Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Grace Meng for US Congress NY-06
Candidate Name: Grace Meng
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress, Congressional District 06 (Queens)
Campaign Address: 40-13 159th Street, Suite C, Flushing, NY 11358
Campaign Website: https://gracefornewyork.com/
Campaign Telephone: 518.859.7799
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): https://www.facebook.com/grace4ny/
https://twitter.com/Grace4NY
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email): Devin Wellspeak 518.859.7799 devin@gracefornewyork.com
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I am honored to represent the vibrant and diverse place that I was born and raised.
As a woman of color and the child of immigrants, I understand the structural barriers and biases that affect many of the people of my district. As the mother of two young boys, I recognize the importance of investing in a future that works for everyone.
In the seven years I have represented New York’s Sixth Congressional District, I have worked with numerous individuals, organizations, and advocacy groups across this district, city and country with the goal of finding common ground and coming up with solutions to help people who are often left behind in the decision making process.
Do you now support or have you ever supported openly LGBTQ candidates for public office?
Yes, I am a board member of Equality PAC, the political arm of the Equality Caucus where I serve as a Vice Chair. In the 2018 cycle I supported the following LGBTQ congressional candidates: Angie Craig, Kyrsten Sinema, Gina Ortiz Jones, Lauren Baer, Katie Hill, Chris Pappas, Sharice Davids
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly).
In June 2019 – I led 50 Members of Congress in a letter to Secretary of State urging him to allow U.S. embassies to fly rainbow flags in honor of LGBT Pride Month. This was in response to reports that the Department rejected requests by U.S. embassies to fly rainbow flags in honor of Pride Month.
I also sponsored and secured an amendment to H.R. 1 - the For The People Act to protect the fundamental voting rights of LGBTQ people. Specifically, my measure would increase cultural competency of poll workers, so they would be better equipped to help voters who come from diverse backgrounds, including for LGBTQ people. This measure was the only H.R. 1 amendment endorsed by HRC.
Furthermore, one-third of women in prison identify as lesbian or bisexual – yet, only a little over 3 percent of women in the general U.S. population identify as lesbian or bisexual. Estimates also suggest that as many as 90 percent of incarcerated women have experienced some sort of trauma such as interpersonal or sexual violence in their lives. We also know that trauma is experienced in different ways – depending on one’s gender identity, sexual orientation, culture, and past experiences. That is why, in the 2019 Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, I introduced an amendment to ensure that cultural competency training is included in trauma screening trainings provided to correctional officers, and each Bureau of Prisons employee, including instructors and health care professions. This measure was adopted in the House-passed VAWA Reauthorization.
Additionally, during the 116th Congress, I cosponsored the following legislation:
H. Res. 5 - Equality Act (and voted for the House passage)
H.R. 3252 - Global Respect Act
H.R. 1875 - International Human Rights Defense Act
H.R. 3114 - Every Child Deserves a Family Act
H.R. 1777 - Ruther and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act
H.R. 2775 - Protecting LGBTQ Youth Act
H.Con.Res. 34 - Supporting the goals and ideals of GLSEN’s 2019 Day of Silence in bringing attention to anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) name-calling, bully, and harrassment faced by individuals in schools
H.Res.464 - Encouraging the celebration of the month of June as LGBTQ Pride MonthH. Res. 124 - Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals
H. Res. 388 - Supporting the goals and ideals of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
H. Res. 2312 - Elder Pride Act
What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I am the Vice-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. I am also a board member of the Equality PAC.
If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
My campaign has contributed to the Jim Owles Democratic Club, Stonewall Democrats of NYC, LGDCQ, Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee, and NQAPIA.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community? No
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I march in the St. Pat’s for All Parade, held in Queens every year.
Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, Yes
If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
I have attended numerous rallies in DC, New York, and across the country to denounce Trump's divisive rhetoric and policies, including boycotting Trump's 2017 inauguration, attending the first annual Women’s March in Washington, DC. I also joined the kick off of the Home is Here campaign - the march for DACA recipients, and the climate strike. I also joined my fellow Democratic Women’s Caucus members and marched to Senator McConnell demanding the Senate Republican take up House-passed legislation that impact women’s health and well-being.
If elected or re-elected will you become a member of the “Squad?"
We need more women, and more women of color in Congress. I am proud to work with these women who are advocating for strong progressive values in Congress, including the Just Society package. I am a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, alongside these members. I also vehemently denounced Trump’s racist and un-American “go back” comments, and called on the GOP to denounce these remarks.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No
Will you advocate for legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes
Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
Yes
Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes
Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
No
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work?
I would need to review the exact legislation before making a judgement. My primary concern with the criminalization of sex work is the protection of the sex workers. Sex workers are often in positions of great vulnerability. They may fear arrest and thereby, hide abuse from the police or fail to seek help whenever they are in danger. As such, policies should encourage, not discourage, victims of crimes from seeking help from law enforcement or health services. Further, if a sex worker is pursuing a different field of employment, a criminal record can often keep them from pursuing a new career.
If an incumbent, did you vote for HR 1865 in 2018? Will you introduce and or support legislation to amend HR 1865 so that sex between consenting adults, with monetary exchange, is legalized? This would include the use of ads and on-line contact.
In 2018, I voted for HR 1865 in order to address the rampant human trafficking that occurs in this city, by ensuring justice for victims, holding accountable the traffickers and sex trafficking facilitators, while also strengthening current law.
I also support directing the strongest funding possible for victims of trafficking. As a member of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee on House Appropriations, which funds the Department of Justice, I helped secure $85 million in Victims of Trafficking Grants in the recent federal spending bill that was signed into law. These funds may also be used to develop, expand and strengthen assistance programs for child victims of sex and labor trafficking.
Additionally, I secured over $1.5 million for the Blue Campaign, which is a Department of Homeland Security agency-wide initiative to combat human trafficking. I also secured a measure to ensure that the Blue Campaign also work with non-profit organizations, including those of airline personnel to identify and report human trafficking, as often times, airline and airport personnel are the first line of defense in identifying and fighting human trafficking activity. With the close proximity and the hectiness of the city’s airports, we must do more to protect the most vulnerable.
Do you support a national law legalizing gestational surrogacy? Wii you introduce such legislation?
Yes.
What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and to further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Standing up for immigrant communities is one of my top priorities in Congress. Last year I introduced H.R.4928 - New Deal for New Americans Act of 2019. This landmark bill would establish critical assistance programs for immigrants and refugees to overcome common challenges such as language barriers and employment attainment, and help in breaking down barriers to naturalization. I am proud this bill was endorsed by over 100 organizations across the country, including the National Partnership for New Americans, which includes the New York Immigration Coalition; the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; International Rescue Committee; and Make the Road.
Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
As the mother of two young boys who attend New York City schools, I believe any investment in education is a down payment to sustain our future economies. That is why, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I helped secure $72.8 billion for the Department of Education, which is an increase of $1.3 billion. I firmly believe any institution that receives taxpayer dollars must uphold federal civil rights and anti-discrimination statutes.
At the same time, however, I do support federal funding for target-hardening and security enhancing activities through DHS’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This funding is available for eligible 501(c)(3) entities, including religious schools. As a member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for allocating NSGP funds, I have championed this funding stream to ensure that soft targets like houses of worship and nonprofit organizations address the critical funding gap to better prepare against terrorist attacks. Funding may cover gates, surveillance equipment, safety gear, and other tools and resources. The safety and security of student, organization and congregation members is one of my top priorities. Additionally, I championed the issue of houses of worship being able to access FEMA disaster relief funds. For several Congresses, I sponsored the “Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act.” During disaster recovery, churches, mosques, synagogues, and other houses of worship aid victims of disasters. Unfortunately, they were excluded from federal funding reimbursement for the aid they provided to these victims. I am proud that in 2018, my bill was finally included as a measure in a supplemental disaster funding bill, and that FEMA finally made the necessary policy change to correct this injustice.
Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
I am committed to fight against the harmful and heartbreaking opioid epidemic that has taken too many lives and destroyed too many families across our country. That is why, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee that is responsible for funding every federal program, grant, and agency, I have secured critical funding for a comprehensive approach to addressing the opioid epidemic. For instance, in the recent federal spending law, I helped secure $1.5 billion in state opioid response grants; $402 million for Opioid Prevention and Treatment programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, which includes $56 million to continue implementation of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016; and $10 million for the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative, which is a grant program within the Department of Justice.
Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
In 2018 I endorsed John Liu who defeated former IDC senator Tony Avella.
Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
Yes
Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
Yes
Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B) President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018?
In 2016, I supported Hillary Clinton for President. In the citywide elections of 2013 I endorsed the democratic nominees after the primary. I supported Tish James and Andrew Cuomo in 2018.
Describe any federal legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination
The legacy of slavery and colonialism is what fuels racism and discrimination today. I supported numerous pieces of legislation to rectify these harmful legacies and create an even playing field for all. I am a cosponsor on legislation to repay the debts of slavery in the form of reparations (H.R.40 - Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act) as well as legislation to empower indegious communities (H.R.1694 - Native American Voting Rights Act of 2019).
Racism and discrimination have intersectional effects on all aspects of life, from maternal/newborn health to elder housing, that is why I support legislation to address the racial disparity in infant mortality, and enshrine housing rights for LGBTQ elders among many other issues. In Congress I will continue to address these inequalities.
What legislation or other policy changes do you support in order to make college and graduate school affordable for poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans and to alleviate the crushing loan debt that many students and alumni are facing?
Education is a civil rights issue, and everyone deserves access to quality education. The price of college has increased exponentially while wages have stagnated.
As much as it is important to ensure access to higher education, we must also provide tools and resources to ensure success to and through college to career. That is why I introduced H.R. 3578 - the Community College Student Success Act, which would ensure under-resourced public community colleges with high percentages of low-income and minority students, have the necessary funding to develop and implement support services that help students thrive and graduate. I also introduced the H.R. 4567 - the FAFSA Translation Act, which would translate FAFSA into additional languages. After all, one’s English proficiency should never determine their access to higher education.
I have also cosponsored numerous pieces of legislation to make higher education available to all who want it and address student loan crisis, including:
H.R. 7204 - DIPLOMA Act
H.R. 4674 - College Affordability Act (both my bills, the H.R. 3578 - Community College Student Success Act and H.R. 4567 - the FAFSA Translation Act - are included in this bill, which is the Higher Education Reauthorization bill).
H.R. 3472 - College for All Act of 2019
H.R. 4298 - Pell Grant Restoration Act
H.R. 3391 - To Offer Refugees College Help (TORCH) Act
H.R. 2321 - Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2019
H.R. 2648 – the “Student Borrower Bankruptcy Relief Act”
H.R. 2186 - Student Loan Refinancing Act,
H.R. 1899 - Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act
I also cosponsored the H.R.3315, Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes. I am troubled by the nearly 30 million Americans who are currently uninsured, and the over 40 million Americans who struggle with the costs of their co-pays and deductibles. While I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 1384 - “Medicare for All,” and a founding member of the Medicare for All Caucus, I also support public option, Medicare buy in, lowering Medicare age, and any proposals that will get us closer to universal, affordable healthcare. I will take the necessary steps to ensure healthcare access for all Americans – regardless of age, income, or socioeconomic status – is attainable.
Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
As a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I have fought against the GOP and Trump Administration’s efforts to limit access to reproductive health care and make decisions about their own body - whether in the U.S. or abroad. However, state legislatures across the country are passing legislation to undermine Roe V. Wade. We must fight to maintain the right to privacy and autonomy over our own bodies and protect access to reproductive healthcare. I am proud to have been endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate?
My campaign strategically reinvests money received through PACs and other organizations back into the community. Through contributing to local advocacy groups or hosting drives at NYCHA complexes, our committee is committed to supporting people living in Queens.
Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
I would need a more detailed question to answer accurately.
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
New York’s Sixth Congressional District is one of the most diverse districts in the country, ethnically, culturally, and politically. It is my job as a representative in Congress to speak for all my constituents, even if I disagree with them. However, I am guided by moral principles based on compassion and justice for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexulity, or class.