Queens County Politics (QCP) recently caught up with U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica, Laurelton, Rosedale, Cambria Heights, Saint Albans, Springfield Gardens, Far Rockaway, JFK Airport) to talk Queens politics and Donald Trump. Here’s what he had to say:
QCP: Since Joe Crowley lost the Democratic primary to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, there has been talk within the Democratic Party of him stepping down as Queen County Democratic Party Chair. Some say you should replace him. What are your thoughts on this?
Meeks: He’s (Crowley) a friend and a leader. And, you know, he said he’ll worry about that at another time. He’s got to make decisions on what he wants to do. And he’s been a great leader, and I think that he’s due that opportunity to decide what he wants to do.”
What are your top priorities right now for Queens?
One of the main issues I’ve been dealing with right now is the renovations for JFK airport. That’s something that is going to be able to create jobs and opportunities for a lot of folks. And it’s so and so the gateway to America. So we’ll focus on that. But we could never get away from trying to make sure as a result of the airport – it’s what we’re talking about in Washington – is transportation infrastructure development for the City of New York, and the state, and the country. That’s tremendously important.
Healthcare is tremendously important in my district, with the president trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act and taking away care from people with pre-existing conditions. That would be devastating.
Immigration issues are important in my district. When you got ICE and others moving around, and actions that have been taking place, we’ve got a concern, and we need a comprehensive immigration reform bill that we need to pass.
Should ICE be abolished or simply reformed?
Reformed. The primary problem with ICE as of right now is that they’re following the direction of this president. So I think ICE’s main problem is this president. Let’s get rid of the president, and the president can then give some directives to ICE on the best way to reform. So the issue for me is the president.
Do you agree with the president that other NATO countries are not pulling their weight?
I think that the president is hurting our country. Hurting it in a very big way, going against our allies – allies who since World War II have been very close and locked in, which has helped make the world a safer place. His comments – and how he’s acted – whether it was in Canada, at the G7, or in Germany, or recently in the conversations that he’s had with Mr. Putin, were really embarrassing. I think that could have – if he was to be around for a longer period of time than he should be – everlasting effects on our county. That’s why the November elections are so important.
