Grace Meng
Grace Meng (born October 1, 1975) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 6th congressional district since 2013.[1] A Democrat born and raised in Queens, she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and worked as a public-interest lawyer before entering politics.[2] She previously served in the New York State Assembly from 2009 to 2013, becoming the first Asian American and first female member of Congress from New York upon her election to the House.[2] Meng serves on the House Appropriations Committee, including as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, and has focused on issues affecting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.[2] She led the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, enacted in 2021 to improve reporting and response to anti-Asian hate crimes amid a reported surge during the pandemic.[3] Other legislative efforts include measures on religious freedom, broadband access, and veterans' support.[2] Meng's campaigns have received over $270,000 since 2006 from U.S.-based groups and leaders linked to the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department, including donations from individuals later charged as foreign agents, such as An Quanzhong and Lu Jianwang.[4] She has proclaimed official days honoring some such figures and attended events with pro-CCP organizations, actions that have drawn scrutiny for potential foreign influence in New York politics.[4]