MENG TAKES PART IN FIRST HEARING AS TOP DEMOCRAT ON KEY APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This afternoon, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), New York’s senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, took part in her first hearing as the Ranking Member of its Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS), a key panel that determines funding for critical parts of the federal government.

The Appropriations Committee is responsible for funding federal agencies, projects and programs. The committee divides them into 12 subcommittees. Meng is the top Democrat on the subcommittee that funds federal agencies including the Department of Commerce, Justice Department, NASA, National Science Foundation and programs and projects that advance civil rights, trade and technology. It writes legislation that provides money for law enforcement like the NYPD and entities in Queens such as colleges and universities, and programs that support small businesses. The subcommittee Chair is held by Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Meng serves as his Democratic partner. 

“Serving as the Democratic leader of the subcommittee is a huge honor,” said Meng. “In this new position, I am committed to fighting for needed funding and tackling issues crucial to the economy, safety and technological advancement as well as Queens and the rest of New York. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.”

Meng has been a member of the House Appropriations Committee since 2017, serving on both the CJS and State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) Subcommittees. She was selected for the Ranking Member role last month.

Today’s hearing was on federal prisons in the U.S. with testimony from Kathleen Toomey, the Associate Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.