June 10, 2009

Congressman Gregory Meeks Votes for Foreign Relations Authorization Act
To Help Restore Diplomacy and International Development Efforts

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Today, Congressman Gregory Meeks voted in favor of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act to help strengthen and repair U.S. relations with other nations. This bill will provide President Obama with the necessary tools and resources to develop a new approach to diplomacy and development efforts internationally.

“This bill will provide the U.S. State Department with the necessary resources to repair U.S. relations and carry out international policies more effectively than ever before. I firmly believe that with the passing of this legislation a new foreign policy will be developed that will ultimately lead to better security for our nation,” stated Congressman Meeks.

Under the provisions of this bill an additional 1500 job posts in the Foreign Service will be available over the next two years to better support our diplomatic efforts. In addition, it will help fund important work in the areas of arms control, nuclear nonproliferation, peacekeeping, financial commitments to international organizations, Peace Corps funding and oversight, anti-drug trafficking initiatives and oversight of U.S. security assistance.

 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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