Greg Casar

Gregorio Eduardo Casar was born on May 4, 1989, in Houston, to two Mexican immigrants and is a Catholic. His father was a surgeon.{{cite web |title=Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/PF_2023.01.03_congress_LIST.pdf |publisher=PEW Research Center |access-date=13 May 2023}}{{cite web |title=Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/ |website=Pew Research Center |access-date=6 March 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.austintexas.gov/department/council-member-gregorio-casar-biography|title=Council Member Gregorio Casar – Biography|author=|website=City of Austin|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-date=June 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621112316/http://www.austintexas.gov/department/council-member-gregorio-casar-biography|url-status=live}} He grew up in the enclave of Bellaire and attended Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, where he ran track.{{cite web |title=Greg Casar Superstar? |url=https://prospect.org/politics/greg-casar-superstar/ |last=Bova |first=Gus |date=June 8, 2022 |publisher=The American Prospect |access-date=27 Feb 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bellaire/sports/article/Strake-Jesuit-runner-gives-it-his-all-in-state-9578554.php |title=Strake Jesuit runner gives it his all in state finale |last=Hamilton |first=Heath |date=May 15, 2007 |website=www.chron.com |publisher=Houston Chronicle |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103012407/https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bellaire/sports/article/Strake-Jesuit-runner-gives-it-his-all-in-state-9578554.php |url-status=live }} Casar then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and social thought from the University of Virginia in 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/austin-city-council-district-4-election-meet-greg-casar/341814786 |title=Austin City Council District 4 Election: Meet Greg Casar |last=Goudeau |first=Ashley |date=October 27, 2016 |publisher=KVUE |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308172232/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/austin-city-council-district-4-election-meet-greg-casar/341814786 |url-status=live }} He began his activism in college, organizing with Students and Workers United for a Living Wage, which called for the university to pay its workers a higher living wage.{{cite web |url=https://www.c-ville.com/Living_Wagers_hopeful_new_administration_means_fair_wages/ |title=Living Wagers hope new administration means fair wages |last=Canzi |first=Chiara |work=C-VILLE Weekly |date=September 28, 2010 |publisher=C-VILLE |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028135627/https://www.c-ville.com/Living_Wagers_hopeful_new_administration_means_fair_wages/ |url-status=live }}

Before running for office, Casar worked as policy director for the Workers Defense Project (Proyecto Defensa Laboral), where he won victories such as rest and water breaks for construction workers, living wage requirements, and against wage theft.{{cite web |last=Krisberg |first=Kris |date=August 31, 2012 |title=A Different Kind of Texas-style Justice: Two Nights with the Workers Defense Project |url=http://www.thepumphandle.org/2012/08/31/a-different-kind-of-texas-style-justice-two-nights-at-austins-workers-defense-project/ |access-date=May 21, 2019 |publisher=The Pump Project |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001051830/http://www.thepumphandle.org/2012/08/31/a-different-kind-of-texas-style-justice-two-nights-at-austins-workers-defense-project/ |url-status=live }}

In 2011, he led the Workers Defense Project efforts to require that construction workers be allowed to take rest and water breaks: ten minutes for each four hours worked, and no more than 3.5 hours without a break.{{cite magazine |last=Pagano |first=Elizabeth |date=August 8, 2018 |title=Greg Casar Fights to Change Austin |url=https://www.austinmonthly.com/AM/August-2018/Greg-Casar-Fights-to-Change-Austin/index.php?cparticle=2&siarticle=1&requiressl=true#artanc |magazine=Austin Monthly |access-date=May 21, 2019}} Casar also organized against major corporations, including White Lodging,{{cite magazine |last=Barnett |first=Marissa |date=August 10, 2013 |title=Hotel Developer Debate Raises Questions over Austin's Incentive Program |url=https://www.texasobserver.org/hotel-developer-debate-raises-questions-over-austins-incentive-program/ |magazine=Texas Observer |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222013222/https://www.texasobserver.org/hotel-developer-debate-raises-questions-over-austins-incentive-program/ |url-status=live }} and successfully led the fight to include living wage and other labor protections in an incentives deal the Austin City Council planned to give to Apple.{{cite web |last=Greenhouse |first=Steven |date=August 10, 2013 |title=The Workers Defense Project, a Union in Spirit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/business/the-workers-defense-project-a-union-in-spirit.html |access-date=May 21, 2019 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=May 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524142603/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/business/the-workers-defense-project-a-union-in-spirit.html |url-status=live }}

File:Greg Casar, Austin City Council Member, District 4.jpg

In 2014, Austin had its first election with geographic, single-member districts to elect City Council members, instead of an at-large election.{{cite web|author=|title=What is 10-ONE|url=http://www.austintexas.gov/department/10-one|access-date=May 21, 2019|website=City of Austin|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421034042/http://www.austintexas.gov/department/10-one|url-status=live}} Casar finished first in the election, but went into a runoff against Laura Pressley, an anti-fluoride activist.{{cite web|last=Clifton|first=Jo|date=August 19, 2015|title=Two groups disclaim anti-fluoride email|url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/08/two-groups-disclaim-anti-fluoride-email/|access-date=May 21, 2019|website=austinmonitor.com|publisher=Austin Monitor|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302103029/https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/08/two-groups-disclaim-anti-fluoride-email/|url-status=live}} Casar won the runoff, but Pressley sued to contest the results, claiming ballot irregularities.{{cite web|last=Clifton|first=Jo|date=April 17, 2015|title=Pressley continues District 4 election contest|url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/08/two-groups-disclaim-anti-fluoride-email/|access-date=May 21, 2019|website=austinmonitor.com|publisher=Austin Monitor|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302103029/https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/08/two-groups-disclaim-anti-fluoride-email/|url-status=live}} In 2019, the Supreme Court of Texas rejected her final appeal.{{cite web|last=Findell|first=Elizabeth|date=January 15, 2019|title=Texas Supreme Court rejects Laura Pressley election contest|url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20190125/texas-supreme-court-rejects-laura-pressley-election-contest|access-date=May 21, 2019|website=statesman.com|publisher=Austin American-Statesman|archive-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204112808/https://www.statesman.com/news/20190125/texas-supreme-court-rejects-laura-pressley-election-contest|url-status=live}}

In 2016, Casar was reelected to Austin City Council in the same election in which Donald Trump was elected president. When asked by the Austin-American Statesman whether he would shake hands with President Trump, he responded "Hell no."{{cite web|author=|date=November 9, 2016|title=Hundreds of Austinites Gather to Protest Donald Trump's Election|url=https://www.kut.org/post/hundreds-austinites-gather-protest-donald-trumps-election|access-date=May 21, 2019|website=kut.org|publisher=KUT News|archive-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230053518/http://www.kut.org/post/hundreds-austinites-gather-protest-donald-trumps-election|url-status=live}} The day after Election Day, Casar wrote, "Lots of people, including Donald Trump, are calling for healing and unity today. I won't call for healing. I'm calling for resistance."{{cite web|last=Renovitch|first=James|date=November 9, 2016|title=Council Member Greg Casar Makes Statement on Trump|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2016-11-09/council-member-greg-casar-makes-statement-on-trump/|access-date=May 21, 2019|website=austinchronicle.com|publisher=The Austin Chronicle|archive-date=June 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623132003/https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2016-11-09/council-member-greg-casar-makes-statement-on-trump/|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Casar was elected for a third time to the Austin City Council.{{Cite web|first=Audrey|last=McGlinchy|title=2020 Austin City Council Results: Casar And Pool Retain Seats; Flannigan And Alter Head To Runoffs|url=https://www.kut.org/post/2020-austin-city-council-results-casar-and-pool-retain-seats-flannigan-and-alter-head-runoffs|access-date=2020-11-18|website=www.kut.org|date=4 November 2020|language=en|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115220636/https://www.kut.org/post/2020-austin-city-council-results-casar-and-pool-retain-seats-flannigan-and-alter-head-runoffs|url-status=live}} In November 2020, Austin Monthly published "Why Gregorio Casar is the Future of Texas Politics."{{Cite web|last=Leffler|first=David|date=2020-11-02|title=Why Gregorio Casar is the Future of Texas Politics|url=https://www.austinmonthly.com/why-gregorio-casar-is-the-future-of-texas-politics/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130042916/https://www.austinmonthly.com/why-gregorio-casar-is-the-future-of-texas-politics/|archive-date=November 30, 2020|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Austin Monthly Magazine|language=en-US}} Casar considered running for the Texas Senate seat held by retiring Kirk Watson, but he declined.{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Mark D.|title=Casar takes first step in bid to replace state Sen. Watson|url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200302/casar-takes-first-step-in-bid-to-replace-state-sen-watson|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Austin American-Statesman|language=en|archive-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716041852/https://www.statesman.com/news/20200302/casar-takes-first-step-in-bid-to-replace-state-sen-watson|url-status=live}}

As an Austin City Council member, Casar led policy efforts on issues ranging from affordable housing, paid sick leave, living wage increases, tenant organizing, immigrant rights, criminal justice reforms (such as "ban the box"), and police accountability. He was the first person to represent Austin's District 4, the city's most diverse district. It has the most young children, and is 70% nonwhite, with approximately 30% non-citizen.{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/04/13/donald-trump-deportation-immigration-texas-217990/ |title=How Trump Moved the Mexican Border North |last=Gogolak |first=Emily |date=April 13, 2018 |publisher=Politico |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624185328/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/04/13/donald-trump-deportation-immigration-texas-217990 |url-status=live }} Most of its constituents are Latino, and it has the second largest African American population of Austin's ten council districts. It also has the highest poverty rate.{{cite book |last=Shaw |first=Randy |title=Generation Priced Out |publisher=University of California Press |date=2018 |page=90}}

Casar served as the board chair of [https://localprogress.org/ Local Progress], a project of the Center for Popular Democracy, "the national network of progressive elected officials from cities, counties, towns, school districts, villages and other local governments across the country".{{cite web|url=https://localprogress.org/who-we-are/board-members/|title=Board Members|author=|website=Local Progress|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501225811/https://localprogress.org/who-we-are/board-members/|url-status=live}}

Casar resigned his seat on November 4, 2021, when he announced his run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 35th district.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

File:Greg Casar Open Congress 2022.jpg

{{See also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 35}}

On November 4, 2021, Casar announced his candidacy for Texas's 35th congressional district.{{cite tweet|number=1456244852228857858|user=GregCasar|title=A better world is possible, if we fight for it. Organize for it.That's why I'm running for Congress. To stop the…|date=4 November 2021}} During the primary, he was endorsed by prominent national progressives, including senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,{{Cite news |last=Sandoval |first=Edgar |date=March 2, 2022 |title=Casar, a progressive Democrat, wins a primary race in one of Texas' most liberal House districts |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/01/us/texas-election-primary/casar-a-progressive-democrat-wins-a-primary-race-in-one-of-texas-most-liberal-house-districts |access-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302051006/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/01/us/texas-election-primary/casar-a-progressive-democrat-wins-a-primary-race-in-one-of-texas-most-liberal-house-districts |url-status=live }} as well as Austin officials such as Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County district attorney José Garza.{{Cite news |last1=Mekelburg |first1=Madlin |last2=Donham |first2=Madi |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Greg Casar wins Democratic primary election for 35th Congressional District |work=The Austin American Statesman |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/03/01/texas-primary-election-day-result-congressional-district-35-greg-casar/6785944001/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302051407/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/03/01/texas-primary-election-day-result-congressional-district-35-greg-casar/6785944001/ |url-status=live }}

Casar won the Democratic primary on March 1, 2022, with approximately 60% of the vote.{{Cite news |last=Livingston |first=Abby |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Greg Casar wins Democratic primary for Austin and San Antonio area congressional seat |work=The Texas Tribune |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/01/greg-casar-democratic-primary-austin/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302024451/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/01/greg-casar-democratic-primary-austin/ |url-status=live }} In his victory speech, he linked his victory to the overall progressive movement, saying, "This election was about us, the power of the people and the power of our movement. Let’s celebrate the progressive movement in Texas".{{Cite news |last=Axelrod |first=Tal |date=March 2, 2022 |title=Progressive favorite Casar wins primary for redrawn Texas district |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/596191-progressive-favorite-wins-contested-democratic-house-primary-in-texas |access-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302111058/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/596191-progressive-favorite-wins-contested-democratic-house-primary-in-texas |url-status=live }} Given the 35th district’s partisan lean of D+21, Casar’s primary victory was considered tantamount to election. The Texas Tribune wrote that he is expected to be "among the most progressive members of Congress ever to serve from Texas".

On November 8, 2022, Casar won the general election, defeating the Republican nominee, former Corpus Christi mayor Dan McQueen, with 73% of the vote.{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrat-greg-casar-wins-election-to-us-house-in-texas-35th-congressional-district/ar-AA13VR4d|title=Democrat Greg Casar wins election to U.S. House in Texas' 35th Congressional District|website=MSN|access-date=November 10, 2022|archive-date=November 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110200059/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrat-greg-casar-wins-election-to-us-house-in-texas-35th-congressional-district/ar-AA13VR4d|url-status=live}}

Casar was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4029522-republicans-and-democrats-who-bucked-party-leaders-by-voting-no/|title=Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no|first=Jared|last=Gans|date=May 31, 2023|access-date=June 6, 2023|work=The Hill}} On July 25, 2023, Casar led a thirst strike advocating for better heat protection after a law passed in Texas overrode local ordinances such as water and rest breaks.{{Cite news |date=2023-07-25 |title=US lawmaker Greg Casar ends thirst strike after nine hours |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66308450 |access-date=2023-07-27}} The strike lasted for nine hours and Casar took no breaks nor did he eat or drink.

• Congressional Equality Caucus{{Cite web|url=https://lgbtq.house.gov/members|title=Congressional Equality Members|date=22 February 2023|access-date=February 23, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222222548/https://lgbtq.house.gov/Members|url-status=live}}
• Congressional Freethought Caucus
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus
• Congressional Progressive Caucus{{Cite web |title=Progressive Caucus |url=https://weareprogressives.org/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Progressive Caucus |language=en-US |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203174730/https://weareprogressives.org/ |url-status=live }}

;Current

• Committee on Education and Workforce (Vice Ranking Member){{cite web|url=https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-scott-welcomes-democratic-committee-members-for-the-119th-congress|title=Ranking Member Scott Welcomes Democratic Committee Members for the 119th Congress|date=January 14, 2025|work=Education and Workforce Committee Democrats}}
• Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
• Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
• Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs
• Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency

;Past

• Committee on Agriculture (118th Congress)
• Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit
• Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture

In 2016, Casar led efforts at City Hall to "ban the box" through a fair chance hiring ordinance.{{Cite web|date=2016-03-22|title=Austin Could 'Ban the Box' for Job Seekers with Felony Histories|url=https://www.texasobserver.org/austin-poised-ban-the-box/|access-date=2020-11-18|website=The Texas Observer|language=en-US|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903030650/https://www.texasobserver.org/austin-poised-ban-the-box/|url-status=live}} The ordinance delays when employers can do a criminal background check until after a conditional job offer has been made, in order to help reintegrate former prisoners into the workplace and deter employment discrimination. Austin became the first city to ban the box in the Southern United States.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2016-03-25/austin-first-fair-chance-city-in-the-south/ |title=Austin First Fair Chance City in the South |last=Kamp |first=Amy |date=March 25, 2016 |website=austinchronicle.com |publisher=Austin Chronicle |access-date=May 22, 2019 |quote= |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608100454/https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2016-03-25/austin-first-fair-chance-city-in-the-south/ |url-status=live }}

Because of Texas Senate Bill 4's limitations on sanctuary cities, and in an effort to reduce the impact of low-level interactions with police, Casar initiated policy changes to make Austin a "Freedom City",{{cite web |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/cities-saying-no-ice-canceling-contracts-agency/ |title=Cities Are Saying 'No' to ICE by Canceling Their Contracts With the Agency |last=Kasakove |first=Sophie |date=July 2, 2018 |website=thenation.com |publisher=The Nation |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522140442/https://www.thenation.com/article/cities-saying-no-ice-canceling-contracts-agency/ |url-status=live }} which discourages the police from making low-level discretionary arrests and requires police officers to inform residents that they have the right to refuse to answer questions about immigration status. During the debate, the Austin Police Association attacked Casar for citing data that Black residents are arrested twice as often as white residents in discretionary arrests.{{cite web |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/council-member-speaks-after-head-of-austin-police-association-calls-him-out-for-race-data/269-564251780 |title=Council member speaks after head of Austin Police Association calls him out for race data |last=Betts |first=Kris |date=June 13, 2018 |website=kvue.com |publisher=KVUE |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209133012/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/council-member-speaks-after-head-of-austin-police-association-calls-him-out-for-race-data/269-564251780 |url-status=live }} Casar wrote in a Texas Tribune editorial that the Freedom Cities law's intention is to unite immigration reformers and criminal justice reformers to reduce the disparate impact of policing on communities of color.{{cite web |url=https://www.tribtalk.org/2018/06/07/freedom-city-laws-could-protect-texans-from-unnecessary-policing/ |title="Freedom City" laws could protect Texans from unnecessary policing |last=Casar |first=Greg |date=June 7, 2018 |website=tribtalk.org |publisher=The Texas Tribune |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=August 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808182807/https://www.tribtalk.org/2018/06/07/freedom-city-laws-could-protect-texans-from-unnecessary-policing/ |url-status=live }} In the first quarter after the policy passed, arrests for ticket-worthy offenses dropped by two-thirds. Racial disproportionality of arrests also improved.{{cite web |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20190507/ticket-worthy-misdemeanor-arrests-in-austin-down-by-nearly-two-thirds-police-say |title=Ticket-worthy misdemeanor arrests in Austin down by nearly two-thirds, police say |last=Wilson |first=Mark |date=May 7, 2019 |website=statesman.com |publisher=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508065706/https://www.statesman.com/news/20190507/ticket-worthy-misdemeanor-arrests-in-austin-down-by-nearly-two-thirds-police-say |url-status=live }}

In June 2017, Casar and Delia Garza pushed the council to eliminate criminal penalties for a juvenile to "walk, run, idle, wander, stroll, or aimlessly drive" during curfew hours, out of a belief that kids should not be pushed into the criminal justice system for being young and out in public.{{cite web |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20170614/casar-how-austin-curfew-ordinance-leans-harder-on-black-latino-youth |title=Casar: How Austin curfew ordinance leans harder on black, Latino youth |last=Casar |first=Greg |date=June 14, 2017 |website=statesman.com |publisher=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=May 22, 2019 |quote= |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008125018/https://www.statesman.com/news/20170614/casar-how-austin-curfew-ordinance-leans-harder-on-black-latino-youth |url-status=live }} Many of these laws, including Austin's, were passed during Clinton Administration's "tough on crime" phase in the 1990s.{{cite web |url=https://www.themarshallproject.org/2018/07/31/the-curfew-myth |title=The Curfew Myth |last=Roman |first=Ivonne |date=July 31, 2018 |website=themarshallproject.org |publisher=The Marshall Project |access-date=May 22, 2019 |quote= |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523013657/https://www.themarshallproject.org/2018/07/31/the-curfew-myth |url-status=live }} Ultimately, the council removed the juvenile curfew. Austin became the nation's second-largest city to end its juvenile curfew policy.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/29/austin-end-youth-curfew-racial-bias |title=Austin votes to end its youth curfew amid racial bias concerns |last=Dart |first=Tom |date=September 29, 2017 |website=The Guardian |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413134208/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/29/austin-end-youth-curfew-racial-bias |url-status=live }}

When the Austin police union contract was set to expire in early 2017, criminal justice activists called for reform, citing examples in the contract that made police oversight difficult.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=How Austin Cut One Third of Its Spending on the Police Department|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/politics/austin-police-department-defunding/|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Texas Monthly|language=en|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129172242/https://www.texasmonthly.com/politics/austin-police-department-defunding/|url-status=live}} Casar, Jimmy Flannigan, and other Council members indicated their intent to reject the contract and send the union back to the bargaining table unless it was reformed.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2017/04/activists-weigh-police-contract-city-begins-negotiations/ |title=Activists weigh in on police contract as city begins negotiations |last=McGlinchy |first=Audrey |date=April 24, 2017 |website=austinmonitor.com |publisher=Austin Monitor |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824194442/https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2017/04/activists-weigh-police-contract-city-begins-negotiations/ |url-status=live }} After the contract was rejected, the police union requested bonus pay without a contract in place, but that was opposed by a divided council.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2018/06/divided-council-rejects-more-pay-for-police/ |title=Divided Council rejects more pay for police |last=Clifton |first=Jo |date=June 18, 2018 |website=austinmonitor.com |publisher=Austin Monitor |access-date=May 22, 2019 |quote= |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618084519/https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2018/06/divided-council-rejects-more-pay-for-police/ |url-status=live }} After nearly ten months of negotiations, a new contract was approved, along with the creation of an independent office of police oversight. The new contract made it easier to file complaints, provided more transparency around complaints of police misconduct, strengthened police disciplinary procedures, and increased accountability.{{cite web |url=https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/city-county/2018/11/15/austin-city-council-unanimously-approves-new-police-contract-office-of-police-oversight-after-months-long-process/ |title=Austin City Council unanimously approves new police contract, creates Office of Police Oversight after months-long process |last=Freer |first=Emma |date=November 15, 2018 |website=communityimpact.com |publisher=Community Impact |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116045531/https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/city-county/2018/11/15/austin-city-council-unanimously-approves-new-police-contract-office-of-police-oversight-after-months-long-process/ |url-status=live }}

In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter protests reached Austin.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-30|title=PHOTOS: Demonstrators Clash With Austin Police And State Troopers In Downtown Protest|url=https://www.kut.org/austin/2020-05-30/photos-demonstrators-clash-with-austin-police-and-state-troopers-in-downtown-protest|access-date=2020-12-15|website=KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station|language=en|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307152731/https://www.kut.org/austin/2020-05-30/photos-demonstrators-clash-with-austin-police-and-state-troopers-in-downtown-protest|url-status=live}} During the protests, Austin police were involved in use of force incidents where civilians were injured.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-30|title=Another Demonstrator Sues APD After She Says She Was Shot In The Head With 'Less-Lethal' Ammunition|url=https://www.kut.org/austin/2020-11-30/another-demonstrator-sues-apd-after-she-says-she-was-shot-in-the-head-with-less-lethal-ammunition|access-date=2020-12-15|website=KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station|language=en|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201143551/https://www.kut.org/austin/2020-11-30/another-demonstrator-sues-apd-after-she-says-she-was-shot-in-the-head-with-less-lethal-ammunition|url-status=live}} Casar called for more oversight.{{Cite web|author=Robert Kuznia and Casey Tolan|title=When it comes to police oversight, many watchdogs lack teeth|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/25/us/police-reform-civilian-oversight-invs/index.html|access-date=2020-12-15|website=CNN|date=June 25, 2020 |archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129181450/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/25/us/police-reform-civilian-oversight-invs/index.html|url-status=live}} Working with community leaders, he crafted a three-tiered plan to reduce the police department budget.{{Cite web|last=Venkataramanan|first=Meena|date=2020-08-13|title=Austin City Council cuts police department budget by one-third, mainly through reorganizing some duties out from law enforcement oversight|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/13/austin-city-council-cut-police-budget-defund/|access-date=2020-12-15|website=The Texas Tribune|language=en|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823052821/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/13/austin-city-council-cut-police-budget-defund/|url-status=live}} Austin became one of the only cities in the nation to successfully begin reallocating significant funding from its police department to other city programs.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=How Austin Cut One Third of Its Spending on the Police Department|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/politics/austin-police-department-defunding/|access-date=2020-12-15|website=Texas Monthly|language=en|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129172242/https://www.texasmonthly.com/politics/austin-police-department-defunding/|url-status=live}}

The council voted unanimously to eliminate upcoming cadet classes in the police academy, diverting $20 million to programs that address homelessness, mental health, and family violence prevention. During the year after the budget vote, another $80 million will be reallocated from the department by placing some functions, such as forensics and 911 dispatch, within other parts of the city's government. The council also flagged another $50 million for "community-led" review.{{cite news|last1=Holder|first1=Sarah|last2=Akinnibi|first2=Fola|last3=Cannon|first3=Christopher|title=America's Big Cities Aren't Defunding the Police|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-city-budget-police-defunding/|access-date=2020-12-15|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224022718/https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-city-budget-police-defunding/|url-status=live}}

During the 2018 election cycle, the Austin City Council put almost $1 billion of bond propositions to the voters, including Proposition A, which allocated $250 million to build affordable housing and acquire land to build it on.{{Cite web|title=Austin, Texas, Proposition A, Affordable Housing Bond Issue (November 2018)|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Austin,_Texas,_Proposition_A,_Affordable_Housing_Bond_Issue_(November_2018)|access-date=2020-12-15|website=Ballotpedia|language=en|archive-date=November 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111074849/https://ballotpedia.org/Austin,_Texas,_Proposition_A,_Affordable_Housing_Bond_Issue_(November_2018)|url-status=live}} The Democratic Socialists of America, AURA, and other community groups joined Casar in pushing for a $300 million bond after the city's staff proposed less than $100 million. Through community engagement and work at City Hall, Casar pushed the bond proposition up to $250 million.{{cite book |last=Shaw |first=Randy |title=Generation Priced Out |publisher=University of California Press |date=2018 |page=94}} He said at the time, "From social housing to public housing to mixed-income subsidized units, all of that is on the table for us right now."{{cite web |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/activists-austin-novel-plan-tackle-affordable-housing-crisis/ |title=Activists in Austin Have a Novel Plan to Tackle its Affordable-Housing Crisis |last=Tobias |first=Jimmy |date=June 8, 2018 |website=thenation.com |publisher=The Nation |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530121506/https://www.thenation.com/article/activists-austin-novel-plan-tackle-affordable-housing-crisis/ |url-status=live }} After a large campaign, Proposition A passed with the support of over 70% of voters, the largest affordable housing bond in Austin's history.{{Cite web|date=2018-11-07|title=2018 Election Results: Austin Shoots Down Props J And K, Approves $925 Million In Bonds|url=https://www.kut.org/politics/2018-11-07/2018-election-results-austin-shoots-down-props-j-and-k-approves-925-million-in-bonds|access-date=2020-12-15|website=KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station|language=en|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125144125/https://www.kut.org/politics/2018-11-07/2018-election-results-austin-shoots-down-props-j-and-k-approves-925-million-in-bonds|url-status=live}}

In an effort to extend the reach of Proposition A's $250 million for affordable housing, Casar proposed an "Affordability Unlocked" ordinance.{{Cite web|last1=Clark-Madison|first1=Mike|date=February 8, 2019|title="Affordability Unlocked" With More Density, Casar Hopes|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2019-02-08/affordability-unlocked-with-more-density-casar-hopes/|access-date=2020-12-15|website=www.austinchronicle.com|language=en-US|archive-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524101514/https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2019-02-08/affordability-unlocked-with-more-density-casar-hopes/|url-status=live}} The ordinance waives or reduces many zoning regulations, like parking requirements, setbacks, occupancy limits, and minimum lot sizes, and allows buildings to be built taller, in exchange for reserving 50% of the new homes in the building for low-income renters or homeowners by the developer. The ordinance also requires that in existing aging multifamily buildings, homes that are already affordable to renters must be replaced on a one-to-one basis to avoid encouraging the teardown of existing homes for low-income renters.{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/city-council-enacts-building-bonuses-to-boost-affordable-housing/ar-AABbZvr |title=City Council enacts building bonuses to boost affordable housing |last=Jankowski |first=Phillip |date=May 5, 2019 |website=msn.com |publisher=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=May 22, 2019 |quote= |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308172236/https://www.msn.com/en-us |url-status=live }} Casar cited the ordinance as an example of his approach to housing politics in an op-ed, writing that "our pro-housing and anti-gentrification movements can co-exist" and that building more housing does not have to mean displacing low-income renters because housing can be built elsewhere in the city to avoid displacement and gentrification.{{cite web |url=https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20190318/casar-our-pro-housing-anti-gentrification-movements-can-co-exist-in-austin |title=Casar: Our pro-housing and anti-gentrification movements can co-exist |last=Casar |first=Greg |date=March 18, 2019 |website=statesman.com |publisher=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126055821/https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20190318/casar-our-pro-housing-anti-gentrification-movements-can-co-exist-in-austin |url-status=live }} The ordinance has allowed for the construction of at least 650 housing units that otherwise would not have been possible without the lifting of height and parking requirements.{{Cite web|title=Waiving Regulations for Affordable Housing Shows Results in Austin|url=https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/waiving-regulations-for-affordable-housing-shows-results-in-austin|access-date=2020-12-15|website=nextcity.org|language=en|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118011422/https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/waiving-regulations-for-affordable-housing-shows-results-in-austin|url-status=live}}

Throughout 2015, Casar and his colleague Sabino "Pio" Renteria pushed for housing reforms to allow more "granny flats" or garage apartments ("accessory dwelling units," or ADUs) to be built in Austin.{{cite web |url=https://www.statesman.com/NEWS/20160904/Austin-City-Council-eases-regulations-on-garage-apartments |title=Austin City Council eases regulations on garage apartments |last=Rockwell |first=Lilly |date=September 4, 2016 |website=statesman.com |publisher=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308172241/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2016/09/04/austin-city-council-eases-regulations-on-garage-apartments/10150972007/ |url-status=live }} The reforms ultimately allowed an additional home on most legal lots in the city, and waived minimum parking requirements if they were built near transit. Casar saw the issue as advancing fair housing in the city, and AURA, a housing and transportation advocacy group, cited it as a way to integrate the city.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/11/council-loosens-rules-accessory-dwelling-units/ |title=Council loosens rules on accessory dwelling units |last=Whitson |first=Tyler |date=November 20, 2015 |website=austinmonitor.com |publisher=Austin Monitor |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029014345/https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/11/council-loosens-rules-accessory-dwelling-units/ |url-status=live }} He described his motivation as "a moral imperative ... We are sick of being on the list of the most segregated communities in this country."

After organizing with mobile home residents of the Stonegate Mobile Home park against mismanagement, Casar joined a march to the manager's office to demand that an ill resident's electricity be restored. Within 24 hours of the march, it was restored.{{cite web |url=http://viewpoints.blog.statesman.com/2015/05/07/greg-casar-joins-mobile-home-fight-showing-power-of-10-1/ |title=Greg Casar joins mobile home fight, showing power of 10-1 |last=SantaCruz |first=Gissela |date=May 7, 2015 |website=statesman.com |publisher=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=June 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623134344/http://viewpoints.blog.statesman.com/2015/05/07/greg-casar-joins-mobile-home-fight-showing-power-of-10-1/ |url-status=live }} In early 2015, after hearing of the successful campaign at Stonegate, Casar received reports from North Lamar Community Mobile Home Park that the new owner had raised rent and utility costs. He helped the tenants to form a tenants' association, Asociación de los Residentes de North Lamar (ARNL), through which the tenants organized a housing co-operative to buy and own their park.{{cite web | url=https://www.texasobserver.org/north-lamar-mobile-home-park-austin/ | title=If You Can Buy It, by All Means do That | date=June 3, 2020 }}

ARNL organized with Casar and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid to sue the new owner, Frank Rolfe, who had raised rents by 10-25%.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/05/casar-helps-trailer-park-residents-sue-new-owners/ |title=Casar helps trailer park residents sue new owners |last=Pritchard |first=Caleb |date=May 5, 2015 |website=austinmonitor.com |publisher=Austin Monitor |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902194930/https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/05/casar-helps-trailer-park-residents-sue-new-owners/ |url-status=live }} Rolfe, who teaches others how to invest in mobile homes, has compared owning mobile home parks to owning a "Waffle House where everyone is chained to the booths".{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-10/trailer-parks-lure-investors-pursuing-double-wide-returns |title=Goldman Alum Gives Up Funds to Become Trailer-Park Mogul |last=Burton |first=Katherine |date=April 9, 2014 |website=bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519170930/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-10/trailer-parks-lure-investors-pursuing-double-wide-returns |url-status=live }} He has also said, "At $3,000 or so to move a mobile home, there is a huge barrier to moving out, so tenants will accept pretty much whatever you raise the rents to ... within reason!" Ultimately, residents were forced to sign new leases at the higher rents or leave the community, but the eviction notices they received were rescinded.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2017-12-15/austins-disappearing-mobile-home-communities/ |title=Austin's Disappearing Mobile Home Communities |last=Caterine |first=Joseph |date=December 15, 2017 |website=austinchronicle.com |publisher=Austin Chronicle |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205210804/https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2017-12-15/austins-disappearing-mobile-home-communities/ |url-status=live }} They also got the owner to agree to sell the property to the residents, and ARNL is continuing to fight to convert the park into a cooperative.

After several such campaigns involving tenant organizing, Casar directed city resources to create the Resident's Advocacy Project, which later became Building and Strengthening Tenant Action (BASTA), to provide for more consistent capacity directed toward organizing working-class tenants in Austin.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2016-04-15/fighting-to-stay/ |title=Fighting to Stay |last=Caterine |first=Joseph |date=April 15, 2016 |website=austinchronicle.com |publisher=Austin Chronicle |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712154153/https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2016-04-15/fighting-to-stay/ |url-status=live }}

Before serving as council member, Casar was actively involved in several immigrant rights campaigns.{{cite web |url=http://todoaustin.com/2016/11/council-member-gregorio-casar-raises-community-voices/ |title=Council Member Gregorio Casar raises community voices for diversity and inclusion |author= |date=November 2, 2016 |website=todoaustin.com |publisher=ToDoAustin |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405005026/http://todoaustin.com/2016/11/council-member-gregorio-casar-raises-community-voices/ |url-status=live }} After Trump's election in 2016, Casar and Austin mayor Steve Adler vowed to join other cities in resisting Trump's plans to target illegal immigrants.{{cite web |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20161113/at-trump-protest-austin-mayor-vows-to-keep-immigrant-families-safe/2 |title=At Trump protest, Austin mayor vows to keep immigrant families safe |last=Huber |first=Huber |date=November 13, 2016 |website=statesman.com |publisher=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308172238/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2016/11/13/at-trump-protest-austin-mayor/10086989007/ |url-status=live }}

Shortly after Travis County sheriff Sally Hernandez was elected in 2016, she implemented policies to make Austin a sanctuary city.{{cite web |url=https://www.kut.org/post/austin-sanctuary-city-good-question |title=Is Austin a Sanctuary City? Good Question. |last=McGlinchy |first=Audrey |date=November 16, 2016 |website=kut.org |publisher=KUT News |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219120243/http://www.kut.org/post/austin-sanctuary-city-good-question |url-status=live }} In response, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted targeted raids in an operation called Operation Cross Check, arresting hundreds of people.{{cite web |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20170223/austin-no-1-in-us--for-non-criminals-arrested-in-ice-raids |title=Austin No. 1 in U.S. — for non-criminals arrested in ICE raids |last=Plohetski |first=Tony |date=February 23, 2017 |website=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=May 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524172422/https://www.statesman.com/news/20170223/austin-no-1-in-us--for-non-criminals-arrested-in-ice-raids |url-status=live }} ICE initially claimed that these raids had been long-planned, but an ICE agent admitted in Federal Court that they targeted Austin specifically in retribution for refusing to fully cooperate with ICE.{{cite web |url=https://theintercept.com/2017/10/04/ice-raids-trump-immigration-deportation/ |title=Internal Emails Show ICE Agents Struggling to Substantiate Trump's Lies About Immigrants |last=Speri |first=Alice |date=October 4, 2017 |website=The Intercept |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520053624/https://theintercept.com/2017/10/04/ice-raids-trump-immigration-deportation/ |url-status=live }} After the raids, Casar and other members of the Austin City Council took emergency action and amended the city budget to provide legal services for undocumented immigrants, including deportation defense.{{cite web |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-to-pay-for-immigrant-legal-services-documented-and-undocumented_20180227113000577/995039851 |title=Austin to pay for immigrant legal services: documented and undocumented |last=Prazen |first=Phil |date=December 15, 2016 |website=KXAN.com |access-date=May 21, 2019 }}{{dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 2017, Casar joined other local and statewide leaders to protest Texas Senate Bill 4, which forces local officials to cooperate with federal immigration officials and punishes local officials, including with prison time, who decline to do so.{{cite web |url=https://www.aclutx.org/en/sb4 |title=Know Your Rights Under SB4 |author= |date=March 13, 2018 |website=aclutx.org |publisher=ACLU of Texas |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601102300/https://www.aclutx.org/en/sb4 |url-status=live }} On May Day of that year, Casar and other activists occupied Governor Greg Abbott’s office for a full day, calling on Abbott to veto the bill. This led to the arrest of Casar and nearly two dozen other activists.{{cite web |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-council-member-greg-casar-arrested-during-sanctuary-cities-protest_20180227105954703/994825381 |title=Austin Council Member Greg Casar arrested during sanctuary cities protest |last=Bien |first=Calily |date=May 1, 2017 |website=kxan.com |publisher=KXAN |access-date=May 22, 2019 }}{{dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Casar proposed in a New York Times opinion piece that SB4 must be protested at every possible stage, lest laws like it be passed in other states.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/opinion/why-texans-are-fighting-anti-immigrant-legislation.html |title=Why Texans are fighting anti-immigrant legislation |last=Casar |first=Gregorio |date=May 17, 2017 |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803142847/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/opinion/why-texans-are-fighting-anti-immigrant-legislation.html |url-status=live }} He joined a coalition of grassroots organizations and elected officials from municipalities across the state to initiate a lawsuit against the State of Texas to overturn the law, the first statewide effort of its kind.{{cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sue-texas-immigration_n_591b6e7ce4b0a7458fa3f300 |title=Lots Of People To Sue Texas Over Immigration Crackdown |last=Planas |first=Roque |date=May 16, 2017 |website=huffpost.com |publisher=HuffPost |access-date=May 22, 2019 |quote= |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117051853/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sue-texas-immigration_n_591b6e7ce4b0a7458fa3f300 |url-status=live }} The suit is still pending.{{Cite web|title=Bipartisan Latino state lawmakers speak out against impending Texas immigration law|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/bipartisan-latino-lawmakers-slam-texas-pending-sb4-immigration-law-n795361|access-date=2020-12-15|website=NBC News|date=August 23, 2017 |language=en|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125025107/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/bipartisan-latino-lawmakers-slam-texas-pending-sb4-immigration-law-n795361|url-status=live}}

File:Greg-Casar-pro-Gaza-protest-UT-Austin-25-April-2024.jpg at the University of Texas at Austin on April 25, 2024.]]

Casar expressed in 2021 that he believed the "[Israeli] occupation needs to end" and that US aid in supporting Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories should end, identifying his positions with those of Senator Bernie Sanders.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrFkf7Mfvo&t=3848s | title=December GBM 2021 | website=YouTube | date=December 18, 2021 }} Casar in 2022 wrote in Jewish Insider that he believes the people of Israel and Palestine both deserve to live in "peace and security", and that the "clearest path" toward achieving that goal was through a two-state solution.{{Cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-11/greg-casar-dsa-and-palestine-will-it-matter/|title=Greg Casar, DSA, and Palestine: Will It Matter?|website=Austin Chronicle}} He also does not support the Boycott/Divestment/Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Casar supports "continued federal aid for self defense of Israel." Austin Democratic Socialists of America initially endorsed Casar's 2022 congressional run in 2021, but later said they would cease their endorsement and support of his campaign due to his comments in 2022, and a subsequent request by the campaign to rescind endorsement.{{cite web |url=https://redfault.com/austin-dsa-leadership-committee-statement-on-greg-casar-and-palestinian-liberation/ | title=Austin DSA Leadership Committee Statement on Greg Casar and Palestinian Liberation – Red Fault | date=February 6, 2022 }} Before the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas, Casar stated he supported "continued federal aid for self defense of Israel".{{cite news |last1=Deutch |first1=Gabby |title=In Texas 35, Greg Casar outlines his approach on Israel and the Palestinians |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2022/02/in-texas-35-greg-casar-outlines-his-approach-on-israel-and-the-palestinians/ |access-date=1 February 2022 |publisher=Jewish Insider}} However, after the Israeli bombardment of Gaza began in 2023, Casar has been a proponent of an immediate ceasefire and has been opposed to offensive military aid for Israel.{{cite web |title=NEWS: Congressman Greg Casar joins colleagues to call for a ceasefire; strategic & moral clarity |url=https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/news-congressman-greg-casar-joins-colleagues-call-ceasefire-strategic-moral |website=House.gov |date=October 17, 2023 |publisher=House of Representatives}}

Casar co-sponsored the Ceasefire Now Resolution introduced by Representative Cori Bush in October 2023.{{cite web| title=118th Congress (2023–2024): Calling for an immediate deescalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine. | website=Congress.gov | date=16 October 2023 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/786/cosponsors | access-date=13 March 2024}} Following his vote against H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, on April 20, 2024,{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=2024-04-20 |title=Roll Call 152 Roll Call 152, Bill Number: H. R. 8034, 118th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024152 |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}} Casar signed a statement along with 18 other House members denouncing the supply of offensive military aid to Israel as an act that "could result in more killings of civilians in Rafah and elsewhere." The statement pled for the United States to rather help achieve a ceasefire to allow for the freeing of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the beginning of peace talks.{{Cite web |last=Behringer |first=Jenna |date=2024-04-20 |title=Statement from Jayapal, Castro, Velázquez, Doggett, Khanna, Ocasio-Cortez, Balint, Casar, Takano, McGovern, Barbara Lee, Blumenauer, Chu, Johnson, Carson, Watson Coleman, Jesús "Chuy" García, Jonathan Jackson, and Tokuda on the Israel Security Supplemental |url=https://admin-jayapal.house.gov/2024/04/20/statement-from-jayapal-castro-velazquez-doggett-khanna-ocasio-cortez-balint-casar-takano-mcgovern-barbara-lee-blumenauer-chu-johnson-carson-watson-coleman-jesus-chuy/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal |language=en-US}}

In 2015, Casar aided fellow council member Ann Kitchen, who proposed raising the minimum wage paid to all City of Austin employees to $13.03 and offering health benefits for all employees, including part-time and temporary workers.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2015-09-16/setting-an-example/ |title=Setting an Example |last=Kamp |first=Amy |date=September 16, 2015 |website=austinchronicle.com |publisher=Austin Chronicle |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118211904/https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2015-09-16/setting-an-example/ |url-status=live }} After continued advocacy by Casar and the City Council, all City of Austin employees now make a minimum of $15 an hour.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2017/08/city-employees-likely-see-raise-2018/ |title=City employees likely to see raise in 2018 |last=Craver |first=Jack |date=August 17, 2017 |website=austinmonitor.com |publisher=Austin Monitor |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021045715/https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2017/08/city-employees-likely-see-raise-2018/ |url-status=live }} In 2016, Casar sponsored a resolution to extend the living wage requirement to all city contractors and subcontractors, such as airport food workers and construction workers.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2016/03/city-extends-living-wage-to-subcontractors/ |title=Council extends living wage to subcontractors |last=Moravec |first=Eva |date=March 25, 2016 |website=austinmonitor.com |publisher=Austin Monitor |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921094809/https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2016/03/city-extends-living-wage-to-subcontractors/ |url-status=live }}

On May Day 2018, labor unions, the Workers Defense Project, progressive businesses, the Democratic Socialists of America, and other activists joined in calling for a paid sick leave requirement for all Austin workers. The Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Restaurant Association (state chapter of the National Restaurant Association), and the Texas chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business opposed the requirement, but the campaign ultimately saw a successful vote of the city council for a modified version of Casar's proposal.{{Cite web|date=2018-02-16|title=Austin Passes First Paid Sick Leave Policy in the South|url=https://www.texasobserver.org/austin-passes-first-paid-sick-leave-policy-south/|access-date=2020-12-15|website=The Texas Observer|language=en-US|archive-date=November 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122073531/https://www.texasobserver.org/austin-passes-first-paid-sick-leave-policy-south/|url-status=live}} The sick leave ordinance covered the entire private sector, and provided between six and eight sick days for all Austin workers. Casar credited grassroots organizations with getting people to contact their council members to push them to vote for the ordinance through the organization's grassroots canvassing operation.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/austin-just-brought-paid-sick-leave-to-the-south/ |title=Austin just brought paid sick leave to the South |last=Tobias |first=Jimmy |date=February 16, 2018 |website=The Nation |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416130827/https://www.thenation.com/article/austin-just-brought-paid-sick-leave-to-the-south/ |url-status=live }} Responding to the success in Austin, and due to the advocacy of the organizations who fought for the policy, both San Antonio and Dallas passed Austin's version of the ordinance.{{cite web |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2019/04/24/dallas-paid-sick-leave-ordinance/ |title=Dallas to require employers to offer paid sick leave as Texas lawmakers debate banning such ordinances |last=Samuels |first=Alex |date=April 24, 2019 |website=The Texas Tribune |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507184501/https://www.texastribune.org/2019/04/24/dallas-paid-sick-leave-ordinance/ |url-status=live }}

After the ordinance passed, the Texas business community and statewide Republican politicians moved to block its implementation.{{Cite web|last=Platoff|first=Emma|date=2020-06-05|title=Rejecting appeal, Texas Supreme Court blocks Austin's paid sick leave ordinance|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/05/texas-supreme-court-austin-sick-leave/|access-date=2020-12-15|website=The Texas Tribune|language=en|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121223454/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/05/texas-supreme-court-austin-sick-leave/|url-status=live}} In October 2018, a three-judge panel of the 3rd Court of Appeals found the ordinance unconstitutional on the grounds that benefits are wages.{{Cite web|last=Zdun|first=Matt|date=2018-11-16|title=State appeals court says Austin's paid sick leave ordinance is unconstitutional|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/11/16/appeals-court-blocks-austins-paid-sick-leave-ordinance/|access-date=2020-12-15|website=The Texas Tribune|language=en|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125030111/https://www.texastribune.org/2018/11/16/appeals-court-blocks-austins-paid-sick-leave-ordinance/|url-status=live}} Two of the three Republican judges on the panel were defeated by Democratic challengers in the November election several weeks later.{{cite web |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/11/16/appeals-court-blocks-austins-paid-sick-leave-ordinance/ |title=State appeals court says Austin's paid sick leave ordinance is unconstitutional |last=Zdun |first=Matt |date=November 16, 2018 |website=The Texas Tribune |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512200102/https://www.texastribune.org/2018/11/16/appeals-court-blocks-austins-paid-sick-leave-ordinance/ |url-status=live }} During the 2019 legislative session, Republican state lawmakers filed bills to overturn the ordinance,{{cite web |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/texas-lawmakers-file-bills-to-prohibit-paid-sick-leave-ordinances/269-5177242a-c4e5-45ab-9688-88e8a47dacc5 |title=Texas lawmakers file bills to prohibit paid sick leave ordinances |last=Goudeau |first=Ashley |date=February 14, 2019 |website=KVUE.com |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530032623/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/texas-lawmakers-file-bills-to-prohibit-paid-sick-leave-ordinances/269-5177242a-c4e5-45ab-9688-88e8a47dacc5 |url-status=live }} causing protests from a coalition of unions and grassroots organizations. As of May 2019, the bills have not passed. A representative of the NFIB says the bills failed to pass due to a growing progressive movement in Texas, saying: "I think they’re winning in a red state. … They're starting to take over the state, and they will."{{cite web |url=https://www.texasobserver.org/the-gop-failed-to-ban-paid-sick-leave-and-the-business-lobby-is-livid/ |title=The GOP Failed to Ban Paid Sick Leave and the Business Lobby is Livid |last=Miller |first=Justin |date=May 20, 2019 |website=The Texas Tribune |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521014601/https://www.texasobserver.org/the-gop-failed-to-ban-paid-sick-leave-and-the-business-lobby-is-livid/ |url-status=live }}

In 2023, Casar was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which had it passed would have directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h136 | title=H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023 }}{{cite web |title=House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria |website=U.S. News & World Report |date=2023-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404204512/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria |archive-date=2023-04-04 |url-status=live}}

In February 2024, he penned a letter to the Biden administration, outlined significant issues regarding the 2024 Pakistani general election and urged them to refrain from recognizing the coalition government.{{cite news |last1=Grim |first1=Murtaza Hussain, Ryan |title=Members of Congress Demand Biden Withhold Recognition of Coalition Claiming Power in Pakistan |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/02/28/congress-pakistan-election-recognition/ |access-date=20 March 2024 |work=The Intercept |date=28 February 2024}}

{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2020 Austin District 4 general election}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change|party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Greg Casar (incumbent)|votes=11,629|percentage=66.8}}{{Election box candidate no party no change||party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Louis Herrin III|votes=4,310|percentage=24.8}}{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Ramesses II Setepenre|votes=1,466|percentage=8.4}}

{{Election box total no party no change|votes=17,405|percentage=100}}{{Election box end}}{{Cite web |title=Greg Casar |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Greg_Casar |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2016 Austin District 4 general election}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change|party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Greg Casar (incumbent)|votes=7,328|percentage=60.89}}{{Election box candidate no party no change||party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Gonzalo Camacho|votes=2,760|percentage=22.93}}{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Louis Herrin III|votes=1,947|percentage=16.18}}

{{Election box total no party no change|votes=12,035|percentage=100}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2014 Austin District 4 runoff election}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change|party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Greg Casar|votes=2,854|percentage=64.61}}{{Election box candidate no party no change||party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Laura Pressley|votes=1,563|percentage=35.39}}

{{Election box total no party no change|votes=7,630|percentage=100}}{{Election box end}}

{{Cite web |title=City of Austin – Office of the City Clerk – Election History {{!}} AustinTexas.gov |url=https://services.austintexas.gov/election/byrecord.cfm?eid=199 |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=services.austintexas.gov}}

{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2014 Austin District 4 general election}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change||party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Greg Casar|votes=3,272|percentage=38.6}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change||party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Laura Pressley|votes=1,826|percentage=21.6}}{{Election box candidate no party no change||party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Katrina M. Daniel|votes=1,369|percentage=16.2}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change|party=Nonpartisan politician|candidate=Sharon Mays|votes=720|percentage=8.5}}{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Monica Guzman|votes=556|percentage=6.6}}{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Roberto Perez Jr|votes=426|percentage=5}}{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Louis Herrin III|votes=224|percentage=2.6}}{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Marco Mancillas|votes=806|percentage=3.8}}

{{Election box total no party no change|votes=21,083|percentage=100}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2022 Texas's 35th congressional district Democratic primary results{{cite web |title=Official Canvass Report 2022 MARCH 1ST DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY March 01, 2022 |url=https://results.texas-election.com/static/data/Reports/47011/OfficialCanvassReport.pdf?v=1739001945523 |publisher=Texas Secretary of State |access-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509170541/https://results.texas-election.com/static/data/Reports/47011/OfficialCanvassReport.pdf?v=1683651910099 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |page=6 |date=March 21, 2022 |url-status=live}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Greg Casar

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 25,505

| percentage = 61.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Eddie Rodriguez

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,526

| percentage = 15.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Rebecca Viagran

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,511

| percentage = 15.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Carla-Joy Sisco

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,190

| percentage = 7.6

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 41,732

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Texas's 35th congressional district, 2022{{cite web |title=Official Canvass Report 2022 NOVEMBER 8TH GENERAL ELECTION November 08, 2022 |url=https://results.texas-election.com/static/data/Reports/47009/OfficialCanvassReport.pdf?v=1738970433175 |publisher=Texas Secretary of State |access-date=February 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627134547/https://results.texas-election.com/static/data/Reports/47009/OfficialCanvassReport.pdf |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |page=7 |date=February 1, 2023 |url-status=live}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Greg Casar

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 129,599

| percentage = 72.58

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Dan McQueen

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 48,969

| percentage = 27.42

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 178,568

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Texas's 35th congressional district, 2024{{cite web |title=Official Canvass Report 2024 NOVEMBER 5TH GENERAL ELECTION November 05, 2024 |url=https://results.texas-election.com/static/data/Reports/49664/OfficialCanvassReport.pdf?v=1738929456565 |publisher=Texas Secretary of State |access-date=February 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207120710/https://results.texas-election.com/static/data/Reports/49664/OfficialCanvassReport.pdf?v=1738929456565 |archive-date=February 7, 2025 |page=7 |date=January 7, 2025 |url-status=live}}

}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Greg Casar (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 170,509

| percentage = 67.36

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steven Wright

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 82,610

| percentage = 32.64%

}}{{Election box total no change

| votes = 253,119

| percentage = 100.0

}}{{Election box end}}

Casar is married to Asha Dane’el, a philanthropic adviser.{{cite news |last1=Recio |first1=Maria |title='Great sense of responsibility': From Austin to Washington, Greg Casar forging new path |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/county/2023/02/20/greg-casar-austin-texas-washington-us-house-title-42/69918949007/ |work=subscribe.statesman.com |agency=Austin American-Statesman}}{{cite news |last1=Karni |first1=Annie |title=A Rising Democratic Star Pitches a 'Resistance 2.0' in the Age of Trump |agency=New York Times |date=April 28, 2025 |location=New York}}

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://casar.house.gov/ Congressman Greg Casar] official U.S. House website
• [https://www.casarforcongress.com/ Greg Casar for Congress] campaign website

{{CongLinks| congbio=C001131|votesmart=161953|fec=H2TX35144| congress=greg-casar/C001131}}

• {{C-SPAN|135482}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Austin City Council
from the 4th district|years=2015–2022}}

{{s-aft|after=Chito Vela}}

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{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Lloyd Doggett}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 35th congressional district|years=2023–present}}

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{{s-bef|before=Pramila Jayapal}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus|years=2025–present}}

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{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=Eric Burlison}}

{{s-ttl|title=United States representatives by seniority|years=305th}}

{{s-aft|after=Juan Ciscomani}}

{{s-end}}

{{TX-FedRep}}

{{Members of the U.S. House of Representatives}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=118th–present United States Congresses |state=Texas}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Casar, Greg}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:21st-century Texas politicians

Category:Activists from Austin, Texas

Category:American activists of Mexican descent

Category:American community activists

Category:American politicians of Mexican descent

Category:Austin City Council members

Category:Catholic politicians from Texas

Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Texas

Category:Members of the Democratic Socialists of America from Texas

Category:Hispanic and Latino American city council members

Category:Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress

Category:Hispanic and Latino American people in Texas politics

Category:People from Bellaire, Texas

Category:Politicians from Houston

Category:Strake Jesuit College Preparatory alumni

Category:University of Virginia alumni