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Grace Meng

"Representative Meng" redirects here. For her father, the former New York state representative, see Jimmy Meng.

Grace Meng (Chinese: 孟昭文; born October 1, 1975) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 6th congressional district[1] since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, her district is situated within the New York City borough of Queens; it includes Bayside, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Jackson Heights, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, and Rego Park. Meng represented the 22nd district in the New York State Assembly from 2009 until 2012. She is the first Asian American elected to the United States Congress from New York.[2]

Grace Meng
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded byGary Ackerman
Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee
In office
February 25, 2017 – January 21, 2021
ChairTom Perez
Preceded byTulsi Gabbard
Succeeded byTammy Duckworth
Ken Martin
Filemon Vela, Jr.
Gretchen Whitmer
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 22nd district
In office
January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2012
Preceded byEllen Young
Succeeded byMichaelle Solages
Personal details
Born (1975-10-01) October 1, 1975 (age 49)
Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Wayne Kye
​
(m. 2005)​
Children2
Parent
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BA)
Yeshiva University (JD)
WebsiteCampaign website
House website
Chinese name
Chinese孟昭文
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinMèng Zhāowén
Grace Meng's voice
Grace Meng speaks in support of a National Museum on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Recorded April 26, 2022

Early life and education

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Grace Meng was born on October 1, 1975, in Queens, New York,[3] and was raised in the Bayside and Flushing sections of that borough.[4] She is of Taiwanese descent,[5] and is the daughter of Jimmy Meng, the first Asian to serve in the New York State Assembly,[6] and Shiao-Mei Meng.[7] She attended Nathaniel Hawthorne Middle School and Stuyvesant High School and intended to become a teacher, according to a classmate.[8] She received a B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University.[9] One of her early mentors was Susan Wu Rathbone, founder of the Queens Chinese Women's Association.[10]

New York Assembly

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Meng's father, Jimmy Meng, was elected in 2004 to New York's 22nd assembly district, becoming the first Asian American to be elected to the New York State Assembly.[6] He was subsequently arrested for wire fraud during an FBI sting investigation.[11] He served one term and decided against seeking reelection in 2006.[12]

Elections

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Meng ran for Assembly to succeed her father, but was taken off the ballot when Democrat Ellen Young challenged her residency status.[13] Subsequently, her district residency issues were resolved.[14] Young succeeded Jimmy Meng, taking office in January 2007.[15] Jimmy Meng later pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a bribery scheme.[16]

Grace Meng challenged Young again in 2008.[8] On September 9, she defeated Young in the Democratic primary, 59%-41%.[17] She went on to win the November election, defeating Young again, this time as an Independence Party nominee, 88%-12%.[18][better source needed] In 2010, she was reelected unopposed.[19][20]

Tenure

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Meng was the author of the Reverse Mortgage Act of 2009[21] that prohibited proceeds received from reverse mortgages from being considered as income, so senior citizens can get their partial property tax exemption. Seven other of her pieces of legislation were signed into law.[21]

In 2009, Meng was named one of City & State's "New York City Rising Stars: 40 Under 40".[22]

Meng is a member of the Vote Blue Coalition, a progressive group and federal PAC created to support Democrats in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania through voter outreach and mobilization efforts.[23]

Aide Linda Sun

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During Meng's time as a member of the New York Assembly, Linda Sun worked as a member of her staff. Linda Sun was later arrested and charged with several federal felony violations for acting as an unregistered agent of the People's Republic of China.[24][25][26] Meng was not charged with any wrongdoing, and said in response to Sun's arrest that "Like every American patriot, I am deeply, deeply concerned about the national security threat that the Chinese Communist Party’s government poses to the United States, and I believe we need to protect our nation from it."[6]

U.S. House of Representatives

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2012 election

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In June 2012, Meng faced fellow Assembly member Rory Lancman and New York City Council member Elizabeth Crowley in a primary election for New York's 6th congressional district and won. She received the endorsement of the Queens County Democratic Party,[27] and a New York Times reporter wrote that she was "poised to become the biggest political star from New York City's fastest-growing demographic group." Meng said her focus would be to create jobs, improve transportation, and grow tourism opportunities in her borough.[8] Like her father, she garnered local community support from the Henan Association of Eastern America, the local Henan hometown association, co-founded by Meng's grandmother.[6] On November 6, 2012, she won the race for New York's 6th congressional district against Republican member of the New York City Council Dan Halloran, making her the first Asian American elected to Congress from New York.[28]

Tenure

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Meng speaking at a rally in March 2013

Inaugurated on January 3, 2013, Meng helped form the Bipartisan Freshman Caucus, asserting that "the American people are just sick and tired of blaming each other without getting anything done."[29]

Her district includes the Queens neighborhoods of Auburndale, Bayside, Briarwood, Elmhurst, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Maspeth, Middle Village, and Rego Park.

 
Meng with fellow Representative Mike Quigley at a 2019 Climate Strike.

On February 10, 2014, Meng introduced the bill To amend the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to include the desecration of cemeteries among the many forms of violations of the right to religious freedom (H.R. 4028; 113th Congress) into the House.[30] The bill would amend the findings of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 by including the desecration of cemeteries among the various violations of the right to religious freedom.[30][31] Meng said that "this legislation would be a new and important tool in our fight against the desecration of cemeteries" because it would "combat religiously-motivated vandalism of cemeteries and also prevent developers from building over cemeteries, a new and emerging threat in places where there are no Jewish communities left to protect burial grounds."[32]

In 2015, Meng opposed the Iran Nuclear Deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action supported by President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry. A press release issued by Meng stated that she didn't support immediate sanctions relief, and believed that the inspections procedure laid out in the deal were flawed. She called for a new deal to be negotiated.[33] Two years later, she boycotted Donald Trump's inauguration.[34] In February 2017 she became Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in Atlanta.[35]

In July 2019, Meng reintroduced the Community College Student Success Act to improve graduation rates at under-resourced public community colleges to have the necessary funding to develop and implement support services for their low-income and minority students. It replicates nationwide the success of the CUNY Accelerated Study in Associate Programs which helps students earn associate degrees within 3 years by offering a range of financial, academic, and personal assistance. The program has been found to double the graduation rates of participants.[36]

On February 23, 2021, Meng introduced House Resolution 151, "Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19," responding to the growth of hate crimes against Asian-Americans, in the wake of Trump's repeated characterization of COVID-19 as "Kung Flu" and the "Chinese virus". It urged education and reporting about harassment. It drew initial support from 140 co-sponsors, and by March 3, 46 more, all Democrats.[37][38]

Meng voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.[39]

She was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[40]

Meng voted in favor of three military aid package supplementals for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan respectively in April 2024, along with most Democrats.[41][42][43]

Abortion

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For 2021, Meng was given a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America.[44]

Syria

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In 2023, Meng was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[45][46]

Committee assignments

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Meng meets with constituent service members

Caucus memberships

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Personal life

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Meng married Wayne Kye (계원종, 桂源鍾), a Korean American dentist and assistant professor at NYU,[8] in June 2005.[7] The couple resides in Queens with their two sons, Tyler Kye (계창명, 桂昌明) and Brandon Kye (계창호, 桂昌浩).[9] They attend a Protestant church in Forest Hills, Queens.[8]

In November 2013, Meng was robbed and assaulted by a purse-snatcher in the Eastern Market area of Washington, D.C.[50] She suffered injuries to her head, left knee, hand, and face, and was treated at George Washington University hospital.[50]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Meng, Grace. "Grace Meng". www.congress.gov. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  2. ^ Affairs, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World. "Grace Meng". berkleycenter.georgetown.edu. Retrieved April 8, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Current Asian and Pacific Islander American members: Grace Meng 1975–" (PDF). Congressional Record. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  4. ^ "U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng: About". United States House of Representatives. July 2, 2015. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  5. ^ Hamilton, Colby (July 1, 2012). "Asian And All-American: A Political Star Rises In N.Y." Washington, D.C.: National Public Radio. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d Areddy, James T. (October 21, 2024). "How Beijing Recruited New York Chinatowns for Influence Campaign". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Grace Meng and Wayne Kye". The New York Times. June 12, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d e Chen, David W. (June 28, 2012). "A Breakthrough Candidate and Potential Star". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng – Biography". United States House of Representatives. July 2, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  10. ^ Grace Meng, "Honoring the Life of Susan Wu Rathbone". Congressional Record (May 9, 2018): E616.
  11. ^ "Grace Meng's father charged with wire fraud in FBI sting". QNS.com. July 27, 2012.
  12. ^ Hicks, Jonathan P. (December 13, 2006). "City Sends 2 Foreign-Born First-Timers to the Assembly". The New York Times.
  13. ^ Stirling, Stephen (July 25, 2008). "Young, Meng won't fight over primary signatures". Times Ledger. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  14. ^ "New York, 6th House District: Grace Meng (D)". National Journal. November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  15. ^ "DA: Jimmy Meng Aide Surrenders". The New York Observer. January 9, 2007.
  16. ^ Nir, Sarah Maslin (March 13, 2013). "Ex-Queens Assemblyman Sentenced in Bribery Case". The New York Times.
  17. ^ Noah C. Zuss, "Meng Beats Young in Primary for Flushing Seat." "Southeast Queens Press," Sept. 12-18, 2008, p. 11
  18. ^ "Ourcampaigns.com". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  19. ^ "Election Results 2008: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2008. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  20. ^ "Election Results 2010: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2010. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  21. ^ a b Brandon Moseley (May 3, 2021). "U.S. Rep. Grace Meng keynote speaker at Alabama Young Democrats convention". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  22. ^ "Albany 40 Under 40 alumni". City & State NY. August 13, 2018.
  23. ^ "Coalition". Vote Blue. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  24. ^ Rashbaum, William K. (July 23, 2024). "F.B.I. Searches $3.5 Million Home of Former Aide to Gov. Hochul: The early-morning raid took place on Long Island's North Shore at the house of Ms. Hochul's former deputy chief of staff, Linda Sun". New York Times. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  25. ^ Rashbaum, William K. (September 3, 2024). "Former Aide to Hochul and Cuomo Is Charged as Chinese Agent: Linda Sun was accused of using her position to benefit the Chinese government in exchange for payments that went toward homes in New York and Hawaii, and a Ferrari". New York Times. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  26. ^ Dienst, Jonathan; Intarasuwan, Kiki; Press • •, The Associated (September 3, 2024). "Former top Hochul aide Linda Sun, husband accused of acting as Chinese Communist Party's agents". NBC New York. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  27. ^ "Queens Democratic Leaders Back Meng For Congress". NY1. March 19, 2012. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  28. ^ "Grace Meng, Michael Grimm Win Seats In Congress". Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  29. ^ Schneier, David (February 28, 2013). "Meng talks nation's business at 112th - Queens Chronicle: Central/Mid Queens News". Qchron.com. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  30. ^ a b "H.R. 4028 - Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  31. ^ Marcos, Cristina (May 23, 2014). "Next week: Appropriations, VA reform, intelligence authorization". The Hill. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  32. ^ "House Passes Meng Legislation to Make Desecration of Cemeteries a Violation of Religious Freedom". Jewish Political News and Updates. May 29, 2014. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  33. ^ "Meng Opposes Nuclear Deal with Iran". Congresswoman Grace Meng. July 29, 2015.
  34. ^ Kern-Jedrychowska, Ewa (January 18, 2017). "Grace Meng Is Latest Elected Official to Boycott Trump Inauguration". DNAinfo New York. Archived from the original on January 26, 2017.
  35. ^ Toure, Madina (February 26, 2017). "NYC Congresswoman and Assemblyman Score DNC Vice Chairmanships". Observer. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  36. ^ Mohamed, Carlotta (August 2–8, 2019). "Meng Law to Improve Community College Graduation Rates". Times Ledger. p. 23.
  37. ^ Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19, Congress.gov, February 23, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  38. ^ "N.Y. Rep. Grace Meng On Her Bill To Address Anti-Asian Hate Crimes". NPR.org. March 16, 2021.
  39. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  40. ^ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  41. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (April 20, 2024). "Roll Call 152 Roll Call 152, Bill Number: H. R. 8034, 118th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (April 20, 2024). "Roll Call 151 Roll Call 151, Bill Number: H. R. 8035, 118th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (April 20, 2024). "Roll Call 146 Roll Call 146, Bill Number: H. R. 8036, 118th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "2021 Congressional Record on Reproductive Freedom" (PDF). NARAL Pro-Choice America. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  45. ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
  46. ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". U.S. News & World Report. March 8, 2023. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023.
  47. ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Congresswoman Grace Meng. December 13, 2012.
  48. ^ "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  49. ^ "Caucus Membrs". US House of Representatives. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  50. ^ a b O'Keefe, Ed; Williams, Clarence (November 20, 2013). "Rep. Grace Meng attacked, robbed". Washington Post. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
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New York State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the New York Assembly
from the 22nd district
2009–2013 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 6th congressional district
2013–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
133rd 		Succeeded by
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