New York City Insider: Rep. Espaillat Urges MTA to Protect Livery Drivers and Vulnerable Communities.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 16, 2022

Representative Adriano Espaillat Urges MTA to Protect Livery Drivers and Vulnerable Communities. Espaillat Touts Benefits of Congestion Pricing in Letter Urging Consideration of Broad Environmental Impacts and Charge Exemptions for Livery Drivers.   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) recently sent a letter to Janno Lieber, Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) urging the state public-benefit corporation to consider the environmental implications of high vehicle congestion and the economic welfare of livery drivers when finalizing their recent New York City Central Business District Tolling Program. “Neighborhoods near the Cross Bronx Expressway, RFK Bridge, and I-95 have been disproportionately affected by greenhouse gas surges, despite these communities historically contributing the least to overall greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Whereas the comment period recently ended for community input, we must consider the calls of an essential working-class immigrant industry or the communities they serve. Nearly 70% of the trips livery-based drivers make are outside of the project’s area, and the request for them to be exempt or be charged just once per day will have minimal impact on the overall project revenue goals. The Congressman, who has historically supported congestion pricing, notes that  the projects revenue will supercharge the first wave of major expansions to New York’s transit system in over half a century— including the nations largest transit equity Second Avenue Subway Phase II extension. “New York City requires a holistic approach to environmental and economic justice, and the MTA’s consideration of these issues would improve hundreds of thousands of lives throughout the Bronx by reducing air pollution and increasing the overall transit accessibility for many throughout our communities,” Espaillat concluded. Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Espaillat Convenes Meeting with House Democratic Leadership to Welcome Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 15, 2022

Representative Adriano Espaillat Convenes Meeting with House Democratic Leadership to Welcome Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader.    Espaillat Hosted Meeting with Abinader and Democratic Congressional Leaders Culminates Meetings at the U.S. Capitol.    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) hosted Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader at the United States Capitol during a meeting with congressional leaders, ending a series of meetings during the President's visit to Washington, DC.       "As a proud member of the Dominican American community and the first Dominican American elected to Congress, I am honored to host President Abinader to the U.S. Capitol to help further strengthen U.S. – Dominican Republic relations and our shared interests,” said Rep. Espaillat. "I am appreciative of our continuing friendship and collaboration and was delighted to be joined by several of my congressional colleagues to make today's discussion successful."   Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Statement from Representative Adriano Espaillat in Recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 15, 2022

Statement from Representative Adriano Espaillat in Recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.   WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, reflecting on the significant contributions and cultural importance of the growing Latino community in the United States.  “Latinos contribute to the rich cultural heritage ingrained in the American identity,” said Rep. Espaillat. “As the single largest racial or ethnic minority group in the United States – making up 18.5% of the nation’s total population – Latinos represent a crucial segment of all facets of American life.  “Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of reflection and engagement to support Latino families across the nation and share stories of our significant contributions that highlight the beauty and diversity of this nation. This month, we honor historical Latino legacies such as Celia Cruz, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roberto Clemente, Esteban Hotesse, Sonia Sotomayor, and so many more. I am proud to honor the history, culture and influence of past and current Latino generations who influence American politics, labor rights, education, music, food, and many other facets of our lives.  “Today, over a quarter of public-school students in the United States are Latino, as are nearly 20% of all college students. Latino-owned businesses have seen a 44% growth rate over the last 10 years, distinguishing them as the fastest growing segment of small businesses in the entire country. Latinos have contributed greatly to both here at home and abroad, having fought with commitment and bravery in every war in United States history, including the approximately 500,000 who served in World War II and the more than 60 who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor.  “Today and every day, it is paramount to recognize the continued contributions of Latinos here in America while reflecting on our dedicated service, fervent work ethic, and commitment to community that has made us an integral part of American life and the fabric of the nation’s history.”   Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Tomorrow: Espaillat Leads Members and Immigration Advocates to Urge TPS for Central America.

 

For Immediate Release September 14, 2022

Espaillat Leads Members and Immigration Advocates to Urge TPS for Central America. Press Conference on Capitol Hill, Thursday, September 15th at 12:30 p.m. EDT with Immigrant Rights Groups including CASA, FLIC, 32BJ SEIU, Alianza Americas. WASHINGTON, DC – On the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and congressional colleagues will help lift up Latino voices standing together to demand Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Central America at a press conference on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol (Area 11 near House Triangle).  Immigrant rights groups including CASA, FLIC, 32BJ SEIU, Alianza Americas, and others will join lawmakers to urge Congress and the Biden administration to support TPS for Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. The designation would provide critical protections for thousands of eligible beneficiaries who have lived in the United States for decades.  WHO: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) Congressional Leaders CASA Exec. Dir. Gustavo Torres and CARECEN Executive Director Abel Nunez Impacted community members from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador WHAT:          TPS Press conference WHEN:          Thursday, September 15 at 12:30 p.m. EDT WHERE:       Area 11 on Capitol Grounds, Washington, DC 20016. Immediately adjacent to House Triangle, on First Street NE and Southeast Drive.

New York City Insider: Espaillat, Norton, García Lead $50 Million Appropriations Request for Assistance to Support Migrants Bused to New York City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 12, 2022

Espaillat, Norton, García Write Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to Request $50 Million in Assistance for Migrants Bused to New York City, D.C., and Chicago.   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Congressman Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL), sent a letter, signed by 20 other members of Congress, today to Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) and Ranking Member Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) of the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security Committee on Appropriations requesting that the upcoming fiscal year 2023 (FY23) continuing resolution (CR) provide $50 million above the enacted fiscal year 2022 (FY22) level to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian assistance to migrants.  “As Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues to play political games with thousands of migrant lives, our response must be swift and robust to ensure that sanctuary cities have adequate resources to provide humanitarian assistance for displaced individuals seeking asylum here in our nation,” said Espaillat. “When thousands of migrants began to arrive to New York City, we welcomed them with open arms and connected them to viable resources. Our request for this emergency funding will be put to even greater use in helping bolster programs vital in our efforts in providing aid and assistance for the vulnerable individuals and families seeking our support at this critical moment.” “In a cynical political stunt which has exploited both vulnerable migrants and D.C., the governors of Texas and Arizona have bused thousands of migrants to D.C., Chicago and New York City in the last several months,” Norton said. “I introduced a bill to provide $50 million in assistance for D.C. to aid the migrants in the current fiscal year, and Rep. García, Rep. Espaillat and I are now requesting an additional $50 million for fiscal year 2023. The funds will be used to provide humanitarian aid through the EFSP program.” “Playing politics with the lives of these immigrants is dehumanizing and cruel, but not unexpected from the xenophobic, fear-mongering politics of Governor Abbot,” said García. While Chicago remains committed to welcoming these new arrivals, we must ensure their food, shelter and other basic needs are covered. The arrival of these migrants at the border underscores the urgent need to address the root causes of migration and how U.S. policies have contributed to the problem. In the meantime, we must focus on assisting these women, men and children as they arrive in our cities.”  The full letter follows. September 9, 2022 Dear Chair Roybal-Allard and Ranking Member Fleischmann:      As negotiations begin on the first fiscal year (FY) 2023 continuing resolution, we write to request that the bill provide $50 million above the enacted FY2022 level to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian assistance to migrants. Since mid-April, the governors of Texas and Arizona have exploited and harmed approximately 10,000 vulnerable people fleeing desperate and dangerous situations in their home countries for political gain by busing them to D.C., New York City and Chicago. The EFSP provides federal funding for food, shelter and other necessities.  In FY 2022, Congress provided $150 million to this program for humanitarian assistance for migrants.  As of July 21, 2022, approximately $85 million of this funding remained available.  However, the busing of migrants to D.C., New York City and Chicago and resettlement in cities like Boston has increased funding requests across the Northeast and the Midwest.  Without additional funding, the EFSP may exhaust its funding. This funding would ensure that the EFSP can continue to provide humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of all migrants. Sincerely,   Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement Remembering the Victims and Families of September 11.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 11, 2022

Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement Remembering the Victims and Families of September 11. Twenty-one years of Remembrance and Resolve since 9/11 attacks.    NEW YORK, NY –– Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement in recognition of the 21st year since the attacks of September 11, 2001: “September 11th is a solemn reminder to each of us and our allies around the globe of the tragic loss of the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans and our strength as a nation to stand united in the face of terrorism,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Twenty one years later, we remember the lives lost that fateful day as we witnessed the strength and bravery of individuals who sacrificed everything to help their fellow New Yorkers, colleagues at the Pentagon, and fellow passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93. “As the names of the victims are read each year, we have embraced the loved ones left behind to rebuild along this journey, and as lives were touched around the nation and the world, we have shown our greatest strength as a nation, standing in unity, solidarity, and as ones in the days that followed. "We reflect on the day in remembrance of the frontline workers who perished while helping their fellow neighbors, and reaffirm our commitment to comfort the survivors and frontline workers who continue to suffer various health issues to this day - including those of whom remain undocumented and feared deportation as they assisted with the cleanup efforts in the days that followed. They too, deserve a pathway to citizenship and legal immigration status here in the United States.     “It is a reminder that we can come together across divides, differences, and ideologies. We stand together and lift each other up, neighborhood by neighborhood, just as we did twenty-one years ago--and vow to never forget 9/11. "We cannot ignore the magnitude of emotion and remembrance as we reflect on the lives of survivors, their families, and first responders -- and we honor those we lost by uniting in service.   "May God continue to bless America, our 9/11 families, survivors and all those who served to help strengthen and comfort our nation in the days that followed. Keep the faith.”   Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Rep. Espaillat Vows to Continue to Address Gun Violence in Local Communities.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 8, 2022

REPRESENTATIVE ADRIANO ESPAILLAT VOWS TO CONTINUE WORKING TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE. Condemns Extreme MAGA Republican Obstruction of Commonsense, Life-Saving Legislation.   NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) reaffirmed his commitment to put People Over Politics and continue to work to end gun violence. “Gun violence is a tragedy that strikes every community and weighs on the heart of every American. We cannot stand by and watch more innocent Americans lose their lives,” said Rep. Espaillat. “I am proud to work for Safer Communities, putting People Over Politics with commonsense reforms to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.” On average, 870 New Yorkers die from gun violence and nearly 2,000 New Yorkers are injured by guns each year.* Rep. Espaillat emphasized his support for commonsense gun violence prevention laws, including legislation to require background checks for all gun sales, close loopholes that let dangerous people get guns, ban assault weapons, and keep our children safe that he has voted to pass in Congress, including: §  The Bipartisan Background Checks Act: Establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties, closing loopholes that allow criminals and abusers buy weapons unchecked. Nearly every House Republican voted against this commonsense, bipartisan measure to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals. §  Enhanced Background Checks Act: Closes the Charleston loophole, which allows dealers to transfer a firearm to a buyer after 3 business days if the FBI background check has not been completed. Nearly every House Republican voted against closing a loophole that allows guns to get into the hands of people who are legally barred from owning guns.    §  The Protecting Our Kids Act: Raises the purchasing age for semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21 years old, outlaws high-capacity magazines, requires the safe storage of firearms, and bans bump stocks and untraceable and deadly ghost guns. Nearly every House Republican voted against making our communities safer for our kids. §  The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act: Keeps guns out of the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves or others through a federal red-flag program. Nearly every House Republican voted against this life-saving legislation that protects victims of domestic abuse. §  The Assault Weapons Ban of 2022: Bans military-style weapons, such as AR-15s, and high-capacity ammunition magazines that have been used in many mass shootings. Nearly every House Republican voted to keep these weapons of war on the streets. Extreme MAGA Republicans continue to oppose life-saving gun violence prevention legislation at every turn, siding with the gun lobby – not the vast majority of Americans who support laws, like universal background checks, that would help prevent these recurring tragedies. *Source: EveryStat.org, Updated: July 2022 Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.