NYC Gazette

Nydia Velázquez, a long-serving member of the U.S. Congress for New York's 7th district, conveyed her perspectives in a series of tweets on April 17, 2025. Velázquez criticized policy maneuvers by the Trump administration, called for legal accountability from a government official, and advocated for legislative action against gun violence.

In a tweet from April 17, 2025, at 20:38:36 UTC, Velázquez discussed the Trump administration's intentions concerning the Head Start program. She stated, "Head Start helps over 750,000 kids get the early education and support they need. The Trump admin wants to end the program to finance tax cuts for the top 1%. We can't trade away our children's future to line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy." This comment highlights her opposition to proposed budgetary priorities that she perceives as benefiting wealthy individuals at the expense of educational opportunities for children.

Subsequently, on April 17, 2025, at 22:00:02 UTC, Velázquez addressed legal concerns regarding the use of taxpayer money. She tweeted, "There is no ambiguity. It is illegal to use taxpayer money to pay a foreign country to imprison people. Secretary Rubio owes us answers about this administration's blatant disregard for the law." This post illustrates her demand for accountability from Secretary Rubio regarding the legality of financial allocations for international detention practices.

Later that day, at 23:15:00 UTC, Velázquez expressed her sympathy following an incident at Florida State University. She tweeted, "Thinking of everyone at FSU after today’s tragic shooting. No one should fear gunfire on a college campus, or anywhere. Gun violence is out of control in this country. It’s long past time for Congress to pass real gun safety laws." Here, Velázquez advocates for stringent legislative measures to address the prevalence of gun violence in the United States.

Nydia Velázquez, who was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico in 1953 and currently resides in Brooklyn, has represented New York’s 7th district since 1993 after succeeding Stephen Solarz. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.