Nydia Velázquez

Do you have any data as to any complaints coming from individuals who feel that their rights have not been protected?

So, why not shorten the 60-day requirement, or the 60 days timeline, given the fact that consumers are suffering in this country?

It would be great to have some empathy.

There was a commitment to clean up Vieques and no one can question the fact that in Vieques, we have the highest rate of cancer compared to any other municipality in Puerto Rico.

I am questioning the fact that since Maria, still, there are thousands of families who might be confronting another hurricane and they don't have any place to go.

It is a reality that HUD has imposed certain requirements that have not been asked from any other locality in the Nation.

As a Puerto Rican woman who has most of my family in Puerto Rico, I care deeply, and the fact that Puerto Rico has been facing a financial crisis, Hurricanes Irma, Maria, earthquakes, and now the pandemic.

We are the most powerful country in the world and whenever there has been natural disaster in other countries, we move Federal assets to make it happen.

the people of Puerto Rico are cynical. They are tired of the lack of transparency when it comes to issues that are important and that are going to impact their lives.

Rep. Velazquez criticized PREPA for failing to identify what she characterized as potential conflicts of interest.

She criticized PREPA for failing to identify potential conflicts of interest held by specific consultants to the PREPA board.

will LUMA Energy be required to assume the pension payments covering pre-existing health conditions and any other benefits that those PREPA employees it hires had?

Rep. Velazquez asked Mr. Ortiz if the relationship among New Fortress, McKinsey, and SoftBank is appropriate.

I have introduced legislation entitled, the Puerto Rico Recovery Accuracy and Disclosures Act, which requires all consultants and advisors to PROMESA to publicly disclose their relationships and conflicts in order to increase transparency.

Yes, that's a normal procedure.

I expect for you to lift that cap, especially when there are other states that are facing the pandemic now.

PPP, which did provide a lifeline for her, is an eight-week solution to an 18-month problem.

I insisted that ethics rules should not be waived. These are lending programs.

I'm concerned about those small businesses that lack liquidity, but lack the cash that they need in order to be able to pay rent, real estate costs, to remain in those businesses.

I am the first minority female chairing a committee, and when we are discussing lending programs that are within the jurisdiction of this committee, I will demand for the Ranking Member and myself to be at the table.

it is important that the public health crisis, if it's not adequately addressed, we will continue to face an economic uncertainty.

Moving forward, you must work with us and I ask that you remove the cap for new EIDL loans immediately and allow those with existing loans to obtain the capital they deserve.

Several other groups have come out in opposition to the proposed changes as well.

I would like to see that 50 percent of that money is carved out for minority businesses and women-owned businesses.

It has been an example of how we need to do the job on behalf of the American people.