Podcast Summary: Bloomberg Talks

Episode: Rep. Gregory Meeks Talks INVEST Act
Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Nathan Hager (Bloomberg)
Guest: Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee & Member, House Financial Services Committee

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Congressman Gregory Meeks, focusing on the looming healthcare cliff related to Affordable Care Act subsidies, US foreign policy and recent oil tanker seizures near Venezuela, and the INVEST Act’s impact on small businesses. Congressman Meeks criticizes current administration policies, addresses legislative gridlock, and advocates for bipartisan efforts on economic and international issues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Looming Affordable Care Act Subsidy Crisis

• Congressional Stalemate:
  • Meeks emphasizes that Democrats have long advocated extending the tax credits underpinning the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
  • He criticizes Republicans for failing to propose or pass an alternative and accuses them of legislative disarray.
  • The expiration of these credits may result in doubled health insurance costs for millions, risking coverage loss for many Americans.
• Direct Impact on Americans:
  • Meeks notes that affordability is “not a hoax”—contradicting the President’s narrative—and will soon force tough decisions on families.
  • No serious bipartisan negotiation has taken place to address the issue before the impending “cliff.”

Notable Quote:

“They know what their pockets feel like and they know what their insurance plans are looking like, so that they will soon have to make a choice, many of them, of whether they continue health care or not because they may not be able to afford it.”
— Rep. Gregory Meeks [01:58]

2. Legislative Process & Discharge Petitions

• There’s discussion about a bipartisan discharge petition that could force extended ACA subsidies onto the House floor with new eligibility requirements.
• Meeks laments the lack of regular legislative order, with important bills being blocked by leadership, forcing members to circumvent the process through discharge motions.

Notable Quote:

“I've been in Washington for a long time, a member of Congress for 27 years, and I've never seen anything like this.”
— Rep. Gregory Meeks [03:47]

3. US Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker & Foreign Policy

• Meeks critiques the President’s approach to seizing an oil tanker off Venezuela, arguing it's more about regime change and oil access than drugs.
• He warns this mirrors Russian methods and undermines longstanding American values and alliances.
• Calls out lack of congressional consultation and war powers oversight on foreign interventions.

Notable Quote:

“This is not the way that we generally have historically operated in the United States. This is really how Russia operates. And so we are losing our values...”
— Rep. Gregory Meeks [05:35]

• Meeks is sponsoring a new War Powers Act bill to restore congressional oversight in such matters.
• Concerns raised about President Putin’s solidarity with Maduro and the possible escalation of complexity in US–Venezuela–Russia relations.

Notable Quote:

“He just seems to bow down to the will of Russia and whatever Russia says ... It's not okay with the American people.”
— Rep. Gregory Meeks [07:48]

4. INVEST Act & Small Business Policy

• The INVEST Act aims to cut red tape and increase capital access for small businesses.
• Meeks asserts that current tariffs and uncertainty from presidential policy are harming small business owners.
• He advocates for solutions that help both small businesses and individuals with retirement accounts, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the INVEST Act.

Notable Quote:

“...the cost to the small businesses have steadily increased ... The instability and the uncertainty of the president's policies is causing and costing small businesses a lot of money.”
— Rep. Gregory Meeks [10:35]

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• “[Democrats have been trying to ring the alarm for a long period of time...]” [00:54]
• “[The crises is here now that's caused by the president of the United States... And nothing has been done and nothing has been at least talked about to be to for an agreement in a bipartisan way.]” [01:58]
• “It is, you know, such craziness that's going on. I've been in Washington for a long time, a member of Congress for 27 years, and I've never seen anything like this.” [03:47]
• “[Clearly you could have, you should have seen if you could take an oil tanker in the way that they have, that you don't have to shoot down boats in the way and kill people in the way that they have.]” [05:27]
• “This is really how Russia operates. And so we are losing our values as we've seen from the national, national security report...” [05:35]
• “He just seems to bow down to the will of Russia and whatever Russia says and Russia can do whatever they want. And it's okay with this administration, but it's not okay with the American people.” [07:48]
• “The instability and the uncertainty of the president's policies is causing and costing small businesses a lot of money.” [10:35]

Segment Timestamps

• Healthcare Subsidy Cliff & Lack of Bipartisanship: [00:25–03:47]
• Discharge Petition & House Legislative Dysfunction: [03:03–04:56]
• Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure & Foreign Policy Critique: [04:56–09:46]
• INVEST Act & Small Business Support: [09:46–11:59]

Tone & Language

Congressman Meeks speaks urgently but conversationally, blending personal experience with institutional critique. He’s candid about dysfunction in Congress and unreserved in his criticism of the President’s domestic and foreign policies, calling for regular legislative order, bipartisan cooperation, and a return to traditional US values.

Conclusion

This episode provides a critical window into current struggles over healthcare, government function, foreign policy with Venezuela and Russia, and bipartisan economic reforms. Congressman Meeks is outspoken on the need for stability, oversight, and practical economic relief for everyday Americans, underscoring the human consequences of political impasse and the importance of legislative reform.