Puerto Rico
When she was sworn into Congress in 1993, Congresswoman Velázquez made history as the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. A native of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, the Island and its people have long been dear to her heart.
In addition, many residents of New York’s 7th District hail from Puerto Rico and have family or other close ties to the Island. From working to solve the Puerto Rican debt crisis to bolstering small businesses on the Island, the Congresswoman has been a longtime champion for Puerto Rico.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Congresswoman Velázquez has be at the forefront of recovery efforts. From traveling to the Island to assess the damage to demanding an immediate supplemental funding package, to calling for a more robust and effective response from the Trump Administration, she is urging Washington to provide swift and sustainable relief aid.
You can find the Congresswoman discussing these relief efforts on CNN and MSNBC.
For a list of the relief efforts the Congresswoman is supporting, please click here.
The Congresswoman in Sunset Park, Brooklyn organizing relief aid for Hurricane Maria victims.
More on Puerto Rico
Washington, DC- Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced the “Puerto Rico Recovery Accuracy in Disclosures Act,” legislation that extends to firms working on Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring the same disclosure requirements that apply to companies involved in other bankruptcies. Recent news reports have documented how McKinsey & Company is advising Puerto Rico on the Island’s debt restructuring at the same time that it holds bonds issued by Puerto Rico.
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented today on protests and campaigns at both Harvard and Yale regarding the institutions’ relationships with hedge funds that have invested in Puerto Rico’s debt:
Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement today regarding protests taking place in San Juan this week to call for action to address gender-based violence on the Island:
Say Future Aid Shouldn’t be Used for Debt Repayment
Washington, DC – In the wake of President Trump’s statement calling for “no more Puerto Rico relief funds,” Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and six additional Members of Congress have written the President condemning his comment, saying pulling federal relief aid would have a “catastrophic effect on the Island’s already fragile recovery.”
“COUNT Act” Will Set Federal Standards for Death Counts
Passage Follows Controversy Surrounding Maria Mortality Rate in Puerto Rico
Washington, DC – On the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria’s landfall in Puerto Rico, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) held a press event in New York City. Below are her remarks, as prepared for delivery.
“Thank you all for coming. Let me especially thank Mayor De Blasio for joining us.
Washington, DC –According to Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), a federal program to assist homeowners facing foreclosure is not being fully utilized. In a letter to the Treasury Department, Velázquez is urging Secretary Mnuchin to tap into the “Hardest Hit Fund,” and to allow Puerto Rico to apply. Established in 2010, the Hardest Hit Fund contains federal funding for local housing agencies to carry out foreclosure prevention and relief solutions.
In Bicameral Letter, Lawmakers Demand Apology, Call on President to Acknowledge Official Death Toll and Improve Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico
Washington, DC – Approaching the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria’s landfall, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) is fighting to extend the deadline for affected homeowners and small businesses to secure a disaster loan under the Small Business Administration (SBA). To this end, Velázquez has introduced the “Access to Sufficient Capital for Everyone in Natural Disaster Areas Act of 2018,” (ASCEND Act) a bill that would extend SBA disaster loan applications for an additional year.
Says President is Gaslighting Nation After Administration’s Botched Maria Response
Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following in response to President Trump’s latest Tweets on Puerto Rico.
