Media

Following Primary Problems, Seeks Greater Transparency

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today wrote the New York City Board of Elections calling for the agency to take immediate steps to improve voting access and election procedures, following well documented problems observed in New York's June 23^rd primary election.

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has authored legislation, the "Law Enforcement Oversight and Reform Act," which would implement tough new standards for law enforcement officers. In addition to banning chokeholds, the measure would institute new penalties when police officers act recklessly and use disproportionate force.

"New Yorkers and the American people have made their voices heard," Velázquez said. "The time for change is now. We need meaningful change and that includes holding accountable police who abuse their authority."

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) wrote a letter to New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson urging him to continue funding the New York City Community Land Trust Initiative (CLT). The CLT program allows for members of the community to exercise agency over land and buildings within their borders with the intent of creating permanent, affordable housing. The structure of the Trust's leadership ensures that these housing units remain affordable. Members of New York's seventh district have expressed substantial interest in establishing a CLT in East New York.

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced H.R. 7006, new legislation that would enable Home Health Care Agencies to attend to their patients, rather than paperwork during the coronavirus pandemic. In order to commence care with new patients and be reimbursed by Medicare, home health agencies generally need a written referral from a doctor. Home health agencies have encountered numerous difficulties obtaining referrals from physicians, as many of physicians' offices are closed due to COVID-19.

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has written Governor Cuomo urging him to officially designate damage from recent looting of small businesses a disaster. Doing so would allow impacted New York City small businesses to apply for federal disaster loans through the Small Business Administration.

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has written to Mayor Bill de Blasio urging him to restore full funding to the Basement Apartment Conversion Pilot Program (BACPP). The BACPP, launched in 2019, aims to assist forty East New York homeowners in the conversion of their basements into rental units. This initiative aims to provide affordable and legal rental units to the neighborhood, both stabilizing homeownership and increasing the number of affordable residences. The administration made a commitment to the East New York Community to engage in the BACPP four years ago.

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07) today led 15 of her Congressional colleagues in filing an amicus brief in support of New York-based Amazon workers suing the company over dangerous conditions that have resulted in them exposing their community and family members to COVID-19.

Measure Would End Military Surplus Program