Meeks talks debt ceiling at town hall

“Default meant, if you’re a homeowner, more likely than not, your interest rates were going to go through the roof,” Meeks explained. “Default meant if you have a 401(k) or investments in anything, you are going to lose a substantial amount of money. Default meant possibly, and I didn’t think that we could take the chance, individuals who were looking for Social Security checks, and the military — they would not get their money.”

The lawmaker also said he voted in favor of raising the debt ceiling because it protects Medicaid and Social Security benefits from being cut. Medicare payments to providers could be reduced by up to 2 percent under the plan’s automatic trigger mechanism, but that wouldn’t take place until 2013. The Bush tax cuts also expire in December 2012, providing additional revenue.

“This was the best deal possible given the circumstances,” Meeks said.

He also touted President Obama’s establishment of a bipartisan super-committee, tasked with finding $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions by Nov. 23, because it created an equal share of power between Democrats and Republicans, leveling the playing field between the two parties.

The focus of the town hall did not remain confined to discussion of the debt ceiling for long, however, as attendees were concerned about a multitude of other issues including the economy, unemployment and foreign policy.

“Could you elaborate on why in terms of jobs we need to re-elect President Barack Obama?” asked attendee Ahragon Morphious of St. Albans.

Meeks said Democrats have been trying to implement a jobs program, whether its through building infrastructure or by helping small businesses grow. The jobs bill that was passed in the House in 2009, failed in the Senate because it did not get enough votes. Meeks said he believes that the people’s voice in a bipartisan manner will eventually give the president enough support to “get it done and move forward.”

“Everybody needs a job,” Meeks said. “Everybody wants these highways built, wants the roads fixed, wants housing construction, wants to make sure that there are opportunities. When they are feeling it all across America and that voice gets louder and louder — that’s what makes Washington move in a different direction.”

Adrienne Felton of the South East Queens County Young Democrats asked Meeks what the government is doing to put regulations in place and get banks lending again.

Meeks noted that in 2010, the president helped pass the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which aimed to promote the financial stability of the country by improving accountability and transparency in the financial system. It also sought to put an end to the “too big to fail,” mentality, bailouts and abusive financial services practices.

Sol McCants of southeastern Queens was concerned about the country’s support of Israel, which he called an “apartheid state,” among other issues. Meeks said he disagreed with McCants’ assessment, calling it untrue.

“I believe in a two-state solution and I agree with the president, who indicated that there should be a two-state solution, and we need to move toward that so we can have true peace in the Middle East,” Meeks said. “We have to make sure that we get that done.”