Press Releases

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement today regarding the President's comments alluding to debt forgiveness for Puerto Rico:

"It seems one of the few positives out of the President's trip to Puerto Rico is an acknowledgement of how the Island's debt will constrain its physical and economic recovery. While I agree with the sentiment that something will need to be done to address the Island's financial challenges, the President failed to lay out any specifics as to how he would ‘wipe out' Puerto Rico's debt.

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) spoke on the floor today in strong opposition to H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a clear partisan effort to intimidate health care providers and endanger the lives of countless women:

"Mr. Speaker, for over forty years, the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade has stood as a bulwark protection for women's reproductive and healthcare rights. Now, in 2017, House Republicans are leading yet another unconstitutional, dangerous and outright assault on women's health and privacy.

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement commemorating the life and death of Private Danny Chen:

"Private Danny Chen's death was a tragic loss. This young New Yorker, who died after being subjected to unrelenting, racially motivated hazing and abuse by his superiors, wanted only to serve his nation honorably.

Congresswoman Velázquez and Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico calling for a complete write-off of the Island's debt. Read the letter, here.

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement today regarding President Trump's decision to waive the Jones Act for ten days for Puerto Rico:

"For an entire week, the President was touting his concern for the shipping industry, while refusing to suspend the Jones Act. Meanwhile, the people of Puerto Rico have been facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Millions of American citizens are without food, water and electricity. Now, the President's change of heart is too little, too late.

145 Lawmakers Call on President Trump to Deploy Life-Saving Military Resources

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement today regarding the failure of Graham-Cassidy, the latest Senate Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

"Once again, the American people have stood firm in opposing President Trump's and Congressional Republicans' heartless scheme to rip health insurance from millions. The visceral opposition to Graham-Cassidy exposed the bill for what it is—a rushed effort to phase out Medicaid, hike up costs for preexisting conditions and roll back essential health benefits.

Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement in response to President Trump's announcement that the federal government will waive regulations requiring local matching funds from Puerto Rico for FEMA disaster relief:

"By granting a waiver for federal cost-sharing requirements, the people of Puerto Rico will be able to receive aid from FEMA without further digging into an already devastated local economy. This is something I requested in a letter to DHS yesterday.