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Washington D.C.— Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has sent a letter to the heads of federal regulatory agencies charged with overseeing the nation's financial institutions and consumer protection laws. Velázquez wrote to the heads of the CFPB, Federal Reserve, FDIC, NCUA, and the OCC, expressing concerns over the economic exploitation of survivors of domestic violence.

New York, New York –Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced that the United States Department of Transportation has awarded $1,600,000 in planning grants for the comprehensive long-term maintenance and fortification of four East River bridges: Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and Queensboro Bridge. These grants will be used for planning, feasibility analysis and revenue forecasting projects that will aid application for the Bridge Investment Program.

Washington, D.C.--In the wake of Hurricane Fiona, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced the Puerto Rico Recovery Act, a bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security to waive the Jones Act for vessels or operators reasonably demonstrating their intention to provide disaster relief to Puerto Rico. The waivers would be valid for one year or until the end of the Major Disaster Declaration for Puerto Rico, whichever comes first. The bill was also introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) in the Senate.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Recently, Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) sent a letter to Congressional leadership to call for billions in federal economic relief for Puerto Rico, a week after Hurricane Fiona devastated the island, leaving at least 16 associated deaths and hundreds of thousands more without power or running water. Velázquez is urging congressional leadership to provide emergency supplemental funding for disaster recovery and relief support as well as $1 billion in nutritional aid for Puerto Rico.

Washington D.C.— Today, on World Contraception Day, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced a resolution that expresses support for global and domestic access to contraception and encourages Congress and the Administration to study contraceptive deserts and ways federal policy can address the issue.

Washington, D.C. –Today, on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria's landfall in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced a House resolution reaffirming Congress' commitment to helping to restore the islands to their full potential. Hurricane Maria was the second deadliest storm in recorded history in the United States, and over 3,000 people lost their lives. In the Senate, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NY) has introduced a companion resolution.

New York, NY—Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) sent a letter to New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chair Gregory Russ after potentially dangerous levels of the chemical arsenic were found in the water systems at Riis Houses on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In the letter, Velázquez presses NYCHA to cancel its relationship with the company and testing lab that was failing to test for arsenic in the water at Riis Houses, and asks for NYCHA's Federal Monitor, Bart Schwartz to approve a new vendor to ensure all federal, state, and local testing laws are met.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced the Ban All Neurotoxic Organophosphate Pesticides from Our Food Act. This straightforward piece of legislation would prohibit the use of organophosphate pesticides in food.