NYC Gazette

Rep. Nydia Velázquez, currently serving in the U.S. Congress representing New York's 7th district, shared a series of tweets on February 13, 2025, addressing significant political and social issues. The congresswoman expressed her concerns regarding the House Republican budget and called for transparency from federal agencies concerning historical events related to Puerto Rican independence activists.

On February 13, 2025, Velázquez criticized the proposed House Republican budget as a detrimental move against working families. She stated that it "slashes health care for millions," "guts food assistance for kids & seniors," and "showers billionaires & big corporations with $4+ trillion in tax breaks." According to Velázquez, this budget forces America's middle class to bear the financial burden.

In another tweet posted later on February 13, Velázquez mentioned collaborating with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to send a letter to the CIA and FBI. They demanded the declassification of records concerning the murders of two Puerto Rican independence activists. She highlighted that "the families of Carlos Muñiz Varela & Santiago 'Chagui' Mari Pesquera have waited nearly 50 years for justice."

Continuing on this topic at almost the same time on February 13, she provided more details about Santiago “Chagui” Mari Pesquera's case. Velázquez noted that he was only 23 when murdered in 1976 and pointed out that his father had received threats prior to his death. She raised questions regarding accountability by asking why key suspects were never held accountable."His family still asks: Why were key suspects never held accountable?"