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Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today called on Governor Cuomo to help small businesses impacted by the Chelsea explosion. Under federal law, a state’s governor can certify that businesses have suffered economic harm from a disaster, which then allows small businesses, homeowners and renters to apply for emergency loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In a letter to Cuomo, Velázquez called for the Governor to exercise this option.
With synthetic marijuana a growing concern in New York City, Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) wants Congress to move on legislation making it easier for the government to crack down on its sale.
After a summer scare where more than 130 New Yorkers were treated for overdoses of the drug in less than a month, Velazquez wants the federal government to do more research into the drug, and spend more money to warn people of its dangers.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today led Members of the New York City Congressional delegation in unveiling a new legislative effort to combat the rise of synthetic marijuana. Her bill, the “Synthetic Drug Overdose Prevention and Education Act” (SDOPEA), would begin using federal resources to educate the public about the dangers of these substances. The bill comes after a number of individuals overdosed on the drug earlier this summer.
(Washington, DC) - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) made the following statement during the Financial Services Committee markup of H.R. 5983, legislation to repeal Dodd-Frank:
I move to strike the last word. Another day, another attempt to eliminate the Dodd-Frank Act. Today is not a remedy for Dodd-Frank’s problems – it is a political talking point that does nothing to help Main Street. It is just another attempt to help special interests while saying it’s for the little guy.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced legislation (H.R. 5981) aimed at helping traditionally hard-to-reach immigrant populations better access quality medical care. The bill, the “Mobile Medical Immigrant Health Improvement Act”, would help steer federal resources to local organizations that have a strong presence in immigrant communities.
“Recent immigrants face unique challenges in locating and accessing high quality medical care,” Velázquez noted. “This bill will bolster those organizations that specialize in helping immigrants in our City.”
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the President’s naming of members of the Puerto Rico Oversight Board as required under PROMESA:
A well-intentioned Obama administration move to combat segregation of the poor is a recipe for disaster in New York City, a growing chorus of critics says.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development wants to change the way it doles out housing vouchers to low-income tenants.
The idea is to break up concentrations of poverty in New York City and 30 other metro areas by paying less to subsidize apartments in high-poverty neighborhoods, and more in upper-income neighborhoods.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the devastating earthquake that hit Italy:
“I am praying for all those impacted by the horrible earthquake in Italy. Many parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens have strong cultural ties to Italy and, as a City, all of us are thinking of the Italian people at this time. I encourage New Yorkers to consider finding ways to donate and assist the victims and recovery efforts.”
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Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has filed comments in support of a proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Included in the new rule is an initiative increasing screening for diabetes among Asian American populations by lowering the body mass index (BMI) diabetes threshold for Asian beneficiaries.
Washington, DC – Three Puerto Rican Members of Congress have written to the Speaker of the House of Representatives calling for Congress to swiftly allocate resources to address the growing threat of the Zika virus.
In a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan (D-WI), Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Congressman Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR) and Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY) called for Congress to appropriate $1.9 billion in emergency funding to address Zika, as previously requested by the Administration.