Friend,​

I have been thinking of you. I hope that you are feeling safe, healthy and comfortable as we continue to live through these unprecedented times. I wanted to take a moment to reach out and update you on the work I've been doing, as well as provide you with some of the latest guidance and information for New Yorkers weathering this pandemic.

CARES Act

Last month, Congress passed legislation that will offer an economic lifeline to millions of working families and small businesses in New York and throughout the nation. Relief includes individual cash payments, emergency funds for hospitals and health research, funds for food stamps and food banks, insurance coverage, extra unemployment benefits and emergency grants for small businesses. While the bill contains necessary steps for New York’s workers and families, it is by no means perfect or sufficient. Ultimately, this relief package is the result of painstaking compromise, and as with any compromise, no side got everything they wanted. Our work is far from over, and as work begins on additional stimulus measures, I will continue advocating for greater funding for New York, for small businesses, affordable housing, families and healthcare workers.

I have been working hard to keep all people safe from COVID-19. This includes those detained in our federal prison system, who are especially susceptible to potential infection. Allowing coronavirus to spread within the prison population is not only morally unacceptable and inhumane, it also puts guards, staff and their families at risk, further fueling spread inside and outside these facilities. We need to make sure that there is an adequate supply of soap and staff protective gear, and that staff is given adequate time to recover when sent home with symptoms like a fever. In addition to plans to reduce transmission, we need to enact compassionate release for low-risk, vulnerable detainees, like those who are older and with preexisting conditions. 

Pushing Puerto Rico on School Meals Distribution

For many Puerto Rican families in need, school is the only place where children consistently have access to healthy meals. While the Island and its school system have been on lockdown for nearly a month, meals have not been distributed to students. The Puerto Rico Department of Education recently announced it would partner with local nonprofits to distribute meals to children, but few details on how that plan will be executed have been released. There is no time to waste -- we urgently need to know what the Department is doing to get food distributed quickly.

There is still so much to be done. I promise to continue to fight to make sure that you and your loved ones have everything you need to get through this. Please, do your part and stay home, care for yourself and check in on your community.

Best,

Nydia