CNN host Poppy Harlow grilled Gregory Meeks about whether he really prioritized refugee funding for children.
“We looked back at the votes this week. You did not vote on the House version of the $4.5 billion in proposed aid. Most of that to go help these facilities to help improve the deplorable conditions for children,” Harlow said Friday to the New York Democratic congressman. “Then you voted ‘no’ on the Senate version of the bill. You leave for vacation today.”
“Are you essentially OK with leaving those facilities with no more funds?” Harlow asked.
Meeks said he missed the first vote because he had a political race to help out with in New York. He said he voted against the Senate bill because it was a hard thing to give more money when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was deporting people in his district.
“It’s a hard decision,” Meeks said.
“I understand that. I hear what you’re wrestling with,” Harlow responded. “To button it up here. I mean, on Wednesday of this week, you said on CNN, ‘We’ve got to make sure that we give the money that’s necessary to the refugee agency before they run out of funding shortly.’ That shortly is Sunday, and you didn’t vote to do that, sir.”
Meeks repeated that he made a hard decision and that he did not trust either President Trump or Senate leader Mitch McConnell, the Republican from Kentucky.
The House, in a bipartisan 305-102 vote backed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, approved $4.5 billion in funding to help provide relief at the southern border, which has seen a surge in illegal immigration and asylum-seekers. Meeks was one of the 102 House members that voted ‘no’ on the provision.
