Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez is currently serving as Representative for New York’s 7th Congressional District. In the 117th Congress, she is the Chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee, a senior member of the Financial Services Committee and a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
She has made history several times during her tenure in Congress. In 1992, she was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In February 1998, she was named Ranking Democratic Member of the House Small Business Committee, making her the first Hispanic woman to serve as Ranking Member of a full House committee. Most recently, in 2006, she was named Chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee, making her the first Latina to chair a full Congressional committee.
It is unacceptable that the United States of America is the only developed country in the world that does not have a universal healthcare system for its citizens. New York City residents and all Americans deserve a reliable and affordable healthcare system.
Over 30 million Americans are uninsured with the other 40 million stuck with high co-pays and deductibles, which is why Congresswoman Velázquez is a huge supporter and co-sponsor of Medicare-for-all. Medicare-for-all will ensure that every American has access to quality healthcare and prescription drugs without having to choose between their health and livelihood.
Congresswoman Velázquez has voted against every attempt by the Republican party to repeal the Affordable Care Act and that law’s protections for patients with preexisting conditions. In fact, one of the first acts of the new Democratic Majority was to authorize the U.S. House of Representatives to defend the Affordable Care Act in court against efforts to dismantle it.
The GOP’s attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act would take away healthcare from over 24 million Americans and over 2.3 million New Yorkers. Congresswoman Velázquez is committed to working with her colleagues to ensure American voices are heard and our vital medical needs are safeguarded. Americans should have the right to live a healthy life that is not jeopardized by politics or partisanship.
Ultimately, Congresswoman Velázquez knows that that healthcare is a fundamental human right, not a privilege for the wealthy. She will continue efforts in Congress to secure access to insurance coverage and affordable, quality care for all Americans.