Nydia Velázquez

By doing so, they seem to adopt the same reasoning used by racist and xenophobic Justices of the Supreme Court in the early 20th century that decided the infamous Insular Cases.

It would be cruel to have our people, the constituents I represent, go through years of endless debates and back and forth engagements with Congress, only to be left out in the end with no response to their clear intention to move toward…

Congress will create a commission. I seriously believe that under Section 7, Joint Resolution, that outlines the serious and structured process for both chambers of Congress to act upon the results of the referendum that might be a…

While President Biden's plan calls for an investment of $40 billion for public housing, my bill, like the chairwoman's, calls for an investment of $70 billion.

The Department of Justice rejected the 2017 and 2020 referendum citing the Obama Task Force before had stated that excluding options won't call into question the legitimacy of any referendum.

However proponents of this alternative approach to label it, anything short of statehood is colonial and unequal.

I hope the Committee will give a full and fair hearing to their respective pieces of legislation on the future of Puerto Rico's political status.

There are real, harmful consequences from disinvesting in public housing.

I strongly oppose statehood for Puerto Rico, a position shared by the members of the Frente.

We recognize there are some in Congress, such as Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY) and Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ), who oppose statehood for Puerto Rico.

If you are so assured that the outcome is going to be statehood, why then oppose a process that is inclusive, that is transparent, and that is democratic.

the government will use public funds to hold this special election at a time when Puerto Rico continues to face a financial crisis

This is not an election for president. It is not an election of a Member of Congress. This is an election about decolonization--123 years of imperialism by the United States.

It includes a transition plan.

this is decolonization, and we have a moral obligation to provide whatever it takes for the people of Puerto Rico

Congresswoman Velazquez who is the main sponsor of the other bill which I will soon discuss came to Puerto Rico and urged voters to reject statehood.

In the past, proponents of statehood have sold a bill to the people of Puerto Rico saying that they will maintain participation in the U.S. Olympics or Miss Universe, and that that will not change if Puerto Rico becomes a state, things…

we want to make sure that not only the wealthiest 1 percent... have the opportunity to be engaged and participate democratically

The myth of non-territorial commonwealth has long prevented Puerto Ricans from reckoning with the constitutional reality that the only alternatives to being a territory are statehood and independence.

the present political status should change.

We are losing 10,000 to 15,000 units a year to obsolescence or delay.

While I said at the time, and continue to understand that short selling has legitimate purposes, I also said that too often, I have seen the strategy used against working individuals and families, first, against Puerto Rico, and now here…

I want to extend my congratulations and thankfulness to her for her help and willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion on that issue.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

reclaman priorizar la energia renovable en Puerto Rico