January Newsletter: Fighting for The DEFIANCE Act, Connecting with Our Community, and Keeping Each Other Warm This Winter

Table of Contents:

From Capitol Hill
In Our Community
Constituent Corner: Resources Available To You

A Message from the Office of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez

To our Neighbors in NY-14,

We hope you are all faring well in this cold winter weather! In this month’s newsletter, the office of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez would like to update you on the ways she is fighting for you in D.C. and in the district.

From Capitol Hill

Responding to ICE Terrorizing Our Communities

Trump’s ICE is terrorizing communities across the country. Last week, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez joined CNN’s Jake Tapper to respond to the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and to discuss reigning in the rogue agency.

Taking on the Greed of the Insurance Industry

This month, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez called out CVS Health’s corporate strategy to monopolize patient care during a hearing in the Health Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. At the hearing Representative Ocasio-Cortez questioned President and CEO of CVS Health Group David Joyner on CVS Health’s “captive strategy” where patients are steered towards getting care from the same company, all to increase that company’s bottom line.

Fighting for House Passage of The DEFIANCE Act

Last week, Congresswomen Ocasio-Cortez and Laurel Lee (FL-15) and Ms. Paris Hilton were joined by advocates and Representatives for a press conference to advocate for the passage of the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act (DEFIANCE Act), bipartisan legislation that would grant survivors the right to take civil action against individuals who knowingly produce, distribute, solicit and receive or possess with the intent to distribute nonconsensual sexually-explicit digital forgeries.

Earlier this month the Senate passed the DEFIANCE Act by unanimous consent. Now, the House Representatives and advocates are asking Speaker Johnson to put the DEFIANCE Act on the House floor for a vote.

In Our Community

The heart of our work lies in the vibrant communities of NY-14. See below for ways our office is helping constituents navigate federal agencies and bring resources back to the district.

Connecting with Bangladeshi Community Members

This week, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez had the opportunity to connect with Bangladeshi community leaders and small business owners to discuss issues impacting the community, including immigration challenges, public safety, Islamophobia, and youth resources.

Visiting Longwood Prep with NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels

This week, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels visited a local high school in The Bronx. Students from Longwood Prep’s U.S. History class met with the Congresswoman and the Chancellor to ask questions about civic engagement, public service, and the issues and concerns currently affecting their communities.

Constituent Story

Recently, our constituent, Rich, contacted our office seeking help receiving missed IRS payments. Rich’s business was owed four checks for the ERC (Employee Retention Credit). After our inquiry and months of handling this with TAS, Rich finally received all four checks, a grand total of $375,146.76!

This is just one of the many wins our incredible casework team achieves regularly for our constituents. If you have an issue pending with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to reach out.

“The Office of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez were incredibly responsive, communicative, and successful resolving an issue we needed their help with. Thank you SO MUCH!”

- Rich

Constituent Corner: Resources Available To You

3-K and Pre-K Applications Open

The 3-K and Pre-K applications are now open from January 14th through February 27th! Families can apply online at MySchools.nyc, over the phone at 718-935-2009, or through a Family Welcome Center.

Summer Youth Employment Program

Applications for NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), the nation's largest youth employment program, are also now open until February 27th. NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 are encouraged to apply.

Apply today

Changes to Visa Issuance for 75 Countries

Last week, the State Department instituted a pause on immigrant visa issuance for countries it alleges are “high-risk” for their nationals becoming dependent on public benefits upon immigrating to the U.S. This is almost 40% of all countries.

But we know that the truth is a very different story. Immigrants contribute $650B in taxes each year - more than some of the largest corporations in our country pay. Our immigrant communities are incredibly hardworking. Our immigrant entrepreneurs are the backbone of our local economies. Our office and colleagues are demanding more information about this sudden pause. We will keep our community updated as the State Department releases more guidance.

If you have any questions related to your immigration status, you can contact the New York State Office for New Americans Hotline to request a legal consultation at (800)-566-7636.

New York City Warming Centers

During these extremely cold times, it is important we look out for everyone in our community that might be struggling or unhoused. NYC’s warming centers are now open to anyone that needs them, and all warming spaces have food and durable medical equipment, such as medical monitors, mobility aids, and respiratory devices.

Find a warming center

In Service,

The Office of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez