Meet Representative Meeks
Serving the people of New York's Fifth Congressional District has been Congressman Gregory Meeks’ greatest professional honor. In his fourteenth term in Congress, he remains focused on making government work for his constituents and the American people. Congressman Meeks is a solutions-oriented lawmaker who is respected in Congress, New York State, and worldwide for his bipartisan efforts as an effective common sense leader who gets things done.
Congressman Meeks views boosting the economy, creating new jobs for the residents of the 5th Congressional District, and greater business access for small, minority, and women-owned enterprises as core to his mission. Rep Meeks voted to pass the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the largest long-term investment in our infrastructure. The bill included nearly $28 billion in funds for New York to invest in roads, bridges, public transit, ports, airports, and other major projects in New York.
Congressman Meeks recognizes that diversity of perspectives, whether race, religion, gender, or national origin, benefits both the private and public sectors. The current push to demonize the importance of equity and inclusion in our schools and workplaces threatens to take our country backward. Meeks has worked to protect and promote diversity/ inclusion initiatives.
Congress passed his corporate diversity bill with bipartisan support, aimed at ensuring racial and gender diversity among corporation boards and executive staff. He is a strong proponent of expanding MWBE opportunities, particularly in large-scale infrastructure projects such as the JFK redevelopment project. He is a co-chair of the community advisory council and recently announced $2.3 Billion in contracts to MWBEs in JFK Airport transformation.
Rep Meeks also worked to secure over $31 million for community projects in New York's 5th District last Congress to fund schools, hospitals, and local organizations to ensure our community is healthier, safer, and stronger.
He is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, the largest caucus in the House, consisting of pro-economic growth Democratic members and co-chairs the NDCC Trade Task Force, the European Union Caucus, the Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Caucus, the Global Investment in America Caucus, the Congressional Services Caucus, and several country caucuses, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Peru.
As the former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and currently the lead Democrat, Congressman Meeks seeks to promote policies that strengthen America's brand abroad while also enhancing our national security. Widely known for his support of our diplomatic corps, he believes that diplomacy and American diplomats are crucial to our nation’s global standing and the strength of multilateral engagement.
As Senior Member of the House Financial Services Committee, Congressman Meeks has promoted policies for economic empowerment and to enhance New York City’s status as the financial capital of the world. Whether it is access to capital, homeownership, wealth accumulation, or economic development, the Congressman has been a steady and consistent champion on this important committee that has jurisdiction over all banking, securities, and insurance issues.
His work in the financial services sector has been recognized by some of New York's largest employers in the financial services industry, including for his work as a Dodd-Frank conferee.
In addition to his work for New York's 5th Congressional District, Congressman Meeks was elected by local leaders to Chair the Queens County Democratic Party.
As a strong defender of the Democratic party and its values, he vigorously supports access to affordable health care, pushes for affordable housing, fights for gun control, and believes that there should be comprehensive global action to address climate change.
Congressman Meeks earned his bachelor's degree at Adelphi University and received his law degree from Howard University. He is a member of the Allen AME Church in St. Albans, New York, and is married to Simone-Marie Meeks. He has three daughters, Ebony, Aja, and Nia.
Members of the House are responsible for introducing and voting on federal legislation, representing the interests of their constituents, and providing oversight of the executive branch. Key powers include drafting bills, serving on committees, approving the federal budget, and voting on matters of national policy, including declarations of war and presidential impeachments.