Velázquez Calls for Study on Impact of NAP in Puerto Rico
Yesterday, Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-LES, Brooklyn, Queens) sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue calling for a comprehensive study on the impact of the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.
Velázquez pointed out that 43 percent of Puerto Ricans live below the poverty line as a result of the hurricane. Thus, she argued, the block grant funding made available through NAP is not nearly enough to meet their needs.
“We need a comprehensive evaluation of the ongoing nutritional needs of Puerto Rico based on current demographics and income levels,” said Velázquez.
Hoylman Calls for Plácido Domingo’s Removal
State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Chelsea, Midtown) sent out a tweet yesterday calling on the Metropolitan Opera to suspend opera tenor Plácido Domingo for sexual misconduct.
Domingo has received 20 accusations of sexual harassment from female coworkers. Metropolitan Opera General Manager Peter Gelb showed reluctance to suspend him, on the grounds that the accusations were uncorroborated.
“Placido Domingo should be removed from the show—and if he isn’t, the director of the Met should be removed too,” said Hoylman. “It’s appalling that 20 women alleging misconduct are being treated this way. It is not Peter Gelb’s job to protect Placido Domingo from accountability. It is his job to protect the health and safety of his employees and to ensure that survivors of misconduct are heard. And he is failing.”
Domingo withdrew from the Met Opera later that night.
Maloney on Impeachment Inquiries: “Yes, We Can Believe It”
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens) sent out a tweet yesterday in response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) beginning impeachment inquiries against President Donald Trump (R).
Pelosi made the decision amid reports of Trump colluding with the Ukrainian government to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden (D). After Pelosi made the announcement, Trump tweeted, “Pelosi, Nadler, Schiff, and of course Maxine Waters! Can you believe it?”
In response, Maloney released the following tweet: “You broke the law. You violated your oath of office. You endangered national security. Yes, we can believe it.”
