Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Votes for FY26 Minibus Securing Over $8.2 Million in Local Community Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) voted to advance the Defense, Labor-HHS and Transportation-HUD minibus. The three spending bills delivers on Democratic priorities and blocks the Trump Administration's plan to gut $163 billion from critical public services that American families depend on.

The spending package invests in affordable housing, transportation, public health and childcare, while reinforcing Congress's power of the purse, keeping a check on the Trump Administration, and giving relief to millions of Americans struggling to stay afloat amid the affordability crisis.

It boosts FAA funding to hire more air traffic controllers and modernize facilities, supports Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and safer roads and bridges, and strengthens support for servicemembers through medical research and a military pay raise. The package also includes $8.2 million to support local community projects in New York's 5th Congressional District.

"I voted for a funding bill that rejects Trump's cuts to essential public services and delivers real results for American families," said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks. "Once again, Democrats negotiated aggressively for working people and families, delivering meaningful relief for Americans feeling the squeeze of rising costs. This bill funds housing, childcare, public health, mental health services, and groundbreaking scientific research, while protecting the services our communities rely on and investing in America's future."

In the funding package, Rep. Meeks secured $8,250,000 in Community Project Funding to directly support 10 local projects in New York's 5^th Congressional District, including:

• $500,000for the subway reconstruction and upgrades at the MTA Queens Boulevard Line -179 Street Station.
• $850,000 for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to support safety and security upgrades at Conlon Lihfe Tower.
• $850,000 for NYCHA to enhance safety and building security at the International Tower.
• $850,000 for NYCHA to enhance safety and building security at the Shelton House.
• $850,000 for NYCHA to upgrade and modernize fire safety equipment at theInternational Tower Fire.
• $850,000 for NYCHA to replace the water tanks at Carleton Manor.
• $250,000 for New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety at the Beach Channel Drive intersection at Bayswater.
• $1,000,000 for NYCDOT to enhance pedestrian safety, transit access, and public amenities at Jamaica Avenue.
• $2,000,000 to the New York State Housing Trust Fund (HTFC) for the replacement of the power plant at Rochdale Village.
• $250,000 to the New York City DOT to improve bus service and pedestrian safety at Woodhaven Boulevard.

"This funding is essential for improving transportation, infrastructure and community safety in Queens," Congressman Meeks said. "Itsupports MTA station upgrades, NYCHA safety projects, street and pedestrian improvements, and critical infrastructure enhancements. These investments protect residents and strengthen neighborhoods making Queens safer and modernizing the borough."

This funding legislation will enact significant investments that:

• Increases funding for NIH by $400 million, including research to develop treatments and cures for cancer, Alzheimer's, ALS, Diabetes, and other diseases.
• Increases funding for the Office of Research on Women's Health by $30 million - a 40% increase.
• Rejects proposed cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), increases funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by $15 million and State Opioid Response Grants by $20 million.
• Helps tackle the cost-of-living crisis by increasing funding for Child Care and Head Start by $170 million, helping provide hard-working families access to early childhood education and childcare.
• Reinforces efforts to combat homelessness by increasing Homeless Assistance Grant funding by $366 million and rejecting President Trump's efforts to eliminate Continuum of Care funding entirely.
• Provides $18.6 billion for the FAA, an increase of $1.6 billion, including funding to expand the air traffic controller workforce by 2,500 personnel, improve facilities and equipment, and modernize the nation's air traffic control towers.
• Increases funding for medical research by $1.7 billion, including $1.3 billion for Congressionally Directed Medical Research Projects (CDMRP) that support efforts to develop treatments for cancer, disease, and service-related injuries.
• Fully funds the 3.8 % pay raise for military personnel.

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