Rep. Nydia Velázquez, a member of the U.S. Congress representing New York’s 7th district since 1993, posted a series of statements on October 7, 2025, addressing recent legal and political developments affecting Puerto Rico and federal nutrition assistance programs.
In her first post, Velázquez highlighted a federal court decision concerning the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) for Puerto Rico. She stated on October 7, 2025: “I’m glad to recognize that last Friday, the U.S. District Court for PR ruled that former FOMB members were illegally dismissed by President Trump in violation of due process & are temporarily protected from further attempts to remove them. This decision marks the first step”.
She reiterated the same message in Spanish later that day, posting: “Me complace reconocer que el pasado viernes, el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para Puerto Rico dictaminó que los antiguos miembros de la Junta de Supervisión y Administración Financiera (JSAF) fueron destituidos ilegalmente por el presidente Trump, en violación del”.
Later on October 7, Velázquez turned her attention to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which provides nutritional support to millions. She wrote: “WIC provides healthy food and support to nearly 7 million women, infants, and children. During the Republican shutdown, it remains open, but funding is uncertain. Families shouldn’t pay the price for GOP dysfunction. We must protect WIC and the people who rely on it.”
Velázquez has been a prominent figure in Congress since succeeding Stephen Solarz in 1993. Born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico in 1953 and currently residing in Brooklyn, she graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
The FOMB was established under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) to address the island’s fiscal crisis. Legal disputes over board appointments have previously reached the U.S. Supreme Court. The WIC program serves approximately seven million participants nationwide and is considered vital for maternal and child health during periods of government funding uncertainty.
