Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Votes in Support of the America COMPETES Act

(WASHINGTON, DC)–On May 13, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks and his colleagues in the House of Representatives passed the America COMPETES Act. Amongst its key features, the law establishes regional innovation clusters along with providing federal loan guarantees for small- and medium-sized technology manufacturers. “A goal of the America COMPETES Act is the creation of sustainable and high-paying jobs to strengthen our communities as we emerge out of the ‘Great Recession’,” stated Congressman Meeks. “Innovative research is a major engine that drives economic development and the creation of good paying jobs, and I am particularly pleased that this bill was passed in a bi-partisan fashion because investment in our nation’s future should not be a political issue.”

To maintain and strengthen America’s global economic competitiveness, the COMPETES Act increases funding streams to expand various Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education programs. Congressman Meeks noted that he was pleased with the bill’s focus on education and commented, “The COMPETES Act’s focus on innovation and education will help ensure that our nation remains a global leader in scientific innovation and economic prosperity long into the future.”

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. }