Media

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement today regarding President Trump's decision to waive the Jones Act for ten days for Puerto Rico:

"For an entire week, the President was touting his concern for the shipping industry, while refusing to suspend the Jones Act. Meanwhile, the people of Puerto Rico have been facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Millions of American citizens are without food, water and electricity. Now, the President's change of heart is too little, too late.

145 Lawmakers Call on President Trump to Deploy Life-Saving Military Resources

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement today regarding the failure of Graham-Cassidy, the latest Senate Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

"Once again, the American people have stood firm in opposing President Trump's and Congressional Republicans' heartless scheme to rip health insurance from millions. The visceral opposition to Graham-Cassidy exposed the bill for what it is—a rushed effort to phase out Medicaid, hike up costs for preexisting conditions and roll back essential health benefits.

Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement in response to President Trump's announcement that the federal government will waive regulations requiring local matching funds from Puerto Rico for FEMA disaster relief:

"By granting a waiver for federal cost-sharing requirements, the people of Puerto Rico will be able to receive aid from FEMA without further digging into an already devastated local economy. This is something I requested in a letter to DHS yesterday.

Request Jones Act Suspension, Exemption from FEMA Matching Funds

Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement after being appointed Co-Chair to Governor Cuomo's Empire State Relief & Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico:

"I commend Governor Cuomo for the actions he's taking. On Friday we traveled to Puerto Rico together to assess firsthand the damage from Maria and deliver supplies, personnel and assistance. The launch of this latest effort is another important step that demonstrates New York's commitment to helping our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters in their time of need.

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement in honor of Rosh Hashanah:

"As Jewish families in New York City and around the world gather over the coming days, may they find joy and celebration while observing the New Year. Rosh Hashanah is a time for introspection and new beginnings. It is also a time for us, as New Yorkers, to reflect on the invaluable contributions that our Jewish neighbors and community have made to our City and our nation.

"To all my friends and neighbors, let me say ‘Shana Tova.'"

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement today regarding Graham-Cassidy, the latest Republican effort in the U.S. Senate to roll back the Affordable Care Act, implement ‘Trumpcare' and deprive more than 30 million Americans of healthcare: