Press Releases
WASHINGTON– – Today, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), along with members of the New York Congressional delegation, called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to uphold its 2009 “endangerment finding” that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. In their letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the lawmakers urged the agency to uphold its climate protections, stressing the need to protect New Yorkers from the escalating costs, damage, and dangers associated with climate change.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) submitted and cosponsored amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) intended to prevent U.S. Military intervention in Latin America, protect human rights, secure equitable health care for servicemembers and families in Puerto Rico, improve accountability at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and support small government contractors.
WASHINGTON- Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) sent a letter to Doug McMillon, Walmart CEO, recommending an investigation after a Puerto Rican customer was refused the purchase of an item because the cashier did not accept his Puerto Rico Real Identity Document (ID) in an Ohio Walmart.
WASHINGTON D.C.- This week, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) submitted a comment letter on behalf of her constituents and environmental justice advocates raising concerns about the revival of the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, a proposed expansion of the Transco natural gas pipeline.
BROOKLYN, NY – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement on the passing of Greg O’Connell:
“I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Greg O’Connell, a visionary and dear friend whose work helped reshape Red Hook into the vibrant community it is today. For decades, Greg saw value where others saw blight. He restored the Red Hook waterfront with care and purpose, preserving its character while creating space for small businesses, artists, and nonprofits to grow.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s removal of five members of Puerto Rico’s Fiscal Oversight and Management Board:
WASHINGTON– Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) reintroduced a resolution recognizing July 28, 2025 as World Hepatitis Day raising awareness about the issues surrounding hepatitis B and C and reaffirming Congress’s commitment to ending these preventable diseases.
WASHINGTON– Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Congressman Pablo José Hernández (D-PR) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), led a letter to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) calling for stronger engagement with small businesses and academic institutions in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
BROOKLYN, NY- Yesterday, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) gathered local health care workers, hospital leadership, and Medicaid recipients at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Bushwick to speak out against the deep Medicaid cuts included in the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, which strips health insurance from 17 million Americans.
WASHINGTON— Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) reintroduced the Texture Positive Act of 2025, which will incentivize educational training in cosmetology schools across the country to increase the number of trained professionals with knowledge of working with textured hair. The term “textured hair” means hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy in its natural state.