Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Calls For Immediate Action by Senate to Pass Jobs Bills
Press Release
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade, today urged Republican Senators to stop blocking important legislation that would expedite America's economic recovery and put New Yorkers and Americans across the country back to work as quickly as possible.
"As the country continues to recover from one of the greatest economic downturns since the Great Depression, it perplexes me as to why Republican Senators continue to block numerous bills that the House of Representatives has passed over the last several months that will provide vital jobs. New York City currently suffers from an unemployment rate of 9.6%, which is far too high. Too many American families and small businesses across New York and the United States are suffering due to the failed policies of the Bush administration. It is time for Republicans to stand up for Main Street," stated Congressman Meeks.
Republican Senators have blocked legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for New York State, $1 billion for 350,000 youth employment jobs program and $2.5 billion in emergency assistance for needy families working in public and private sector jobs. Additionally, Republican Senators continue to impede funding of $1 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund, which will provide communities with funds to build, preserve and rehabilitate rental homes that are affordable for low-income families.
Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Congressman Meeks is the Chairman of the International Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. He is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Coalition and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus, OAS Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.
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