Media

The debate on police discrimination and violence is forcing Hispanic and black Americans to address both the commonalities and tensions between their communities. Although Hispanic communities have historically been subject to police discrimination, many Latino leaders are looking to African American leaders to shape the police reform movement. That deference in large part comes from a recognition that racism, particularly based on skin tone, is pervasive among Hispanic communities. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), a Dominican-born Afro-Latino member of the CHC, said the movement sprung from Floyd’s killing is changing the way the entire country sees race relations. “I think everyone has come to grips with the issue of racism and police brutality,” said Espaillat. “That’s something that’s captured everyone’s attention and heart,” he added. Still, Espaillat said that Afro-Latinos are sometimes doubly targeted, out of both racial and ethnic bigotry. “We get it in English and in Spanish,” said Espaillat

NEW YORK, NY — Harlem's representative in Washington, D.C. is demanding that the stimulus bill currently being debated in Congress include federal aid for public transit agencies around the country such as New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority. Adriano Espaillat wrote a letter to congressional leaders of both parties including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Chairman Kevin McCarthy on Sunday urging the lawmakers to "consider critical support for public transit agencies and include provisions that will allow them to return to normal operations while continuing their important, stimulating capital projects." The Harlem representative, a Democrat first elected in 2016, wrote that public transit agencies around the country are facing "immediate, enormous funding gaps due to sharp declines in ridership." In some cities, public transit ridership has plummeted as much as 90% as people are being told to stay at home.

“I don’t think this is a major issue that’s divided on partisan policy,” says Espaillat. “I think everybody would understand this clearly that recycling e-waste responsibly is good for the environment and good for homeland security.” This is not the first Congressional session in which similar bills have been introduced and allowed to die like a first grade classroom goldfish on summer break. SEERA currently sits with the house’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Why is it so tough to pass e-waste legislation? “Awareness is definitely a major challenge,” explains Espaillat. “When I speak to some members, they don’t have the slightest idea what this is about.” Education of politicians and citizens is also key, adds Espaillat. Yet recycling struggles to be a ratings grabber. “Waste management is not a sexy issue to talk about on the seven o’clock news,” he says. “But as more reports come out, I think it’s going to become more of a common sense issue for members of Congress.”

As Congress prepares to consider the needs of America’s transportation infrastructure, we cannot afford to underinvest in transit, nor can we ignore the need to rethink wholesale how our transportation network should be designed in order to compete in the 21st century. Mass transit is one of the most important areas in need of investment, not just in New York, which I am proud to represent in Congress, but throughout America. Regional and local public transportation systems are critical economic drivers. They provide communities with access to jobs, education and training opportunities and services as well as reduce our collective carbon footprint by taking cars off the road.