Puerto Rico
When she was sworn into Congress in 1993, Congresswoman Velázquez made history as the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. A native of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, the Island and its people have long been dear to her heart.
In addition, many residents of New York’s 7th District hail from Puerto Rico and have family or other close ties to the Island. From working to solve the Puerto Rican debt crisis to bolstering small businesses on the Island, the Congresswoman has been a longtime champion for Puerto Rico.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Congresswoman Velázquez has be at the forefront of recovery efforts. From traveling to the Island to assess the damage to demanding an immediate supplemental funding package, to calling for a more robust and effective response from the Trump Administration, she is urging Washington to provide swift and sustainable relief aid.
You can find the Congresswoman discussing these relief efforts on CNN and MSNBC.
For a list of the relief efforts the Congresswoman is supporting, please click here.
The Congresswoman in Sunset Park, Brooklyn organizing relief aid for Hurricane Maria victims.
More on Puerto Rico
Says President is Gaslighting Nation After Administration’s Botched Maria Response
Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following in response to President Trump’s latest Tweets on Puerto Rico.
New Official Fatality Count Almost 50 Times Higher than Previous Official Estimates
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement after President Trump referred to his Administration’s response to Hurricane Maria as an “incredible unsung success.”
“The President’s remarks are not only tone deaf, but a moral affront to the 2,975 of our fellow citizens who we now know lost their lives to Hurricane Maria.
“The President should apologize.”
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding media reports that a new analysis commissioned by the governor of Puerto Rico has estimated that 2,975 people died on the Island following Hurricanes Maria and Irma last September:
Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding news reports that the Puerto Rican government has acknowledged a hurricane death toll of 1,427:
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented today on the release of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 2017 Hurricane Season After-Action Report:
Washington, DC – Today, three key federal lawmakers wrote to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), calling for the utility to incorporate renewable energy sources as the beleaguered Island’s energy production and distribution systems are modernized.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has authored legislation to make federal food benefits in Puerto Rico available as cash immediately in the event of another major natural disaster. Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, all of Puerto Rico lost access to electricity and telecommunications, resulting in widespread challenges for those looking to access Nutritional Assistance Program (NAP) benefits, which are currently distributed electronically.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, today wrote the head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), requesting that the agency continue processing late applications for economic injury and physical damage loans related to Hurricane Maria. The window to apply for loans to assist with property damage expires today, while the application period for economic injury loans closes Wednesday, June 20th.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, today wrote to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), requesting an extension for the application period for those seeking federal loans to recover from Hurricane Maria.
