Meng Selected to Serve on House's Foreign Affairs Committee

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, D-Flushing, said she has been picked to serve on the House's Foreign Affairs Committee.

The congresswoman, who was sworn in last week, will also sit on the legislative body's Small Business Committee.

The Foreign Affairs Committee oversees the United States' policy towards all nations around the world and has jursidiction over foreign aid and the State Department.

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-Bayside, whom Meng replaced, also sat on the committee.

"I am priviliged and honored to have been awarded a spot on one of the most imporant and influential committees in the House of Representatives," Meng said. "Here in Queens, foreign affairs is a local issues. The borough is a snapshot of the world. It's the most ethnically and culturally diverse county in America with people from across the globe speaking dozens of different languages."

She said she hoped to strengthen U.S. ties with allies, such as Israel, South Korea and India, while sitting on the committee.

Meng was appointed to the Foreign Affairs Committee by the House Democratic Caucus. Subcommittee assignments are expected to be made next week.