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Checked against the record · Florida 14th District 2026

Did Kathy Castor help secure a $420 million authorization to deepen the Tampa Bay channel?

Matches stated direction. She voted for the 2024 water law that authorizes deepening Tampa Harbor at a federal cost of $520.4 million, not $420 million; an authorization is not money spent.

Kathy Castor

Deepening the Tampa shipping channel

Matches stated direction

What they say

Her campaign says she helped secure a $420 million federal authorization to deepen the shipping channel so larger cargo ships can reach Tampa Bay. Her office's December 10, 2024 release lists the project at $420 million.

“She also helped secure a $420 million federal authorization to deepen the shipping channel”

What the record shows ·

The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 authorizes the Tampa Harbor deep draft navigation project in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties at a federal cost of $520,420,000, out of $1,148,260,000 in total. The Corps' August 14, 2024 report, at October 2023 prices, put the federal share of initial construction at $488,521,000. She voted Yea on the bill's House passage, 399-18.

Limit: No Corps or law figure of $420 million was found. An authorization is not money spent, and she was one of 399 members voting for it.

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Sources5 source records

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  1. Castor for Congress, delivering for Floridahttps://castorforcongress.com/delivering-for-florida/

    Castor for Congress · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Captured 2026-10-01. Lists money she says she brought to the district: the airport, the port, transit, housing, MacDill and the Haley VA. Only the port authorization is tested on this desk; the other totals were not matched to funding records that name her as requester.

    candidate statement

    For: Did Kathy Castor help secure a $420 million authorization to deepen the Tampa Bay channel?

  2. House Passes Major Water Infrastructure Bill with Tampa Bay Prioritieshttps://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404732

    Office of Rep. Kathy Castor · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    Her office's release of December 10, 2024. It lists "Port Tampa Bay Deep Draft Navigation - $420 million".

    official office record

    For: Did Kathy Castor help secure a $420 million authorization to deepen the Tampa Bay channel?

  3. Public Law 118-272, Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/PLAW-118publ272

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Enacted 2025-01-04 from S. 4367. Its project table authorizes Tampa Harbor, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, deep draft navigation, at a federal cost of $520,420,000 and a total of $1,148,260,000. Read 2026-10-01.

    official legislative record

    For: Did Kathy Castor help secure a $420 million authorization to deepen the Tampa Bay channel?

  4. Chief of Engineers report, Tampa Harbor, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, Florida, Deep Draft Navigationhttps://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/26363

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    Signed August 14, 2024. At October 2023 price levels it estimates the federal share of the project first cost for initial construction at $488,521,000 and the non-federal share at $589,362,000 (p. 3).

    official office record

    For: Did Kathy Castor help secure a $420 million authorization to deepen the Tampa Bay channel?

  5. House roll call 493, 118th Congress, 2nd session (document)

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    On passage of S. 4367, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, 2024-12-10. Passed 399-18. Castor voted Yea.

    official legislative record

    For: Did Kathy Castor help secure a $420 million authorization to deepen the Tampa Bay channel?