Sunset Park Rep. Backs Bills Against Immigration Order And Steve Bannon's Promotion

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — Sunset Park Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez has signed onto two House bills opposing major recent actions by the Donald Trump administration: Trump's imposition of a travel ban preventing nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States, and his addition of political adviser Steve Bannon to the National Security Council.

Velázquez, whose district also includes Red Hook, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Williamsburg and Bushwick, spoke about the legislation during a telephone town hall she hosted on Wednesday evening.

The first bill, H.R. 724, states that Trump's executive order on immigration "shall have no force or effect," and would "prohibit the use of Federal funds to enforce the Executive Order."

The second bill, H.R. 804, would "amend the National Security Act of 1947 to protect the National Security Council from political interference."

Further summaries of the legislation were not available as of Thursday afternoon.

Following the implementation of the travel ban, Velázquez went to John F. Kennedy airport to attempt to secure the release of several individuals being detained there under the law.

And on Wednesday night's call, she criticized Trump's decision to place Bannon, a political operative known for his work running conservative website Breitbart.com, on the National Security Council.

"This is a Security Council that should be independent from politics," Velázquez said on the call. "Steve Bannon has no place and no role in the N.S.C."

Both bills have been introduced to the House, but have yet to advance through the body.

Also on the call, Velázquez said she would be open to meeting with Trump in conjunction with other New York City legislators to discuss the needs of the city.

Pictured at top: Nydia Velázquez, speaking. Image via Velázquez's Twitter account.