House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement after Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez announced she would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez is a trailblazer, tenacious truth-teller and transformational figure. Throughout her career in public service, she has been an incredible advocate for the communities she is privileged to represent.

Rep. Velázquez made history in 1984 as the first Latina ever to serve in the New York City Council. In 1992, she became the first Puerto Rican woman ever elected to the House of Representatives. For more than three decades, she has continued to break barriers in Congress, including as the first Latina to serve as Chair of a congressional committee. Nydia has always been a voice for the voiceless, a defender of democracy and a relentless champion for the self-determination of Puerto Rico.

During a once-in-a-century global pandemic, Small Business Committee Chairwoman Velázquez helped stand up the Paycheck Protection Program that protected small businesses and their workers, created millions of jobs and rescued the economy. 

Known to anyone who has witnessed her passion and advocacy firsthand as “La Luchadora,” there is nobody better to have in your corner than Nydia. From the very beginning of my journey in the Congress, Rep. Velázquez has been a tremendous mentor, friend and partner. It’s been an immense honor to learn from her and serve alongside her in the New York delegation. 

She will be deeply missed by the House Democratic Caucus, and we all wish her and her family the very best in this next chapter.

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