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“Justice Souter is a dedicated public servant who brought independent thinking to the court. His sensible approach to legal issues should serve as a model for future nominees and justices. With his retirement President Obama has an historic opportunity to shatter the glass ceiling and appoint the first Hispanic to the Supreme Court. There are a number of qualified candidates, including Judge Sonia Sotomayor, to choose from. I look forward to working with the President to appoint a justice that is both committed to constitutional principles and reflective of our nation’s diversity.”
Washington, D.C. – Social Security recipients in New York City will soon receive $250 economic recovery payments provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced today. Checks will begin to go out tomorrow, May 7, with the goal of all payments being sent by the end of May. Payments to recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will also begin to go out by mid-May.
NEW YORK –The U.S. House Committee on Financial Services today approved the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act (H.R. 1728), legislation aimed at curbing predatory lending practices. The bill prevents financial institutions from unfairly providing loans to borrowers that do not have a ‘reasonable ability to repay.’ Included in this bill is an amendment from Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) that strengthens legal counseling services by providing prospective homebuyers with increased access and information on the benefits of home inspections.
NEW YORK – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today traveled with President Barack Obama to Mexico City for meetings with the nation’s leaders, and will continue on with the President as he heads to the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. This is the President’s first trip to Mexico and the Caribbean since he took the Oath of Office, and the Congresswoman will join in discussions on the economy, immigration and security issues, and the environment with many of the United State’s closest neighbors.
NEW YORK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today nominated the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn as a federal Superfund site, an important step that could bring vital new funding to the clean-up of this long polluted waterway. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) said that Superfund designation could help to revitalize and improve the canal for residents of Brooklyn.
New York, NY – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today extended her heartfelt condolences to the families impacted by the earthquake that struck the city of L'Aquila, Italy in the early hours of Monday, April 6. The death toll resulting from this magnitude 6.3 quake has risen to over 200, with another 1,500 injured.
The following is a statement from Congresswoman Velázquez:
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) has called on the U.S. Department of Justice to restore trust and confidence in the federal legal system through the appointment of new U.S. Attorneys. In a letter sent to Attorney General Eric Holder, the Congresswoman was joined by Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.) in urging an expedited timeline for the recommendation and appointment of a replacement for the District of Puerto Rico.
Washington, DC –Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has called on the U.S. Treasury and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to protect renters who, by no fault of their own, are at risk of being evicted. Residents in rental properties make up 40 percent of all families affected by the foreclosure crisis however, many of the federal programs to provide relief are designed solely to help homeowners. In a letter sent yesterday to the Administration, the Congresswoman joined by Sen. Charles E. Schumer and Rep. Charles B.
Washington, DC – President Barack Obama has signed the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill into law, providing vital resources for projects in New York’s 12th Congressional District. The funding bill includes $3.5 million in new resources that will strengthen successful local programs and create new jobs in the community, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today announced.
Velázquez says thousands of New York homes will be saved
Washington, DC –The U.S. House of Representatives approved the “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act” last night to provide immediate assistance to families at risk of losing their homes. With a new report indicating 209,500 homeowners in New York are behind on mortgage payments or in foreclosure, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) applauded the bill for taking a much-needed step toward stabilizing the housing market.