The White House Thanks Representative Gregory W. Meeks for Support to Avoid Government Shutdown

The White House Thanks Representative Gregory W. Meeks for Support to Avoid Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks voted in favor of funding the government through 2015. The vote occurred as government came within hours of a shutdown that would have furloughed 4.23 million federal workers this holiday season.

"This week's vote represents the willingness of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put the partisanship of the 113th Congress behind us and move forward to advance the interests of the nation. Members in both parties disagreed with provisions of the bill. But, these differences pale in comparison to the importance of returning America's economy to full strength, getting all able bodied Americans well paying jobs, and restoring the American dream of prosperity across our great land."

After the successful passage of the funding measure President of the United States, Barack Obama's Office of Legislative Affairs issued the following statement, “We thank Congressman Meeks for his vote to pass a bipartisan bill that funds the government and supports many of the President’s primary domestic and national security priorities. We’ve seen real progress in our economy this year, and this bill is an important compromise to avoid a government shutdown and keep up that progress.”

Congressman Meeks also stated, "While I stand by this vote, my decision was not easy. The Department of Homeland Security was only funded through February of 2015. I disapprove of law makers in Washington putting our nation's security at risk to score political points. It is reprehensible that funding to operate security functions at John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports and elsewhere fell victim to partisan acrimony.

With our nation's economic hopes rising, unemployment rate falling, and many economic indicators signaling positive growth over the next year, this bill's passage sends a clear signal to those who would benefit from a divided Washington. We, Congress, are committed to doing what it takes to help Americans and our great union succeed."