Nydia Velazquez

Nydia Margarita Velázquez was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a  Democrat in 1992, representing New York's 12th District, which includes parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Lower Manhattan.

Iraq War
Velazquez voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Disaster assistance
In 2007, Rep. Velazquez sponsored a bill aimed at better preparing the Small Business Administration (SBA) for responding to disasters impacting small businesses. The bill would direct the Administrator to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive written disaster plan to include disasters most likely to occur in any given SBA region, an assessment of a disaster and the most likely demand for SBA help in the aftermath. The SBA plan would also be required to outline the SBA’s needs for information technology, telecommunications, human resources, office space needed to meet demand, and how it would coordinate with other federal agencies. The Administrator would also need to appoint a Director for Disaster Planning and a Director for Disaster Lending. In addition, an annual disaster simulation exercise would be ordered once each year. A disaster reserve corps would be created and implemented within the SBA and would consist of at least 1,000 individuals who would not ordinarily have the duties of a full-time officer or employee, but would be able to assume duties related to disaster response when necessary. On April 19, the measure passed the House 267-158.

Background
Velázquez was born March 28, 1953 in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, and she is the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to the House of Representatives.

In 1969, when Velázquez was only 16, she enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico. In 1974 she graduated with high honors and became the first one in her family to receive a college diploma. Velázquez then went to New York studied political science at New York University. In 1976 she received her Master's degree. Velázquez was a university professor for many years, first in the University of Puerto Rico and then at New York's Hunter College.

In 1983, Velázquez was appointed Special Assistant to Representative Edolphus Towns, member of the House of Representatives for Brooklyn. In 1984, she became the first Latina appointed to serve as a member of the New York City Council.

Congressional Career
In 1992, Velázquez was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York's 12th District The 12th district includes parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Lower Manhattan. Velázquez also became the first Hispanic woman to serve as Ranking Democratic Member of the House Small Business Committee. She oversees federal programs and contracts totaling $200 billion dollars annually. Velázquez also serves on the House Financial Services Committee.

Among Velázquez's "firsts" are: The first Hispanic woman to serve on New York City's Council; the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in Congress; The first woman Ranking Democratic Member of the House Small Business Committee and Hispanic Business Magazine's first "Woman of the Year."

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Allan E. Romaguera to face Velazquez in her November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Velazquez retained her seat.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Small Business -Chair
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * House Committee on Small Business - Ranking Minority Member

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Chair, Business and Economic Development Task Force
 * Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
 * Congressional Census Caucus
 * Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues
 * Congressional Children's Caucus
 * Congressional Hispanic Caucus
 * Congressional Human Rights Caucus
 * Congressional Job and Fair Trade Caucus
 * Congressional Progressive Caucus
 * Congressional Urban Caucus
 * Democratic Regional Whip
 * Education, Immigration and Livable Communities Task Force
 * Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Caucus
 * House Democratic Caucus
 * Older American's Caucus
 * Member, New York Jobs with Justice

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Member, New York Jobs with Justice

Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * Gur, "The Phattest Bubble You've Ever Seen?", Room Eight, May 12, 2006.
 * Gur, "What Part Of "You Will Pimp My Pay to $168K" Did You Not Understand?", Room Eight, June 30, 2006.
 * Congressional Wire, "Earth to Congress - Come In!", Room Eight, July 11, 2006.
 * Gur, "Why Bother?", Room Eight, July 12, 2006.
 * Angela Burton, "NY Control In a Democratic House," Room Eight, November 6, 2006.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Simply Left Behind