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Today, U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-Queens) and Nydia Velázquez (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan/Queens) led members of the New York City Congressional delegation in writing to New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner William Bratton about an alarming rise in crimes committed in the Asian American community in New York.
"All New Yorkers deserve to feel safe," said Velázquez. "The recent numbers on crime rates in our Asian American communities are troubling and demand action. We expect NYPD to not only examine these trends but propose tangible solutions to address this problem."
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07) today announced that over $30 million in federal resources have been awarded to local Head Start and Early Head Start initiatives located throughout New York's 7th Congressional District.
"Head Start and Early Head Start provide comprehensive services supporting the development of children from low-income and working families," Velázquez noted. "These federal dollars will go a long way to helping kids in our communities prosper, grow and succeed in life."
$3.4 Million in Loans Made to New Yorkers in December, January
Washington, DC –Today, the House Committee on Small Business approved legislation aimed at reforming and strengthening rules that help small businesses and other disadvantaged firms compete in the federal marketplace. H.R. 4341, the “Defending America’s Small Contractors Act of 2016”, includes provisions from a number of bills authored by the Committee’s membership including a measure introduced by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the top Democrat on the Committee.
Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07) spoke today at a press conference regarding recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that apprehended Central American refugees. Following are her remarks:
Washington, DC - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding news that two NYPD officers were shot and killed in Brooklyn:
"This act of violence against these officers has no place in our community. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these fallen officers.”
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Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement regarding the omnibus spending bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today:
“It is unconscionable that Speaker Ryan and Leader McConnell prevented the year-end spending bill from containing meaningful provisions to address Puerto Rico’s fiscal problems. This is not only a fiscal crisis, but is rapidly becoming a humanitarian one. 3.5 million American citizens were counting on Congress and the Republican Leadership turned their back.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today wrote to the New York City Parks Department asking for a review of the agency’s safety protocols for contractors involved in tree removal. The letter comes after a Red Hook deliveryman died after being struck by a falling tree in Coffey Park.
The full text of the letter is below:
December 17, 2015
Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP
Commissioner
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
830 Fifth Ave
New York, NY, 10065
Dear Commissioner Silver:
Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today regarding the omnibus, year-end spending bill and provisions related to Puerto Rico. The text of her remarks are below and a video clip can be watched here:
“Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable that the legislation we are considering does nothing to address Puerto Rico’s mounting debt crisis.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today voted against legislation that would largely shut the door on refugees fleeing violence in Syria. The bill, H.R. 4038, authored by House Republicans, would place a moratorium on Syrian refugees entering the United States potentially for years, while security standards that are largely duplicative of existing protocols are developed. Velázquez said the legislation is a political response to the recent violence in France that would leave many desperate, innocent refugees in the cold without meaningfully enhancing U.S.