In solemn remembrance of the victims of the Midtown Manhattan shooting: Officer Didarul Islam of the Bronx, Aland Etienne, Wesley LePatner, and Julia Hyman.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you’ve been enjoying the summer. Down in Washington and across the Bronx, I’m fighting for you, standing up for our community, and pushing back against Donald Trump’s attacks on the people of NY-15. Here’s a bit of what I’ve been up to these last few months:

Bronx Times: Rep. Torres: Trump cuts to SNAP and Medicaid would spell disaster for the Bronx

Medicaid is the backbone of both the American safety net and the American economy. Slashing it by hundreds of billions of dollars is an existential threat to the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans. Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” is a catastrophe for the Bronx, which has the highest Medicaid enrollment rate in the country. Medicaid provides health insurance for more than 70% of children and 80% of nursing home residents in our district, and covers 90% of all hospital births. Republicans are slashing $1 trillion from supplemental food assistance and healthcare funding to bankroll a trillion-dollar tax cut for the top 1% of Americans, who have more than ten times the wealth of the bottom 50% of Americans combined. I’ve spent the last few months loudly raising the alarm about the disaster these Medicaid cuts will bring to the Bronx and the working people of America. During my recent appearance on CNN, Scott Jennings flat-out lied about the hardworking Americans who receive health insurance through Medicaid. I made sure to set him straight.

67% of our district is enrolled in Medicaid - the second highest percentage of all districts in the country. California’s 22nd District is the only district with a higher percentage of Medicaid enrollment than ours, with 68% of its constituents enrolled. I was therefore shocked when the Representative for the 22nd District, David Valadao, voted in support of the defunding of Medicaid in the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” I highlighted this in my recent appearance on The Briefing with Jen Psaki.

Republicans aren’t just targeting Medicaid; they’re coming after supplemental food assistance as well. Trump’s bill includes $300 billion in cuts to SNAP, the program that helps feed thousands of children, seniors, and hardworking families in our district. Before the bill came to a vote in DC, I joined Bronx leaders to demand that Congress reject this dangerous plan.

Bronx Times: Bronx leaders rally against proposed $300B SNAP cut, warn of devastating local impact

Earlier this year, I brought Bronx-resident Nancy Bolan as my guest to Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress. Nancy spent her career helping vulnerable women and children around the world, including six years of service at USAID. She was fired with no advance notice by the Trump administration. All she wants is to return to her work of saving lives.
Donald Trump continues to put himself and his wealthy cronies ahead of the American people. Trump is refusing to release the Epstein files, which detail the powerful men who were involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific crimes. Trump is known to have deep ties to Epstein. I will continue to urge Trump to release these files immediately.

CBS News: Rep. Ritchie Torres continues to call for clean-up in South Bronx's Hub

The Hub should be the heart of the Bronx, not a symbol of its abandonment. I’ve called on the city to finally dismantle the open-air drug market at Melrose Avenue. The situation is out of control, and the time for action is long past due. We need a plan that addresses addiction, mental health, public safety, and quality of life — and we need it now.

After years of neglect, the Harlem River is finally getting the attention it deserves. The federal government is moving forward with the Harlem River Environmental Restoration Study, a key step in cleaning up pollution and restoring green space along the waterfront. This is a win for environmental justice, and will hopefully lead to a healthier future for the South Bronx.

A high school student from my district, with no criminal record, was recently detained by ICE. This is unacceptable, and I demanded answers from the Department of Homeland Security.
When Republican Congressman Andy Ogles launched a racist and bigoted attack on Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and Leader Hakeem Jeffries, I introduced a resolution condemning him. Hate speech has no place in Congress or anywhere else.
I have held a number of town halls in our district this year. I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to hear from my constituents. I even had the chance to reconnect with my 10th grade English teacher, Mr. Washington! I look forward to holding more town halls and meeting with more constituents in the coming months.

Do not despair. I know these are difficult times - but I also know the Bronx and I know how strong we are. No matter how tough the fight, I will never stop showing up for you and for our collective future.

Thank you for continuing to place your trust in me. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you're in need of any assistance. We are here for you.

Sincerely,