Press Releases

Velázquez-Led Letter Seeks Nutritional Help, Medicaid Fix, Greater Tax Credits for Island

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez released the following statement regarding Small Business Administration lending programs and Puerto Rico:

"Puerto Rico's economy was already struggling before COVID-19. Decades of neglect followed by historic hurricanes and recent earthquakes had already made a tough situation worse. Now, with the Island on lockdown in response to COVID-19, businesses, families and workers are suffering even more.

Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (DNY) spoke on the House floor on the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. Below are her remarks, as prepared for delivery:

"I rise in support of America's 30 million small businesses and their hardworking employees. Three weeks ago, when Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program, we did so with the goal of providing a lifeline to small – let me say that again – small businesses. Today, we are replenishing that program as the initial round of funding has run dry.

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding reports that the Puerto Rico government was denying journalists access to government coronavirus briefings: "A free, independent press is the hallmark of any democracy and actions by the Puerto Rican government to prevent journalists from covering its response to COVID-19 are shameful. During crises, such as a pandemic, it is more important, not less, that the public be fully informed and that the media be able to report unadulterated facts, while holding the government accountable for its actions.

Washington, DC – Members of the New York City Congressional delegation today wrote Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza, calling for swift remediation of problems in small business aid programs recently enacted as part of the "CARES Act."

Washington, DC – U.S. Members of Congress wrote the Puerto Rico Department of Education today, urging the agency to ramp up distribution of school meals to low-income students. While the Island and its school system have been on lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly a month, meals have not been distributed to students. On April 7, the Department announced it would partner with local nonprofits to distribute meals to children. However, few details on how that plan will be executed have been released.

Say COVID-19 Demands Special Enrollment Period