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Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has written the Inspector General of the Department of Justice and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), the facility at which Jeffrey Epstein was found dead.

In her letter, Velázquez asks the agencies, which are examining the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death, to conduct a broader review looking at systemic problems at the long troubled facility.

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) is traveling with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a Congressional Delegation visit to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and McAllen, Texas. Members of the delegation will hold high-level discussions with representatives from the government, the judiciary, civil society, community and faith-based groups, the private sector, and human rights organizations.

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced that local education centers within New York's 7^th Congressional District have received federal grants to continue their Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

"Ultimately, Head Start programs save money and lives," said Velázquez. "It's about comprehensive well-being, not just academics. I am proud to see a wide range of local centers receive federal funding to continue the important work of educating our New Yorkers."

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) today called on the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) for Puerto Rico to reconsider austerity measures the panel has targeted to the Island's healthcare and education programs.

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has crafted bipartisan legislation to improve services for veterans of all gender identities who have experienced domestic abuse and violence.

"Our society is undergoing an important watershed change when it comes to issues of sexual abuse and domestic violence," noted Velázquez. "We must support survivors in all professions and spheres and that should certainly extend to the brave women and men who wear the uniform of our country."

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) have written to the Acting Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, expressing concerns with how the Administration is handling Temporary Protected Status (TPS) with regards to Guatemala, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Nicaragua has previously received the TPS designation, but the Administration has attempted to revoke it. Guatemala and Venezuela have yet to attain that status.

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) have introduced H.R. 4074, the Clarifying Law Around Insurance Marijuana (CLAIM) Act, which would help businesses operating in the rapidly growing cannabis sector to obtain insurance products.

"Due to discrepancies in federal and state law, insurers are understandably reluctant to provide coverage to legitimate, cannabis-based businesses," said Velázquez. "Without casualty, property and title insurance coverage, the growth of this industry will be impeded if not blocked entirely."