NYC Gazette

Nydia Velázquez, a long-standing member of the U.S. Congress representing New York’s 7th district, recently addressed several political actions through a series of tweets. Velázquez, who replaced Stephen Solarz in 1993 and has served since then, was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico and currently resides in Brooklyn. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras in 1974. Her comments critically examine measures proposed by Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., touching on implications for public health and workers' rights.

On March 28, 2025, Velázquez expressed concerns via Twitter about proposed cuts in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by Trump and RFK Jr. She conveyed that these actions, which could result in the loss of 10,000 jobs, jeopardize services provided by HHS workers, such as outbreak prevention, drug approval, and care access for vulnerable communities. Velázquez stated, "They’re willing to risk your health to fund tax breaks for billionaires."

Later that day, Velázquez addressed another initiative from Trump, which aims to undermine federal workers' collective bargaining rights. She interpreted this as a straightforward attempt at union busting. Velázquez warned of broader implications by stating, "And if he gets away with it, he won’t stop there. This is an attack on all workers."

The next day, on March 29, 2025, Velázquez criticized RFK Jr. for misleading the Senate regarding his stance on vaccinations. She accused him of dismissing the head of the FDA's vaccine regulation during a measles outbreak. Her tweet read, "RFK Jr. lied to the Senate about his anti-vax agenda." She portrayed him as a threat to public health.