Ritchie Torres, U.S. Representative-elect for New York's 15th Congressional District, says he will have direct access to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for being elected to a leadership position - and advocate for the people of the Bronx.

Torres spoke with News 12 for the first time since coming back from Washington, D.C., where he had a new member orientation to familiarize himself with Congress operations and the legislative process.

He tells News 12 he wants to focus on helping Bronx communities get back on their feet from the pandemic, and make sure people in the Bronx are ready for a potential second wave, as COVID-19 cases are on the rise in New York City.

"I want to see to it that we get our fair share of resources, that the Bronx is a priority for vaccinations. There are two possible vaccines out so I hope we are able to distribute those vaccines by next year and that places like Bronx which were hardest hit by the outbreak are the priority for vaccination," says Torres.

Torres will be a member of both the Congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses.