Dear John xxxxxx,

•  A Note from Congresswoman Velázquez
• Community Funding
• Bringing the Biden Administration to NY-7
• Reproductive Rights
• Improving Public Safety in NY-7
• Investing in our Education
• Puerto Rico
• Fighting Climate Change

A Note from Congresswoman Velázquez

Dear Neighbor,

As we begin the new year, I’d like to take a moment to look back on the work we did to support working families in New York in 2023.   

Over the course of the year, my office received countless calls and correspondences from New Yorkers about the pressing issues they face on a daily basis. It is an honor to serve as your representative in Congress, and your input is vital to performing my duties in Washington. I’ve worked diligently to listen to your feedback and get things done on your behalf in Washington. Since the beginning of 2023, I’ve been proud to work on a wide range of efforts to alleviate New York City’s affordable housing crisis, enhance public safety, protect access to reproductive care, and support our country’s fight against climate change. I’m proud of what we have accomplished despite consistent disfunction in Washington.

With 2023 in the books, my work in Washington has only just begun. 2024 is sure to bring its fair share of challenges, but I look forward to tackling them with your support and collaboration. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you in Congress. I’m excited to work together to make life better for all New Yorkers in the year ahead. 

Further details on my recent congressional efforts can be found below. I encourage you to reach out to my office with any questions, concerns, or to share your perspectives, as your input is invaluable.
 
Sincerely,

Nydia M. Velázquez 

1. $2,000,000.00 for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to renovate one or more playgrounds at the Farragut Houses development,
2. $1,200,000 for Boricua College to fund workforce development initiatives to expand educational opportunities for and improve the academic attainment of at-risk community members,
3. $750,000 for East New York Community Land Trust Inc to support the ENYCLT Affordable Homeownership Project,
4. $450,000 for Sunnyside Community Services, Inc. for renovations at their main site to improve accessibility and efficiency that will result in a better participant experience,
5. $650,000 for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for Dutch Kills Shoreline Restoration to reconstruct the currently eroded bulkhead into intertidal habitat and salt marsh along 29th street in Long Island City,
6. $216,860.70 for Sunnyside District Management Association, Inc to support the Sunnyside Streetscape project to revitalize the streetscape of Sunnyside,
7. $500,000 for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to support Gateway to Greenpoint, a project to replace the existing open space with a new landscape design that complements the built environment, softens the appearance of hard surfaces, enhances aesthetic qualities, and provides a significant neighborhood amenity,
8. $450,000 for Queens Economic Development Corporation to support the Fresh Plate- Fresh Start jobs portal, a community-driven project that bridges the gap between local restaurants in need of skilled kitchen staff and previously convicted adults, or other disadvantaged adults, who have graduated from kitchen jobs training programs,
9. $1,000,000 for St. Nick’s Alliance to relocate their workforce development center to an upgraded facility at the Throop Corners 100% affordable housing project currently under construction in Brooklyn,
10. $500,000 for East River Development Alliance, Inc. to provide underprivileged communities in Western Queens with viable and attractive alternatives to involvement in the justice system by supporting and developing small businesses, worker cooperatives, self-employed community members, and budding entrepreneurs,
11. $3,664,399 to the NYC Department of Homeless Services to protect the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence’s building and utility infrastructure up to the 500-year flood level,
12. $350,000 for JACK Arts, Inc. to support the Switching Lifestylez youth mentorship initiative,
13. $1,500,000 for the YMCA of Greater New York to support construction of a new Greenpoint YMCA,
14. $1,500,000 for NYCHA to support Atlantic Terminal Site 4B Fire Alarm System Upgrades,
15. $750,000 for 9 Million Reasons to support food pantry operation expansion,

Bringing the Biden Administration to NY-7

Throughout 2023, Congresswoman Velázquez worked to bring high-ranking officials from the Biden administration to Brooklyn and Queens to discuss the issues facing New Yorkers and how the executive branch can help address them.

In January, Congresswoman Velazquez also led Small Business Administration Administrator Isabelle Guzman on a small business tour of Sunnyside, Queens. As the Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, the Congresswoman worked diligently throughout the year to create an environment where small businesses in New York City and throughout the country can thrive.

In April, Congresswoman Velázquez hosted the Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge on a tour of Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City. During the visit, the Congresswoman highlighted the need to increase federal funding for capital repairs in public housing in New York City and across the country.

Last year, Congresswoman Velázquez worked on a range of initiatives to increase housing affordability and federal support for public housing. In January, she introduced the Public Housing Emergency Response Act, which would allocate $70 billion in funding for public housing capital repairs and upgrades. Later that year, she introduced the Landlord Accountability Act, which aims to protect tenants, particularly those in the Section 8 program, from abuses by dishonest landlords.  

Congresswoman Velázquez Tours Queensbridge Houses with HUD Secretary

That same month, Congresswoman Velázquez led Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on tours of Ravenswood Generating Station in Queens to discuss how bold federal action – particularly the Inflation Reduction Act – is enabling bold transformative green energy investments.

Reproductive Rights

Since the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022, reproductive rights have been under a sustained attack across the country putting the health of millions of women and girls at risk. 

A fierce advocate and fighter for Abortion rights, Congresswoman Velázquez has been fighting throughout the 118th Congress to protect access to reproductive care on the federal level.  

In the House, she was an original cosponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act. This crucial legislation seeks to establish a statutory right for healthcare providers to offer abortion services to their patients. Additionally, it aims to prevent states from enforcing any restrictions on abortion care. She is also proud to be an original cosponsor of the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. The proposed legislation aims to counter state-level initiatives seeking to penalize individuals who travel to different states for reproductive health care. This bill, if enacted, would guarantee that individuals acting under state law cannot impede, limit, or retaliate against those journeying across state borders to access legal abortion services. 

During her time in Congress, Congresswoman Velázquez has been a staunch advocate for reproductive health care for all. Unfortunately, more than 270 million people around the world have an unmet need for family planning using modern contraception, and in the United States, 19 million women of reproductive age live in an area with a lack of reasonable access in their county to a health center that offers the full range of contraceptive methods. Therefore, Congresswoman Velázquez introduced a Resolution in Support of World Contraception Day. This Resolution underscores the importance of supporting both global and domestic contraception access. It also urges Congress and the Administration to explore contraceptive deserts and consider federal policy measures to address this issue.

Improving Public Safety in NY-7

Throughout the year, Congresswoman Velázquez worked diligently to alleviate the pressing public safety issues facing people in Brooklyn and Queens.  

In 2023, fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have emerged as a major issue, putting lives and property at risk. According to the FDNY, lithium-ion batteries sparked at least 239 fires in 2023, causing 124 injuries and 17 deaths. In March, Congresswoman Velázquez introduced the Safe Charging Electric Bikes and Scooters Act to respond to this alarming trend and create publicly accessible safe charging infrastructure for e-bikes and scooters in communities across the country. That same month, she penned a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection calling on the agency to do more to curb imports of dangerous unbranded lithium-ion batteries used in electric micro-mobility devices like e-scooters and bikes. Far too many lives have been lost to lithium-ion battery fires and Congresswoman Velázquez will continue to collaborate with colleagues on the local, state, and federal levels to protect New Yorkers.

Congresswoman Velázquez Speaks at a Press Conference on City Efforts to Address Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

In 2023, there were 974 shootings in New York City. While this represents a 25% decrease since 2022, this is still far too much violence that takes a devastating toll on our city. Beyond New York, gun violence took 40,000 lives nationwide in 2023. These figures make clear that lawmakers must do more to end this epidemic.    

Throughout her career, Congresswoman Velázquez has been a staunch advocate for strict gun control measures to take weapons of war off our streets and make our communities safer. She was proud to be an original cosponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2023, which would ban the sale, import, manufacture, or transfer of certain semiautomatic weapons, bump-stock-type devices, and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices.

Investing in our Education

Congresswoman Velázquez believes that investing in our students’ education and nutrition is crucial to their social & academic success.

Earlier this year Congresswoman Velázquez worked with Senator Cory Booker to introduce two pieces of legislation that aim to support and provide students with more access to music and arts in our schools. The first bill, the Music in Our Schools Month Resolution, would support music in schools by affirming the importance of music education, the benefits students receive from its instruction, and recognizing the hard work of music educators across the country. The second bill, the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2023 (GAAME ACT), would further incentivize federal funds to be used to improve access to music and the arts for disadvantaged and low-income students, taught by certified arts and music educators.

In 2023, Congresswoman Velázquez helped to secure funding to install hydroponic farms and green rooftops in New York City schools. These farms help to educate students on the importance of sustainability and provide healthy and nutritious meals. Congresswoman Velázquez visited PS 60 Queens to see one of these hydroponic farms being put to use.

In June, Congresswoman Velázquez reintroduced the Public-School Green Rooftop Program Act which would allocate federal resources towards implementing green roofs at public elementary and secondary schools. These roofs offer a sustainable, energy-efficient way of bringing green space to urban areas and have myriad educational benefits for students and the community at large. Later in 2023 Congresswoman Velázquez joined other elected officials at the opening of a new green rooftop at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens in Long Island City. Green rooftops are a great example of green infrastructure, and Congresswoman Velázquez will continue to work in Congress to help build more green rooftops across her district.

Congresswoman Velázquez speaking at the Grand Opening of the Long Island City Sky Farm at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens

Research has shown that eating plant-based foods can help people maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and protect against certain forms of cancer and other diseases. According to the CDC, approximately 39% of New York City public school children in kindergarten through eighth grade are overweight or obese, and obesity now affects 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the United States.

In May, Congresswoman Velázquez introduced the Healthy Future Students and Earth Pilot Program Act. This bill would create a voluntary grant program for school districts to help schools provide healthier, climate friendly, and culturally appropriate plant-based entrée options to students.

Puerto Rico

Since the beginning of her time in Washington, Congresswoman Velázquez has fought to ensure that Congress gives the issues facing Puerto Ricans proper attention.

For decades, Puerto Rico’s status question has remained unaddressed, leaving Puerto Ricans in a political limbo. In April, Congresswoman Velázquez led colleagues in reintroducing the Puerto Rico Status Act, which authorizes a federally sponsored referendum, known as a plebiscite, to resolve Puerto Rico’s political status. The bill passed the House in 2022, and Congresswoman Velázquez intends to work hard in 2024 to bring the bill to a vote in the House again. In November, a Senate companion of the Puerto Rico Status Act was introduced for the first time. 

Congresswoman Velázquez Speaks at a Press Conference on Reintroducing the Puerto Rico Status Act

In 2023, Congresswoman Velázquez also led the charge in Congress on conducting oversight of Puerto Rico’s Act 22 law. Act 22 enabled tax evasion by wealthy Americans moving to Puerto Rico by offering generous tax-related benefits. For instance, beneficiaries do not have to pay federal income taxes on PR-source income and can avoid paying any taxes on interests, dividends, and capital gains. In November, she led another letter to the Internal Revenue Service raising concerns about Act 22 and requesting updates on the IRS’s efforts to investigate tax evaders taking advantage of the misguided law.

Last year, Congresswoman Velázquez also worked to bolster Puerto Rico’s resiliency in the face of natural disasters. In July, she led a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers calling on the agency to convene an independent technical advisory board to develop a comprehensive plan to improve climate resiliency and environmental justice for flood projects in Puerto Rico. She was also proud to work alongside the Biden administration to secure the release of up to $440 million in funding to solar companies and nonprofits to install rooftop solar and battery storage systems for vulnerable households on the island.

Fighting Climate Change

In 2023, we saw climate change impact New York, our country, and the world in new and frightening ways. 2023 was our planet’s hottest year on record. In addition to rising temperatures, we also saw phenomena like heat waves, deadly wildfires, and devastating flooding take place with alarming frequency. These climate-related events make it clear that Congress must do more to fight back against climate change.

In 2023, parts of Brooklyn and Queens also experienced significant flash flooding due to record-breaking heavy rainstorms. In Congress, Congresswoman Velázquez is leading efforts to better protect New Yorkers from the dangers of climate-related flooding. In September, she led twelve members of Congress in calling on the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to formulate a more complete plan for New York and New Jersey that protects against multiple varieties of flooding. Following the letter, New York State moved to require USACE to overhaul their $52.6 billion storm surge protection plan to better protect communities from all more forms of frequent flooding harms.

Last year, Congresswoman Velázquez also introduced multiple pieces of legislation aimed at lowering emissions and alleviating the impact of climate change on individuals. In July, she introduced Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) in introducing the Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax (FATCAT) Act, legislation that would increase fuel taxes for private jet travel. In November, she also introduced the bicameral Climate Displaced Person’s Act, which aims to equip the U.S. to address the growing effect of climate change on human migration.


2023 by the Numbers

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