Press Releases

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced that local education centers within New York's 7^th Congressional District have received federal grants to continue their Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

"Ultimately, Head Start programs save money and lives," said Velázquez. "It's about comprehensive well-being, not just academics. I am proud to see a wide range of local centers receive federal funding to continue the important work of educating our New Yorkers."

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) today called on the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) for Puerto Rico to reconsider austerity measures the panel has targeted to the Island's healthcare and education programs.

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has crafted bipartisan legislation to improve services for veterans of all gender identities who have experienced domestic abuse and violence.

"Our society is undergoing an important watershed change when it comes to issues of sexual abuse and domestic violence," noted Velázquez. "We must support survivors in all professions and spheres and that should certainly extend to the brave women and men who wear the uniform of our country."

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) have written to the Acting Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, expressing concerns with how the Administration is handling Temporary Protected Status (TPS) with regards to Guatemala, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Nicaragua has previously received the TPS designation, but the Administration has attempted to revoke it. Guatemala and Venezuela have yet to attain that status.

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) have introduced H.R. 4074, the Clarifying Law Around Insurance Marijuana (CLAIM) Act, which would help businesses operating in the rapidly growing cannabis sector to obtain insurance products.

"Due to discrepancies in federal and state law, insurers are understandably reluctant to provide coverage to legitimate, cannabis-based businesses," said Velázquez. "Without casualty, property and title insurance coverage, the growth of this industry will be impeded if not blocked entirely."

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has written to the New York City Council's newly formed Taxi Medallion Sale Prices Task Force, encouraging it to explore ways to provide monetary assistance to thousands of medallion holders.

The letter was signed by nine other Members of the New York City Congressional delegation. The letter is online here and the full text is below.

July 25, 2019

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.

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement on the resignation of Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello:

"We should be clear – it is the people of Puerto Rico who exercised their will to achieve this outcome and hold their own government accountable. Now that this step has been taken, it is my hope that the Island can at long last turn the page and the American citizens living there will finally be treated with the fairness and decency they deserve.