Press Releases
Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) applauded the New York City Council for passing "Certification of No Harassment" (CONH) legislation, which will require building owners with plans to demolish or make significant alterations to their building to prove they have not engaged in harassment of current tenants before their permits are approved.
Introduces Legislation to Name Local Post Office after Mabel Lee
Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced new legislation to honor the groundbreaking life of Mabel Lee by naming a Chinatown post office in Lee's memory. A pioneering figure, Lee was a dedicated champion for women's rights and the Chinese-American community. As the first Chinese woman to receive a PhD from Columbia University, Lee spent her life fighting for women's suffrage, Chinatown's residents and the greater New York community.
Three Puerto Rican Members Have Served Together in the House for Decades
Washington, D.C – Today, Puerto Rican Representatives José E. Serrano and Nydia M. Velazquez released the following statement in response to Representative Gutierrez's announcement that he will retire next years after 25 years in Congress.
Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented today on news that FEMA awarded and later rescinded a $30 million contract for delivery of tarps in Puerto Rico to a company with no meaningful federal contracting experience:
Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the Trump Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 50,000 Haitians residing in the United States:
"Once again the Trump Administration is showing that it ascribes to a small minded and cold hearted vision of America. Cruelly sending tens of thousands of Haitians back to a country that does not have the capacity to absorb them would be immoral and a stain on our nation's conscience.
Washington, DC – Congressman José E. Serrano, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, and Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez, co-chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Task Force on Puerto Rico, today released the following statement in response to reports that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would submit a disaster supplemental request of $44 billion to help hurricane affected areas, including Puerto Rico:
Washington, D.C. – With ongoing negotiations over tax reform, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Puerto Rico Taskforce sent a letter to Republican leaders in Congress urging the inclusion of tax provisions that will help rebuild Puerto Rico. The letter was signed by Reps. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), José E. Serrano (D-NY), Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY).
In Aftermath of Maria, Lawmakers Urge Complete Relief of Island's Crushing Debt
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wrote the Chairman of the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico urging the Board to request that the Court overseeing Puerto Rico's debt restructuring completely write off the Island's debt obligations.
Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) spoke today on the House floor in opposition to HR 2874, the 21st Century Flood Insurance Reform, a bill that would cheat working families out of quality flood insurance. Below are her remarks, as prepared for delivery:
"I rise in opposition to HR 2874. This bill makes flood insurance more expensive, less available, and less fair for millions of working families. And, this bill all but abandons Hurricane Sandy victims.
Introduces Two Bills on Eve of Veterans Day