Recognizing Justice Kenneth C. Holder for a Lifetime of Leadership

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished service and impactful leadership of Justice Kenneth C. Holder. His 41-year legal career is defined by his commitment to the public good and his overwhelming compassion for the people he served. He approached the law with the belief that the…

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Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise regrettably to oppose the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. Why? It is a magic moment. It is a moment that we need to take right now. It is a moment that we need to move forward with. Here is why I have to oppose it. Number one, this bill wasn't written by…

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DIRECTING THE PRESIDENT, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(c) OF THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, TO REMOVE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITH IRAN

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Representative Moulton's Iran War Powers Resolution. We are 7 months into a war of choice that President Trump said would only last 4 to 6 weeks. American families have paid over $100…

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Demands Answers from Rubio on State Department’s Failure to Accept New Fellowship Cohorts

Sent letter demanding State Department resume accepting fellows for foreign affairs fellowship programs.

“On multiple occasions, both in public hearings and private meetings, senior State Department officials have pledged that the Department remains committed to following the law and placing incoming fellowship classes into the Department pipeline and into academic programs...”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks, Kamlager-Dove Demand Answers from Lutnick on Trump's Financial Interests Surrounding UAE Export Control Decisions

Demanded answers from Commerce Secretary on financial conflicts in UAE export control decisions.

“The Department has upgraded the UAE from a proliferation concern to a trusted partner without providing a justification or evidence that the UAE has fully cut off AI and technology cooperation with China.”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks, McGovern, and Khanna Lead Colleagues in Demanding the Trump Administration Explain Decision to Lift Sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong Officials

Led colleagues in letter demanding Trump administration explain decision to lift sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials.

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks, Beyer Reiterate Concerns on Senate Passage of Russia Sanctions Bill

Criticized Senate Russia sanctions bill for broad presidential waiver authority and tariff powers.

“Though the Paul-Wyden amendment to strike the dangerous tariff authorities failed, the vote total demonstrates that continued refinement of the Sanctioning Russia Act is imperative before it can be sent to the president’s desk.”

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Rep. Meeks Fights for Recognition of Staff Sgt. Angel Rampersad and U.S. Service Members Killed in Iran War

Sent letter to Defense Secretary demanding restoration of four service members' names to Iran War casualty count.

“Staff Sergeant Angel Rampersad, one of my constituents, made the ultimate sacrifice when a missile struck Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, killing her and three fellow U.S. service members.”

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Honoring the Life, Service, and Enduring Legacy of Staff Sergeant Angel Sarah Rampersad

I rise today to honor the life, service, and enduring legacy of Staff Sergeant Angel Sarah Rampersad, a proud daughter of Carol and Basdeo Rampersad, whose extraordinary courage, selfless sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our nation will never be forgotten. Staff Sergeant Rampersad embodied…

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Rep. Meeks, Faith Leaders, Local Elected Officials, Labor and Community Organizations Fight for Haitian TPS Extension

Called on Senate to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians through January 2029.

“For generations, Haitian immigrants helped write New York’s story and built thriving communities across Queens”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Drops Resolution Compelling Speaker Johnson to File Iran WPR Lawsuit Against Trump Admin

Introduced resolution requiring Speaker to file lawsuit enforcing Iran War Powers Resolution.

“The power to declare war rests unequivocally with Congress, yet Speaker Johnson and the vast majority of Republicans have allowed President Trump to trample over the Constitution and wage a war that has not been authorized by Congress.”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Delivers Remarks During Floor Debate on Iran War Powers Resolution

Spoke in support of Iran War Powers Resolution directing removal of U.S. forces.

“Before I get into my primary remarks, I want to take a moment to recognize Sergeant Angel Rampersad from Ozone Park in my district, who was killed on July 17 in Jordan. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones and all those families of the service members lost in this war.”

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Rep. Meeks Issues Statement on the Passing of Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad

Issued condolences on the death of Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Sergeant Angel Rampersad, who was a courageous member of our armed forces, beloved daughter, and cherished community member”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Delivers Opening Remarks at Committee Hearing with Ambassador Waltz

Delivered opening remarks at Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on UN accountability and reform.

“United Nations Accountability and Reform: Advancing an America First Foreign Policy Through Strategic Diplomacy and Burden Sharing.”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Delivers Opening Remarks at Committee Hearing on Haiti

Delivered opening remarks at House hearing on Haiti gang violence and suppression efforts.

“Confronting Haiti’s Terrorist Gangs: The Gang Suppression Force and the Path Ahead.”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks, Shaheen Demand Answers in Letter to Rubio on Foreign Assistance Oversight Obstruction

Sent letter to Secretary Rubio demanding State Department allow USAID inspector general oversight.

“The effort to restrict the work of USAID OIG is a violation of federal law. . .”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks, Beyer, Walkinshaw, Titus Introduce Legislation to Expedite Return of Career Diplomats Wrongfully Forced Out of State Department

Introduced bill to allow wrongfully separated Foreign Service officers to return without retaking exams.

“The Trump purge of seasoned experts from the State Department have jeopardized the State Department, U.S. National Security and led to the greatest brain drain from our diplomatic corps in modern history”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks, Keating Lead Dems in Letter to Rubio on Politicization of Counter Terrorism

Led Democrats in letter to Secretary Rubio opposing politicization of counterterrorism efforts.

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Issues Statement Opposing Tariff Powers in Senate Russia Bill

Opposed Senate Russia sanctions bill for granting Trump tariff authority over substantive sanctions.

“I urge my colleagues in the Senate to redirect this momentum toward a bipartisan, bicameral product that would actually mandate devastating sanctions on Russia and those fueling its illegal war.”

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Meeks and Meng Demand Con Edison Compensate Queens Families After Heatwave Power Outages

Sent letter to Con Edison demanding compensation for Queens residents affected by heatwave power outages.

“Our impacted constituents deserve to be reimbursed for the hardships they endured from the outages and shutoffs that occurred through no fault of their own. We understand the extreme heat and heavy demand for power caused equipment issues.”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Issues Statement on 1-Year Anniversary of State Department RIFs

Criticized Trump administration's firing of 1,350 State Department employees one year ago; demanded transparency.

“One year ago today, the Trump administration fired 1,350 dedicated civil and foreign service employees without justification, marking the single greatest brain-drain from the State Department in modern history. A year later, Congress has still not been provided any straight answers.”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Issues Statement Following NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey

Criticized Trump's NATO summit conduct while praising Ukraine's Patriot missile production authorization.

“Unfortunately, President Trump’s conduct throughout the summit reinforces why his leadership weakens the United States on the world stage. Rather than addressing rising threats to the alliance from Russia, China, and others, he spoke admiringly of dictators like Putin and Xi.”

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Meeks, Nunn Tout Unanimous Bipartisan Victory on Bill to Expand Access to Financial Advisement

Secured unanimous bipartisan passage of bill removing regulatory barriers for independent financial advisors.

“Access to trusted financial advisors can make the difference between just getting by and building generational wealth”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Statement Following Administration Briefing on Iran MOU

Criticized administration briefing on Iran MOU, citing contradictions and concerns about negotiators' competence.

“The Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman has not held a single hearing with administration witnesses on Iran this entire Congress. That is unacceptable. I again call on the Committee Chairman to hold hearings and for Secretary Rubio to testify publicly before the Foreign Affairs Committee.”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Delivers Remarks During Floor Debate on Lebanon War Powers Resolution

Delivered floor remarks supporting War Powers Resolution to bar hostilities in Lebanon.

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