Economy

Worker

Today, there is a shamefully large gap between the rich and the poor in America. Working families should not have to live in poverty in a country of our wealth. Congresswoman Velázquez is focused on fostering principled investments that will eliminate the technological divide that exists and improve the quality of life for everyone in our communities.

The Congresswoman strongly supports efforts to establish a living wage, strengthening one of America’s most important anti-poverty measures—the Earned Income Tax Credit—and providing workers with the leverage they need to negotiate fair wages, health insurance and safe workplace conditions. These programs will help to improve the lives of all laborers in the 7th District and their families.

The federal government must join together with local communities to reclaim and restore environmentally-damaged areas so that residents can enjoy the use of safe and vibrant locations throughout their communities. She recognizes that revitalizing our neighborhoods is a key component to improving the local economy, and is committed to making New York’s 7th Congressional District a better place for all its residents.

More on Economy

Velazquez, Stivers, Hirono, Tillis, Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Help Close Patent Gap Faced by Women, Minorities
July 25, 2019
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Congressman Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) introduced bicameral, bipartisan legislation, the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement Act ("IDEA Act") of 2019. The IDEA Act is designed to help close the gap faced by women, minorities, and others when it comes to procuring patent rights in the United States.

Issues: Economy
Velazquez Testifies on Puerto Rico Disclosure Act
June 25, 2019
Press Release

Washington, D.C.­­ – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) testified today before the House Judiciary Committee in support of her legislation, the Puerto Rico Recovery Accuracy in Disclosures Act, H.R. H.R. 683.

Text of her testimony is below and video is online here.

Issues: Economy Puerto Rico
Velazquez on End of Government Shutdown
January 25, 2019
Press Release
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding news that a deal has been reached to end the government shutdown:
"I'm pleased the President and Congressional Republicans have come to their senses and, finally, agreed to put an end to the longest government shutdown in history. Unfortunately, this type of solution could and should have been reached weeks ago, avoiding hardship for 800,000 federal employees, thousands of subcontractors and countless other Americans.
Issues: Economy Small Business
Velazquez Starts 116th Congress with Slate of Bills
January 7, 2019
Press Release

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) marked the first day of the 116th Congress by introducing a range of bills meant to benefit New York's working families, students, entrepreneurs, seniors and others.

"With a new Democratic Majority comes renewed opportunity to advance policies that benefit New Yorkers and working people throughout the nation," Velázquez said. "I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to advance these commonsense proposals in the new Congress."

Issues: Economy Climate Change and Environment Housing Puerto Rico Small Business
Lawmakers Seek to End Predatory Small Business Loans
December 19, 2018
Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Today, two members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced legislation aimed at ending a predatory commercial lending practice that, according to media reports, has ballooned in recent years. Reps. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Dr.

Issues: Economy Small Business
Velázquez Comments on Trump Budget
February 12, 2018
Press Release

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented today on the Trump Administration's Fiscal Year 2019 Budget proposal:

Issues: Economy Climate Change and Environment Housing
Velazquez Responds to Trump State of the Union
January 30, 2018
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding President Trump's State of the Union address:
"After running a Presidential campaign fueled by some of this country's ugliest, darkest sentiments, followed by a year in office spent trying to rip healthcare from millions of Americans and enact an enormous tax cut for the extremely wealthy at everyone else's expense, it will take more than platitudes for Donald Trump to change the course of his presidency.
Issues: Economy Puerto Rico
Velazquez Bill Seeks to Protect Staffing at Health Agencies
March 21, 2017
Press Release

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced legislation aimed at ensuring there are adequate staffing levels at key agencies that protect the public health. Her bill, H.R. 1561, would exempt the Centers for the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) from a hiring freeze instituted when President Trump signed an Executive Order in late January.

Issues: Economy Climate Change and Environment
Velazquez on Trump’s Budget
March 16, 2017
Press Release

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the release of President Trump's budget today:

"Donald Trump campaigned on promises of standing for working people. This budget makes a mockery of those claims and makes clear where the Administration's real priorities lie.

Issues: Economy Climate Change and Environment Housing Small Business
Velazquez on Trump Address to Congress
March 1, 2017
Press Release

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding President Trump's address to Congress:

"I heard little substantive tonight to suggest that the President has adopted a new tone or is attempting to heal the deep rifts roiling our nation. As a candidate, Donald Trump ran on a platform of helping working families, but in forty days, he has done nothing to address the myriad problems facing America's most vulnerable.

Issues: Economy