MANH Lawmakers on the Move, Oct. 8, 2020

Velázquez Releases Small Business COVID-19 Relief Data for Her District

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (Photo Credit: ballotpedia.org) — Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez

Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-LES, Brooklyn, Queens) released data showing that small businesses in NY-7 have received $1.6 billion in relief funding.

Said businesses received aid through both the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Congress established these programs as part of the CARES Act, passed in March.

“Since the pandemic began, small businesses in New York and across the country have borne the brunt of the resulting economic crisis,” said Velázquez. “During this unprecedented time, I’ve worked in Congress to construct programs that deliver small businesses the relief they need to weather these hard times. These numbers show that federal programs have been effective in getting money to the small businesses that form the backbone of NY-7’s economy. Despite this success, entrepreneurs are still struggling, and I intend to keep working in Washington to ensure businesses in New York City aren’t left behind.”

Levine Receives Slew of New Endorsements

Council Member Mark D. Levine (Photo source: Wikipediting, CC BY-SA 3.0) — Council Member Mark D. Levine

Yesterday, Councilmember Mark Levine (D-Manhattan Valley, Manhattanville) announced seven new endorsements for his Manhattan Borough President campaign.

These endorsements come less than a week after his high-profile endorsements from Councilmember Diana Ayala (D-El Barrio, Mott Haven), and Assemblymembers Carmen De La Rosa (D-Upper Manhattan) and Catalina Cruz (D-Queens). This slate includes the following lawmakers;

65th Assembly District Part A District Leader Caroline Laskow;
Keith Lilly, District Leader of the 68th Assembly District;
John Ruiz, District Leader in the 68th District, Part C;
Skye Ostreicher, District Leader in the 73rd District, Part C;
State Committee Member Nobles Crawford;
and Anthony Feliciano, District Leader in the 74th District.

“I am proud to have the support of these community leaders from across Manhattan,” said Levine. Our borough and our city are facing immense hardship as we work to recover from a pandemic, address systemic racism and inequality, and recover from a recession. We must work together to overcome these challenges. Manhattan deserves a Borough President who will unite our borough, and I am ready to be that leader.”

Nadler, Maloney, Thompson Call for Investigation of Sniper Deployment at George Floyd Funeral

U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (Photo Credit: U.S. House Office of Photography) — U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler

Yesterday, U.S. Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn), Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens) and Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) sent out a letter in response to reports that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) deployed snipers and other personnel to Pearland, Texas to monitor funeral service for George Floyd.

The representatives requested that the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security investigate these allegations, as part of their ongoing investigation of the Trump Administration’s use of undue force against peaceful protests.

There remains little doubt that this Administration’s approach needs to be adjusted to reflect the reality our country is confronting,” they wrote. “Congress and Americans across the country remain concerned that the Administration continues to deploy police bent on monitoring and policing its political adversaries and using federal law enforcement in a manner that actually seeks conflict.

“We thank you for your prompt attention to this grave matter.”

Read the full letter here.