Joaquin Castro
Democrat
TX
Representative, 20th District
Next Election: 2026
Joaquin Castro is a Democratic U.S. Representative for Texas's 20th Congressional District. Castro first took office in Congress in 2013. In the 119th Congress, Castro has voted in 96.8% of roll-call votes on bills. Across the passage and amendment votes VoteSee tracks, Castro has voted with the Democratic majority 97.3% of the time. Castro's overall VoteSee report card grade is F.
Castro's latest recorded votes: Yea on Retire through Ownership Act (Sep 16, 2026); Yea on Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026); Yea on Ratepayer Protection Act (Sep 16, 2026). Castro is running for re-election on Nov 3, 2026, against 1 other candidate.
Joaquin Castro: Voting Record & Political Positions
Joaquin Castro's Voting Record at a Glance
- Voting attendance: 96.8% — cast 635 of 656 roll-call votes (missed 21).
- Party-line voting: votes with the Democratic majority 97.27% of the time (2.73% of votes break from it).
- Legislative effectiveness: sponsored 174 bills and sponsored or cosponsored 1871, 74 of which were enacted into law.
Top Issues Joaquin Castro Votes On
- Immigration
- Defense Spending
- Health Insurance
- Taxation
- Foreign Aid
- Infrastructure
How Joaquin Castro Voted on Recent Bills
- Yea on “Retire through Ownership Act” (2026-09-16) — Passed
- Yea on “Water Resources Development Act of 2026” (2026-09-16) — Passed
- Yea on “Ratepayer Protection Act” (2026-09-16) — Passed
- Nay on “Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the "California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision".” (2026-09-16) — Passed
- Nay on “Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act” (2026-09-16) — Passed
- Nay on “National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026” (2026-09-16) — Passed
- Nay on “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026” (2026-09-16) — Passed
- Yea on “Whistleblower Protection Act of 2025” (2026-09-15) — Passed
When Joaquin Castro Broke With the Democratic Party
Joaquin Castro has voted against the Democratic majority on about 2.7% of the passage and amendment votes VoteSee tracks. Recent examples since 2025:
- Voted Nay on “National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026” (2026-09-16) while most Democrats voted Yea — Passed.
- Voted Nay on “Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027” (2026-09-01) while most Democrats voted Yea — Passed.
- Voted Yea on “Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from Lebanon.” (2026-06-04) while most Democrats voted No — Failed.
- Voted Nay on “Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025” (2026-05-12) while most Democrats voted Yea — Passed.
- Voted Nay on “Reaffirming Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism.” (2026-03-05) while most Democrats voted Yea — Passed.