Nydia Velazquez is a first generation college graduate, the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to Congress, and the first Latina to be Chair of a full Congressional committee.

Since her election in 1992, Velazquez has been a champion of environmental equity, introducing the Community Environmental Equity Act which would protect families from the disproportionate environmental impact that polluters have on low income communities. She has been a proponent of decreasing harmful pollutants, voting to limit carbon pollution as well as against attacks on EPA's authority to limit that pollution.

Representing parts of Queens and Brooklyn, she understands the importance of public transportation and has repeatedly voted for increased spending on public transit infrastructure. In her 20 years in Congress, Velazquez has earned an impressive 92% lifetime score on LCV's National Environmental Scorecard.

Learn more with her candidate questionnaire.