Week in Review Rep. Ritchie Torres, NY-15 | Dear Friends and Neighbors, As we reflect on the week, which included the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I am reminded that his legacy calls on all of us in public service to lead with moral clarity and purpose. While imprisoned for challenging segregation, Dr. King wrote in his Letter from Birmingham Jail that “the time is always ripe to do right,” a reminder that justice cannot be postponed for convenience or comfort. His words continue to guide the work of building a society rooted in fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity. Each week brings new challenges and responsibilities, and my priority is always to ensure that your concerns, ideas, and lived experiences shape my work. Whether responding to constituent requests, participating in meetings and briefings, or engaging in conversations about the direction of our country, I approach every day with the responsibility of representing our community thoughtfully and effectively, guided by the values Dr. King championed. | That commitment to our community was particularly present at the Twin Parks Fire Remembrance 2026, a moment to honor the 17 lives lost, including eight children, in the January 2022 fire at the Twin Parks North West apartment building, and to reflect on the profound impact that tragedy continues to have on families and neighbors. The fire, fueled by a malfunctioning space heater and spread by self-closing apartment doors that failed to close, exposed deep failures in housing safety and accountability, leaving an enduring scar on the Bronx. Coming together in remembrance was a solemn reminder of the families forever changed, the urgency of safer housing conditions, and the responsibility to ensure that lessons from Twin Parks are carried forward so that such a devastating loss is never repeated. SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in partnership with CBC Spouses is offering a number of scholarships for African American and Black students. Information on the scholarships and instructions on how to apply can be found here. | I was delighted to join in the vibrant Three Kings Day celebrations across our community. It was a joy to honor this cherished tradition, share in the festivities, and come together with neighbors in warmth and unity. | I enjoyed visiting the Commonpoint Hub to see how Commonpoint is expanding access to education, workforce development, and health and wellness. In partnership with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, the Hub offers high school equivalency and general educational development preparation, medical career training for young adults, English language instruction, after school and youth programs, adult fitness and wellness classes, and an indoor pool that supports aquatics and recreational access for the community. | I joined the food pantry distribution at Word of Life International, organized by Rev. Dr. John Udo-Okon and Pastor Felicia Udo-Okon, which feeds hundreds of community members every Saturday. I have allocated $500,000 to support the expansion of this pantry so it can reach even more families. | I took part in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Riverdale Y, packing food bags alongside volunteers committed to service and solidarity. Honoring Dr. King’s legacy through action, we came together to support those in need and affirm the power of collective care. D.C. Updates I strongly oppose the Trump administration’s decision to suspend visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, a sweeping action that will cause real harm to families, students, workers, and communities here in the Bronx and across the country. This policy creates unnecessary uncertainty, separates loved ones, and undermines the values of fairness and opportunity that should guide our immigration system. My office is closely monitoring this situation and will continue pushing back against policies that are cruel, discriminatory, or destabilizing. If you or your family may be affected, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. We are here to assist you. I sponsored H.R. 7233 which would require officers and employees of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection engaged in immigration enforcement to wear a clearly visible and scannable QR code that links to an official government verification page confirming their authority and duty status. This bill would strengthen transparency and accountability while protecting officer safety and giving the public a clear way to verify identity and report misconduct. I sponsored H.R. 7144 to amend the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to establish a national food rescue system that strengthens partnerships with food rescue organizations to reduce food waste and expand food distribution. This bill would help ensure surplus food reaches people facing food insecurity more efficiently and support community-based food recovery efforts. As a member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, I joined Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi in warning that President Trump’s targeting of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell undermines the independence of the Federal Reserve and weakens confidence in the U.S. economy. We emphasized that political interference in our central bank unsettled global markets and risked handing a strategic advantage to the Chinese Communist Party by eroding America’s economic credibility. I wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post warning that political prediction markets risk becoming a new source of corruption during the Trump administration by enabling insiders and politically connected actors to profit from advance knowledge of confidential government actions. The Polymarket bet on Nicolás Maduro, which paid out after a sudden U.S. operation, illustrated how these markets can monetize nonpublic information and create perverse incentives to influence or time government decisions for personal gain, which is why I am introducing legislation to close this loophole and protect the integrity of public service. | Constituent of the Week: Barbara Gray | This week’s Constituent of the Week is Barbara Gray, a 70-year-old Riverdale resident who wowed audiences at New York City’s Talent Is Timeless senior talent competition. Representing the Riverdale Y Older Adult Center, Barbara delivered a heartfelt rendition of Crazy by Patsy Cline, earning second place and the coveted Audience Favorite award among hundreds of contestants citywide. Her performance at the United Palace Theater was a celebration of both her extraordinary voice and the power of creativity at any age. As Barbara put it, “We’re older, but everyone still has a lot of talent.” Her story reminds us that ability is ageless, and that the Bronx continues to shine on every stage. Nominate a Local Leader or Organization for Our Newsletter Spotlight Do you know a neighbor, local leader, or organization making a positive difference in our community? We’d love to feature them in our weekly newsletter. Use the following link to submit a nomination: https://ritchietorres.house.gov/feature-nomination. As we move forward, Dr. King’s call to action remains as urgent as ever. He reminded us that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” underscoring that progress depends on our willingness to stand up for one another and to act with courage and conviction. I remain committed to honoring that legacy through my work every day, advocating for fairness, opportunity, and accountability, and ensuring that our community’s voices are heard and respected as we continue the work of building a more just and equitable future. | Ritchie Torres Member of Congress | Washington, D.C. 1414 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-4361 Fax: (202) 225-6001 | Bronx 540 E Fordham Rd, Unit 2A Bronx, NY 10458 Phone: (718) 503-9610 Fax: (718) 620-0658 | Sign up for my newsletter! | |
