Transcript: Congressman Gregory Meeks "Face the Nation"

Below is an interview with Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York aired on Sunday. It's a copy. , August 7, 2022, in "Face the Nation."

Margaret Brennan: China responds to House Speaker Pelosi's assertions by leading a congressional delegation to conduct his four-day military exercises off Taiwan, Beginning the most dramatic display of military power in decades. - Ruled an island last week. 

Margaret Brennan: Rep. Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, is participating. Good morning, Senator.

Representative Gregory Meeks: Good morning. thank you. 

Margaret Brennan: Well, you've been running around the world, but I'm sure you'll be back in Washington soon to vote on this big appropriation bill. A potentially big win, but one-tenth the size of the president's original request. Going through and this gas price cut is enough for the Democrats to win his November.

REP. Meeks: No question. This is a big and important bill. It reduces inflation. This has allowed us to lower drug prices. Help fight climate change. And - and we move forward. It has already been done in a bipartisan way during this Congress, including infrastructure, gun control, CHIPS and science laws, the PACT Act for Veterans, special committees, the first black woman elected or appointed to the Supreme Court, and more. It is done in addition to the victories won. Yes, this is the icing on the cake to advance the Democratic Party's achievements in a bipartisan fashion this election year. 

Margaret Brennan: But all you just described Despite this, many polls, including CBS, predict Republicans will win a majority in the House. can it be reversed?

REP. Meeks: Oh, absolutely. I think September and he had the lowest unemployment rate ever in conversation as we plunged into the crucial month of October. And then we see the regressive court. And those of us who seek to deprive women of their choice are fighting and standing up for it. 

 Margaret Brennan: During my trip to Taiwan, I saw China's dramatic war games. As a result of your visit, China has severed some diplomatic ties with the United States and protested that you went to Taipei with Pelosi. Did this trip backfire by undermining some of the Biden administration's priorities?

REP. Meeks: Not at all. Clearly, the Biden administration's presence there and growing economic ties show that the region is very important. And by being a private preferred member of the Senate, President Biden, you know, understands the difference between the executive and legislative branches. And what we have to do at this point is, very clearly, there is a very definite moment of tension in the Taiwan Strait, which is why it is so important that all sides respect the status quo. Don't resort to force or change things. Equally important, the United States doubled down on economic, cultural and security cooperation with Taiwan in the face of China's aggression. So this was a very appropriate trip for the area at the time. When I spoke with the Taiwanese people, I think they were grateful that we were there, and they must have seen over 250,000 Taiwanese tracking our flight. It was on top of the biggest building in Taiwan and had a big sign that said Nancy loves her Pelosi -

Margaret Brennan: Hmmm.

REP. Meeks: People were lining up in the street on our way to the hotel. Apparently the Taiwanese were very happy--

Margaret Brennan: Definitely.

REP. Meeks: Let me speak. All our allies, all our partners and friends in the region, and the other countries we visited, were very pleased to have us there. 

Margaret Brennan: But Beijing- Beijing was furious. They cut off negotiations on climate change with the US and cut off other cooperation. In fact, Beijing said this was one issue on which the two most powerful countries in the world, the United States and China, could clash with Beijing, with the third-highest-ranking official in the U.S. government He called the visit by military plane "provocative" and strongly implied that the United States was on Taiwan's side. Is America an ally of Taiwan?

REP. Meeks:  We didn't do anything - in a provocative way, it was actually Beijing that sent missiles into Taiwan and China and surrounded the islands. This is not uncommon, and this year's MPs have traveled to Taiwan before. I have traveled to Taiwan many times and have also traveled to China. But we are not going to forgive, and Chairman Pelosi will not allow President Xi Jinping to dictate where we should or should not go, and we are friends, partners, allies. and obviously Taiwan is one of them. And provocative – it's not us to be provocative. Beijing government. 

Margaret Brennan: But it has been one of strategic ambiguity when it comes to this policy for decades. . The United States sells arms to Taiwan, but does not actually commit to defending Taiwan. Should I change it? Should Congress prepare for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan?

REP. Meeks: Look, what we've done, and what we've shown you do, is give Taiwan a defensive weapon, and I think we've given it with that policy. Ultimately, this should be decided by those sitting, not China, not Beijing, not Xi, continuing his provocative behavior.

Margaret Brennan: Right.

REP. Meeks: --Change the status quo. What we need at this point is the status quo, which is the best way to defuse tensions, not provocations by Beijing.

Margaret Brennan: Senator Meeks, thank you for your time this morning. we will be back soon.