The ANCA closely tracks the performance of every incumbent Senator and Representative across a broad array of pro-Armenian legislative metrics, carefully scores and objectively grades each legislator, and then – as a public service to voters interested in factoring our insights into the diverse set of criteria they consider when voting – widely circulates non-biased, fact-driven, merit-based Report Cards and Endorsements each election cycle.

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ANCA Report Card: 116th Congress (2019-2020)
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Joaquin
Castro

D-TX-20

2020 Grade
B-
2024
 2022
 2020
2018

B
B-
B
Voted for the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res. 296? Yes
Cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.296? No
Cosponsored the Artsakh Recognition Resolution, H.Res.1203? No
Cosponsored the Resolution Condemning the Azerbaijan/Turkey Attacks, H.Res.1165? Yes
Cosponsored the U.S.-Artsakh Travel and Communication Resolution, H.Res.190? No
Cosponsored the Resolution Reaffirming the US-Armenia Strategic Relationship (H.Res.452)? No
Cosponsored the 2020 Speier-Cox Amendment to the Foreign Aid Bill for Continued U.S. Aid to Artsakh? No
Voted for the 2019 Speier Amendment to the Foreign Aid Bill Calling for $40 Million in Aid to Armenia? Yes
Voted for the 2019 Sherman Amendment to the NDAA against Azerbaijani Threats to Shoot Down Civilian Aircraft? Yes
Signed the 2020 Armenian Caucus Letter Condemning Azerbaijan/Turkey attacks on Armenia/Artsakh? No
Signed the 2020 Cox-Sherman-Costa-Clark Letter Calling for Sanctions on Azerbaijan for War Crimes? No
Signed the 2020 Speier Letter Against the Anti-Armenian Chabot-Cohen Amendment to NDAA? No
Signed the Armenian Caucus Letter Condemning the Azerbaijan War Games in May, 2020? No
Signed the 2019 Sherman-Cox Letter to Continue US Aid for Artsakh De-Mining? Yes
Signed Letters Supporting Pro-Armenian Foreign Aid Priorities in 2019/2020? No
Signed the 2020 Titus Letter urging the Library of Congress to properly categorize the Armenian Genocide? No
Signed the 2019 Armenian Genocide Letter to the President? No
Signed the 2020 Crenshaw Letter to Block Erdogan’s Visit to DC? No
Issued a 2020 Statement Calling for Artsakh Recognition? No
Issued a 2020 Statement Condemning Azerbaijan/Turkey Attacks on Armenia/Artsakh? No
Issued an April 24th Statement Marking the Armenian Genocide in 2019/2020? No
Commemorated the Sumgait-Baku-Kirovabad Pogroms in 2019/2020? No
Offered Remarks in 2019/2020 making false Khojaly accusations? No
Traveled to Armenia and/or Artsakh in 2019/2020? No
Member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues? No

01/30/19 - Rep. Castro posted the following to Facebook: "Castro Introduces Legislation Preventing Intelligence Community Heads from Lobbying for Foreign Governments

Legislation Amends Foreign Agents Registration Act, Protects U.S. National Security

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a member of the Intelligence and Education and Labor Committees, today re-introduced legislation that would prevent Intelligence Community heads from lobbying for foreign governments. The Intelligence Directors Lobbying Prevention Act of 2019 (H.R. 867) specifically amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to ban a former head of any Intelligence Community agency from serving as a lobbyist for a foreign principle.

“We know the United States Intelligence Community provides the backbone of security for the United States and many of our allies abroad, and its members contribute daily to the safety and security of Americans in addition to global stability” said Chairman Castro. “With the case of General Michael T. Flynn and his nefarious dealings for Russia and Turkey, it’s critical we tighten the Foreign Agents Registration Act and ensure Intelligence Community heads do not lobby on behalf of a foreign principle so as to not jeopardize the United States and our interests at home and abroad. This legislation is the right thing for U.S. national security and the smart thing to do for holding all those within the Intelligence Community—and the broader United States Government—to the highest levels of ethical standards.”

Background: The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) requires that people lobbying for foreign principles register their activity with the Department of Justice. However, recent events have highlighted the need to amend the FARA to prohibit the heads of elements of the intelligence community from conducting such work given the sensitive nature of their government employment. This legislation specifically amends FARA to prohibit a former head of any Intelligence Community (IC) element from serving as a lobbyist for a foreign principal for life. Congressman André Carson (IN-07), Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02), and Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) were also original cosponsors on this measure, and you can read more about this legislation here.

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https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-re-introduces-legislation-preventing-intelligence-community-heads" View the Facebook post here.
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