Media

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) participated in a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on the case of Jacob Ostreicher. While Velázquez does not serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee, she was invited to participate as she has followed Ostreicher’s case closely. Below is Velázquez’s opening statement from today:

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented today on the federal appeals court ruling finding elements of the Defense of Marriage Act to be unconstitutional:

“Today’s ruling is yet another important milestone in our journey toward a more perfect union. The Court’s ruling makes clear that the time for repealing the Defense of Marriage Act is long past due. This backward thinking, discriminatory law remains a barrier to justice and should be eliminated.”

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Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement in opposition to Republican legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act:

“I rise in opposition to this legislation, which is an affront to women, their rights and their safety. It is worth noting that the Violence Against Women Act was originally passed under a Republican Congress. Its provisions that protect immigrant women passed in 2000 and 2005-- again during Republican majorities.

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented on the President’s announcement that he supports same-sex marriage:

“While the President’s heart has always been in the right place, I am pleased to see that his thinking has evolved to embrace this fundamental human right. The President’s announcement is an overdue, but very welcome step. With his commitment to reaffirming this basic right, our nation has taken one more step on our journey toward equality for all Americans.”

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced new legislation designed to curtail hazing in the military and protect servicemen and women from abuses. The legislation comes following the death of Private Danny Chen, an Army soldier from Velázquez's district who suffered mistreatment by members of his unit, while serving in Afghanistan.

Washington, DC – Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, $8 million in federal funds is flowing to two Community Health Care Centers in New York, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced today. The Charles B. Wang Center in Chinatown and Sunset Park Health Council, Inc. in Brooklyn, are receiving grant funding thanks to the historic health care reform law that was enacted in 2010.

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) made the following statement in opposition to H.R. 4628, Republican legislation that would prevent a rise in student loans by drastically cutting health services for women and children: