Press Releases

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding news that the Governor of Puerto Rico has called for cancellation of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's contract with Whitefish and started the process of entering "mutual aid" agreements with the states of Florida and New York:

"I am pleased the Governor has taken this necessary step. As I have said previously, my primary concern in all of this is seeing power restored for the people of Puerto Rico.

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) statement disputing it approved the contract between Whitefish and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA):

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) highlighted a new report that details the hardship that will be imposed upon New York's working families under the Republican tax plan. While 80 percent of the tax benefits in the GOP plan go to the wealthiest 1 percent alone, 2.1 million hard-working New York families would be forced to pay higher taxes.

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding news that the Oversight Board has appointed a Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA):

"Puerto Rico's recovery depends on a reliable electrical system. Yet, one month after Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, seventy five percent of the Island remains without electrical power.

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding news that the New York City Board of Elections is admitting it broke state and federal law when removing voters from voter rolls in Brooklyn last year:

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) sent a letter demanding that both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico provide diligent oversight of federal contracts awarded to rebuild the Island after Hurricane Maria. After disturbing news reports that a company chosen to repair Puerto Rico's electric grid may not have been properly vetted, Velázquez is concerned over an apparent lack of oversight.

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the rap video "Happy Ending" by hip-hop performer "Hopsin":

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the passing of Eddie Chiu, a tireless and beloved advocate for the residents of New York City's Chinatown.

"Eddie was a pillar of our local community, always looking out for his neighbors and steadfastly working to empower New York's Asian American and immigrant communities. As the leader of the Lin Sing Association, Eddie was widely known throughout the Chinatown community as a humble and tireless voice for the people.