Florida Representative Kathy Castor voted 11 times against funding for hurricane relief, even in in the wake of storms that devastated Tampa.
Over the past 15 years, Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor has voted 11 times against funding for hurricane relief, totaling billions of dollars and millions of dollars directly allocated for Hillsborough County and Tampa.
It seems like the vulnerable Democrat facing reelection felt it was more important to vote with her party than to help provide needed funding to Florida. Republicans have also noticed her voting record and are ready to hold her accountable to voters. This will surely become a major issue in her reelection campaign in Central Florida, as her votes went against helping Hillsborough County and Tampa.
“Out of touch Democrat Kathy Castor’s record of voting against critical hurricane relief funding for her own constituents makes it clear: Nothing is more important to Kathy Castor than blind Party loyalty, no matter the consequences for her constituents,” said NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole. “Florida families deserve better than this self-serving hack.”
Since 2012, Rep. Castor, a Tampa Democrat, voted against 11 separate bills appropriating funding to FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, totaling $151.43 billion in funding that she’s tried to block:
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- In 2011, Castor voted against $2.65 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund.
- In 2012, Castor voted against $6.089 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund.
- In 2013, Castor voted against $6.221 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund.
- In 2015, Castor voted against $7.033 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund.
- In 2017, Castor voted against $7.328 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund.
- In 2023, Castor voted against $20.261 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund.
- In 2024, Castor voted against $22.741 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund.
Even worse, Rep. Castor voted against funding for the Disaster Relief Fund when her constituents needed it most.
In 2024, hurricanes Milton and Helene, which hit just 13 days apart, ripped through Tampa Bay, devastating parts of the area. Across the state, at least 34 people lost their lives as a result of Helene, and the storm was dubbed “the deadliest hurricane in the contiguous U.S. since Katrina in 2005.”
Days after Helene, Milton hit, killing five people. The storm caused over $190 million in agricultural losses in Florida, the most of any during hurricane season, with total costs approaching $642 million.
Despite the devastation, Rep. Castor still voted against FEMA disaster relief funding.
- On March 4, 2026, Castor voted to stop the FEMA funding bill from being taken to a vote.
- On March 11, 2025, Castor voted against $22.5 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
- On January 22, 2026, Castor voted against $26.4 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
- On March 26, 2026, Castor voted to shut down FEMA.
And that funding she voted against authorized critical grants for Florida that:
- Provided $2 million to elevate flood-prone homes in Tampa and more than $800,000 to strengthen wind resistance and install generators for Hillsborough County. It also included $3.5 million for Hillsborough County for emergency protective measures and debris cleanup immediately following Hurricane Helene.
- Delivered more than $14 million to Florida, which included almost $460,000 for Hillsborough County for utility equipment.
- The funding Rep. Castor voted against even provided $3.6 million in grant money to Tampa General Hospital for emergency measures to protect public safety following Hurricane Milton.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) also recently announced that Rep. Castor’s opponent, Mike Beltran, was added to the 2026 MAGA Majority program. The MAGA Majority is an NRCC program focused on supporting and elevating the next wave of America First candidates who will help expand the Republican House majority in 2026.
It is clear Republicans are ready to target and hold Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor accountable. This Florida race is a top target for Republicans and Democrats.
