Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Statement on Continuing Resolution Vote

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Financial Services Committee released the following statement with respect to his vote on the Continuing Resolution last night:

"Last night I voted against the Continuing Resolution, which will maintain government funding for an additional six days. I did not -- and do not -- want the government to shut down. Government has a vital role to play, whether it be providing police to patrol our streets and neighborhoods; homeland security and defense to protect our borders; funding teachers to educate children; or investing in research and development to keep us competitive globally. While I believe it is critical that we take steps to reduce the deficit, it is also vital that we do not do so by promoting policies that harm the majority of the American population.

"By ruling out any revenue-generating measures, the Republican leadership in the House has chosen to put the interests of millionaires and billionaires above all else, leaving the burden of reducing the deficit squarely on the shoulders of America's middle class and working poor. This is something that I could not support.

"My vote was a statement against the House Republican plan to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and the middle class."