures with opposition to weakening EPA enforcement and clean air standards, while occasionally voting against environmental protections.

Immigration

53 actions

Castro's immigration votes reflect conflicting positions, opposing restrictive measures on deportation and asylum while also opposing efforts to expand border security enforcement and immigrant housing restrictions.

National security and foreign policy

189 actions

Castro's national security voting pattern shows strong support for counterproliferation, intelligence sharing, and maritime defense measures, but inconsistent alignment on Iran sanctions and domestic terrorism responses that complicate a unified ideological positioning.

Civil rights and liberties

47 actions

Castro's voting pattern on civil rights and liberties reflects competing commitments between protecting vulnerable groups from discrimination and violence while showing concern about procedural safeguards and restrictions on political speech and participation.

Social policy

24 actions

Castro demonstrates consistent support for expansive social welfare policies, particularly regarding veterans' benefits, child protection, family support services, and vulnerable populations.

Technology and data

34 actions

Castro supports federal investment in privacy protection and data security oversight while opposing consumer transparency requirements and regulatory streamlining for emerging technologies.

Civil liberties and government power

5 actions

Castro consistently votes to expand government power over private communications and speech regulation while limiting judicial constraints on executive authority.

Government accountability and transparency

138 actions

Castro's voting pattern on government accountability and transparency reflects inconsistency, as he supported transparency measures on specific issues like SBA loan reporting and congressional censure while opposing multiple bills designed to enhance oversight mechanisms, regulatory review authority, and executive accountability.

Infrastructure and public investment

28 actions

Castro demonstrates strong support for public infrastructure investment and preservation, with consistent backing for federal funding in water systems, transportation, parks, and utilities despite opposing two broadband and general infrastructure funding measures.

Activity ledger — most recent first

May 13, 2026

Castro stated that the Save Our Shrimpers Act does nothing to lower fuel costs or provide practical support to American producers and instead focuses on cutting off financing to impoverished communities in the world.

On the record

Mar 5, 2026

Castro stated that he would vote NO on H. Res. 1099 because it was a naked attempt to justify an illegal war with Iran that the President had already started without congressional authorization.

On the record

Feb 21, 2025

Castro rose to celebrate Our Lady of the Lake University's 130th anniversary and recognized its educational legacy of success, innovation, and commitment to service.

On the record

Dec 18, 2024

Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 — This bill advances government transparency by requiring the Department of Agriculture to report to Congress on threats to agriculture and natural resources.

Government accountability and transparencyEthics and financial disclosure↗ Source
Voted yes

Dec 18, 2024

DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024 — This bill supports national security by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security to develop better technology for detecting dangerous drugs at borders and ports of entry.

National security and foreign policyDefense spending↗ Source
Voted yes

Dec 18, 2024

Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act — This bill advances Native American sovereignty and self-determination by transferring land to tribal control, supporting the civil right of indigenous peoples to govern their own territories.

Civil rights and libertiesVoting rights↗ Source
Voted yes

Dec 17, 2024

Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023 — This bill supports Holocaust education programs by extending federal authorization and funding for educational initiatives through 2030.

EducationK-12 funding and standards↗ Source
Voted yes

Dec 17, 2024

Midnight Rules Relief Act — This bill makes it easier for Congress to overturn multiple regulations at once during presidential transitions, which could reduce executive branch accountability by allowing rapid reversal of rules without individual scrutiny.

Government accountability and transparencyEthics and financial disclosure↗ Source
Voted no

Dec 11, 2024

Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 — This bill extends and updates federal programs that protect endangered wildlife species and their habitats through conservation funding and partnerships.

Environment and energyClimate legislation↗ Source
Voted no

Dec 11, 2024

Increasing Baseline Updates Act — This bill would advance government transparency by requiring the Congressional Budget Office to publish more frequent budget projections and disclose the economic data behind their calculations.

Government accountability and transparencyEthics and financial disclosure↗ Source
Voted yes

Mar 21, 2024

Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023 — This bill strengthens national security by reducing Chinese government influence over U.S. shipping infrastructure and giving federal authorities more power to prevent foreign manipulation of maritime commerce.

National security and foreign policyDefense spending↗ Source
Voted yes

Mar 21, 2024

Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy. — This bill opposes a carbon tax as economically harmful, taking a stance against a potential revenue-raising or economy-regulating tax policy.

Fiscal policyFederal and state taxation↗ Source
Voted no

Mar 21, 2024

Denouncing the harmful, anti-American energy policies of the Biden administration, and for other purposes. — This bill opposes environmental regulations on energy production and federal lands while promoting increased domestic fossil fuel development.

Environment and energyClimate legislation↗ Source
Voted no

Mar 20, 2024

Restoring American Energy Dominance Act — This bill would block new environmental protections and climate provisions for oil and gas leasing on public lands, favoring fossil fuel extraction over energy transition goals.

Environment and energyClimate legislation↗ Source
Voted no

Mar 20, 2024

Restoring American Energy Dominance Act — This bill would block new environmental protections and climate provisions for oil and gas leasing on public lands, favoring fossil fuel extraction over energy transition goals.

Environment and energyClimate legislation↗ Source
Voted yes

Mar 20, 2024

Protecting American Energy Production Act — This bill would protect fossil fuel extraction through fracking by preventing the President from restricting it without Congress approval and prioritizing state over federal environmental regulation.

Environment and energyClimate legislation↗ Source
Voted no

Mar 20, 2024

Protecting American Energy Production Act — This bill would protect fossil fuel extraction through fracking by preventing the President from restricting it without Congress approval and prioritizing state over federal environmental regulation.

Environment and energyClimate legislation↗ Source
Voted yes

Mar 19, 2024

Condemning the illegal abduction and forcible transfer of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. — This bill strengthens the U.S. position on a major foreign conflict by formally condemning Russian actions against Ukrainian children and supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

National security and foreign policyDefense spending↗ Source
Voted yes

Mar 19, 2024

Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act — This bill uses sanctions to protect the stability and democracy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, advancing U.S. foreign policy interests in maintaining peace in a strategically important region.

National security and foreign policyDefense spending↗ Source
Voted yes

Mar 13, 2024

Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act — This bill would restrict or ban applications controlled by foreign adversaries like China from operating in the United States to protect national security and prevent foreign surveillance of Americans.

National security and foreign policyDefense spending↗ Source
Voted no

Feb 29, 2024

Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024 — This bill extends federal funding and authorization for airport infrastructure programs and aviation services, supporting continued public investment in transportation infrastructure.

Infrastructure and public investmentTransportation and roads↗ Source
Voted yes

Feb 29, 2024

Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 — This bill authorizes federal spending to keep government operating and funds student aid programs, representing a decision to maintain current spending levels rather than make cuts or increases.

Fiscal policyFederal and state taxation↗ Source
Voted yes

Jan 11, 2024

DOE and SBA Research Act — This bill would advance the economy and labor pillar by fostering collaboration between federal agencies to support research and development activities that include small businesses, potentially creating innovation and job opportunities.

Economy and laborMinimum wage↗ Source
Voted yes

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