Press Releases

Washington, DC –Flanked by environmental leaders and other community groups, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today announced new legislation to revitalize New York's waterfronts and bring American ports into the 21st century. The bill, the "Waterfront of Tomorrow Act," would take important steps to protect New York's coastal areas, while expanding economic opportunity and encouraging environmentally sustainable shipping.

Washington, DC – On TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2013, at 11 A.M. Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez will join with local civic leaders and community groups in announcing a new legislative initiative to strengthen and improve New York’s waterfronts.

WHO:

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez
Elizabeth Yeampierre, UPROSE Executive Director
Eddie Bautista, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance Executive Director
Tom Wright, Regional Plan Association
Tom Fox, Founder, New York Water Taxi

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding a Congressional Hispanic Caucus meeting with the President at the White House:

Washington, DC – The Chinatown Head Start program of New York is receiving $940,000 from the federal government to continue their outreach and service to area families. The funding was announced today by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and is being made available as a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Velázquez praised the funding, saying it would help ensure childcare and early education services are available to vulnerable populations in Chinatown.

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s rulings today on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8:

“The Court’s ruling is another important milestone on our nation’s journey toward becoming a more perfect union. It was indefensible that some married, loving couples were denied federal benefits simply because of their sexual orientation. Today’s decision means that the federal government will no longer discriminate in this unconscionable manner.

Washington, DC – As the nation observes the 50th annual Small Business Week, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the Ranking Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, has introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and helping small firms grow and succeed. Cosponsored by other Democratic Members of the Committee, the legislation tackles two areas critical to small business growth: access to capital and fairness in the federal marketplace.

Washington, DC – An amendment authored by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N) to curb hazing in the United States Armed Forces was approved today by the U.S. House of Representatives. The measure, which passed as part of the Department of Defense Authorization bill, would create an oversight panel comprised of heads of the military branches, as well as advocates from the minority, women and LGBT communities.

Washington, DC – An amendment authored by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07) to curb hazing in the United States Armed Forces will be debated today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The measure is aimed at preventing tragedies like the one that befell Danny Chen, a native of New York’s 7th Congressional District. Chen, an Army private, was beaten and harassed by members of his unit, before he died in Afghanistan in 2011.