Ritchie Torres

We need stronger laws that hold landlords and property owners accountable, and more funding to help revitalize and preserve our current inventory of affordable housing.

There is a lack of attention and accountability in addressing longstanding violations and a lack of priority and investment for necessary repairs.

Enough is enough. We cannot wait passively for the next tragedy to happen.

A lack of access to safe, decent, affordable housing can be a death sentence.

The Bronx is Ground Zero for the housing crisis in America, a crisis of both housing quality and housing affordability.

We passed a law that established a New York City heat sensor program.

That would create a Federal backstop. It would show the Federal commitment to this important issue.

I think the joint collaborative environment which the Solarium Commission has recommended and which is a top priority for me this year was to create that common tool set for sharing information in real time and understanding context.

In time, these restrictions... will cripple the Russian economy and undermine Putin's ability to continue his ill-conceived military operation in Ukraine.

The Biden administration has also banned the import of Russian crude oil, petroleum, and natural gas.

Just over 1 month ago, Russian troops launched an unprovoked, unjustified invasion of Ukraine.

On February 17, 2022, the whole New York delegation, Democrats and Republicans, sent a bipartisan letter calling for rapid distribution of FEMA public assistance program funds.

Co-Sponsors of the Justice in Power Plant Permitting Act

The solution to homelessness is affordable housing.

We have the power to create affordable housing on a mass scale instantaneously. What we are lacking is the political will.

The Ending Homelessness Act, which codifies housing vouchers for all, would radically reduce homelessness in America.

It seems to me that Russia has broken its promise to the United States.

I feel like we are reacting to events rather than governing. I want to govern proactively.

The laissez-faire approach to cybersecurity that the Federal Government has long taken has been a profound failure.

Do you worry, as I do, that the designation of the Department of Energy as the lead agency perpetuates confusion about who exactly is in charge, about cyber jurisdiction?

I must admit I continue to have a lack of clarity about cyber jurisdiction.

I share the concern. Just like an appraisal with an implicit bias can lead to under evaluation, a home inspection with implicit bias can lead to under funding by FEMA.

Are you concerned that the implicit biases that distort home valuations could be the same kinds of biases that could potentially distort FEMA home inspections?

FEMA has created some policies that are inherently inequitable.

I find FEMA's interpretation to be an anomaly because there is ample precedent for the Federal Government providing tailored assistance to disadvantaged communities and doing so within the boundaries of civil rights law.