Velázquez E-Update
In this issue:
Working with Constituents
D.C. National Guard Takeover
Continuing Oversight at ICE Enforcement and Detention Facilities
Expansion of Transcontinental Gas Pipeline
Legislative Activity
Supporting the Community
Seeking Congressional App Challenge Participants
West Queens Flood Solutions Fair
Working with Constituents
Congress’ August district work period offers many valuable opportunities to engage with constituents. Rep. Velázquez came together with neighbors at multiple National Night Out events throughout New York’s 7th congressional district in Brooklyn and Queens. The National Night Out is a community building event that seeks to foster connections between neighbors, local leaders, and law enforcement.
Rep. Velázquez also partnered with Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas to distribute 2,500 backpacks to students in Queens to provide them with the resources they need as they return to the classroom this fall. Supporting constituents, from back-to-school and relationships with local law enforcement to the halls of Congress, is a priority for Rep. Velázquez regardless of whether Congress is in session.
D.C. National Guard Takeover
President Trump declared a “crime emergency” in Washington D.C. on August 11, taking control of the city police force and deploying thousands of National Guard troops. Rep. Velázquez immediately cosponsored legislation to increase congressional oversight of National Guard deployments like this one and called out the takeover for what it is, an "assault on our democracy."
Upon returning to D.C., Rep. Velázquez held a press conference with other Democratic lawmakers. In her remarks she criticized the use of National Guard troops, who “have been so underutilized that some are now reduced to picking up trash and cleaning the National Mall,” at the price tag of at least $1 million per day. It is clear that this deployment is not about fighting crime, it is about control.
The President continues to call for expanded troop deployments that remind other American cities “why it is called the department of war.” This continued even after a federal judge ruled that the White House’s deployment of troops to Los Angeles earlier this summer was illegal. The judge came to an alarming finding, that "President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have stated their intention to call National Guard troops into federal service in other cities... creating a national police force with the President as its chief." Rep. Velázquez concluded the press conference on this brazen activity by making it clear that she will not accept policies that deploy National Guard troops that are designed to intimidate communities and trample on fundamental rights, in Chicago, New York, or in any other American city.
Continuing Oversight at ICE Enforcement and Detention Facilities
On August 6, Rep. Velázquez, again, attempted to conduct an oversight visit of an ICE Detention facility. During this visit, she was joined by Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Dan Goldman as well as the ACLU and New York Immigration Coalition, at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park. Rep. Velázquez and her colleagues were once again denied entry. It is believed that over 100 immigrant detainees are being held in this center, which is reportedly plagued by inhumane conditions, and yet, no oversight is being allowed.
Later in the month, after many prior attempts at oversight and ringing of alarm bells by Rep. Velázquez, a federal judge ordered that the Trump administration must improve conditions for those being held 26 Federal Plaza - the Manhattan facility being used by ICE as a detention center.
In addition to concerns about detention facilities, ICE enforcement tactics like agents wearing masks and failing to identify themselves have led to impersonators targeting and assaulting women. Rep. Velázquez led a letter with the Democratic Women’s Caucus to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE officials calling on ICE agents to “visibly and clearly identify themselves when conducting immigration enforcement activities to stop enabling impersonators.” This month’s events emphasize the need for continued oversight and action to stop reckless enforcement and detention practices.
Expansion of Transcontinental Gas Pipeline
Rep. Velázquez sent a letter on behalf of her constituents to the New York Division of Environmental Permits warning about the environmental damage that could be caused by the proposed expansion of the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline. The proposed enhancement project, which would expand the pipeline from Pennsylvania under the NY/NJ Harbor, poses risks to sensitive marine ecosystems and could expose New Yorkers to toxic contaminants during construction. Moreover, the pipeline would continue New York’s fossil fuel dependence, threatening the goals of the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 which requires an 85% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. “States like New York must remain steadfast in defending our environment, protecting public health, and meeting our ambitious climate goals,” Rep. Velázquez stated as she urged regulators to reconsider public concerns and reject the pipeline project.
Legislative Activity
Bills Introduced by Rep. Velázquez:
• H.Res.630 – Recognizing July 28, 2025, as "World Hepatitis Day"
This resolution seeks to acknowledge hepatitis B and C as a public health emergency, recognize World Hepatitis Day, and calls for a governmental response to raise awareness and support broad access to vaccination and treatments. As many as 5.9 million people in the United States are infected with hepatitis B and C and an estimated 13,895 died of complications related to virus in 2023. It is important to continue acting to turn the tide on this epidemic rather than restricting access to critical vaccinations and treatments.
Bills co-sponsored by Rep. Velázquez:
• H.R. 4872 – Ending Homelessness Act of 2025 - This bill would significantly reduce homelessness by transforming the Housing Choice Voucher program – which currently turns away 80% of eligible households due to insufficient funding – into an entitlement program, meaning that every eligible household would receive a voucher to help them access safe and affordable housing.
• H.R. 4888 – Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act of 2025 - This bill would affirm reproductive rights as a key aspect of human rights and require the U.S. State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights to include the status of reproductive rights in every country covered by the report.
• H.R. 4998 – Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard Act - This bill would expand congressional oversight of domestic deployments of the National Guard by requiring the President to submit a report to Congress detailing the goals, cost, and legal basis of deployments lasting longer than 15 days.
• H.R. 5068 – Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act – This bill would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and correct drug policies that have disproportionately impacted low-income and communities of color.
Supporting the Community
Every week Rep. Velázquez’ casework team aids dozens of community members in interactions with federal agencies like USCIS and the VA.
• For example, this this month the casework team helped a constituent from Astoria who had an outstanding Supplemental Security Income claim with the Social Security Administration. After a follow up from caseworkers, the constituent’s claim has been approved. She was awarded $5,580 in back pay and will now receive $656 in monthly benefits.
If you would like help with a federal agency, fill out this form and the casework team will be in touch with you.
Seeking Congressional App Challenge Participants
The Congressional App Challenge (CAC), a competition designed to encourage student participation in computer science and coding, will be hosting its annual coding competition this year. The Challenge is open to all middle and high school students in the 7th Congressional District of New York. The competition is designed to highlight the value of STEM and encourage students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. Students can learn more about the competition and make a submission at CongressionalAppChallenge.us during the Competition Submission Period until October 30th, 2025.
Western Queens Flood Solutions Fair
In recent years, too many homes, businesses, and streets in New York’s 7th congressional district have been damaged by flooding. Rep. Velázquez is responding by bringing together experts and community partners to provide constituents with the opportunity to learn more about responding to flooding, from insurance options to proactive mitigation projects. The Western Queens Flood Solutions Fair will take place on September 13th, 2025 from 1:00pm-4:00pm at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street, Queens, NY. The event is free to attend and you can register here.
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