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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after the Trump Administration canceled $11 billion in FEMA disaster payments owed to states:

“Donald Trump’s decision to cancel $11 billion in disaster payments is a gut punch to states like New Jersey that have already paid their dues and are still waiting to be made whole. This is the same hairbrained crowd that pulled half of FEMA’s staff to ICE during hurricane season, the same leadership that got caught by GAO breaking federal law six times for withholding shelter funds, and the same officials who think disaster survivors should have to carry around their birth certificate in order to receive food and water from the Red Cross in the aftermath of a hurricane. I’ve already called for Secretary Noem and Acting Administrator Richardson to be fired, and this latest stunt proves exactly why they don’t belong anywhere near a disaster response.

“New Jersey knows what happens when FEMA runs on fumes and excuses instead of doing its job. Thousands of Garden Staters are still picking up the pieces from the pandemic and Hurricanes Sandy and Ida. I’m going to keep pushing for accountability until FEMA is run by professionals again and Americans get the relief they’re owed.”

Pallone led a September 25 letter calling for the removal of Secretary Noem and Acting Administrator Richardson after GAO found FEMA violated federal law six times by withholding shelter funds. Earlier, in August, he warned Secretary Noem that pulling half of FEMA’s staff to ICE during hurricane season would kneecap disaster response. He’s continued pressing DHS on delays that are leaving states in limbo.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary; and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security; sent a letter today to President Donald Trump demanding he provide the list of designated terrorist organizations (DTOs) he has unilaterally declared as such and provide evidence for his justifications used in several recent lethal U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean Sea.  

 
The Members wrote: “Per your Administration’s sparse reporting to Congress, you have determined that certain cartels are ‘non-state armed groups,’ that you have ‘designated them as terrorist organizations,’ and that you have ‘determined that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States.’ However, your Administration has not identified any of the specific organizations you have determined to be included as designated terrorist organizations, nor the criteria or process used for making such determinations. You have also failed to specify the authority under which the Administration is able to designate affiliates of certain drug trafficking organizations as enemy combatants for the purpose of undertaking lethal strikes. We request that you immediately provide a list of all designated terrorist organizations to Congress, along with the associated determination criteria or methodologies used.” 
 
A copy of the letter can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the second anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack in Israel carried out by Hamas.

“On this solemn anniversary, we pause to remember and mourn the lives lost, the families shattered, and the enduring pain caused by the brutal terrorist attacks of October 7th. We stand in solidarity with Israel and all the innocent victims who suffered in that darkest of hours. Our hearts remain with all those forever changed by that day.

“We also continue to bear witness to the plight of the hostages, held against their will, and separated from their loved ones. Their suffering, fear, and uncertainty weighs heavily on us. We renew our commitment to bring every hostage home.

“As attention now centers on the ceasefire proposal under discussion, I hold a cautious hope this ceasefire – if negotiated in good faith and upheld – could open a path to free the hostages, ease the humanitarian crisis, and reduce further bloodshed. While the road ahead remains difficult, we must not lose sight of the possibility for peace, justice, and the restoration of dignity and security for all affected by this conflict.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement urging Israel to refrain from further military escalation in Gaza and calling for Hamas to accept the 20-point plan announced by the White House in order to advance a viable pathway to peace.

“Ongoing large-scale military operations and forced evacuations in Gaza City are placing civilians at grave and unnecessary risk. This is a critical and highly sensitive diplomatic juncture, and all parties must exercise maximum restraint and urgency to ensure the success of the proposed 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza.

“Hamas must accept this deal and release all remaining hostages, the first crucial step to peace. At the same time, Israel must refrain from any escalatory actions that place Palestinian civilians – who have nothing to do with Hamas – in harm’s way.  

“It is in Israel’s own interest, and the interest of regional stability, to achieve a durable resolution to this conflict. This can only be achieved through a credible peace process that secures the release of all remaining hostages, recognizes the dignity of Palestinians, resumes life-saving humanitarian aid, and ensures the viability of a two-state solution. Escalation only worsens the humanitarian crisis and delays peace.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) issued the following statement:  

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans have knowingly shutdown the government in order to preserve the disastrous healthcare cuts and make life more expensive for hardworking families. 

“While Democrats were here in Washington ready to negotiate a deal that protects health care and lowers costs for Americans, Republicans were nowhere to be found. President Trump – instead of trying to seriously work toward a bipartisan agreement – decided to openly mock Democratic Leaders with deepfake videos. This erratic, nonsensical behavior is just another example of Republicans’ inability to govern. They have control of the House, Senate, and the White House, yet they still failed to keep the government open. 

“My Democratic colleagues and I are ready to work and deliver real solutions for Americans. We choose the American people over this extremist, harmful agenda. It’s time our Republican counterparts do the same.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s decision to force senior military leaders away from their posts to attend partisan, culture-war speeches from him and President Trump.

“Secretary Hegseth summoning American generals and admirals to Virginia as a captive audience for Fox News-style political speeches is just another example of this administration’s dangerous politicization of the U.S. military. With global conflicts escalating and a Republican government shutdown looming, the administration chose to spend U.S. taxpayer dollars on a performative culture-war rally.

“President Trump offered no national security vision, just rambling grievances and partisan attacks. Even worse, his call to use U.S. cities as ‘training grounds’ for the military is chilling. This is what dictators do. We should not be numb to just how un-American it is for a U.S. president to direct our military to wage force on American civilians.

“For his part, Secretary Hegseth’s rants about ‘dudes in dresses’ and other culture-war bogeymen only underscored his unfitness to lead. Rather than focusing the Department on our most pressing national security challenges, the ‘Secretary of Culture Wars’ has undermined military readiness while attacking service members and even lashing out at freedom of the press. Once again, Hegseth’s overall lack of professionalism and experience were on full display, and it is past time for him to resign.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs released the following statement marking the second anniversary of the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack:

“October 7, 2023, was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Two years ago today, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, killed 1,200 people, took 251 hostages, committed unspeakable acts of sexual violence, and destroyed entire communities. Today, we pause to mourn for the victims and their families and join the world in remembering the horrors of that day.

The war Hamas started has become a nightmare, and its consequences have been felt across the globe. Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, and concerned people all over the world have waited with anticipation, time and again, for news about the return of the 48 remaining hostages, humanitarian relief for over two million Palestinian civilians, and an end to the suffering that has taken too many and too much.

As I’ve said before, peace is possible, but it cannot come as long as Hamas, Iran, and its once-powerful proxies continue to seek Israel’s destruction. With a deal on the table to release all remaining hostages, surge humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, remove Hamas from power, end the war, and begin building the peace in Gaza and across the Middle East, the world must not let this moment pass.

We must keep the pressure on Hamas to end this war and give this framework a chance to succeed. Together, let us pray for peace, the immediate return of the hostages, and an end to this war to ensure that the horrors of October 7 are never again repeated.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), held a free fishing clinic for Queens residents this past Thursday, October 2.  

The approximately two-hour event took place on Kissena Lake located in Kissena Park in Flushing. It was offered through the DEC’s I FISH NY program to introduce and familiarize beginners with the sport of fishing, and increase fishing participation in New York. 

An engaging outdoor educational experience, the clinic also supplied all the necessary equipment, bait and instruction at no cost to the event’s participants. 

“I thank the DEC for partnering with me to provide this exciting clinic to my constituents,” said Congresswoman Meng. “Fishing is an enjoyable experience for both children and adults and it’s a wonderful connection with nature. I’m thrilled to help make fishing more accessible here in Queens, and ensure that local residents can learn the basic skills to make it fun and successful.”

“DEC’s I FISH NY program helps make fishing accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for all New Yorkers,” said DEC Regional Director Antonia Pereira. “This event is one of many free fishing clinics offered in New York City where first-time anglers learn to fish with trained staff and all equipment is provided. DEC is grateful that Congresswoman Grace Meng reached out to collaborate with our fisheries team to bring this free fishing clinic to Queens residents. If you are interested in participating in an upcoming learn to fish clinic, I encourage you to visit the DEC website and search ‘Fishing Clinic’ for a list of upcoming events.”

Pre-registration for the clinic in Queens was not required, and was made available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The event followed the recent National Hunting and Fishing Day, which was on Saturday, September 27. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) released the following statement on the government shutdown effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025:

“As of 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, the federal government entered a shutdown, because the GOP majority – which controls the House, Senate, and White House – allowed funding for the federal government to lapse. This shutdown was completely avoidable. For weeks now, my Democratic colleagues and I have stood ready to negotiate and pass a bill that funds the government, lowers costs for families, and saves health care. We returned to Capitol Hill this week ready to vote to avert this shutdown, but Speaker Johnson canceled votes.

Health care costs are too high. The GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill has unleashed the deepest Medicaid cuts in history and set off a wave of hospital closures – on top of gutting medical research and undermining vaccines. Now, unless Congress acts, health insurance tax credits that help millions of Americans afford coverage will expire—causing everyone’s premiums to skyrocket.

In New York State, families who rely on these tax credits will see their premiums rise by an average of 56 percent. In Queens alone, a family of four earning $64,000 could pay $2,000 more in annual premiums, while a 60-year-old couple earning $82,800 could see their costs soar by more than $13,000 each year. For many families, that is simply unaffordable.

Democrats are fighting to cancel the cuts, lower the costs, save health care, and fund the government. I stand ready to vote on a bill that accomplishes this.

I know that many of my constituents in Queens may be concerned about how a government shutdown could impact their daily lives. Both my Washington, D.C. and district offices remain open and available to support them and their families. Constituents who need assistance, can call (718) 358-MENG (district office) or (202) 225-2601 (D.C. office).”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on reports that a San Francisco native is among hundreds of activists being detained at an Israeli prison:

“Logan Hollarsmith, an American citizen from San Francisco who served as captain of a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid vessel, is reported to be among those now detained in an Israeli prison. I call on the Israeli government to immediately grant full consular access, provide transparent evidence of any charges, and guarantee that proper legal rights are extended.

“The right of U.S. citizens to due process and fair treatment under international law must be protected. I stand with the family of Logan Hollarsmith in demanding clarity, accountability, and the safe return of all detainees to their homes.

“The international community must redouble efforts to deliver aid in Gaza, protect human life, and pursue a just and lasting peace that ensures security for both Israelis and Palestinians.”