Press Releases

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.

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) delivered the following statement on the House floor regarding sexual assault in the military and the National Defense Authorization Act:

Washington, DC – In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is approving fewer than 25 percent of loan applications for New York’s small businesses, leaving many without the resources they need to rebuild. More than six months after the storm, applicants are also facing significant delays related to loan processing, while those that have been approved are unable to fully draw on the funding they have been promised.