{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"ME\" and year = 2024 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-to-keep-government-open-with-continuing-resolution", "Golden votes to keep government open with Continuing Resolution", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) tonight voted for a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open until March 14, provide disaster relief funding and extend the must-pass Farm Bill for one year.\n\nThe deal, approved by the House in a 366-34 vote, excludes provisions Golden opposed in earlier iterations, such as a raise and more generous health care benefits for members of Congress, and a two-year suspension of the debt limit that would have amounted to a blank check for the next Congress to blow up the federal deficit.\n\n\u201cThis CR strikes the balance that we should have been aiming for all along,\u201d Golden said. \u201cNo self-dealing for members of Congress while Americans struggle to pay their bills. No preemptive permission for irresponsible deficit spending next year. Instead, we\u2019re simply ensuring we avoid a disruptive and costly government shutdown, supporting those who have experienced natural disasters \u2014 including at home in Maine \u2014 and extending the Farm Bill to provide stability for American farmers.\u201d\n\nAmong other important provisions, the package contains $325 million in disaster relief for Maine, including $79 million in funding to rebuild and restore infrastructure in Acadia National Park that was damaged during extreme weather last winter, $15 million for agricultural disaster relief and economic assistance, and $10.5 million to reimburse Maine for emergency repairs to roads and bridges.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-no-on-continuing-resolution-citing-gop-s-brazen-move-to-abdicate-responsibility-for-national-debt", "Golden votes \u2018no\u2019 on Continuing Resolution, citing GOP\u2019s brazen move to abdicate responsibility for national debt", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) tonight voted against a GOP plan to extend government funding for three months while suspending the debt limit for two years.\n\n\u201cGiven that the last time Republicans had control over Congress and the White House, the deficit grew by leaps and bounds each year, I cannot in good conscience vote to give the incoming trifecta a blank check to blow up the national debt,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThis Congress must pass either a clean CR to avoid a government shutdown, or pair any suspension of the debt limit with provisions to ensure we take steps to reduce the budget deficit in the new Congress. I voted no with hopes negotiators will go back to the drawing board while we still have time to get this right.\u201d\n\nThe current debt-to-GDP ratio is about 98 percent and projected to reach an unsustainable 122 percent within a decade. Congressman Golden has supported increases to the debt limit in the past to address an imminent default crisis, paired with provisions designed to address deficits and prevent future growth in the national debt. The bill put on the floor by the House GOP tonight neither addressed an immediate crisis nor did anything to reduce the debt in the long term.\n\n\u201cThe incoming Republican trifecta will have to address many challenges, from securing our Southern border to preventing tax increases on working families. These priorities will cost money, and their effort to suspend the debt limit for two years is a brazen attempt to avoid any responsibility for ensuring those needs are paid for,\u201d Golden said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-secures-congressional-approval-for-cherryfield-fishway", "Maine Delegation Secures Congressional Approval for Cherryfield Fishway", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 This week, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and U.S. Representative Jared Golden, secured final congressional approval for the replacement and restoration of the Cherryfield Fishway. Passed as a provision of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act, the fishway will allow anadromous fish such as herring, alewives, and the endangered Atlantic salmon to migrate upstream.\n\nPreviously, the Cherryfield dam which was built in 1961 to address flooding caused by ice jams in the Narraguagus River, blocked passage of the fishway. The removal of the dam will support the Town of Cherryfield in its efforts to conserve local habitats and recreation. The bill passed the House 399-18 last week and the Senate 97-1 last night. It now awaits President Biden\u2019s signature to become law.\n\n\u201cResponsible stewardship of Maine\u2019s woods and waters has protected generations of business and recreation,\u201d Collins, King and Golden said. \u201cOpening the Narraguagus back up to fish migration is a recommitment to that responsibility and will benefit both Maine\u2019s ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.\u201d\n\nFollowing a five-year study by the Army Corps of Engineers that concluded a natural fishway should replace the dam, Cherryfield voters approved the move in 2023. The Downeast Salmon Federation received a $9.1 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s (NOAA) Fish Passage Grant Program to spearhead the project, and construction is estimated to begin in 2026.\n\n\u201cThe bipartisan effort to advance the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 is incredible news for the Narraguagus River and the communities connected to it,\u201d Hadley Couraud, Aquatic Restoration Manager for The Nature Conservancy in Maine said. \u201cThis bill will support the Town of Cherryfield in its effort to remove this structure and significantly improve access to an astonishing 320 miles of river, creating tremendous opportunities for habitat conservation, restoration and fish passage, while retaining the ice control and alewife harvest important for the town. TNC and our local partners are ready to support the town in replacing the dam with a more resilient, fish-friendly structure that benefits everyone.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis natural fishway has been decades in the making and will revitalize one of the most ecologically important rivers in the eastern United States,\u201d Jacob van de Sande, Project Manager of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust said. \u201cGetting this project over the finish line has truly been a team effort between the Town of Cherryfield; community partners like Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Atlantic Salmon Federation, Downeast Salmon Federation, and the Nature Conservancy; and Maine\u2019s Congressional Delegation. Now, it\u2019s time to make it happen.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 will greatly support a 10 year effort led in partnership by the Town of Cherryfield, Downeast Salmon Federation, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Atlantic Salmon Federation, and the Nature Conservancy,\u201d Ellie Mason, Habitat Restoration Program Manager of the Downeast Salmon Federation said. \u201cThe advancement of this bill is a testament to the dedication of all the project partners and the collaborative nature of restoration work in Downeast Maine. We\u2019re looking forward to supporting the town in their ongoing efforts to replace the dam with a nature-like fishway that continues to allow for alewife harvest and ice control.\u201d\n\nMore information about the project can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-a-no-vote-on-cr-over-congressional-self-dealing", "Golden a \u2018no\u2019 vote on CR over Congressional self-dealing", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced he will vote against the Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through March, over inclusion of Congressional pay raises and more generous health care benefits for members.\n\nThe CR, released by Republican leadership last night, omits language freezing Member of Congress cost of living adjustments (COLAs), triggering a pay raise. Members of Congress currently earn $174,000 annually \u2014 more than 90 percent of Americans. If enacted, this CR would allow for a 2025 adjustment of 3.8 percent, which would result in a Member salary increase of $6,600.\n\nIt also includes a provision long sought by Republicans that would allow members to purchase health insurance through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, rather than through the ACA exchanges as has been required for years. The move would have federal dollars fund a larger share of members\u2019 health care premiums, reducing their out-of-pocket health care spending at taxpayers\u2019 expense.\n\nBoth provisions were inserted into the CR without debate or notice to members.\n\n\u201cCongress should be working to raise Americans\u2019 wages and lower their health care costs, not sneaking new member perks into must-pass legislation behind closed doors,\u201d Golden said. \u201cIf members can\u2019t get by on our already generous salaries and benefits, they should find another line of work. As long as these provisions are in the CR, I will vote against it.\u201d\n\nGolden has long led the charge against congressional pay raises, including successfully blocking COLAs in prior spending bills. He most recently led a bipartisan coalition opposing member raises in June.\n\nBecause of deflections in his own caucus, GOP Speaker Mike Johnson needs Democratic votes to pass the CR and avoid a shutdown.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-nominates-9-young-mainers-for-us-service-academies", "Golden Nominates 9 Young Mainers for U.S. Service Academies", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced his nominees to the United States Service Academies.\n\nMembers of Congress may nominate applicants who meet eligibility requirements set by federal law. Golden nominated nine young Mainers from across the state, all of whom were interviewed by a panel of veterans to learn more about their academic record, test scores, leadership ability, involvement in extracurricular activities and commitment to serving their country.\n\n\u201cAs a veteran, it\u2019s my honor to be in a position to nominate the next generation of military leaders,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThis group of nominees are the best of what Maine has to offer, and I look forward to their future success.\u201d\n\nGolden nominated the following students:\n\nBangor High School:\n\nJacob S. Biberstein, Orrington \u2014 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; U.S. Military Academy, West Point; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs;\n\nFort Kent Community High School\n\nQuinn E. Michaud, Fort Kent \u2014 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; U.S. Military Academy, West Point; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs;\n\nLily D. Oliver, St John Plt \u2014 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs;\n\nLake Braddock High School\n\nNathan Raineault, Mount Vernon \u2014 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis;\n\nMaranacook Community High School\n\nAva M. Candage, Manchester \u2014 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point; Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs;\n\nMonmouth Academy\n\nNathan P. Lewis, Monmouth \u2014 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; U.S. Military Academy, West Point; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs; U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point.\n\nMount View High School\n\nRiley Bryant, Knox \u2014 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; U.S. Military Academy, West Point; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs; U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point.\n\nPenquis Valley High School\n\nJoshua Stineford, LaGrange \u2014 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; U.S. Military Academy, West Point; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs; U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point.\n\nPresque Isle High School\n\nLauren Dugal, Presque Isle \u2014 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-regulators-took-good-first-step-in-allowing-small-harvest-of-maine-shrimp-this-winter", "Golden: Regulators took \u2018good first step\u2019 in allowing small harvest of Maine shrimp this winter", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement regarding the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission\u2019s (ASMFC) recent decision to allow Maine fisherman to haul 58,400 pounds of shrimp this winter as part of a survey program to help determine the future of the fishery, which has been closed for 10 years:\n\n\u201cThe men and women who work on the water every day are the most committed stewards of our ocean resources, whose expertise should be respected \u2014 not ignored,\u201d Golden said. \u201cToday\u2019s decision by ASMFC to launch an industry-based survey of the shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Maine, and to allocate stock to that survey, is great news for Maine\u2019s working waterfronts. It puts the fishermen right where they should be \u2014 at the helm of data collection efforts that will shape their futures and their livelihoods.\u201d\n\nGolden wrote a letter to the ASMFC in August (attached), in which he echoed concerns raised by Maine fishermen about federal data collection practices, and encouraged the agency to utilize industry-based data collection to inform future Fishery Management Plans.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad the ASMFC has listened to Maine fishermen and will follow their lead in surveying this key fishery,\u201d Golden said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-demands-answers-on-closure-of-bangor-tax-assistance-center", "Maine Delegation Demands Answers on Closure of Bangor Tax Assistance Center", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Jared Golden today urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to reverse its closure of the Bangor Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). In a letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, the Delegation shared the reality that the misguided decision \u2014 which went into effect yesterday \u2014 would leave Mainers with just two options to meet with the IRS in-person: Augusta or South Portland.\n\n\u201cSome of Maine\u2019s most disadvantaged counties rely on the Bangor TAC as their primary service center, and eliminating this staffed office would create significant hardship for hard-working rural Mainers,\u201d Collins, King, and Golden wrote. \u201cMany of these communities have limited Internet and broadband access, making in-person TAC services essential.\u201d\n\nTACs provide in-person, personalized tax assistance, can accept tax payments, and even help taxpayers access specific forms and transcripts from previous years. In fiscal year 2023, TACs conducted 782,000 appointments across the country \u2014 a 22 percent increase from FY2022.\n\nWith the former Presque Isle TAC already having been shuttered, taxpayers in northern and eastern Maine have had to travel to Bangor to receive in-person help with preparing taxes \u2014 a roundtrip of more than 400 miles for many. Bangor\u2019s closure for the foreseeable future would see some Mainers\u2019 trips increase nearly 150 miles for a nearly ten-hour drive to and from Augusta.\n\nCollins, King and Golden\u2019s letter included several questions for Secretary Werfel, including how the IRS plans to provide sufficient services to Mainers with limited internet access, whether affected households will be eligible for an extension on filing their taxes this April, and the agency\u2019s reopening plans for closed Maine centers.\n\nThe lawmakers\u2019 letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nDecember 17, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Daniel I. Werfel\n\nCommissioner, Internal Revenue Service\n\nU.S. Department of the Treasury\n\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20220\n\nDear Commissioner Werfel:\n\nWe write to express our concerns regarding the Internal Revenue Service\u2019s (IRS) recent announcement that it will be closing the Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) in Bangor, Maine, for the foreseeable future. Given the significant adverse impacts this decision will have on our constituents, particularly those who reside in our state\u2019s most rural counties in northern and eastern Maine, we urge you to reconsider closing the Bangor TAC and consider all potential alternatives short of closure. Closing the Bangor TAC would exacerbate the service problems rural Mainers are already experiencing, especially as the Presque Isle TAC remains closed.\n\nSome of Maine\u2019s most disadvantaged counties currently rely on the Bangor TAC as their primary service center, and eliminating this staffed office would create significant hardship for hard-working rural Mainers. Many of these communities have limited Internet and broadband access, making in-person TAC services essential. Residents of Maine\u2019s most rural county - Piscataquis County - regularly use Bangor as their major service center, and the easternmost county in the United States - Washington County - would see their already lengthy commute to a TAC nearly double. The same is true for Aroostook County, the second largest county east of the Mississippi River by total area, where some Mainers travel over 200 miles to receive assistance from the Bangor TAC.\n\nWith the tax filing season opening in January, many Americans will have questions regarding their taxes. While we understand the workforce challenges currently facing the IRS, it is unrealistic and unacceptable to require our constituents to travel upwards of 550 miles to speak with an IRS tax professional dedicated to resolving their tax issues. Additionally, the Augusta TAC is only open between 8:30 AM\u20134:30 PM on weekdays, forcing Mainers to take significant time out of their workdays to receive tax assistance from the only remaining TAC in the area.\n\nFor these reasons, we urge you to reconsider the closure of the TAC in Bangor. Additionally, our offices would appreciate the opportunity to work with you to find a long-term solution that would reopen a staffed TAC in Aroostook County. To get a better understanding of exactly how this closing will affect our constituents, please provide us answers to the following questions by January 15, 2025:\n\nHow does the IRS plan to provide sufficient services to rural Mainers with limited or no broadband access?\n\nIs the IRS able to reallocate staff from other offices to assist affected Mainers during the upcoming tax filing season? If not, will these residents be eligible for an extension to file their taxes?\n\nWhat remote services are available to rural residents? Additionally, does the IRS measure the quality of remote services compared to in-person services at TACs?\n\nHow many Mainers have utilized services at the following TACs since 2008: Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston, Augusta, and South Portland?\n\nHas the IRS considered temporarily reducing the days of service for the Bangor office instead of closing the office temporarily?\n\nIf the IRS decides to move forward with this temporary closure, what specific steps will be taken to address the workforce challenges and ensure that the Bangor office reopens following the end of the temporary closure on December 15, 2025?\n\nWhat plans, if any, does the IRS have to reopen the Presque Isle location for in-person services?\n\nWe strongly urge you to reconsider your decision and reject the closure of the Bangor TAC. Thank you for considering our request, and we appreciate your attention to this important matter.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-ndaa-that-includes-golden-led-authorization-for-new-bath-built-destroyer", "House passes NDAA that includes Golden-led authorization for new Bath-built destroyer", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted to pass the final version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Throughout negotiations, Golden used his position on the House Armed Services Committee to secure substantial investments in Maine\u2019s production economy \u2014 including the construction of a new DDG-51 destroyer at Bath Iron Works.\n\nThe legislation also includes a 14.5 percent pay raise for the most junior enlisted service members. The raise applies to pay grades E-1 to E-4, such as the ranks of private to corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, and is the first substantive increase to the bottom of the military\u2019s pay scale since the 1980s.\n\nToday\u2019s vote was on the conference report of the NDAA, which is produced by select House and Senate lawmakers to resolve differences between the two chambers\u2019 proposals.\n\n\u201cBy passing this bipartisan NDAA, Congress reaffirmed its commitment to keeping America safe and our servicemembers taken care of,\u201d Golden said. \u201cWhether it\u2019s the brave men and women who answer the call of duty or the workers who build the equipment they need, Mainers play a vital role in our national defense \u2014 and this bill gets all of them the resources to do their jobs well.\u201d\n\nGolden ensured that through the NDAA, Bath Iron Works will continue to play a leading role in the production of naval warships. The bill includes an over $5.4 billion authorization for the construction of three DDG-51 destroyers next year \u2014 including one at BIW \u2014 and $150.5 million for shipyard research and development to lay the foundation for the next generation of Bath-built ships. The bill also includes over $83 million in advanced funding for the DDG program with an eye toward the construction of destroyers at BIW in 2026, and language to ensure the dredging of the Kennebec River necessary for BIW to get ships to the ocean.\n\nThe NDAA directs millions in additional federal funds to Maine-based institutions and manufacturers. The University of Maine will receive $4 million to research more resilient soil for military construction and power projection. Lewiston-based Elmet Technologies, a 100 percent U.S.-owned and operated company, will receive $2.5 million to manufacture specialized alloys critical for munitions, reducing U.S. dependence of foreign-produced rounds.\n\nThe 2025 NDAA also includes the following Golden-led priorities:\n\nSupport for Maine-based wood products, through a directive to encourage the use of mass timber in military construction projects;\n\nA provision to protect positions in the Maine Air National Guard by prohibiting the reduction of KC-135 Aircraft until they can be replaced with next-generation aircraft.\n\nA provision to support Brewer-based Compotech, Inc., by encouraging the use of their artificial intelligence and machine learning technology for weapons testing to improve the safety and success of U.S. armed forces.\n\n$47.5 million for the U.S.-Israel Future of Warfare Fund and $30 million for U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperation. Golden was the lead Democratic sponsor on the bill establishing the Fund, which supports the bilateral research and development of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, directed energy and automation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-backed-bill-to-protect-mainers-social-security-benefits-passes-house", "Golden-backed bill to protect Mainers\u2019 Social Security benefits passes House", "2024-11-12", "2024", "2024-11", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted to pass H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act. The bill would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduce Social Security benefits for millions of public employees such as teachers and first responders.\n\nGolden helped force today\u2019s vote by signing a bipartisan discharge petition in September \u2014 a procedure that allows a majority of lawmakers to secure a floor vote on legislation that has stalled in committee. While there have been hundreds of discharge petitions throughout U.S. history, few have ever successfully been used to pass legislation out of the House.\n\n\u201cWhen someone spends their life serving the public, they should keep every penny they earned for retirement,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThese Social Security cuts were wrong from the start and I\u2019m glad we finally forced the House to vote on it.\u201d\n\nAfter passing the House today 327-75, the Social Security Fairness Act now heads to the Senate, where it will require 60 votes to pass. The Senate\u2019s version of the bill currently has 62 cosponsors.\n\nThe WEP and GPO were enacted in 1983 to reduce Social Security pensions for public employees who already receive other retirement benefits. The WEP reduces payments by up to half for those receiving both Social Security and outside pensions that were excluded from payroll taxes. The GPO reduces payments by up to two-thirds for beneficiaries that receive both a government pension and spousal or survivor benefits from Social Security.\n\nAs of 2023, more than 21,000 Mainers were affected by the WEP.\n\nGolden has worked to repeal the WEP and GPO since arriving in Congress, cosponsoring legislation to do so during each of his terms. He was one of 330 cosponsors of the Social Security Fairness Act this session.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:07:06Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-colleagues-urge-the-release-of-untapped-liheap-funding", "Golden, colleagues urge the release of untapped LIHEAP funding", "2024-10-31", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) yesterday joined a bipartisan group of House members requesting that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra release the maximum dispersal of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding made available from the recent government funding package.\n\nGolden joined 15 House colleagues in sending a letter to the secretary today, as agencies in Maine are ringing alarm bells about a lack of adequate LIHEAP funds\n\n\u201cTo prevent a lapse in eligible families\u2019 ability to afford their home energy bills this fall, we urge you to immediately release the highest possible amount of LIHEAP funding made available by the Continuing Resolution,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cIt is vital to ensure our seniors and low-income families are provided sufficient resources as temperatures cool in the months ahead.\u201d\n\nCongress passed a temporary spending deal in September to delay a possible government shutdown through December 20. While this agreement included LIHEAP funding at the annualized rate of over $4 billion, none of that money has been dispersed for LIHEAP recipients to date.\n\n\u201cAs temperatures dip below freezing at night, our agency is inundated with calls from area residents in fuel emergencies. In Aroostook County alone, the number of households qualifying for the Federal Home Energy Assistance Program has increased by 60 percent in five years,\u201dJason Parent, executive director and CEO of the Aroostook County Action Program said.\u201cAt the same time the average household benefit has decreased by nearly $200. This program is a critical lifeline for so many of our vulnerable seniors and families with children in Maine.\u201d\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, the demand for this program is more than we can fund. That means more people will have a benefit, but it is going to be a smaller benefit. With higher heating costs, higher grocery and gas costs, that means real people have less money to live,\u201d Megan Hannan, executive director of the Maine Community Action Partnership said. \u201cOur goal is to serve as many households as possible, and to make the benefits worth the work to receive it. We hope Congress understands that people are at risk without enough money to keep their homes warm.\u201d\n\nNationwide, an estimated 5 million households receive assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP, including over 45,000 Maine households. LIHEAP is administered by states and accessed through local Community Action Agencies. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. More information on the LIHEAP application process can be found here.\n\nGolden has successfully led several efforts to increase Mainers\u2019 access to LIHEAP, including last Congress when he and Senator Collins secured a total of $6.1 billion for the program in FY 2023. Last September, he and the rest of Maine\u2019s Congressional Delegation secured an additional $38 million for Mainers in FY 2024, including $1.4 million for Maine\u2019s tribes.\n\nFull text of Golden\u2019s letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nOctober 30, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Xavier Becerra\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of Health and Human Services\n\n330 C Street, SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20416\n\nDear Secretary Becerra:\n\nWe write to urge the immediate release of the highest possible amount of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available under the September 2024 Continuing Resolution (PL 118-83).\n\nAs you well know, LIHEAP helps households unable to afford to heat their homes in the winter and cool their homes in the summer, providing assistance to at-risk seniors and families. In Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), more than five million households across the country relied on critical heating assistance from the LIHEAP program. For LIHEAP recipients, this funding is a lifeline, helping prevent them from having to make an impossible choice between staying warm and putting food on the table or affording their medications.\n\nWith the winter months rapidly approaching, releasing the highest amount of funding from the recent government funding package is critically needed to address the growing number of households unable to pay their energy bills. Continued escalation in the Middle East and Russia\u2019s ongoing war in Ukraine have increased uncertainty in the energy market and raised concerns about potential spikes in energy prices. These shifts disproportionately harm those who already struggle to heat their homes and underscore the need for robust funding for LIHEAP. Historically, LIHEAP has been an underfunded and oversubscribed program. This remained true in FY23, with only around 15 percent of qualifying households nationwide receiving heating assistance through the program.\n\nTo prevent a lapse in eligible families\u2019 ability to afford their home energy bills this fall, we urge you to immediately release the highest possible amount of LIHEAP funding made available by the Continuing Resolution. It is vital to ensure our seniors and low-income families are provided sufficient resources as temperatures cool in the months ahead.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to working with you further on this crucial program.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-questions-regulators-over-proposed-reduction-to-herring-quota", "Golden questions regulators over proposed reduction to herring quota", "2024-10-30", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today sent a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) questioning the methodology regulators used as the basis for a nearly 90 percent reduction to the Atlantic herring fishery quota for the next three years. The fishery supplies the primary bait used in the lobster fishery.\n\n\u201cOnce again, Maine fishermen find themselves on the verge of economic ruin due to federal regulations based on incomplete and inadequate data. In my conversations with fishermen, it has always been clear that their top concerns are the sustainability of the stock and the ability for it to be harvested by future generations,\u201d Golden wrote. \u201cThat is why these decisions must always be based on scientifically sound, comprehensive data that incorporates the invaluable input of those most impacted \u2014 the harvesters themselves.\u201d\n\nA July assessment by NOAA claims that the population of herring capable of reproducing is at 26 percent of the agency\u2019s target. This sparked a proposal from NEFMC to reduce the species\u2019 annual catch limit by 89 percent from 2025-2027 \u2014 the lowest level in the history of the Council\u2019s Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan. However, Maine fishermen have expressed concern that the research vessel used to measure the herring stock is unable to operate in the areas fishermen actually target the species, instead trawling at depths fishermen avoid due to the low concentration of herring.\n\nAccording to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Atlantic herring landings in Maine during 2019 totaled an estimated 13 million pounds and $5.8 million in ex-vessel value.\n\n\u201cNEFSA is thankful that Congressman Golden is drawing criticism to the massive, 90 percent cut to the herring quota for the next two years. Very little attention has been given to this action which will eliminate more commercial fishermen from their livelihoods,\u201d commercial fishermen Jerry Leeman and Dustin Delano, CEO and COO of the New England Fishermen\u2019s Stewardship Association, respectively, said. \u201cWe thank Congressman Golden for his efforts and hope the council will reconsider its egregious decision to further decimate the commercial fishing fleet.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe're grateful to Rep. Golden for speaking out against this misinformed change to the herring quota. Moving forward with a near total cut would be absolutely devastating for fishermen, the lobster industry, and the coastal communities that depend on them,\u201d Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and director of the Maine Lobstering Union said. \u201cIt's more proof that he is not afraid to work across party lines to support fishermen and that matters to me.\u201d\n\nGolden\u2019s letter pressed the agencies on whether they also include industry-based surveys like those considered by Canadian regulators, how spawning data is collected if both regulators and fishermen avoid operating in herrings\u2019 spawning waters, and why there was not an economic impact study conducted during the process.\n\n\u201cMy main concern with this seemingly unreasonable quota reduction is that these fishermen will be forced to switch over to a less desirable species of fish. Next season, when everyone has to substitute herring with something else, the increased demand in these alternative baits will make the already rising cost of doing business hard for these fishermen hard to justify fishing in the spring, early summer, and late fall\u2026\u201d Alex Poke, general manager at the Winter Harbor co-op said. \u201c...I expect there to be more frequent and longer periods where I can't find any bait for the lobster fishermen here at the co-op.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to Rep. Golden for highlighting these ill-informed quota reductions. These reductions will have crushing economic impacts on my family and our community,\u201d Branden Loveyjoy, a herring fisherman and bait dealer from Columbia said. \u201cI, too, am concerned about the sustainability of the fishery and the next generation, but these reductions go too far without the data to inform them.\u201d\n\nFull text of Golden\u2019s letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nOctober 30, 2024\n\nMichael Pentony\n\nRegional Administrator\n\nGreater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office\n\nNOAA Fisheries\n\n55 Great Republic Drive\n\nGloucester, MA 01930\n\nJon Hare, PhD\n\nScience and Research Director\n\nNortheast Fisheries Science Center\n\nNOAA Fisheries\n\n166 Water Street\n\nWoods Hole, MA 02543\n\nCate O\u2019Keefe, PhD\n\nExecutive Director\n\nNew England Fishery Management Council\n\n50 Water Street, Mill 2\n\nNewburyport, MA 01950\n\nDear Administrator Pentony, Dr. Hare, and Dr. O\u2019Keefe:\n\nI am writing to seek additional information regarding the action the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) recently took to reduce the Atlantic herring fishery quota by nearly 90 percent for fishing year 2025-2027. Based on conversations I have had with Maine fishermen, I am concerned that this decision by the NEFMC was predicated on inaccurate and incomplete surveys and estimates of spawning stock biomass data that also fails to account for the potential economic impacts on fishing communities.\n\nAs you know, the Atlantic herring fishery is an essential part of Maine\u2019s marine economy and is the most important pelagic fishery resource in the state. According to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, in 2019 Atlantic herring landings in Maine were around 13 million pounds, valued at an estimated $5.8 million ex-vessel. This fishery also supplies the primary bait used in our lobster fishery, one of the most valuable in the nation at $464 million. Together, these fisheries employ thousands of Mainers through dealers and seafood processors, vessel and trap manufacturers, restaurants, and other coastal businesses..\n\nThat is why I was alarmed when the NEFMC passed new specifications for the Atlantic herring fishery that will result in the lowest catch limits in the history of the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan. This is despite the fact that for some time, I have heard from fishermen who have expressed their concerns about the Henry B. Bigelow (Bigelow), the sole survey vessel used by the federal government to determine the abundance and health of the inshore Atlantic herring stock. While the Bigelow may be a capable vessel \u2013 when operational \u2013 for conducting trawling operations in depths of 600 feet or greater, due to potential gear conflicts and bottom conditions closer to the coast, it is unable to tow in the areas that Maine\u2019s herring fishermen utilize most.\n\nThis is particularly true in the interior of area 1A, which is between one and 20 nautical miles from shore. It is here where fishermen are telling me that they are observing herring in volumes they have not seen in recent years, while the Bigelow trawls areas in which they would never consider fishing. Moreover, due to major mechanical issues in the Spring of 2023, the vessel was prevented from conducting tows for the three-year stock assessments for any of the fisheries it samples \u2013 including Atlantic herring. The discrepancy between the experience of harvesters and the practical limitations of the Bigelow raises legitimate questions as to whether or not federal regulators are capturing accurate and complete data of the herring stock that is then being used to inform fishing quotas.\n\nIn order to better understand the methodology behind the NEFMC\u2019s decision-making for setting a 90 percent quota reduction for Atlantic herring, I would appreciate your answers to the following questions:\n\nThe Canadian herring fishery utilizes industry boats and fishermen who know how to operate the vessels and the gear required to target a particular fish species effectively. Has the NEFMC considered industry-based surveys that utilize the observations of experienced herring fishermen when making quota decisions or to validate assessments conducted by the Bigelow?\n\n2. Fishermen intentionally avoid spawning areas; if they catch spawned herring, they risk being shut down by federal regulators. If the Bigelow is not operating during these spawning seasons or in these areas, and fishermen are prohibited from catching spawned fish, how is this data collected?\n\n3. Based on the Atlantic herring quotas in the motion the NEFMC voted to approve for 2025-2027, we are certain to see crippling economic conditions for those fishermen and other fisheries that are dependent on herring. Why was no shore-side economic impact study conducted to understand the socioeconomic harm these proposed reductions would cause?\n\nOnce again, Maine fishermen find themselves on the verge of economic ruin due to federal regulations based on incomplete and inadequate data. In my conversations with fishermen, it has always been clear that their top concerns are the sustainability of the stock and the ability for it to be harvested by future generations. That is why these decisions must always be based on scientifically sound, comprehensive data that incorporates the invaluable input of those most impacted \u2013 the harvesters themselves.\n\nI will continue to monitor this situation closely and appreciate your attention to this important matter.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-statement-on-the-one-year-anniversary-of-lewiston-shooting", "Maine Delegation Statement on the One Year Anniversary of Lewiston Shooting", "2024-10-25", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden today released the following statement on the first anniversary of the Lewiston shooting that took place on October 25, taking the lives of 18 innocent people:\n\n\u201cOne year ago, the unthinkable happened in Lewiston when a gunman opened fire at a bowling alley and restaurant \u2014 shaking the community and Maine to its core,\u201d said the Delegation. \u201cFor days, families sheltered in their homes as law enforcement worked to track down the shooter. We are thankful for the diligence and bravery that put an end to this nightmare and allowed our state to begin working through the agony and devastation. But the seats at the kitchen table remain empty, with 18 Mainers absent from the lives of their friends and families. Others injured on that horrific day are still recovering from their wounds. As we continue to process the pain, we renew our commitment to helping one another, to remembering the victims and the lives forever changed that day, and to healing.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-successful-effort-to-delay-lobster-gauge-increase", "Golden statement on successful effort to delay lobster gauge increase", "2024-10-21", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement today after the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC) voted to delay for at least six months an increase to the minimum catchable size of lobster in the Gulf of Maine:\n\n\u201cThis new regulation was based on outdated data and would have benefitted Canadian lobstermen at Mainers\u2019 expense,\u201d Golden wrote. \u201cI\u2019ve worked hard with lobstermen to block it, and today\u2019s decision to delay implementation is an important step forward. I\u2019ll always stand with Maine lobstermen against unfair, unnecessary regulations that threaten their livelihoods and industry.\u201d\n\nLobstermen gauge the size of a lobster by measuring its carapace from eye socket to tail. Lobsters that are smaller than the minimum gauge size must be put back in the water so they can grow, protecting the lobster population for the future. The ASMFC claims lobster stock decline in Lobster Management Area 1 has surpassed 35 percent \u2014 the trigger point for an automatic increase in allowable catch size from 3 1/4 inches to 3 5/16 inches.\n\nHowever, Maine fishermen have questioned the data used to justify these changes, including concerns that ASMFC stock data is out of date. Since the proposal was introduced, Golden has written to the commission in April, August, and earlier this month.\n\nGolden\u2019s most recent letter noted that moving forward with the gauge increase is estimated to cause the loss of more than 680 jobs and $59.6 million to Maine\u2019s economy. Any such change in the Gulf of Maine would not apply to Canadian lobstermen.\n\nIn July, Golden introduced a bipartisan amendment to the federal budget that would block any proposed gauge increase for one year.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-leads-68-lawmakers-pressing-biden-administration-on-threats-to-domestic-shipbuilding", "Golden leads 68 lawmakers pressing Biden administration on threats to domestic shipbuilding", "2024-10-18", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today led a letter to President Joe Biden and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai urging swift action to counter China\u2019s domination of maritime industries. His letter comes as the USTR\u2019s office investigates unfair Chinese trade practices in the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors after accepting a petition sent from a coalition of unions.\n\nGolden\u2019s letter was co-led by Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Mark Pocan (WI-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Joe Courtney (CT-02), and Val Hoyle (OR-04). It was signed by 68 representatives.\n\n\u201cChina\u2019s cheating \u2014 and its resulting outsize maritime capacities in the face of our own shipbuilding crisis \u2014 has led to our nation\u2019s military leadership sounding the alarm,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cAccording to U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, China operates 13 large shipyards, with a single yard representing more capacity than all American yards combined. Even more shockingly, the U.S. Navy estimates that China\u2019s shipbuilding capacity is roughly 232 times greater than the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur nation has recently turned the page on decades of inaction, working to rebuild our critical infrastructure and strengthen the supply chains critical to the safety and livelihood of the American people,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cHowever, a key component of that infrastructure \u2013 our shipbuilding, repair, maintenance, and logistics sectors \u2013 has languished in the face of overwhelming efforts by the Chinese government to dominate the global maritime industry. It is time to rectify that.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the lawmakers highlighted a March proposal by labor unions to create a U.S. Commercial Shipbuilding Revitalization Fund. This program would support existing measures that incentivize domestic shipbuilding while investing in stronger supply chains and increased workforce development.\n\n\u201cOur national security, and thousands of good IAM Union jobs, depends on standing up to predatory Chinese trade practices in the shipbuilding industry,\u201d International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Eastern Territory General Vice President David T. Sullivan said. \u201cAs a native Mainer and IAM Local S6 shipbuilder by trade, I have been proud to work with Congressman Golden as we push USTR to take on China\u2019s takeover of shipbuilding. The IAM Union stands ready to defend our national security and the dedicated workforce that makes it possible.\u201d\n\nGolden has been an ardent supporter of U.S. shipbuilding and a leading voice for the need to revitalize American manufacturing at large. In addition to securing authorization for Bath Iron Works to build a DDG-51 destroyer in 2025 and ensuring the shipyard continues to be a leader in naval warship production, Golden helped secure authorization for $50 million for shipyard infrastructure and technological improvements and more than $150 million for shipyard research and development in this year\u2019s federal budget. This authorization represents years of additional work for Maine shipbuilding on top of existing orders secured by Golden in the past.\n\nIn September he introduced legislation that would implement a 10 percent tariff on all imports, which followed legislation in May that would raise tariffs on Chinese-made automobiles and energy components to ensure America\u2019s industrial base, and thus its future, is strong. He published an essay the same month on the importance of a robust production economy for national security and middle-class prosperity.\n\nGolden\u2019s newest letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nOctober 18, 2024\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden, Jr.\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Ave\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write in strong support of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative\u2019s (USTR) investigation into discriminatory and unreasonable trade practices by the government of the People\u2019s Republic of China (PRC or China) concerning the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors. We urge you to reach a swift conclusion in this investigation and to consider strong and effective remedies to begin to turn the tide on our decades-long domestic shipbuilding crisis.\n\nIn the face of China\u2019s unfair, predatory and highly discriminatory practices, U.S. shipbuilding and maritime supply chain industries have been forced to compete on an uneven playing field, facing shipyards and order books that have benefited from hundreds of billions of dollars of state-directed funding. China\u2019s industry is insulated from market forces, utilizes state-owned enterprises to provide cheap inputs and cut yard production costs, and strengthens the People\u2019s Liberation Army\u2019s Navy with expansive shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance capacities. Meanwhile, U.S. shipyards have been shuttered or forced to compete for a handful of remaining contracts. While the U.S. produces fewer than 10 ocean-going vessels annually, Chinese yards churned out over a thousand.\n\nChina\u2019s cheating \u2014 and its resulting outsize maritime capacities in the face of our own shipbuilding crisis \u2014 has led to our nation\u2019s military leadership sounding the alarm. According to U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, China operates 13 large shipyards, with a single yard representing more capacity than all American yards combined.2 Even more shockingly, the U.S. Navy estimates that China\u2019s shipbuilding capacity is roughly 232 times greater than the United States\u2019.\n\nTo meet the immense challenge of rebuilding U.S. maritime capabilities, we need a robust, highly-trained workforce. Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost as shipyards have closed and experienced workers have been forced out of the industrial base. The United States needs a healthy and revitalized maritime industry capable of meeting the commercial and defense needs of our nation for years to come. That will require making the investments needed to recruit, train and expand our world-class industrial workforce. Breaking the boom-and-bust cycle that has plagued U.S. shipbuilders is critical to maintaining that workforce and growing critical supply chains.\n\nThe shipbuilding sector is still enduring the aftershocks from the closure of the Avondale shipyard in Louisiana in 2014. At one time, that yard employed over 26,000 people and was one of the top employers in the state of Louisiana. With that closure, the U.S. lost a key shipyard capable of building, repairing, and maintaining large commercial and specialty vessels. That workforce and capacity loss has yet to be restored.\n\nWhile U.S. workers were laid off and our capacity and know-how were lost, China\u2019s shipbuilders were capturing additional market share and extending their growing domination of the global shipbuilding industry. According to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in the first six months of this year, their shipyards accounted for almost 75% of the world\u2019s new orders, while holding almost 60% of existing orders on their books.\n\nOur nation has recently turned the page on decades of inaction, working to rebuild our critical infrastructure and strengthen the supply chains critical to the safety and livelihood of the American people. However, a key component of that infrastructure \u2013 our shipbuilding, repair, maintenance, and logistics sectors \u2013 has languished in the face of overwhelming efforts by the Chinese government to dominate the global maritime industry. It is time to rectify that.\n\nThe March 2024 petition submitted by a coalition of labor unions includes potential measures to revitalize America\u2019s shipbuilding capacity through the creation of a U.S. Commercial Shipbuilding Revitalization Fund to (1) support existing U.S. government programs such as Construction Differential Subsidies, the Federal Ship Financing Program, and small shipyard grants; (2) expand the Maritime Security Program and the Tanker Security Program\u2019s enrolled vessels with a premium on enrolling U.S.-built vessels; and (3) implement measures to increase demand for U.S.-built ships including through graduated requirements to transport U.S. energy products on U.S. built, flagged, and crewed vessels; and (4) promote the revitalization of shipbuilding supply chains and invest in training and workforce development.\n\nWe believe that USTR\u2019s investigation will conclude that China\u2019s predatory actions demonstrate a clear and unambiguous intent to dominate global markets to the detriment of American workers and industry. The result of the investigation, with your help, can lead to measures being put in place to restore American capacity in these sectors.\n\nWe strongly urge you to swiftly conclude this investigation and to implement resolute measures to remedy decades of unfair and discriminatory policies by the CCP that have harmed our members and the economic and national security of the United States. The remedies must be commensurate in scope and magnitude to the large-scale harm caused to U.S. industry over the past several decades. We look forward to joining you as we commit to a brighter future for the U.S. shipbuilding, maritime, and logistics sector.\n\nCC: Ambassador Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-announces-more-than-2-million-to-train-the-next-generation-of-fishermen-and-women", "Maine Delegation Announces More Than $2 Million to Train the Next Generation of Fishermen and Women", "2024-10-11", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announced that two commercial fishing associations have been awarded a combined $2,067,434 in grant funding to support training and workforce development for the next generation of Maine fishermen and women. The grants were awarded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s (NOAA) Young Fishermen's Development Program.\n\n\u201cMaine is known around the world for our proud fishing heritage thanks to the generations of hardworking men and women who have sustained it,\u201d said Collins, King, Pingree, and Golden. \u201cThese investments in youth workforce development will help ensure that young Mainers entering the commercial fishing sector have the skills and support they need to succeed, preserving the strength of this vital industry now and into the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cMCFA\u2019s mission of advocating for sustainable fisheries and vibrant fishing communities is focused on doing this work with the goal of building a brighter future for the next generation of fishermen and fishing businesses in Maine. The Young Fishermen\u2019s Development Act, which was identified as a priority by the Fishing Communities Coalition, provides much needed resources to invest in our next generation and we are pleased to be able to deploy funds to created educational tools to advance fishermen wellness,\u201d said Ben Martens, Executive Director of the Maine Coast Fishermen\u2019s Association. \u201cThank you Senator Collins, Senator King, Representative Pingree, and Representative Golden who co-sponsored this important legislation and who have continued to lead in ensuring it is annually funded.\u201d\n\n\u201cThanks to YFDA support, MCCF's Eastern Maine Skippers Program will be able to continue to meet our next generation where they are, and provide them with very authentic maritime and marine science learning to support future maritime careers, including fishing and science - skills that directly translate into the workforce here in Maine, and elsewhere,\u201d said Alexa M. Dayton, Ph.D., Executive Director of Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries. \u201cThe future of lobstering and maritime careers in Maine is bright, and this program is helping to keep kids in school to complete their education, and providing mentorship to help them put it all together for the long run. The great news is, we have demand for the program from teachers, students, families and that's a signal that we're still going strong with a vibrant fisheries economy in Maine.\u201d\n\nThe funding is allocated as follows:\n\nMaine Coast Fishermen\u2019s Association - $1,771,092 to establish an online knowledge hub targeted toward young fishermen and women that will include educational training content focused on career development and caring for your physical and mental wellbeing as part of the commercial fishing industry.\n\nEastern Maine Skippers Program - $296,342 to provide targeted career development opportunities for young fishers. The program will serve eight rural Maine coastal schools and train 80 high school students and 16 post-graduates annually through workshops, vessel-based activities and mentorship.\n\nNOAA\u2019s Young Fishermen\u2019s Development Program was established by the Young Fishermen's Development Act, legislation that the entire Maine Delegation helped lead to final passage in 2020.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-bill-to-designate-bradley-museum-as-national-museum-of-forestry-and-logging-history", "Golden introduces bill to designate Bradley museum as National Museum of Forestry and Logging History", "2024-10-10", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced legislation that would designate the Maine Forest and Logging Museum (MFLM), located in Bradley, as the National Museum of Forestry and Logging History.\n\n\u201cThe forest economy has played an important part in the American story, and Mainers are one of the biggest reasons why,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThis national designation would pay tribute to those vital contributions while reaffirming Maine\u2019s continued role as stewards and innovators of the industry.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Maine Forest and Logging Museum, a special place in the woods known by many as \"Leonard\u2019s Mills,\" embodies the Great North Wood's heart and soul by showcasing the natural beauty of our state's Northern Forest. And by providing invaluable outreach and educational opportunities, we are proudly planting the seeds to grow careers in forestry stewardship and ensure our sustainable forests benefit both material needs and environmental responsibilities,\u201d Mike Wetherbee, president of the Maine Forest and Logging Museum\u2019s board of directors said. \u201cWe are so very grateful to Congressman Golden for helping us work to earn this prestigious status and look forward to many more years of sharing Maine\u2019s amazing forestry and logging heritage with the world.\n\nMFLM was incorporated in 1960 to celebrate Maine\u2019s forest heritage. Originally envisioned to preserve forest industry artifacts and documents, plans evolved into the creation of a living history site complete with working machinery and a community of volunteer reenactors. Today, MFLM owns more than 450 acres around Blackman Stream in Bradley and frequently hosts school groups, visitors and interactive public programs.\n\nMaine\u2019s forest economy employs more than 14,000 Mainers and generates more than $5 billion in sales. Maine\u2019s 17.7 million acres of forest covers 89% of the state \u2014 the highest percentage in the country.\n\nIndustry and community leaders praised the move:\n\n\u201cThe Maine Forest and Logging Museum is so important to Maine's rich history of forestry and logging,\u201d Shawn Bugbee, Roads and Infrastructure Manager for Seven Islands Land Company said. \u201cThrough the preservation and restoration of tools combined with the knowledge the volunteers bring to the Museum, those who visit get an authentic understanding of how forestry and logging was done by our ancestors. One of the most awe-inspiring things I have ever witnessed has been watching the steam powered Lombard Log Hauler operate in person \u2014 and this move will help more people get that same experience.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Maine Forest and Logging Museum is a testament to the resourcefulness and ingenuity of people involved in Maine's rich timber industry,\u201d Keith Kanoti, forest manager for the University of Maine said. \u201cThe combination of working equipment, infrastructure and the natural beauty of the museum grounds site is unsurpassed and truly deserving of national status.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s a strong connection between the forest products industry and our modern society, and the Maine Forest and Logging Museum helps us all celebrate it,\u201d Joe Phaneuf, executive director and publisher of the Northeastern Loggers Association said. \u201cThe story of the forest products is one worth telling, and this national designation will strengthen that mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis museum doesn't just honor Maine's past: It stands as a national treasure,\u201d Breanna Wing, director and producer of Axe Women: The Modern Lumberjill said. \u201cAt a time when our landscapes are rapidly developing, the Museum is a haven that keeps important history alive \u2014 teaching future generations about the resilience of our ancestors, whose grit and innovation through harsh winters built for the growth we see today. This national designation will amplify the importance of understanding and protecting the natural world, for both our material and spiritual well-being.\u201d\n\n\"Leonard's Mills has long been a special place in Maine for people to visit and learn about the history and heritage of forestry,\u201d Rick Robertson, president and CEO of Dennis Food Service said. \u201cI have taken my kids there when they were younger in year's past as an opportunity to learn about the mill. It was a great way to learn about the beginnings of thisimportant industry as well as the ingenuity of our past. A visitor of any age will certainly be able to learn something from this treasure in the state of Maine, and elevating it as the National Museum of Forestry and Logging History will help so many people do just that.\"\n\nFull text of Golden\u2019s legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-successful-push-to-pause-eu-point-of-origin-rule-protect-maine-forest-products-industry", "Golden statement on successful push to pause EU point-of-origin rule, protect Maine forest products industry", "2024-10-09", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement after the European Union\u2019s (E.U.) decision to delay its point-of-origin regulation that he and 72 other bipartisan House members requested a pause to last month:\n\n\u201cMaine\u2019s forest products industry has set the bar globally for sustainability, yet even our own businesses would have been unable to meet the impossibly high standard of this proposal,\u201d Golden said. \u201cI\u2019m glad that the E.U. listened to concerns from both producers and consumers across the world, and I\u2019ll remain focused on ensuring any possible future implementation is workable for Maine businesses.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe applaud the EU's decision to delay its point-of-origin regulation and Congressman Golden for working to achieve that delay,\u201d Dana Doran, executive director of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast said. \u201cMaine loggers are global leaders in responsible timber harvesting and we are confident the EU can benefit from wood harvested by Maine contractors, grown by Maine landowners and manufactured by Maine mills as long as common-sense prevails in any standards established to regulate those exports.\"\n\nAccording to the E.U., the new rule will now go into effect on December 30, 2025 for \u201clarge companies\u201d (those employing more than 250 workers) and on June 30, 2026 for \u201csmall and micro enterprises\u201d (those employing fewer than 50 workers and 10 workers, respectively).\n\nWithout a delay, the E.U.\u2019s new rule would have mandated new point-of-origin reporting requirements on December 20 of this year for goods exported to the economic bloc to ensure production does not contribute to global deforestation. This includes exact geographic location coordinates to specific plots of land, despite the fact that current technology is unable to trace the source of blended forest products such as wood chips.\n\nImplementation could have prevented American-made forest products from reaching the E.U.\u2019s market \u2014 devaluing U.S. timberlands and decimating domestic manufacturing in the process. U.S. forest product exports to the E.U. are valued at $3.5 billion.\n\nFull text of the lawmakers\u2019 letter originally requesting a pause can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-urges-regulators-to-adopt-proposed-delay-to-lobster-gauge-increase-calls-for-level-playing-field-with-canadian-lobstermen", "Golden urges regulators to adopt proposed delay to lobster gauge increase, calls for level playing field with Canadian lobstermen", "2024-10-09", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) yesterday sent a letter urging the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC) to formally adopt a delay to a lobster gauge increase in the Gulf of Maine until at least July 2025. He called on the Commission to gather more accurate lobster stock data in the meantime while also addressing the unequal regulatory burden between Maine and Canadian lobstermen.\n\n\u201cIt is my hope that the ASFMC will ultimately support a long-term pause of the amendment to allow additional time for the technical committee to consider the stock\u2019s health more carefully.\u2026\u201d Golden wrote. \u201c...These efforts should coincide with robust engagement with your Canadian counterparts to address the regulatory disparity between American and Canadian lobstermen and create a level playing field for all harvesters in the Gulf of Maine.\u201d\n\nLobstermen gauge the size of a lobster by measuring its carapace from eye socket to tail. Lobsters that are smaller than the minimum gauge size must be put back in the water so they can grow, protecting the lobster population for the future. According to the ASMFC, lobster stock decline in Lobster Management Area 1 has surpassed 35 percent \u2014 the trigger point for an automatic increase in allowable catch size from 3 1/4 inches to 3 5/16 inches. However, Maine fishermen have questioned the data used to justify these changes, including concerns that ASMFC stock data is out of date.\n\nThis new rule \u2014 known as Addendum 27 \u2014 was originally scheduled to begin in January 2025. Following calls in April and August from Golden and industry leaders, ASMFC voted to approve a delay until July 2025. However, the Commission has yet to formally adopt the measure \u2014 Addendum 31 \u2014 which means implementation is still currently slated for January.\n\nIn his letter, Golden noted that moving forward with the gauge increase is estimated to cause theloss of more than 680 jobs and $59.6 million to Maine\u2019s economy. Any such change in the Gulf of Maine would not apply to Canadian lobstermen.\n\n\u201cThe New England Fishermen\u2019s Stewardship Association would like to express our gratitude to Congressman Golden for highlighting the problems associated with an increase in the minimum gauge size in area 1 for lobster,\u201d Dustin Delano, a lobsterman and chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen\u2019s Stewardship Association said. \u201cWe feel the many negative, unintended consequences in this 'proactive approach' in management were severely overlooked, will cause major disruptions to the market, and place American dealers and harvesters at a major disadvantage from their Canadian counterparts.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongressman Golden's support to review data used to regulate the lobster fishery is vital to the fishermen's survival,\u201d Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and director of the Maine Lobstering Union said. \u201cThe last thing our industry needs is rules with unintended consequences.\u201d\n\nIn July, Golden introduced a bipartisan amendment to the federal budget that would block any proposed gauge increase for one year.\n\nGolden\u2019s newest letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nOctober 8, 2024\n\nRobert Beal\n\nExecutive Director\n\nAtlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission\n\n1050 North Highland St, Suite 200 A-N\n\nArlington, VA 22201\n\nDear Director Beal and Commissioners,\n\nI am writing to you again requesting that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the American Lobster Board delay the implementation of the Lobster Management Area 1 gauge increase, Addendum XXVII, currently scheduled to begin in January 2025. While I believe that the proposal as written in Addendum XXXI to delay a gauge increase until July 1, 2025, is the better of the two options presented by the ASMFC, I encourage the Commission to proceed solely based on the full consideration of all data sources and a commitment from Canadian regulators to enhance their conservation measures.\n\nAs you know, the intent of Addendum XXVII is to mitigate declining stocks of American lobster proactively, a goal shared by harvesters, dealers, and the ASFMC. In my conversations with lobstermen and dealers, it has always been clear that their top concerns are the sustainability of the stock and the ability for it to be harvested by future generations. That is why, as I previously stated in my letter to you on April 29, 2024, I am concerned that the data used to arrive at the trigger index for a gauge increase is overly precautionary and has limitations that do not entirely reflect the current status of the stock.\n\nIt is my hope that the ASFMC will ultimately support a long-term pause of the amendment to allow additional time for the technical committee to consider the stock\u2019s health more carefully while considering other resiliency measures and incorporating thorough scientific data and objective analysis acceptable to regulators and members of the commercial lobster fishery. Other data that has not been considered or will become available include mandatory harvester reporting, the conservation equivalent from a reduction of overall lobster licenses, and the 2025 lobster stock assessment. These efforts should coincide with robust engagement with your Canadian counterparts to address the regulatory disparity between American and Canadian lobstermen and create a level playing field for all harvesters in the Gulf of Maine.\n\nWithout a longer-term pause, devastating economic consequences are on the horizon for Maine\u2019s lobster industry. For the latest year data is available, it is estimated that if Addendum XXVII goes into effect, it would decrease the value of lobster landings, resulting in a loss of over 680 jobs and $59.6 million to Maine\u2019s economy. I am deeply concerned about how this economic impact would impact the industry and the hundreds of communities in Maine that depend on a viable lobster fishery. Few involved in the fishery or these communities are adequately prepared for the economic disruption that would likely occur.\n\nThese decisions must always include those with significant experience, the harvesters themselves. I trust that you, as the regulators, will also consider and incorporate their invaluable input in matters before you.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-bill-for-congressional-oversight-of-postmaster-general-blasts-proposed-rural-mail-delays", "Golden introduces bill for congressional oversight of postmaster general, blasts proposed rural mail delays", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and August Pfluger (TX-11) today introduced the bipartisan Postmaster General Reform Act, which would establish term limits for the United States Postal Service\u2019s (USPS) postmaster general and require nominations to be confirmed by the Senate. Golden\u2019s bill comes after he co-led a new bipartisan letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy criticizing the agency\u2019s announcement that it will further slow mail delivery for rural communities.\n\n\u201cThe Postal Service should be accountable to the people it serves,\u201d Golden said. \u201cRequiring congressional approval for the head of the agency is a basic yet necessary step to make the postmaster general more responsive and attentive to the communities who justifiably feel ignored by current USPS leadership.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs Americans across the country experience mail delays and difficulties, especially in rural areas, it is important to uphold standards of efficiency and attention to detail in our postal service,\u201d Pfluger said. \u201cBy giving the President and Senate the power to appoint a postmaster general we are holding an incredibly important agency accountable.\u201d\n\nCurrently, only the Postal Service Board of Governors has the power to appoint or fire the postmaster general, who may serve an unlimited term. The Board of Governors is composed of nine presidential appointees that must be confirmed by the Senate.\n\nThe Postmaster General Reform Act would move these authorities to the president and require the Senate to approve any postmaster general nominee. After the conclusion of a five year term, the Senate would have the ability to extend the postmaster general\u2019s term to a second and final five year term.\n\nA Senate version of the Postmaster General Reform Act is led by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA).\n\n\u201cWe look forward to more oversight and control over the Postmaster General, as the current system is failing,\u201d Scott Adams, president of the American Postal Workers Union Local 458 said.\n\nGolden\u2019s newest bipartisan letter to Postmaster DeJoy \u2014 signed by 20 House lawmakers \u2014 follows the Postal Service\u2019s announcement that it will lengthen delivery times by at least 24 hours for communities further than 50 miles from a USPS processing center. Maine\u2019s only processing centers are located in Scarborough and Hampden.\n\n\u201cWhile we understand the need for modernization and financial changes across the Postal Service, these changes cannot come at the expense of rural residents who rely on the USPS,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cAmericans, particularly those living in rural areas depend on the Postal Service for medicine, food, paychecks and bills. For many families that we represent, a one-day delivery delay could mean late fees on a bill, a held-up paycheck creating financial stress and increased health risks awaiting critical medication. This is especially important for rural constituents who may not live near a hospital or doctor\u2019s office.\u201d\n\nGolden has been a champion of holding the Postal Service accountable to Mainers throughout his time in Congress. Following his outreach to Postmaster General DeJoy earlier this summer,USPS signed a new lease for its West Paris facility, which had been closed for more than three years. USPS reopened its Etna facility earlier this year after pressure from Golden. Last month, USPS announced that it was postponing plans to consolidate the Eastern Maine Processing & Distribution Facility in Hampden after bipartisan efforts led by Golden and other members of Congress. His bipartisan Timely Mail Delivery and Postal Services Protection Act \u2014 which he introduced in April \u2014 would permanently block the process USPS uses to consolidate mail processing facilities across the country.\n\nText of the Postmaster General Reform Act can be found here. Golden\u2019s letter can be found here, and is attached below in full:\n\n+++\n\nSeptember 30, 2024\n\nPostmaster General Louis DeJoy\n\nUSPS \u2013 Headquarters\n\n475 L\u2019Enfant Plaza, SW\n\nWashington, DC 20260\n\nPostmaster General DeJoy:\n\nWe are writing to express our extreme concern with the United States Postal Service's (USPS) August 22, 2024, announcement that you will be adjusting mail delivery times, resulting in additional delays for our constituents who live in rural areas and areas that are more than 50 miles from a USPS processing center.\n\nWhile we understand the need for modernization and financial changes across the Postal Service, these changes cannot come at the expense of rural residents who rely on the USPS. Americans, particularly those living in rural areas depend on the Postal Service for medicine, food, paychecks and bills. For many families that we represent, a one-day delivery delay could mean late fees on a bill, a held-up paycheck creating financial stress and increased health risks awaiting critical medication. This is especially important for rural constituents who may not live near a hospital or doctor\u2019s office.\n\nWith this in mind, we ask you to reconsider your proposed changes to service standards, which could result in longer shipping times for those who do not live near a major USPS hub. While we understand that our constituents, regardless of proximity to larger postal facilities, would still be under the existing one-to-five-day service standards, USPS has already been failing to meet these delivery standards for many of our constituents. Adding up to 24 hours of additional delays for rural residents will only exacerbate the existing on-time delivery problems our constituents are facing.\n\nIn the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, USPS reported that their on-time quarterly performance fell to 69.9% for three-to-five-day First Class mail delivery, far below USPS\u2019s target of 90.3% on-time delivery for three-to-five day mail. This means that even before these changes take effect, nearly a third of USPS customers who use the three-to-five-day mailing options are not receiving their mail on time. Increased delays for some consumers will only increase delivery issues for our rural constituents and further decrease public faith in USPS\u2019s ability to deliver on-time mail for all constituents, regardless of location.\n\nGiven the information provided, we strongly urge you to reconsider these plans. We also ask that you provide us with a list of counties, towns and ZIP codes that will face longer wait times for mail as a result of this plan. We request a response in writing by October 18, 2024.\n\nWe appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-first-anniversary-of-october-7-terrorist-attack", "Golden statement on first anniversary of October 7 terrorist attack", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement marking the first anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel:\n\n\u201cToday, we remember the innocent men, women and children killed in the Hamas terrorist attack one year ago today \u2014 the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. We also offer our strength to those still reeling from such senseless loss, and prayers and resolve for the safe return of the remaining hostages.\n\n\u201cMay the memories of those lost be a blessing, and the hope for a future of peace and security provide us with strength in the wake of such tremendous pain.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-northern-lighthumana-break-maine-delegation-presses-cms-for-special-enrollment-for-medicare", "After Northern Light/Humana Break, Maine Delegation Presses CMS for Special Enrollment for Medicare", "2024-10-04", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, in response to Northern Light Health terminating its contract with Humana, have written a letter urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a special enrollment period for Humana Medicare Advantage beneficiaries impacted by this decision.\n\nOn September 30, 2024 Northern Light Health terminated its contract with Humana, citing administrative issues. It has been estimated somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000 patients will be impacted by this decision. Given the rural nature of the region served by Northern Light Health, the inability to receive treatment at the facility could result in Maine people having to travel long distances to receive care, or forgo care completely.\n\nSpecial enrollment periods (SEPs) are provided by CMS for certain life changing scenarios like moving or emergencies. In the letter, the Delegation writes that given the significant strain this decision puts on a large number of constituents who seek care at Northern Light Heath, a special enrollment period is necessary. If CMS grants the special enrollment period, new plans to bridge care access issues could become effective as early as November 1, 2024 \u2014 limiting further disruptions in care by providing an additional 60 days of coverage before any new coverage might begin January 1, 2025 as a result of beneficiaries selecting new plans during open enrollment that begins on October 15, 2024.\n\n\u201cWe write today to share our concerns about the significant changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) network for thousands of our constituents currently covered through Humana. Effective September 30, 2024, Northern Light Health (NLH) terminated its MA contract with Humana. As a result, many of our constituents now have inadequate or reduced network coverage through the end of this year. To bridge that coverage gap for current Humana customers, we request that CMS create a qualifying Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for all affected beneficiaries,\u201d began the Delegation.\n\n\u201cAn SEP would help those affected patients continue to seek treatment from their current doctors with minimal disruption in coverage. It is our understanding that Humana has shared recommendations for alternative in-network hospital sites of care with NLH patients, but such alternatives pose additional challenges. For example, of the seventeen facilities to which our constituents are being directed, only two are a mile or less away from the current NLH facility. The vast majority of suggested alternative in-network facilities are at least 20 miles away, with some as far as 50 miles and one nearly 100 miles away. Furthermore, these alternative facilities may not have the capacity to take additional patients. Maine is a large rural state, and access to emergency, acute, or in-patient care can be challenging,\u201d continued the Delegation.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here or below.\n\n+++\n\nDear Administrator Brooks-LaSure:\n\nWe write today to share our concerns about the significant changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) network for thousands of our constituents currently covered through Humana. Effective September 30, 2024, Northern Light Health (NLH) terminated its MA contract with Humana. As a result, many of our constituents now have inadequate or reduced network coverage through the end of this year. To bridge that coverage gap for current Humana customers, we request that CMS create a qualifying Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for all affected beneficiaries.\n\nThe scope of Northern Light Health\u2019s service area is considerable. The system is comprised of ten hospitals and more than 120 locations and provides services throughout seven of Maine\u2019s 16 counties. Its locations span from Maine\u2019s southernmost York County, to the northernmost County of Aroostook, with a number of rural communities in between. Nearly 4,000 Mainers are expected to be affected by this contract termination. Our constituents have told us that that they are anticipating serious challenges, ranging from worries about substantial changes to cost-sharing rates to concerns about maintaining care with current providers, including for complex services like oncology. We understand that Humana has pledged a 90-day window of continuity of care, though we have serious concerns around issues of timely access to care and substandard access to care for affected constituents.\n\nAn SEP would help those affected patients continue to seek treatment from their current doctors with minimal disruption in coverage. It is our understanding that Humana has shared recommendations for alternative in-network hospital sites of care with NLH patients, but such alternatives pose additional challenges. For example, of the seventeen facilities to which our constituents are being directed, only two are a mile or less away from the current NLH facility. The vast majority of suggested alternative in-network facilities are at least 20 miles away, with some as far as 50 miles and one nearly 100 miles away. Furthermore, these alternative facilities may not have the capacity to take additional patients. Maine is a large rural state, and access to emergency, acute, or in-patient care can be challenging.\n\nThe timing of the Humana-NLH contract termination has also posed unique challenges that are not adequately addressed by the upcoming MA open enrollment period. Although all beneficiaries will have an opportunity to make changes to their coverage between October 15 and December 7, those new plans will not take effect until January 1, 2025. Having to navigate new care options for the remainder of the year, while also selecting coverage for 2025, is confusing and risks leaving many patients with inadequate coverage or care, or even unaware of these sudden changes. Approving an SEP for all affected Humana-NLH beneficiaries would minimize these challenges during the remaining three months of 2024, while easing the transition to new coverage or a new provider in 2025.\n\nSpecial enrollment periods for MA have been approved by CMS to help beneficiaries maintain access to MA plans when their circumstances change, including when individuals are affected by a significant change in a plan provider network or when other certain exceptional conditions are met. CMS has also approved SEPs to help address changing circumstances that beneficiaries face so that that they have access to the best plans when possible. For example, the Contract Year 2021 notice of Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, and Medicare Cost Plan Program made some of the most notable recent changes , with CMS announcing the addition of more than 20 new SEP categories that qualifying MA beneficiaries could use. Additionally, beneficiaries enrolled in MA have the option to use an SEP at any time to enroll in an MA plan offered by an MA organization with a Star Rating of 5 stars. Unfortunately, Maine currently does not have any 5-star plans and thus our affected constituents enrolled in MA cannot use that pathway. MA SEP regulations related to significant changes in plan provider networks could arguably apply to our affected constituents.\n\nThe Humana-NLH contract termination represents a significant change to the plan provider network, affecting thousands of Mainers. We urge CMS to use its existing authority to authorize an SEP for all Maine MA beneficiaries affected by this change. Thank you for your attention to this matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-receives-advocate-for-american-business-award-from-us-chamber-of-commerce", "Golden receives Advocate for American Business award from US Chamber of Commerce", "2024-10-01", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Image\n\nCongressman Golden (third from left) with officials from the U.S., Maine, and local Chambers of Commerce.\n\nMADISON, Maine \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) joined leaders from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce today at TimberHP, the first wood fiber insulation manufacturing plant in North America. After a tour of the revitalized Madison mill, Golden received the U.S. Chamber\u2019s \u201cAdvocate for American Business\u201d award.\n\n\u201cMainers are driven, hardworking, self-starters. They are also no-nonsense, and expect elected officials to put partisanship aside and do what needs to be done to support Maine\u2019s industries and jobs,\u201d Golden said. \u201cWhile the real credit for any business\u2019s success goes to the entrepreneurs and workers who put their shoulder to the wheel every day, it\u2019s been my honor to work across the aisle to support them in Washington \u2014 whether that was investing in infrastructure all businesses need, creating incentives for American manufacturing or funding programs that help small-business owners succeed. I\u2019m grateful to the Chamber for this recognition, and will continue doing my part for Maine\u2019s economy.\u201d\n\nThe Advocate for American Business award is given to honor those who work on a bipartisan basis to support pro-growth and pro-business legislation aimed to strengthen businesses across the country.\n\nU.S. Chamber of Commerce Eastern Region Vice President Stephen McAllister presented the award to Golden, lauding the Congressman for his bipartisan dedication to supporting Maine businesses.\n\n\u201cAt the U.S. Chamber, we put a premium on working with and recognizing champions of business. Champions are those who advocate and fight for pro-business public policy, while recognizing the need for durable, lasting solutions,\u201d McAllister said. \u201cThose solutions are achieved when legislation is crafted in the spirit of bipartisanship. Congressman Golden exemplifies what this award means, to honor strong leadership and bipartisanship as well as building strong working relationships with the small business community and the local chambers across Maine.\u201d\n\nCongressman Golden has worked to promote Maine manufacturing and jobs, including those at TimberHP, during his time serving in the House of Representatives. TimberHP is the first wood fiber insulation manufacturer in North America, with its Madison facility creating a new market for Maine\u2019s wood basket. Wood fiber insulation is an effective, renewable, carbon-negative insulation that has been produced in Europe for two decades.\n\n\u201cThe capital markets and investors are just not incentivized to support manufacturing and the creation of viable jobs in rural communities,\u201d said Josh Henry, co-founder of TimberHP. \u201cWe are tremendously blessed in the 2nd District in particular to have Congressional representation that is focused on business development that makes sense for Maine. From the beginning, TimberHP has benefitted from tremendous support from Congressman Golden and his team in navigating federal programs that have made our success in Madison possible, and we are thrilled to have played a small role in their receiving this much deserved recognition.\u201d\n\nMore than half of Maine workers are employed at the roughly 15,000 small businesses that are the backbone of the state\u2019s economy, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Roughly 98 percent of those have fewer than 20 employees.\n\nAs a member of the House Small Business Committee, Golden has championed the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program. In July, Golden introduced a bipartisan amendment to increase SBCDC funding, and in 2022 the House passed Golden\u2019s bipartisan legislation to help more small businesses across the country launch, grow and retain workers through SBDCs.\n\nGolden has also successfully advocated for the inclusion of funds for Maine manufacturers and industries in this year\u2019s National Defense Authorization Act and pressed for disaster relief funding for small businesses after extreme weather events.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-bill-to-restore-american-manufacturing-with-10-percent-tariff-on-all-imports", "Golden introduces bill to restore American manufacturing with 10 percent tariff on all imports", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced the BUILT USA Act, to incentivize American manufacturing and job creation and address the nation\u2019s ballooning trade deficit by levying a 10 percent tariff on all imports.\n\n\u201cAmerica must once again become a nation of producers, not just consumers,\u201d Golden said. \u201cDecades of globalization have transformed our country from an industrial superpower to one that relies on other countries for basic goods. To secure our future in an increasingly competitive world, we must move toward self-sufficiency, industrial strength and the homegrown innovation that goes hand-in-hand with a strong, productive economy. These tariffs put us on a path to that future.\u201d\n\nUpon enactment, the BUILT USA Act (formally the Balance Unequal International Labor and Trade for the United States of America Act) would assess a ten percent tariff to all goods and services imported into the United States. Each subsequent calendar year, this duty would increase or decrease by 5 percent depending on whether America maintains a trade deficit or surplus, respectively.\n\nTariffs have been embraced by presidents of both parties, with former President Donald Trump setting new tariffs on Chinese imports, which were kept on the books and in some cases expandedunder President Joe Biden.\n\n\u201cRecent history is bipartisan recognition that the era of free-wheeling free-trade that cost Maine so much must come to an end, as a matter of both national security and economic interest,\u201d Golden said. \u201cWe must act to reposition ourselves in the world economy, to a place of strength and self-sufficiency.\u201d\n\nThe trade balance \u2014 the difference between U.S. exports and U.S. imports \u2014 has been in deficit since the mid-70s. In recent years, the figure has approached nearly $1 trillion.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s ever-expanding trade deficit is a clear sign that the current global trade regime is stacked against U.S. workers, industries, and communities,\u201d Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass, said. \u201cRep. Golden\u2019s BUILT USA Act will address this global trade imbalance head on, reassert U.S. economic interests, and help reestablish the industrial base that made America the most innovative, prosperous, and resilient nation in the world.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis bill is a win for revenue, growth, and the revitalization of our domestic industries,\" Michael Stumo, CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America said. \"The American System of economics is centered around making the middle class wealthier and boosting economic growth by selling to our own middle class. In contrast, countries like China overproduce and displace American workers and manufacturers, leading to massive trade deficits that drain U.S. demand for American-made products. We\u2019ve been trying to compensate for these deficits with fiscal spending that only increases our unsustainable debt. By addressing the trade deficit, we can not only strengthen our domestic industries but also dramatically reduce the nation\u2019s debt burden. Tariffs, like the ones proposed in this bill, are a crucial tool to ensure that our economy works for American workers and producers, not foreign adversaries.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nSeventy years ago, employment in manufacturing made up over 40 percent of nonfarm jobs in Maine, according to the Maine Department of Labor. Today, it\u2019s less than 10 percent. The losses accelerated in the 1990s with the signing of NAFTA, after which Maine lost one in three manufacturing jobs \u2014 with 25,000 lost to outsourcing alone. Forty percent of those who lost jobs had to take new ones with lower pay.\n\nGolden has been a leading voice for reconfiguring U.S. trade policy in favor of American industry and workers. In May, he introduced legislation that would raise tariffs on Chinese imports of automobiles and energy components to ensure America\u2019s industrial base, and thus its future, is strong. He published an essay the same month on the importance of a robust production economy for national security and middle-class prosperity.\n\nIn 2019, he was one of only 41 House members to vote against the United States-Mexico -Canada Agreement, which he called \u201ca missed opportunity to deliver real and lasting change\u201d to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).\n\nFull text of his legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-after-voting-for-continuing-resolution-preventing-government-shutdown", "Golden statement after voting for continuing resolution, preventing government shutdown", "2024-09-25", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today released the following statement after voting for a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 20:\n\n\u201cVoting \u2018yes\u2019 on this stopgap funding bill was the right call to keep the government open and avoid the chaos of a shutdown. But that is the bare minimum of Congress\u2019 responsibility. When the House returns to pass the full budget, lawmakers should skip the brinkmanship and embrace the only approach that has worked for the past two years: a bipartisan agreement based on the Fiscal Responsibility Act\u2019s spending levels that have already been signed into law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-colleagues-lead-bipartisan-congressional-push-to-delay-eu-point-of-origin-rule-protect-maine-forest-products-industry", "Golden, colleagues lead bipartisan congressional push to delay EU point-of-origin rule, protect Maine forest products industry", "2024-09-24", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) signed a bipartisan letter this week requesting the president call for a twenty-four month delay to the European Union\u2019s (E.U.) new deforestation regulation (EUDR), which threatens untenable data requirements on responsible American businesses.\n\nThe letter was signed by 72 other House members.\n\n\u201cLike you, Congress strongly supports efforts to combat deforestation throughout the globe. However, with less than four months left before enforcement of EUDR many questions from U.S. stakeholders remain unanswered\u2026\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201c...While we collect and share an immense amount of data and information already, compliance with EUDR will require significant changes in how we collect, share, and report data \u2013 something that cannot happen overnight.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States is a global leader in modern sustainable forest management, and we are deeply concerned that well-intentioned regulations from Europe will disincentivize the huge investments U.S. forest owners have made in the long-term health and sustainability of our forest resources,\u201d they continued. \u201cWe all must work together to effectively address global deforestation. However, failure to immediately address stakeholder questions and concerns could have significant negative economic effects on both producers and customers on both sides of the Atlantic.\u201d\n\nStarting on December 20, the EUDR will mandate new point-of-origin reporting requirements for goods exported to the E.U. to ensure production does not contribute to global deforestation. This includes exact geographic location coordinates to specific plots of land, despite the fact that current technology is unable to trace the source of blended forest products such as wood chips.\n\nMoreover, the E.U. has still yet to provide complete guidance for manufacturers seeking to meet the new standards, leaving questions about the EUDR\u2019s strict geolocation traceability requirements given the pulp and paper industry\u2019s complex supply chain.\n\nImplementation could prevent American-made forest products from reaching the E.U.\u2019s market \u2014 devaluing U.S. timberlands and decimating domestic manufacturing in the process. U.S. forest product exports to the E.U. are valued at $3.5 billion.\n\n\u201cTwin Rivers Paper has a long history of environmental stewardship and steadfast support of sustainable forestry. All papers we produce are certified to Sustainable Forestry Initiative\u00ae (SFI\u00ae) fiber sourcing standards and we also ensure compliance with and certification of standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council\u00ae (FSC\u00ae), and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC),\u201d Tyler Rajeski, president and CFO of Twin Rivers Paper in Madawaska said. \u201cAlthough multiple North American trade and industry resources are actively engaged in the EUDR compliance process, we support and applaud the Congressional request for an extension of time to ensure adequate supply chain and systems exist for all parties to comply.\u201d\n\nEuropean leaders have also voiced criticism towards the rule\u2019s rushed implementation. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for the EUDR to be postponed earlier this month, while food and agriculture minister Cem Oezdemir warned that it could break critical supply chains. The U.S. supplies 85 percent of the pulp used in sanitary products like tissues and menstrual products worldwide.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-announces-more-than-600000-to-support-recreation-in-the-second-district", "Golden announces more than $600,000 to support recreation in the Second District", "2024-09-20", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced grants totaling more than $600,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to support recreation in the towns of Littleton and Mexico. The funding will be used to renovate existing infrastructure and add new features to the Littleton Playground and Mexico Recreation Park.\n\n\u201cSpending time outside is good for the body and good for the soul,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThe Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided generations of Americans with access to protected outdoor spaces, and I\u2019m pleased that these grants will help Littleton and Mexico residents enjoy quality outdoor recreation opportunities for years to come.\u201d\n\nLittleton\u2019s $102,000 grant will help the town add new equipment and benches to the playground, regrade a gravel entrance driveway and parking lot, add Americans with Disability Act (ADA)-accessible parking spaces and replace fencing on the playground.\n\nMexico\u2019s $500,950 grant will upgrade a tennis court, add basketball and pickleball courts, install lighting, build ADA-accessible picnic infrastructure and add tables, plantings, parking and a new picnic pavilion.\n\nThe LWCF provides grant funding to local, state and federal agencies to protect natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, as well as provide recreation opportunities. It was established in 1964 and uses zero taxpayer dollars; Instead, it is fully funded by surplus federal property sales, the federal motorboat fuel tax, and revenues from U.S. oil and gas leases, at no cost to the taxpayer.\n\nGolden has been an avid proponent of the LWCF during his time in Congress. In his first term, he introduced the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which was signed into law in 2020 and protected the program\u2019s stability for the future. LWCF has delivered $16 million in funding since 2020 to the Second District to conserve working forests and public lands near Perham Stream and Bethel and in Acadia National Park.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-vote-for-continuing-resolution-and-save-act", "Golden statement on vote for Continuing Resolution and SAVE Act", "2024-09-18", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement after voting for a Continuing Resolution to fund government for six months that includes the SAVE Act:\n\n\u201cMy vote reflects two important principles: First, that keeping the government funded and avoiding a shutdown is a basic obligation of any Congress. Second, that citizenship in the United States confers awesome responsibilities and exclusive rights in equal measure \u2014 including the exclusive right to vote in American elections.\n\n\u201cTo me and the people of my district, these principles are noncontroversial. However, it\u2019s been apparent for weeks that this bill was doomed to fail. Now that it has, I call on the House GOP to get serious about passing a CR that can win the support of both chambers and the White House and avoid a costly, unnecessary government shutdown.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-announces-18-million-for-police-departments-in-maine-s-second-district", "Golden announces $1.8 million for police departments in Maine\u2019s Second District", "2024-09-17", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that Maine\u2019s Second Congressional District will receive more than $1.8 million from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office for rural hiring and public safety improvements.\n\n\u201cMaine\u2019s police officers play a critical role in keeping our communities safe,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThey should get every resource they need to do that job effectively, and today\u2019s awards will make a meaningful difference for departments across the state. I\u2019ll continue pounding the drum for programs like the COPS Office that deliver these kinds of results.\u201d\n\nThe COPS Office will distribute this funding through its COPS Hiring Program (CHP), School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP), Community Policing Development Program (CPD), and Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program (LEMHWA). Together, these programs offer competitive grants to state, local, and tribal governments to improve public safety.\n\nThe newly announced awards are as follows:\n\nCOPS Hiring Program (CHP)\n\nCHP funding is awarded directly to law enforcement agencies to hire and retain officers amidst Maine and national shortages. Second District awards include:\n\n$125,000 for the Town of Rangeley to hire one additional officer;\n\n$250,000 for the Town of Rumford to hire two additional officers;\n\nCOPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)\n\nSVPP funding can be used by local districts on a variety of school safety measures, including specialized training for students and staff, deterrence measures such as locks and lighting, and coordination with law enforcement. Second District awards include:\n\n$500,000 for the City of Lewiston;\n\n$500,000 for the Maine School Administrative District 17, based in Oxford Hills.\n\nCommunity Policing Development (CPD) Program\n\nCPD funding supports state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies in administering community policing. Funding can be put towards hiring community policing professionals, implementing new policing tactics, and training stakeholders on these methods. Second District awards include:\n\n$250,000 for the Town of Rumford to seek accreditation for their law enforcement agencies.\n\nLaw Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program\n\nLEMHWA funding helps law enforcement officials provide and access mental health and wellness services. Funding can be put towards increasing understanding of mental health and wellness techniques among law enforcement officials and providing training and resources for officials to administer programs in their communities. Second District awards include:\n\n$200,000 for the Indian Township Tribal Government.\n\nGolden has led several initiatives to bolster the COPS office, which has dispersed over $20 billion and funded more than 136,000 new officer positions around the country since being established in 1994 \u2014 including $344 million and 1,730 new officers in 2023. He was an original cosponsor of the Invest to Protect Act last Congress, which passed the House with 360 votes. He also helped introduce the bipartisan COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act in multiple Congresses to strengthen the programs funding and expand access to rural grants.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-supports-slate-of-bills-to-protect-american-interests-from-foreign-competitors", "Golden supports slate of bills to protect American interests from foreign competitors", "2024-09-12", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "September 12, 2024\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today completed voting for a series of bills scheduled in the House this week, all of which seek to address economic, technological, and national security threats.\n\n\u201cThese bills take common sense steps to ensure American interests are protected,\u201d Golden said.\n\nThe bills include:\n\nH.R. 1516, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, which would bar the Homeland Security Department from providing any funds to institutions of higher education that have a relationship with a Confucius Institute or certain Chinese universities, which have been linked with espionage, theft of intellectual property, and intimidation of Chinese dissidents in the U.S.\n\nH.R. 9456, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, which would increase scrutiny of foreign purchases of American agricultural land to protect U.S. farms and farmers.\n\nH.R. 7980, the End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of 2024, which would prohibit electric vehicles using batteries or battery components manufactured by companies based in China and other U.S. adversaries from receiving EV tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This bill is substantively similar to an effort by Golden earlier this year to ensure tax credits in the IRA designed to support American manufacturing are not used to prop up foreign competitors.\n\nH.R. 1398, the Protect America\u2019s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act of 2024, which would direct the U.S. Department of Justice to set aside resources for a program aimed at countering espionage specifically by the Chinese Communist Party, in recognition of the disproportionate amount of economic espionage cases prosecuted by DOJ that involve China.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-signs-bipartisan-discharge-petition-to-protect-mainers-social-security-benefits", "Golden signs bipartisan discharge petition to protect Mainers\u2019 Social Security benefits", "2024-09-10", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) is pushing to force a House vote on eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduce Social Security benefits for millions of public employees, such as teachers and first responders.\n\nGolden today signed a bipartisan discharge petition to bring H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, to the floor. He is one of 326 cosponsors of the bill.\n\n\u201cPublic workers earned their full retirements after decades of selfless service. Limiting their benefits after they\u2019ve already paid into the system is wrong,\u201d Golden said. \u201cI\u2019ve opposed the WEP and GPO throughout my time in Congress and am proud to take this necessary step to force a vote on protecting Mainers\u2019 full retirement benefits.\u201d\n\nThe WEP and GPO were enacted in 1983 to reduce pensions for public employees who already receive other retirement benefits. The WEP reduces payments by up to half for those receiving both Social Security and outside pensions that were excluded from payroll taxes. The GPO reduces payments by up to two-thirds for beneficiaries that receive both a government pension and spousal or survivor benefits from Social Security.\n\nAs of 2023, more than 21,000 Mainers were affected by the WEP.\n\nA discharge petition allows a majority of lawmakers to force a floor vote on legislation that has stalled in committee. This petition was filed and opened to signatures today.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-announces-338-million-to-upgrade-hydropower-infrastructure", "Maine Delegation Announces $33.8 Million to Upgrade Hydropower Infrastructure", "2024-09-06", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden today announced more than $33.8 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for hydroelectric projects in Maine. The Department of Energy announced $430 million for hydropower infrastructure upgrades across 33 states, including a total of $33,801,291 for 21 projects in Maine.\n\nAdministered by the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives program is designed to enhance existing hydropower and pumped storage facilities for capital improvements directly related to grid resilience, dam safety, and environmental improvements. Potential eligible capital improvements include improvements that enable the integration of variable resources, such as wind and solar; improvements for dam safety, such as spillway upgrades and erosion repair; and improvements in environmental conditions, such as fish passage, water quality and recreation.\n\n\u201cHydropower plays a critical role in unlocking Maine\u2019s clean energy future, and is key to increasing energy efficiency and reliability. This $33.8 million investment will not only improve grid resilience and dam safety, but will also make environmental improvements such as enhancing fish passages,\u201d the Delegation said. \u201cThese upgrades will help preserve Maine\u2019s natural resources while supporting thousands of jobs across our state. Thanks to the historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we\u2019re ensuring that hydropower remains both a reliable energy source and providing greater flexibility for achieving environmental solutions going forward.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs our earliest form of renewable energy generation, hydropower has reliably kept America running for almost 150 years \u2014 and the Biden-Harris Administration is ensuring these long-standing facilities can continue the steady flow of clean power,\u201d U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. \u201cToday\u2019s funding will expand and modernize our hydropower fleet, while protecting thousands of American jobs.\u201d\n\nHydropower currently accounts for nearly 27% of renewable electricity generation in the United States, as well as 93% of all utility-scale energy storage. However, the fleet is aging, with many facilities in need of repair and upgrades.\n\nFunded Maine projects include:\n\nHiram Hydroelectric Project: $1,800,000\n\nWest Buxton Hydroelectric Project: $2,400,000\n\nLockwood Hydroelectric Project: $5,000,000\n\nHydro-Kennebec Hydroelectric Project -Fish Passage: $1,560,075\n\nPejepscot Hydroelectric Project: $1,140,000\n\nGulf Island Hydroelectric Project: $1,710,000\n\nShawmut Hydroelectric Project: $4,800,000\n\nWeston Hydroelectric Project: $4,550,766\n\nWyman Hydroelectric Project: $900,000\n\nRumford Falls Hydroelectric Project: $392,940\n\nPenobscot Mills Project: $825,000\n\nJay Hydro \u2013 Governor and Exciter Upgrade Project: $450,515\n\nLivermore Hydro \u2013 Governor and Exciter Upgrade Project: $503,284\n\nOtis Hydro \u2013 Governor and Exciter Upgrade Project: $953,826\n\nRiley Hydro \u2013 STATCOM and Capacitor Bank Installation Project: $1,234,442\n\nEllsworth Hydroelectric Project: $1,800,000\n\nEel Weir Project: $360,397\n\nEel Weir Project: $1,592,820\n\nGambo: $49,500\n\nMallison Falls: $390,225\n\nWallenpaupack Hydroelectric Project: $1,387,500\n\nThe full list of selections can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-statement-on-lewiston-commission-report-governor-mills-support-for-federal-action", "Maine Delegation Statement on Lewiston Commission Report, Governor Mills\u2019 Support for Federal Action", "2024-09-06", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden today released the following statement, moments after Governor Mills\u2019 press conference on the Lewiston Independent Commission\u2019s final report.\n\n\u201cAs our state continues to heal from the tragic events in Lewiston, we commend Governor Mills for her leadership in seeking to address many of the issues identified in the Independent Commission\u2019s report. The Governor\u2019s decision to send a letter to the Secretary of Defense, urging swift action on the Commission\u2019s recommendations, will reinforce the urgency of helping to ensure that no community in Maine or across the nation faces such a devastating tragedy again.\n\n\u201cThe Commission\u2019s report highlights serious shortcomings, particularly in the coordination between military and civilian authorities in managing Reservists\u2019 health. We are fully committed to working alongside the Governor and our colleagues in Congress to advance policies and legislation that would help address these issues.\n\n\u201cWe remain focused on supporting the families affected by the Lewiston tragedy and ensuring that their voices are heard throughout this process. We are united in our determination to see reforms implemented and to make Maine\u2014and the nation\u2014safer for all.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-pingree-push-to-make-redevelopment-in-former-mills-eligible-for-federal-energy-efficiency-grants", "Golden, Pingree push to make redevelopment in former mills eligible for federal energy efficiency grants", "2024-08-30", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) today pushed United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack to expand grant eligibility for projects based in former mill sites.\n\nThe Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Since 2018, the program has awarded more than $200 million for projects across Maine.\n\n\u201cWe have seen the success of REAP funding across the state of Maine. They have a significant impact in supporting rural communities with renewable energy\u2026\u201d the lawmakers wrote in their letter. \u201c...We believe that the unique nature of these former mill sites warrant USDA expeditiously reviewing REAP applicant requirements to ensure that projects that both benefit the local area and ensure efficiency improvements are given the opportunity to apply for REAP funding rather than be left out entirely.\u201d\n\nREAP applicants must provide data showing how much energy was consumed at the site in the past. USDA uses this data to establish how the applicant\u2019s proposal will improve efficiency or reduce consumption.\n\nThe problem is that while mills like those that once operated in Skowhegan and Jay required a lot of energy, their net energy consumption was often low \u2014 a result of how much heat is produced by large machinery. So entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to redevelop the mills for new purposes are unfairly excluded from REAP grants, even if the proposals would undoubtedly improve energy efficiency. Additionally, mills that have been shuttered for more than five years or that lack historical data are ineligible.\n\nEarlier this year, USDA officials told Golden and Pingree that they were considering solutions to better support these types of projects, including potentially changing historical energy usage requirements or establishing a new program for non-operational mill sites altogether. However, the agency has provided no updates since.\n\nThe lawmakers\u2019 letter can be found here, and is included in full below:\n\n+++\n\nAugust 30, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Thomas Vilsack\n\nSecretary\n\nUnited States Department of Agriculture\n\n1400 Independence Ave SW\n\nWashington, DC 20250\n\nDear Secretary Vilsack,\n\nWe write to urge the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expedite its decision-making process relating to certain applicants for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). As currently administered, applicants for REAP energy efficiency funds must demonstrate historical energy consumption from the past 12- 60 months. Applicants that do not meet the historical energy usage requirement have not been permitted to receive funding, which unfairly excludes projects originating from non-operational mills. Former mill sites often generated heat during production, and as such cannot demonstrate historical energy consumption. We believe that changes to this program are essential to ensure increased investment in economic development projects in small and rural communities with out- of-commission mills.\n\nWe have seen the success of REAP funding across the state of Maine. They have a significant impact in supporting rural communities with renewable energy. We are concerned that REAP\u2019s historical energy data requirement prevents communities such as Jay and Skowhegan, which have ongoing economic development and manufacturing projects converting former mills, from accessing this important funding.\n\nWe were encouraged to see USDA state they would consider changing the current requirements for historical energy usage or establish a new program set aside specifically for projects based in old mills to ensure that critical economic development projects like those in our districts can receive funding.\n\nWe believe that the unique nature of these former mill sites warrant USDA expeditiously reviewing REAP applicant requirements to ensure that projects that both benefit the local area and ensure efficiency improvements are given the opportunity to apply for REAP funding rather than be left out entirely. We request an update on the status of amending REAP program to support applicants without historical energy consumption.\n\nThe federal government and United States Department of Agriculture have an important role to play in supporting rural towns that are willing to reinvest and revitalize their communities, bring in new jobs, and continue to grow their local economy.\n\nThank you for your consideration of our request and we look forward to hearing from you.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-announces-12-million-for-cd2-airport-infrastructure", "Golden announces $12 million for CD2 airport infrastructure", "2024-08-08", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced that $12 million in federal aviation grants have been awarded to airports across Maine\u2019s Second District over the past month.\n\nMost of the grants were funded through the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program and Airport Terminals Program (ATP), authorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Golden championed through passage in 2021.\n\nGolden was a strong advocate for the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has directed billions of dollars to invest in Maine\u2019s roads, bridges, broadband, airports, and much more while creating jobs that build a better Maine.\n\n\u201cIn Maine\u2019s most rural communities, air travel helps connect people, goods, emergency services, and more,\u201d Golden said. \u201cOnce again, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is ensuring that federal resources are being invested right here at home.\u201d\n\nThe remaining funds were distributed through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) through the normal annual appropriations process. All three grant programs support the necessary infrastructure to keep airports up to date and meet the needs of the regions they serve, from constructing new terminals to rehabilitating taxiways.\n\nAIG and ATP grants funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:\n\n$6,500,000 to Presque Isle International Airport to construct a larger, safer, ADA-compliant and more energy efficient terminal;\n\n$1,124,800 to Eastport Municipal Airport to construct a new terminal to replace the one removed in 2018;\n\n$481,117 to Presque Isle International Airport to design and build a new 15,000 square-yard terminal apron to accommodate increased use of larger, scheduled service passenger aircraft;\n\n$336,000 to Machias Valley Airport to construct 130 feet of a new taxilane.\n\n$225,000 to Augusta State Airport to rehabilitate a runway and taxiways;\n\n$220,000 to Greenville Municipal Airport to replace an existing airport rotating beacon;\n\n$180,000 to Newton Field Airport to reseal 7,500 feet of runway pavement;\n\n$130,530 to Presque Isle International Airport to update pavement management plans; and\n\n$100,000 to Bethel Regional Airport to construct a new 500 foot taxilane.\n\nAIP Grants funded through the normal appropriations process:\n\n$811,000 to Oxford County Regional Airport to reconstruct 25,333 square yards of pavement for the terminal apron;\n\n$583,000 to the State of Maine to update a state airport system pavement management plan for eligible nonprimary airports;\n\n$433,000 to Caribou Municipal Airport to reconstruct 5,000 square yards of pavement for the terminal apron pavement;\n\n$302,000 to Bethel Regional Airport to bring runways up to standards and reconstruct perimeter fencing;\n\n$266,000 to Northern Aroostook Regional Airport to build a new 250-foot taxilane to provide airfield access to a hangar development area, bringing the airport up to conformity with current standards;\n\n$214,000 to Greenville Municipal Airport for new taxiways;\n\n$212,000 to Presque Isle International Airport to rehabilitate taxiways, extending their use;\n\n$173,000 to Augusta State Airport to reconstruct 24,000 square yards of the apron pavement; and\n\n$85,000 to Lincoln Regional Airport to acquire land adjacent to airport property to use for future Airport Improvement Program development.\n\nCumulatively, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested tens of millions into airport improvements in the Second District since 2022. Full descriptions of the latest round of awards can be found on the FAA\u2019s AIP, AIG and ATP webpages.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-tenney-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-to-block-unnecessary-dog-importation-rules-protect-sled-dog-racing", "Golden, Tenney introduce bipartisan resolution to block unnecessary dog importation rules, protect sled dog racing", "2024-08-08", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today introduced a bipartisan resolution to reverse the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s (CDC) new dog importation rule that threatens sled dog racing in northern Maine.\n\nThe resolution was submitted under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows Congress to override administrative rulemaking. It would require the CDC to rewrite its proposed rule to be practical for mushers and race organizers.\n\n\u201cCommunities suffer when rulemakers from away don\u2019t consider the full consequences of their actions,\u201d Golden said. \u201cI\u2019m proud of this bipartisan effort to stop the CDC in their tracks and allow for a new, more workable proposal to be crafted.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe CDC must ease the stringent dog import rules that place an undue burden on families in Western New York,\u201d Tenney said. \u201cWe hope that the introduction of this CRA will compel the CDC to reconsider these excessive measures and pursue an approach that safeguards public health without creating significant hardship for pet owners.\u201d\n\nThe new CDC rule tightens requirements on dogs crossing the border into the United States, jeopardizing the internationally renowned Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races in Fort Kent.\n\nPreviously, dogs were required only to have up-to-date and documented rabies vaccinations. The new rule adds age restrictions, microchipping requirements and additional paperwork estimated to cost sled dog racers and others who bring dogs into the U.S. between $150 and $300 per dog. For a full team of 14 dogs participating in the Can-Am, that could mean up to $4,200 in additional expenses every year.\n\nLast month, Golden sent a letter to CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen highlighting the rule\u2019s negative consequences for northern Maine communities and urged the agency to delay implementation while it explores alternative options. The following week, he and Tenney introduced an amendment to the federal budget that would effectively block the proposal for one year.\n\nFollowing initial advocacy from Golden and others, the CDC agreed to reverse one element of the new rule. But members of communities affected by the stricter regulations say more needs to be done to craft a workable standard.\n\n\u201cThe relaxing of the CDC's regulations have helped tremendously for the mushers wanting to participate in the 2025 Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race. We are thankful to everyone who has helped with this. However, we are very concerned about what direction the CDC will go after April 2025,\u201d Sarah Brooks, vice president of the Can Am Crown International Sled Dog Races said. \u201cWe realize that a lot more work has to be done to ensure that these regulations continue to be eased and a workable solution can be found to easily cross the border with dogs. The future of the Can-Am races depends on future developments with the CDC. Congressman Golden has done a super job of championing our cause. Thank you Congressman Golden and your staff.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a long time competitor in both the American and Canadian Kennel Clubs, plus current Vice President of the Central Aroostook Kennel Club, I appreciate the CDC\u2019s efforts to protect both U.S. citizens and their dogs from rabies and other communicable diseases. However, the CDC\u2019s efforts failed to acknowledge the interconnections and frequent cross border community activities that occur daily.\u201d Kathy Hoppe, vice president of the Central Aroostook Kennel Club said. \u201cThe resulting rules are disruptive, flawed and prevent our communities from thriving. We appreciate Representative Golden and his staff\u2019s effort to understand the issues and look for solutions.\u201d\n\nFull text of the resolution can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-usps-signing-new-lease-for-west-paris-post-office", "Golden statement on USPS signing new lease for West Paris post office", "2024-08-06", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has signed a lease to reopen the West Paris post office at the site of the former Ledgeview Living Center on 141 Bethel Road.\n\n\u201cThis is great news for the people of West Paris,\u201d Golden said. \u201cWith this lease signed, residents and small businesses should feel some certainty that now it\u2019s a question of when \u2014 not if \u2014 their local branch will reopen. After so long, the USPS should pull out all the stops to move as quickly as it can to resume branch services in West Paris.\u201d\n\nThe USPS closed the former post office three years ago, during which time there were long periods of uncertainty about whether a new post office would open. Golden, joined by postal workers and customers, repeatedly urged USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to assure a new site would be secured and provide clear, transparent updates about the process.\n\nMost recently, Golden sent a letter on May 30 demanding answers for why the facility remained closed after the agency estimated it would reopen last month, and requested an update for when residents should expect their post office to reopen. USPS released its original timeline after inquiries from Golden regarding the facility\u2019s future in September 2023 and October 2022.\n\n\u201cWe would like to thank Rep. Jared Golden and his staff for their persistence with getting our United States Post Office back in West Paris,\u201d Joy Downing, West Paris town manager said.\u201cThis is great news, and we are very thankful for their help and collaboration in this effort.\u201d\n\nIn 2021, USPS said it was closing the West Paris facility while the agency negotiated a new lease for the property. However, it had yet to provide a substantive update since July 21, 2023, when USPS officials said they expected the facility to be \u201cfully operational\u201d by May 2024. May 28 marked the third anniversary of its closure.\n\nUSPS has yet to announce an official reopening date for the new 141 Bethel Road site.\n\nGolden has been a champion of holding the Postal Service accountable to Mainers throughout his time in Congress. Following his outreach to Postmaster General DeJoy last year, USPS reopened its Etna facility, which had also been closed since May 2021. Last month, USPS announced that it was postponing plans to consolidate the Eastern Maine Processing & Distribution Facility in Hampden after bipartisan efforts led by Golden and other members of Congress. His bipartisan Timely Mail Delivery and Postal Services Protection Act \u2014 which he introduced in April \u2014 would permanently block the process USPS uses to consolidate mail processing facilities across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-renews-call-for-regulators-to-delay-us-only-minimum-size-requirements-for-harvesting-lobster", "Golden renews call for regulators to delay U.S.-only minimum size requirements for harvesting lobster", "2024-08-05", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today continued his effort to stop regulators from moving forward with a U.S.-only gauge increase for catchable lobster.\n\nGolden sent a letter urging a pause to Robert Beal, Executive Director of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), ahead of its meeting tomorrow, when commissioners will debate the proposed rule, known as Addendum 27.\n\n\u201cMaine lobstermen are staunch defenders of their fishery, and they deserve to make a living on a level playing field,\u201d Golden said. \u201cASMFC\u2019s unilateral proposal will only hurt our lobstermen while doing nothing to better preserve the resource. It\u2019s clear that regulators need to step back and reevaluate.\u201d\n\nLobstermen gauge the size of a lobster by measuring its carapace from eye socket to tail. Lobsters that are smaller than the minimum gauge size must be thrown back so they can grow, protecting the lobster population for the future. According to the ASMFC, lobster stock decline in Lobster Management Area 1 has surpassed 35 percent \u2014 the trigger point for an automatic increase in allowable catch size from 3 1/4 inches to 3 5/16 inches. However, Maine lobstermen have questioned the data used to justify these changes, including concerns that ASMFC stock data is out of date. This new rule is scheduled to begin in January 2025.\n\nIn addition to questions about the reliability of the data used by ASMFC, Golden and Maine fishermen have raised concerns about how an increased minimum size requirement would put Maine lobstermen at a competitive disadvantage with Canadians, who are not subject to the same restrictions.\n\nLast month, Golden introduced a bipartisan amendment to the federal budget that would block federal funding from being used to implement, administer or enforce ASMFC\u2019s proposed gauge increase.\n\n\u201cNEFSA is grateful, as always, for Congressman Golden\u2019s continuous support of Maine\u2019s hard-working lobstermen as they continue to navigate through unnecessary Government regulations,\u201d Dustin Delano, a lobsterman and chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen\u2019s Stewardship Association, said when the amendment was introduced.\n\n\u201cMaine's fishing industry is vital to our coastal communities\u2019 survival,\u201d Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and director of the Maine Lobstering Union, said when the amendment was introduced. \u201cMuch work needs to be done between Maine and Canada before any gauge increase is implemented. We thank Congressmen Golden for his continued support.\u201d\n\nIn April, Golden sent an initial letter to ASMFC calling for a delay to its upcoming gauge increase until it worked with fishermen to consider more accurate, comprehensive stock data \u2014 as well as the market impacts of a U.S.-only change. Since Golden\u2019s letter, the agency has provided no indication that it would walk back its proposal, despite widespread concern from Maine\u2019s fishing community.\n\nFull text of Golden\u2019s letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nAugust 5, 2024\n\nAtlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission\n\nRobert Beal, Executive Director\n\n1050 North Highland St, Suite 200 A-N\n\nArlington, VA 22201\n\nDear Director Beal and Commissioners,\n\nI am writing to again request that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the American Lobster Board delay the implementation of the Lobster Management Area 1 gauge increase, Addendum 27, scheduled to begin in January 2025. Additionally, I request that the ASMFC table any consideration of Addendum 30 until Addendum 27 has been thoroughly evaluated for potential economic threats and incorporates thorough scientific data and objective analysis that is acceptable to both regulators and members of the commercial lobster fishery.\n\nThe intent of Addendum 27 is to mitigate the perceived declining stocks of American lobster proactively. However, it is clear from conversations I have had with harvesters, processors, and dealers that the data used to arrive at the trigger index was overly precautionary and that the index has serious limitations, raising concerns that it does not entirely reflect the current status of the stock. Additionally, despite pleas from the industry, regulators have yet to meaningfully engage with Maine lobstermen and incorporate their observations and invaluable expertise.\n\nIt is also troubling that Addendum 27, as currently proposed, fails to account for the fact that Maine\u2019s lobster industry is an economic engine for the state, generating more than $1 billion annually and supporting the livelihoods of 4,500 lobstermen and thousands of Mainers employed through lobster dealers and seafood processors, vessel and trap manufacturers, restaurants, and other coastal businesses. Lobster is regularly the highest-value species harvested in the United States \u2014 a direct result of strict adherence to conservation measures that sustain the resource. According to a recent study conducted by Colby College\u2019s Laboratory for Economic Studies, Addendum 27 would create significant economic disruption to Maine communities. For the latest year data is available, Addendum 27 would decrease the value of lobster landings, resulting in a loss of over 680 jobs and $59.6 million to Maine\u2019s economy. Without further delay in implementing Addendum 27, I am concerned about how this would impact the industry and the hundreds of communities in Maine that depend on a viable lobster fishery.\n\nI also believe that the ASMFC should not proceed with Addendum 30 which has only been deemed necessary as a result of the ill-conceived Addendum 27. Industry stakeholders have continued to tell me that this gauge change hurts the U.S. while benefiting Canada, whose lobstermen fishing in the same waters as American lobstermen would not have to adhere to the same restrictions. We know dealers and processors must have a steady lobster supply to keep their businesses open, which is why proceeding without ensuring that Canadian regulators impose similar requirements is not only economically detrimental but will do nothing to protect the future health of lobster stocks. I would encourage the ASMFC to conduct further studies to understand the market impacts of a U.S.-only gauge increase and to engage further with our Canadian counterparts to ensure all lobstermen are playing by the same rules.\n\nFurther, a pause would provide ASMFC the time needed to consider more comprehensive data from 2023, gain a full understanding of market impacts, and engage more broadly with fishermen, dealers, and trade associations to address their concerns.\n\nA pause would also support, what should be, the ASFMC\u2019S ultimate goal \u2013 to ensure that accurate data is collected and used to inform policy and regulatory decisions. These decisions must always include those with significant experience, the harvesters themselves. That is why I will always take the side of our commercial fishermen.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-amendment-to-block-consolidation-of-eastern-maine-mail-processing-facility", "Golden introduces amendment to block consolidation of Eastern Maine mail processing facility", "2024-07-26", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today continued his efforts to hold the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) accountable to Mainers by introducing a bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act that would block plans to consolidate the Eastern Maine Processing & Distribution Facility in Hampden.\n\n\u201cCongress should do everything in its power to permanently block Mail Processing Facility Reviews,\u201d Golden said. \u201cExtending the Postal Service\u2019s temporary pause through the next fiscal year is the logical next step.\u201d\n\nMail Processing Facility Reviews were launched in 2021 to study the feasibility of relocating certain postal operations from local facilities to larger regional ones. The USPS first announced that it was reviewing consolidation of some mail processing from the Eastern Maine facility into its Scarborough site last November, and its decision to move forward with the plan follows a February public hearing that garnered widespread opposition from Mainers across the state.Consolidation of the Eastern Maine facility would mean mail from the Eastern, Northern, and Western regions of the state \u2014 which is currently processed and distributed in Hampden \u2014 would instead be sent to its Scarborough facility 130 miles away.\n\nUSPS announced a temporary moratorium through at least the end of 2024 following Golden\u2019s introduction of bipartisan legislation to freeze Mail Processing Facility Reviews nationwide and his repeated outreach to DeJoy throughout the review of the Hampden facility to express concerns about the agency\u2019s consolidation process.\n\n\u201cI am 100 percent in support of Congressman Jared Golden's recent proposal to fight back against the United States Postal Service's 10 Year \u2018Delivering for America\u2019 Plan,\u201d Robert Perrochi, President of the Bangor Area Local 536, said. \u201cThis proposal is something every elected representative and leader should support to ensure the sanctity of the service the USPS provides to the public. The American Postal Workers Union Local 536 applauds Congressman Golden\u2019s efforts to reject the consolidation of mail processing operations for the Maine people he represents. These consolidations are happening across the country, and we need all of our elected representatives to unite on this issue.\u201d\n\n\u201cI'm thankful for Jared Golden's support of postal employees and postal customers in the state of Maine, and very happy to see that he's continuing the fight with this amendment. The people of Maine overwhelmingly opposed this plant consolidation, but the USPS ignored their concerns,\u201d Meghan Zabloski, President of the American Postal Workers Union of Maine, said. \u201cRural Mainers rely on the mail for medication, voting, running their small businesses, etc. The certain delays in service this consolidation would cause would have a detrimental \u2014 if not disastrous \u2014 effect on the lives of all Mainers. It's time for Louis DeJoy to remember that the USPS is a service, first and foremost. Employees like me and my co-workers show up every day to serve our local communities \u2014 our neighbors, friends, and families \u2014 because we know how important this service is to local people and businesses. Congressman Golden has shown that he supports postal customers and employees, and I look forward to working with him to protect mail service in this great state.\u201d\n\nGolden\u2019s amendment would block for one year federal funding from being used to carry out Mail Processing Facility Reviews.\n\nPrior to taking legislative action, Golden demanded answers about what steps the agency was taking to prevent mail delays and job losses in the Second District.\n\nFull text of Golden\u2019s amendment can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-amendment-to-boost-resources-for-small-business-development-centers", "Golden introduces amendment to boost resources for Small Business Development Centers", "2024-07-26", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced a bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Service and General Government Appropriations Act that would increase funding for Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). Congressman Marc Molonaro (R-NY-19) cosponsored the amendment.\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are the backbone of Maine\u2019s economy, and SBDCs have been helping them for decades,\u201d Golden said. \u201cI repeatedly hear from Maine small-business owners how much of a lifeline the SBDC program has been, and these additional resources will help bring these invaluable services to even more Mainers.\u201d\n\nThere are 149,493 small businesses in Maine \u2014 representing over 99% of total businesses in the state \u2014 which together employ 55.9% of all Maine workers. For more than 45 years, Maine SBDCs have served tens of thousands of clients.\n\nSBDCs help small businesses get off the ground and expand their capacity through low- or no-cost business training and advising in areas such as business plan development, marketing and sales, e-commerce, and small business strategic planning. Maine has a lead SBDC located at the University of Southern Maine, which operates ten outreach locations in Maine\u2019s Second District.\n\nGolden\u2019s amendment would increase SBDC funding by $5 million for FY2025.\n\n\u201cWe are thankful to Congressman Golden for his work on the House Small Business Committee and his continued support of the Small Business Development Center program,\u201d Mark Delisle, State Director of the Maine SBDC, said. \u201cThe SBDC is instrumental to the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses and this funding would provide essential support in communities across Maine and the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s SBDC strongly supports Representatives Golden and Molinaro in their effort to increase SBDC funding,\u201d C.E. Rowe, Director of America\u2019s SBDC, said. \u201cWhile we appreciate the pressures of the federal budget, the SBDC program is a net positive for the American economy \u2013 producing two dollars for every federal dollar and three dollars in state revenue. SBDCs help small businesses start, create jobs and build their communities. This increase will ensure SBDCs can continue to reach all small businesses in their states and regions.\u201d\n\nGolden, a member of the House Small Business Committee, has been a champion of SBDCs throughout his time in Congress. In February, his bipartisan bill to bolster congressional coordination with the National SBDC Advisory Board unanimously passed the Committee. Last September, he introduced legislation \u2014 based on bills he passed through the House in 2022 and 2019 \u2014 to reauthorize and expand the program.\n\nFull text of Golden\u2019s amendment can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-leads-bipartisan-group-in-bold-fight-for-election-reform-integrity", "Golden leads bipartisan group in bold fight for election reform & integrity", "2024-07-26", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) was joined by Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) to introduce the bipartisan Let America Vote Act of 2024. This critical piece of commonsense legislation addresses two key principles in Rep. Golden\u2019s continued fight for election reform and integrity:\n\nThe right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any taxpayer-funded election for public office shall not be denied or abridged on the grounds of political party affiliation or lack thereof.\n\nRequires States to permit access to unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections for Federal Office\n\nWithholds Federal Funds if a State does not permit access to unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections for State and Local Office\n\nProvides additional Federal Funds for States to transition to access to primary elections for unaffiliated voters\n\nProtects the information and independence of unaffiliated voters by restricting the use of their voter data\n\nNo person who is not a citizen shall be permitted or granted the right to vote in any taxpayer-funded election for public office held by or in the United States or any State.\n\nProhibits States from permitting non-citizens to vote in elections for Federal office\n\nWithholds Federal funds if a State permits non-citizens to vote in elections for State and local office\n\n\u201cParticipating in our democracy is a central right of citizens, and voters unaffiliated with any political party deserve to have their voices heard throughout the entire political process,\u201d saidGolden. \u201cThis year, Maine opened our primaries to unenrolled voters for the first time. The Let America Vote Act will bring this victory for democracy to the entire country. Across the world, the awesome and exclusive rights of citizens are intrinsically linked to equally awesome and exclusive responsibilities. You cannot have one without the other. So, this bill also affirms that no matter where you live in our country, the right to vote in the United States is a right reserved for citizens alone.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere is no institution more fundamental to our democracy than our elections, which is why since entering Congress, I have been steadfast in my mission to restore Americans' trust in our electoral process. Today, we take a bold and decisive step forward in advancing this effort with the introduction of my bipartisan Let America Vote Act of 2024. It's simple: every citizen deserves to have their voice heard, and only American citizens should have the right and responsibility to exercise their vote,\u201d said Rep. Fitzpatrick (PA-01). \u201cThis commonsense reform is not political or controversial. It ensures every US citizen, regardless of political affiliation, has the unequivocal right to vote while reinforcing election integrity by strictly prohibiting non-citizens from participating in tax-payer funded elections. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues as they join me in this essential initiative to fight for all American voices and restore faith in our elections, and implore every legislator in America, whether Federal, State, or Local level, to also stand firmly with us.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe right to vote is reserved solely for American citizens,\u201d said Rep. Garbarino (NY-02).\u201cI'm pleased to co-lead this legislation to codify this commonsense principle and safeguard our elections from unconstitutional non-citizen voting.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn Southwest Washington, we value our independence, know that our beliefs don\u2019t always fit neatly into one box, and recognize there\u2019s not a national political party that cares about our community like we do. Good ideas come from both sides of the aisle, so Americans shouldn\u2019t be denied the right to vote for the candidate of their choosing because they aren\u2019t affiliated with a political party,\u201d said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). \u201cAdditionally, a healthy democracy depends on free, fair, and secure elections. We need to uphold the constitutional ideal that decisions made for our country are made by citizens of our country \u2013 and this bipartisan legislation will protect the integrity of Americans\u2019 choices at the ballot box.\u201d\n\n\"The opportunity to vote is a sacred right of all American citizens. Regrettably, Independent Americans, who by many measures make up more than 40% of the population, are disenfranchised in many state primaries. This is especially true today due to gerrymandering of safe electoral districts by self-interested politicians. This bill ensures these tens of millions of Americans are able to vote in primaries and brings more competition to our elections,\" said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. \"This is great for democracy irrespective of one\u2019s political party. With Honor Action fully endorses it and applauds Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus and former FBI agent, and Rep. Jared Golden, a U.S. Marine veteran and former Co-Chair of the For Country Caucus, for leading this Act. Let\u2019s get it passed.\"\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s indefensible that millions of independent and unaffiliated voters can\u2019t vote in party primaries, often the only elections that really matter. The Let America Vote Act can bring more people into the process, reducing the influence of extremists and forcing candidates to appeal to the commonsense majority,\u201d said Ryan Clancy, No Labels Chief Strategist.\n\n\u201cThe Let America Vote Act would bring the single greatest expansion of voting rights in our country in over a half-century, since the voting age was lowered in 1971. Political independents now comprise 51% of the electorate \u2013\u2013 including a majority of veterans who have defended our freedoms; yet 24 million of these unaffiliated Americans have been denied the right to vote in taxpayer-funded primaries in close to two dozen states this year alone. By opening our primaries nationwide, this Act would end taxation without representation once and for all, and ensure every voter, regardless of party, can fully exercise their right to vote,\u201d said Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America.\n\nRead the full text of the legislation here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-netanyahu-address", "Golden statement on Netanyahu address", "2024-07-24", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement after attending today\u2019s address to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu:\n\n\u201cIsrael is one of America\u2019s most important democratic allies and I have always supported them,\u201d Golden said. \u201cI appreciated Netanyahu\u2019s recognition of the Trump administration\u2019s work to pass the Abraham Accords and of the Biden administration\u2019s strong support for Israel after the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust.\u201d\n\n\u201cI attended today\u2019s address by the Israeli prime minister out of respect for the people of Israel and in solidarity with the families of the American citizens who to this day are held hostage by Hamas terrorists,\u201d Golden continued. \u201cI pray for their return and the return of all the hostages, and for Hamas to lay down its arms so this deadly conflict can end.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/at-conclusion-of-army-reserve-and-army-ig-investigations-into-lewiston-shooting-maine-delegation-urges-dod-to-swiftly-implement-recommended-actions", "At Conclusion of Army Reserve and Army IG Investigations into Lewiston Shooting, Maine Delegation Urges DoD to Swiftly Implement Recommended Actions", "2024-07-23", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden are urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to immediately implement the actions recommended as a result of the Army Reserve and Army Inspector General investigations following the Lewiston shooting. For instance, in the letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the Delegation calls on the DoD to update its Psychological Health Program Standard Operating Procedures, its assessments of transition programs, and other similar and related programs. Additionally, the letter urges DoD to take immediate steps to determine whether or not the medical facility that treated the gunman provided adequate care.\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Army Reserve Command\u2019s AR 15-6 investigation and the U.S. Army Inspector General\u2019s subsequent review identified multiple recommendations that\u2014if followed\u2014will benefit the Department of Defense as it provides care for service members. While we continue to press for change, we feel a sense of frustration because, truthfully, recommendations are nothing without action,\u201d the Delegation wrote.\n\nThe Delegation continued, \u201cTherefore, we are deeply interested in how your office intends to implement these recommendations, as well as the timeline for implementation. This is life and death and, as we have seen over the past few years, delays can be costly. For instance, the AR 15-6 memorandum explains that the U.S. Army Reserve \u2018averaged 44 suicides over the past four calendar years, which necessitates a better response to mental health.\u2019 Moreover, the Defense Health Agency has a responsibility to determine if Four Winds, where SFC Card had been a patient, failed to provide adequate treatment and, if so, to take appropriate action.\u201d\n\n\u201cMultiple recommended policy changes for the U.S. Army Reserve Command are included in the reports as well,\u201d the Delegation wrote. \u201cSuch recommendations include updates to the Psychological Health Program Standard Operating Procedures and initiation procedures for Line of Duty Evaluations, as well as assessments of the Army Reserve Warrior Transition Support Program and the impact of establishing an Army Reserve Behavioral Health Liaison, among others. Additionally, the Inspector General\u2019s report recommends expanding the Army Suicide Prevention Program to encompass broader behavioral health emergencies, as well as policy provisions to better facilitate Reserve commanders\u2019 coordination with military treatment facilities.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile we cannot undo this tragedy, we can do our best to learn from past errors. We urge you to implement the recommendations from the AR 15-6 and Inspector General reviews immediately, and your office should carefully assess which recommendations should be implemented across the entire force,\u201d the Delegation concluded.\n\nFollowing the October 2023 shooting, the Maine delegation sent two letters to the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Army, Lieutenant General Donna W. Martin, calling for a comprehensive review of the events surrounding the shooting. The Inspector General later announced she would conduct a formal, independent investigation into the events leading up to the shooting which has already been completed. This is in addition to the review being conducted by the Army Reserve pursuant to Army regulations. Earlier this year, the delegation announced the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will receive over $2 million in funding for community mental health needs in the greater-Lewiston community.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here or read in full below:\n\n+++\n\nDear Secretary Austin:\n\nOn October 25, 2023, a senseless act of violence killed 18 civilians and wounded 13 others in Lewiston, Maine. The shooter was Sergeant First Class Robert R. Card, II. The tragedy destroyed families and sent ripple effects across not only the Lewiston community and the state of Maine, but across the entire nation as well. At this critical juncture, we must ensure that we take appropriate action in the wake of such tragedies in the hope that we can prevent them in the future.\n\nThe U.S. Army Reserve Command\u2019s AR 15-6 investigation and the U.S. Army Inspector General\u2019s subsequent review identified multiple recommendations that\u2014if followed\u2014will benefit the Department of Defense as it provides care for service members. While we continue to press for change, we feel a sense of frustration because, truthfully, recommendations are nothing without action.\n\nTherefore, we are deeply interested in how your office intends to implement these recommendations, as well as the timeline for implementation. This is life and death and, as we have seen over the past few years, delays can be costly. For instance, the AR 15-6 memorandum explains that the U.S. Army Reserve \u201caveraged 44 suicides over the past four calendar years, which necessitates a better response to mental health.\u201d Moreover, the Defense Health Agency has a responsibility to determine if Four Winds, where SFC Card had been a patient, failed to provide adequate treatment and, if so, to take appropriate action.\n\nAdditional recommendations include directed mandatory refresher training on HIPAA. While the review recommends this specifically for Command Teams and Legal Teams of the 108th Training Command, perhaps this (and similar recommendations) should be incorporated across the entire force. Understanding the applicable legal framework is critical to effective decision-making, and we must equip our leaders, at all levels, with the tools to act effectively and decisively.\n\nMultiple recommended policy changes for the U.S. Army Reserve Command are included in the reports as well. Such recommendations include updates to the Psychological Health Program Standard Operating Procedures and initiation procedures for Line of Duty Evaluations, as well as assessments of the Army Reserve Warrior Transition Support Program and the impact of establishing an Army Reserve Behavioral Health Liaison, among others. Additionally, the Inspector General\u2019s report recommends expanding the Army Suicide Prevention Program to encompass broader behavioral health emergencies, as well as policy provisions to better facilitate Reserve commanders\u2019 coordination with military treatment facilities.\n\nWe support these recommendations, among others, as all are critical in taking steps to provide effective care and prevent future violence. These reviews make clear that more could have been done in the case of SFC Card.\n\nWhile we cannot undo this tragedy, we can do our best to learn from past errors. We urge you to implement the recommendations from the AR 15-6 and Inspector General reviews immediately, and your office should carefully assess which recommendations should be implemented across the entire force.\n\nWe look forward to hearing from you, and we request regular briefings on the actions the Department is taking.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-amendment-to-block-gauge-increase-for-maine-lobstermen", "Golden introduces amendment to block gauge increase for Maine lobstermen", "2024-07-22", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced a bipartisan amendment to block for one year a proposed gauge increase in the Gulf of Maine by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).\n\nGolden submitted his amendment for consideration in the Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) cosponsored the amendment.\n\n\u201cGauge increases are a significant change that must be informed by the best possible science, and both Maine lobstermen and the fishery itself lose when Canada isn\u2019t held to the same standards.\u201d Golden said. \u201cIt\u2019s clear that regulators need to work much closer with fishermen to keep the industry sustainable and competitive.\u201d\n\nLobstermen gauge the size of a lobster by measuring its carapace from eye socket to tail. Lobsters that are smaller than the minimum gauge size must be put back in the water so they can grow, protecting the lobster population for the future. According to the ASMFC, lobster stock decline in Lobster Management Area 1 has surpassed 35 percent \u2014 the trigger point for an automatic increase in allowable catch size from 3 1/4 inches to 3 5/16 inches. However, Maine fishermen have questioned the data used to justify these changes, including concerns that ASMFC stock data is out of date. This new rule \u2014 known as Addendum 27 \u2014 is scheduled to begin in January 2025.\n\nIn addition to questions about the reliability of the data used by ASMFC, Golden and Maine fishermen have raised concerns about how an increased minimum size requirement would put Maine lobstermen at a competitive disadvantage with Canadians.\n\nGolden\u2019s amendment would block federal funding from being used to implement, administer or enforce ASMFC\u2019s proposed gauge increase.\n\n\u201cNEFSA is grateful, as always, for Congressman Golden\u2019s continuous support of Maine\u2019s hard-working lobstermen as they continue to navigate through unnecessary Government regulations,\u201d said Dustin Delano, a lobsterman and chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen\u2019s Stewardship Association.\n\n\u201cMaine's fishing industry is vital to our coastal communities\u2019 survival,\u201d said Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and director of the Maine Lobstering Union. \u201cMuch work needs to be done between Maine and Canada before any gauge increase is implemented. We thank Congressmen Golden for his continued support.\u201d\n\nIn April, Golden sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission calling for a delay to its upcoming gauge increase until it worked with fishermen to consider more accurate, comprehensive stock data \u2014 as well as the market impacts of a U.S.-only change.\n\nFull text of Golden\u2019s amendment can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-amendment-to-protect-sled-dog-racing-in-maine", "Golden introduces amendment to protect sled dog racing in Maine", "2024-07-22", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today continued his efforts to protect the Can Am Crown International Sled Dog Races in Fort Kent by introducing a bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that would block the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s (CDC) new dog importation rule.\n\nCongresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) cosponsored the amendment.\n\n\u201cSled dog racing is more than an economic catalyst for northern Maine \u2014 it\u2019s a distinct part of the region\u2019s identity,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThe CDC\u2019s new rule fails to strike a balance between safety and practicality, and it\u2019s clear we need to force regulators back to the drawing board.\u201d\n\nThe new CDC rule tightens requirements on dogs crossing the border into the United States. Previously, dogs were only required to have up-to-date and documented rabies vaccinations. The new rule adds age restrictions, microchipping requirements, and additional paperwork estimated to cost sled dog racers and others who bring dogs into the U.S. between $150 and $300 per dog. For a full team of 14 dogs participating in the Can Am, that could mean up to $4,200 in additional expenses every year.\n\nGolden\u2019s amendment would block for one year federal funding from being used to implement and enforce the agency\u2019s proposed rule.\n\nLast week, Golden sent a letter to CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen highlighting the rule\u2019s negative consequences for northern Maine communities and urged the agency to delay implementation while it explores alternative options.\n\n\u201cThe future of the Can Am Sled Dogs races are in jeopardy,\u201d Sarah Brooks, vice president of the Can Am Crown International Sled Dog Races said last week. \u201cThe three 2023 races were all won by Canadian women. Seventy-eight percent of our teams in the 100-mile race are Canadian and 78 percent of our racers in the 250-mile race are either Canadian or travel to Fort Kent through Canada. Our races depend on Canadian mushers and teams.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am deeply concerned about the CDC\u2019s recent requirements for bringing dogs into the United States. These measures, though well-intentioned for public health, impose significant financial and logistical burdens on our community and those involved in international events like the Can Am,\u201d Fort Kent Town Manager Suzie Paradis said last week. \u201cThe prohibitive costs and complexities of these requirements could discourage families and competitors, impacting not only our local economy but also the vibrant community spirit that these events and pet ownership foster. We urge the CDC to consider alternative solutions that safeguard public health while also supporting our unique cultural and economic needs.\u201d\n\nFull text of Golden\u2019s amendment can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-pushes-cdc-to-delay-rewrite-dog-importation-rules-that-threaten-sled-dog-racing-in-maine", "Golden pushes CDC to delay, rewrite dog importation rules that threaten sled dog racing in Maine", "2024-07-17", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today is urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to delay the August 1 implementation and explore alternatives to a new rule that threatens the internationally renowned Can Am Crown International Sled Dog Races hosted annually in Fort Kent.\n\n\u201cThis rule threatens a way of life in northern Maine and the communities and economies supported by sled dog racing,\" Congressman Golden wrote in a letter to CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen on Tuesday. \u201cI believe the development of these regulations failed to account for the communities I represent.\u201d\n\nThe new CDC rule tightens requirements on dogs crossing the border into the United States. Previously, dogs were only required to have up-to-date and documented rabies vaccinations. The new rule adds age restrictions, microchipping requirements, and additional paperwork estimated to cost sled dog racers and others who bring dogs into the U.S. between $150 and $300 per dog. For a full team of 14 dogs participating in the Can Am, that could mean up to $4,200 in additional expenses every year.\n\n\u201cThe future of the Can Am Sled Dogs races are in jeopardy,\u201d said Sarah Brooks, vice president of the Can Am Crown International Sled Dog Races. \u201cThe three 2023 races were all won by Canadian women. Seventy-eight percent of our teams in the 100-mile race are Canadian and 78 percent of our racers in the 250-mile race are either Canadian or travel to Fort Kent through Canada. Our races depend on Canadian mushers and teams.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am deeply concerned about the CDC\u2019s recent requirements for bringing dogs into the United States. These measures, though well-intentioned for public health, impose significant financial and logistical burdens on our community and those involved in international events like the Can Am,\u201d said Fort Kent Town Manager Suzie Paradis. \u201cThe prohibitive costs and complexities of these requirements could discourage families and competitors, impacting not only our local economy but also the vibrant community spirit that these events and pet ownership foster. We urge the CDC to consider alternative solutions that safeguard public health while also supporting our unique cultural and economic needs.\u201d\n\nIn his letter, Golden urged Cohen to delay implementation of the new rule until a more workable alternative can be found. The letter is available here, and the entirety of its text is pasted below.\n\n###\n\nJuly 16, 2024\n\nDr. Mandy K. Cohen\n\nDirector\n\nCenters for Disease Control and Prevention\n\n400 7th St, SW\n\nWashington, DC 20024\n\nDear Doctor Cohen,\n\nI write today to express my concern about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s\n\n(CDC) new regulatory requirements for dog importation. The requirements, set to begin August\n\n1, 2024, will add unnecessary regulatory burden and have adverse economic and cultural impacts\n\non Maine\u2019s communities.\n\nThe CDC\u2019s final rule, while well-intentioned, includes age restrictions, rabies vaccination prior\n\nto microchipping, ISO-compatible microchip and additional forms. Currently individuals and\n\nfamilies who wish to cross the US-Canadian border with a pet only need proof of a valid rabies\n\nvaccination. The new rule is a drastic departure from current practice, and I have heard from my\n\nconstituents that if implemented, compliance would be nearly impossible.\n\nMaine has a rich history of sled dog racing, particularly in the communities along the Northern\n\nBorder, and many of my constituents have relatives and friends who live across the border. For\n\ndecades the town of Fort Kent, Maine has held the internationally renowned Can Am Crown\n\nInternational Sled Dog Races (CanAm), which attracts sled dog teams from across the country\n\nand relies heavily on Canadian participants. The race is a fundamental part of northern Maine\u2019s\n\nheritage while also playing a vital role in their economies by attracting fans and sponsors to the\n\narea for the events.\n\nTo comply with the new regulations, it will cost Canadian participants anywhere between $150-\n\n$300 per dog. With teams of 14 dogs that is over $2,000-$4,200 in additional expenses. Since\n\nmany of these teams participate in more than one US race they will incur this expense multiple\n\ntimes during a season. This is cost prohibitive. Due to the shortage of veterinarians on both sides\n\nof the border, in addition to the additional expense, compliance will be a challenge if not\n\nimpossible.\n\nThis rule threatens the way of life in northern Maine. Without revisiting the regulations and\n\nmaking changes, the new requirements will significantly impact my local constituents and the\n\neconomy. I believe the development of these regulations failed to account for the communities I\n\nrepresent.\n\nI urge the CDC to delay implementing this rule and explore alternative measures that would\n\nprotect public health while also recognizing the unique circumstances of dog owners who live in\n\nproximity to the United States-Canadian border.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this important matter, I look forward to hearing from\n\nyou.\n\nRespectfully,\n\nJared Golden", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-presses-sba-over-issues-with-disaster-relief-access", "Golden presses SBA over issues with disaster relief access", "2024-07-12", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) is seeking answers and accountability from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) over access challenges and delays in the processing and distribution of low-interest emergency disaster loans resulting from issues with the MySBA Web portal.\n\nEarly this year, the SBA opened the portal for disaster loan applications intended to expedite and simplify the process for individuals and businesses affected by natural disasters, including the December 2023 and January 2024 winter storms that devastated businesses and communities throughout Maine.\n\nSeveral Maine business owners have reached out to Congressman Golden to report that their applications were held up or, in some cases, withdrawn completely because of errors in the portal.\n\n\u201cIt is the responsibility of the SBA to provide these loans in a timely, efficient, and predictable manner. Nearly six months after the disaster, these businesses are mired in an inefficient, broken system and may ultimately go out of business without the necessary resources to rebuild from the storms,\u201d Golden wrote in a letter to Isabel Guzman, administrator of the SBA. \u201c \u2026 I ask you and your staff to investigate how the SBA operates these programs and ensure the issues are resolved.\u201d\n\nConstituents contacted Golden expressing their concerns that the information submitted to the portal was delayed getting to the loan officers, adding to an already arduous process. Additionally, loan applicants have been receiving inaccurate and conflicting answers from the SBA call center when seeking answers or solutions after having problems with the portal.\n\nGolden\u2019s letter can be found here, and the full text is included below.\n\n###\n\nJuly 8, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Isabel Guzman\n\nAdministrator\n\nSmall Business Administration\n\n409 3rd Street, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20416\n\nDear Administrator Guzman,\n\nI write to express my concerns about the Small Business Administration\u2019s (SBA) ongoing issues servicing emergency disaster loans and the ineffectiveness of the MySBA loan portal. Following a series of major storms that devastated Maine\u2019s coastal communities, my constituents are still awaiting their emergency disaster loans.\n\nIn December 2023 and again in January 2024 two widespread storms ravaged through Maine, devastating businesses and communities. Shortly after these events, two presidential disaster declarations were signed allowing those affected to access low-interest loans from the SBA for physical and economic injury to ease the financial impacts.\n\nIn January 2024, the SBA opened an online portal for disaster loan applications intended to expedite and simplify the process for individuals and businesses dealing with the effects of natural disasters. However, the system has been anything but quick or simple. MySBA has proved not to be user-friendly or designed for businesses at all, resulting in unnecessary delays and increased financial uncertainty for the people and businesses in Maine. In numerous cases, constituent applications were held up, and then withdrawn due to errors in the portal automation utilized in the application.\n\nFurthermore, we\u2019ve found that information is not properly shared between loan officers and the SBA call center staff, resulting in inaccurate, often conflicting answers to constituent inquiries. In instances where the constituent would like to speak with a supervisor, they are repeatedly denied. In another circumstance, because the portal had malfunctioned a constituent was told to drive more than an hour multiple times to upload necessary paperwork.\n\nI\u2019m concerned that SBA staff, who lack the available resources to fix the issues themselves, are manually overriding the portal to review loan applications, further delaying an already arduous process. Additionally, constituents are experiencing the same issues they had with the SBA\u2019s online COVID-19 portal.\n\nDisasters are serious disruptions to a community's operations, including to businesses they rely on. SBA disaster loans are intended to provide resources beyond what the community of businesses can provide. It is not just important, but it is the responsibility of the SBA to provide these loans in a timely, efficient, and predictable manner. Nearly six months after the disaster, these businesses are mired in an inefficient, broken system and may ultimately go out of business without the necessary resources to rebuild from the storms.\n\nWith those concerns in mind, I ask you to provide answers to the following:\n\nDoes the SBA have a plan to address the issues with the portal? If so, what steps is the SBA planning to take?\n\nWhile we understand that sensitive information may not be shared between loan officers and SBA call center staff, what steps can the SBA take to ensure that loan officers and SBA call center staff are providing accurate, up-to-date information to constituents?\n\nWhat steps can SBA take to ensure constituents are given a predictable timeline for a decision on their loan? How does the SBA plan to ensure that if the timeline changes, the constituents are updated as soon as possible?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-fitzpatrick-lead-bipartisan-coalition-demanding-vote-on-congressional-stock-trading-ban", "Golden, Fitzpatrick lead bipartisan coalition demanding vote on congressional stock trading ban", "2024-07-09", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) today led a bipartisan group of 20 lawmakers in urging House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to hold a vote on legislation that would ban members of Congress from owning and trading individual stocks.\n\n\u201cMembers of Congress should be working in service of their constituents, not using their positions to line their own pockets. Personal stock portfolios do nothing to help our districts, and even the appearance of insider trading undermines faith in elected officials\u2019 priorities,\u201d Golden said. \u201cAnyone who feels the same should have no problem voting for this common sense, long overdue step.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmericans should rightfully expect Members of Congress to work relentlessly on their behalf to tackle the challenges facing our communities and country, rather than exploit their public position for personal gain,\u201d Fitzpatrick said. \u201cWe must bring this common-sense, bipartisan legislation to the House floor and, once and for all, prohibit Members of Congress from trading stocks. Our constituents deserve better, and it is time to ensure we deliver results that benefit them and our communities across the country, not the pockets and unethical enrichment of elected officials.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmericans across the political spectrum and across the country are tired of seeing headline after headline suggesting that lawmakers are profiting off their access to privileged information. For more than four years, I\u2019ve led an effort to remove even the perception of impropriety by removing lawmakers\u2019 ability to play the stock market \u2014 and I\u2019ve been grateful for the support of Congressman Golden, Congressman Fitzpatrick, and dozens of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle,\u201d Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) said. \u201cAs we enter the final stretch of the 118th Congress, I urge Speaker Johnson to build on our momentum and finally bring bipartisan legislation to the U.S. House floor that would ban Members of Congress from trading individual stocks. Because Members of Congress should be focused on the people they serve \u2014 not their own stock portfolios.\u201d\n\nGolden and Fitzpatrick sent the bipartisan letter, co-signed by 18 other members, calling for a vote on any of the several bills introduced this Congress that would end the practice of congressional stock trading.\n\n\u201cWe believe that taking action on this common-sense, bipartisan legislation will ensure that members of Congress are serving the country and their constituents, not their bank accounts,\u201d the lawmakers wrote in the letter. \u201cOur constituents across the political spectrum support these efforts. According to recent polling, 86 percent of Americans \u2013 including 87 percent of Republicans, 88 percent of Democrats, and 81 percent of Independents \u2013 support prohibiting members of Congress and their families from trading stocks.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s been nearly two years since House leadership committed to holding a vote on a bill to reform stock trading practices for Members of Congress. In a hyper-partisan political environment where American approval ratings of Congress are at an all-time low, this is a common-sense and bipartisan change, making it crystal clear that we come to Washington to serve our constituents, not to serve our own financial interests.\u201d they wrote.\n\nJoining Golden and Fitzpatrick to push for a vote on the stock trading ban for members of Congress were Representatives Katie Porter (CA-47), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Dusty Johnson (SD-At Large), Marie Glusenkamp Perez (WA-03), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Mike Levin (CA-49), Gabe Vasquez (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Donald Davis (NC-01), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Cory Mills (FL-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Josh Brecheen (OK-02), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02).\n\nThroughout his time in Congress, Golden has championed efforts to ensure public officials act in the public interest. In April, he unveiled his Government Integrity & Anti-Corruption Plan, which includes bans on stock trading by members of Congress, senior executive branch officials, and their families. His Stop Foreign Payoffs Act would similarly prohibit their ability to hold investments or earn a salary from foreign businesses.\n\nThe letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nJuly 9, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Mike Johnson\n\nSpeaker\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nH-232, The Capitol\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nThe Honorable Hakeem Jeffries\n\nDemocratic Leader\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nH-204, The Capitol\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nDear Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries:\n\nWe are writing to respectfully urge you to hold a vote on legislation to prohibit members of Congress from owning or trading stocks. As we head into the last few months of the 118th Congress, we believe that taking action on this common-sense, bipartisan legislation will ensure that members of Congress are serving the country and their constituents, not their bank accounts.\n\nAs you know, Congress passed the STOCK Act in 2012 to prevent members of Congress from using non-public information that they receive in the course of their work for personal stock trading benefits. However, recent investigations have found that 1 in 7 members violated the STOCK Act in the 117th Congress,97 members traded stocks in companies impacted by their committee assignments from 2019 to 2021,and members outperformed the S&P 500 by 17.5% in 2022.It is abundantly clear that more is needed to stop this type of behavior that is not only unethical but also undermines the public trust in our democratic institutions.\n\nFortunately, several bipartisan bills to prohibit members from owning or trading stocks have been introduced in the House. Our constituents across the political spectrum support these efforts. According to recent polling, 86 percent of Americans\u2013 including 87 percent of Republicans, 88 percent of Democrats, and 81 percent of Independents\u2013 support prohibiting members of Congress and their families from trading stocks.\n\nIt\u2019s been nearly two years since House leadership committed to holding a vote on a bill to reform stock trading practices for Members of Congress. In a hyper-partisan political environment where American approval ratings of Congress are at an all-time low, this is a common-sense and bipartisan change, making it crystal clear that we come to Washington to serve our constituents, not to serve our own financial interests.\n\nWe stand ready to work with you to advance this important legislative priority into law. Let\u2019s get this done.\n\nRespectfully,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-golden-and-schiff-colleagues-urge-dod-to-support-ukraine-s-request-to-train-additional-f-16-pilots", "Reps. Golden and Schiff, Colleagues Urge DoD to Support Ukraine\u2019s Request to Train Additional F-16 Pilots", "2024-07-01", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02) and Adam Schiff (CA-30) along with 13 House colleagues urged Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to support Ukraine\u2019s request for 10 additional F-16 pilots to be trained this year as part of their ongoing fight against Russian aggression.\n\n\u201cThis request comes at a critical juncture in Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia, where the deployment of F-16 aircraft has the potential to significantly influence the outcome of the war. The recent commitment by allied nations to supply Ukraine with F-16 aircraft is a monumental step forward in bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities. These multi-role aircraft can provide air superiority, close air support, and reconnaissance, which are essential for countering Russian forces. In turn, this can lead to more effective defensive and offensive operations by Ukrainian forces, potentially altering the dynamics on the ground in favor of Ukraine,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\n\u201cWe understand that the Department of Defense is operating under significant constraints and commitments. However, given the urgency of this request, we ask that the Department of Defense make every effort to support the admittance of an additional 10 Ukrainian pilots into F-16 pilot training programs this year, either here in the United States or in other allied countries,\u201d continued the lawmakers.\n\n\u201cWe are confident that with your support, Ukraine can fully meet its training requirements that accommodate these additional 10 pilots, ensuring that Ukraine can fully leverage the capabilities of the F-16 aircraft while addressing a crucial gap in its defensive strategy. This initiative not only enhances Ukraine's ability to utilize the F-16s effectively but also reinforces the broader coalition's commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity. This effort would be a testament to our enduring commitment to supporting Ukraine and upholding international peace and security,\u201d the letter concluded.\n\nAt the start of the conflict, Schiff visited Ukraine where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his top national security team in Kyiv for nearly three hours. He has repeatedly called for increased funding for Ukraine\u2019s defense including leading efforts to push the Biden Administration to use seized Russian assets to aid Ukraine. More recently, Schiff supported emergency supplemental aid for Ukraine passed in April.\n\nThe letter was also signed by Representatives Haley M. Stevens (D-Mich.), Donald G. Davis (D-N.C.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio.), Abigail Davis Spanberger (D-Va.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Ted W. Lieu (D-Calif.), Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-Ind.), Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.).\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-to-advance-homeland-security-defense-spending-bills", "Golden votes to advance Homeland Security, Defense spending bills", "2024-06-28", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman looks forward to compromise budget that secures the border, bolsters national defense\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted in favor of the 2025 Homeland Security and Defense appropriations bills.\n\nIn total, the bills would appropriate roughly $900 billion in funding for the Pentagon and defense-related activities and for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Coast Guard, Citizen and Immigration Services, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and disaster relief programs.\n\n\u201cAdvancing these bills gets us one step closer to the only possible end point of the 2025 budget process: a bipartisan spending plan that can win the support of the House, Senate, and White House,\u201d Golden said. \u201cWhile the House majority has used these must-pass bills to advance so-called \u2018culture war\u2019 policy riders that I oppose, passing appropriations in the House is the only way toward a bipartisan, bicameral budget that will include the provisions in these bills that create and sustain jobs in Maine\u2019s defense-based industries, support our armed service members, and secure our southern border.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am confident that in ongoing negotiations, extreme policy provisions will be removed \u2014 as they were last year \u2014 in order to win the bipartisan support necessary to pass these bills,\u201d Golden said.\n\nThe Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2025 would provide $833.1 billion for the Pentagon and defense-related spending, an $8.6 billion increase over 2024. The bill includes funding for several Maine priorities including construction of a DDG-51 destroyer at Bath Iron Works and quality-of-life improvements for servicemembers and their families \u2014 as well as substantial investments in drug interdiction and counterdrug activities. As a member of the House Armed Service Committee, Golden successfully won inclusion of funding for Maine-based defense industry across the state.\n\nThe Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2025 would provide $64.8 billion to the Department, a $3 billion increase over 2024. It includes $600 million exclusively for border barrier construction, sustains funding for 22,000 border patrol agents \u2014 the largest force ever deployed \u2014 and $90 million for Operation Stonegarden, which provides federal funds to enhance cooperation and coordination in border operations among state, local, tribal and federal agencies. The bill also provides $2.1 billion for Coast Guard procurement and construction, $22.7 billion for the federal Disaster Relief Fund, and $360 million for Assistance to Firefighter Grants.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-announces-more-than-6-million-in-grants-for-second-district", "Golden announces more than $6 million in grants for Second District", "2024-06-27", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced that the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) has awarded 11 grants totaling more than $6 million to towns and organizations across the Second Congressional District. The projects \u2014 which include improvements to infrastructure, child care, education and more \u2014 will benefit communities throughout Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot, and Washington counties.\n\n\u201cStrong infrastructure and economic opportunities make for strong communities. These grants will create good-paying jobs and support the health and safety of Maine families,\u201d Golden said.\u201cWith resources made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the NBRC continues to empower the growth of Maine\u2019s economy.\u201d\n\nThe following grants were announced:\n\n$500,000 to the Town of Fort Kent to expand and relocate the Town\u2019s outdoor skating rink and support recreation opportunities in the County;\n\n$484,000 to the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center to promote workforce development in the aquaculture industry in Washington county;\n\n$250,000 to the Town of Grand Isle to upgrade water treatment facilities;\n\n$500,000 to the Aroostook Micmac Council to expand its aquaculture hatchery and improve economic and food resiliency within the community;\n\n$33,000 to the Beth C. Wright Cancer Center to promote community health care approaches and increase educational opportunities for both patients and care providers in Washington county;\n\n$756,000 to the Maine Audubon Society to renovate and expand the Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden;\n\n$1,000,000 to the Town of Bethel for wastewater treatment system upgrades;\n\n$1,000,000 to the City of Ellsworth to construct a new water treatment plant adjacent to branch Lake;\n\n$1,000,000 to the Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund to build a licensed child care center in Rangely with a capacity of up to 74 children;\n\n$500,000 to the Downeast Institute to upgrade seasonal cottages into year-round housing for science personnel and new employees in Washington county;\n\n$44,000 to the Washburn Trailrunners Snowmobile Club to add a fire-resistant wall to the organization\u2019s club house.\n\nThese grants are part of the NBRC\u2019s Catalyst Program, which is funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Commission\u2019s federal appropriation.\n\nRepresentatives from Congressman Golden\u2019s office will join Governor Janet Mills and NBRC Federal Co-Chair Chris Saunders at an unveiling ceremony in Rangely on July 2 to celebrate the awards.\n\nThe NBRC is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2008 to help alleviate economic distress and encourage private sector job creation throughout the northern counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-second-dobbs-anniversary", "Golden statement on second Dobbs anniversary", "2024-06-24", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement today marking the second anniversary of the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization, which stripped women of the constitutional right to abortion care.\n\n\u201cThe court\u2019s Dobbs decision was an attack on Americans\u2019 constitutional rights that put the government between women and their doctors,\u201d Golden said. \u201cIt undermined the right for women and families to decide how and when to have children and opened the door to further threats to women\u2019s rights, freedom and health care.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe harm caused by Dobbs is clear and continuing: More than one in three women in the United States now live in states that have banned abortion while extremists in Congress and the states are working to build on Dobbs with further restrictions on women\u2019s health care, even during a miscarriage, and national bans on both abortion and IVF. Congress must act to restore to all women the rights the Court took away two years ago,\u201d Golden said.\n\nGolden has been a strong advocate for women's reproductive health care throughout his time in public office. He has repeatedly voted for the Women's Health Protection Act, which would enshrine abortion rights for patients and providers and create federal protection against medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion. He also supported the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act in 2022, which would prohibit restrictions on traveling out-of-state to receive an abortion or ordering drugs approved for terminating a pregnancy through the mail.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-announces-nearly-13-million-to-support-stem-programs-in-rural-maine", "Maine Delegation Announces Nearly $1.3 Million to Support STEM Programs in Rural Maine", "2024-06-21", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announced that the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) has been awarded $1,299,377 in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to launch the Rural Energy Futures (REF) project. Through the REF program, 8th-grade students in rural communities across the state will learn math while exploring local energy issues.\n\n\u201cThis funding will help prepare the next generation of Maine students for future careers in critical STEM industries, particularly the energy sector,\u201d the Delegation said. \u201cProviding students with the knowledge of opportunities that will be available to them to live and work in Maine is essential for maintaining a robust local economy while ensuring that our state remains a leader in innovative energy technologies.\u201d\n\n\u201cSupporting students as they engage in discussions with people in their own neighborhoods about energy projects and career opportunities will build capacity and understanding from the ground up to ensure our communities move toward energy solutions that work for them. This project will serve as a model for other rural areas, demonstrating how to harness local knowledge and build community strength around novel technologies and futures,\u201d said MMSA Executive Director Dr. Ruth Kermish-Allen.\n\nSpecifically, this funding will support the creation of a middle school math curriculum focused on clean energy development, involving 48 teachers and 720 students across 12 rural schools. The curriculum will enhance STEM competencies, local knowledge, and career awareness, while actively supporting the NSF priority of developing a capable energy workforce.\n\nLeading this work at MMSA are Principal Investigator Dr. Heidi Cian, and Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Ruth Kermish-Allen, Alexandria Brasili, and Hannah Lakin. In addition to the team at MMSA, key partners include the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, the Governor's Energy Office, and rural middle school educators across Maine.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-fitzpatrick-lead-renewed-bipartisan-push-to-block-pay-increase-for-members-of-congress", "Golden, Fitzpatrick lead renewed bipartisan push to block pay increase for members of Congress", "2024-06-14", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) are once again leading the fight to oppose congressional pay raises, demanding that congressional leaders exclude proposed cost of living adjustment (COLA) for members of Congress from the FY2025 federal budget.\n\n\u201cIt was only three months ago that we successfully blocked a Congressional pay raise in the FY2024 budget, and here we are once again having to remind our colleagues that public service is about our constituents, not our paychecks,\u201d Golden said.\n\n\u201cIt is an honor to serve in Congress, where our sole mission is to work together to address the rising challenges facing our nation and deliver results for our communities and constituents,\u201d Rep. Fitzpatrick said. \u201cAs hardworking families across the country struggle to make ends meet, they deserve to know that their Members of Congress are fighting to address these issues, lower costs, and champion initiatives that directly benefit and better them\u2014not working to increase our own salaries.\u201d\n\nGolden and Fitzpatrick sent a bipartisan letter, co-signed by three other members, to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging them to once again reject member pay raises.\n\n\u201cAs you know, our nation is confronting a series of challenges: working families and our small businesses are continuing to struggle to make ends meet from inflation, our immigration system is broken, and our global adversaries are aggressively seeking to expand their influence in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific,\u201d the lawmakers wrote in the letter. \u201cDespite these realities, most members of Congress currently receive an annual salary of $174,000 a year, more than approximately 90 percent of American households\u2026\u201d\n\n\u201cUntil Congress can demonstrate to the American people that it can work in a bipartisan, bicameral way to move our country forward, we believe that excluding Member COLA language in the appropriations bill is the right thing to do.\u201d they wrote.\n\nMembers\u2019 $174,000 annual salary is roughly three times the average individual salary in Maine, and higher than the annual pay of roughly 96 percent of Mainers.\n\nGolden has been an outspoken opponent of a congressional pay raise, helping block the effort each time it\u2019s been raised since he took office.\n\nGolden\u2019s letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nJune 13, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Mike Johnson\n\nSpeaker\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nH-232, The Capitol\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nThe Honorable Hakeem Jeffries\n\nDemocratic Leader\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nH-204, The Capitol\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nDear Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries:\n\nAs you finalize the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Legislative Branch appropriations bill, we respectfully request that you exclude any cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Members of Congress.\n\nAs you know, our nation is confronting a series of challenges: working families and our small businesses are continuing to struggle to make ends meet from inflation, our immigration system is broken, and our global adversaries are aggressively seeking to expand their influence in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. Despite these realities, most members of Congress currently receive an annual salary of $174,000 a year, more than approximately 90 percent of American households.\n\nOver the past several years, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have made the important and correct decision to not move forward with language that would allow Members of Congress to receive a pay raise. Given continued congressional inaction to address our nation's most pressing challenges, we ask that the House FY25 Legislative Branch appropriations bill include the following language:\n\n\u201cNotwithstanding any other provision of law, no adjustment shall be made under section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501) (relating to cost of living adjustments for Members of Congress) during fiscal year 2025.\u201d\n\nRepresenting your community in Congress is about public service, not about how big your paycheck is. Until Congress can demonstrate to the American people that it can work in a bipartisan, bicameral way to move our country forward, we believe that excluding Member COLA language in the appropriations bill is the right thing to do.\n\nWe appreciate your consideration of this request.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-ship-for-bath-iron-works-investments-in-maine-manufacturing-in-house-defense-bill", "Golden secures ship for Bath Iron Works, investments in Maine manufacturing in House defense bill", "2024-06-14", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) out of the House today.\n\nGolden opposed harmful culture-war amendments in the lead-up to the final vote, but voted in favor of the bill to secure substantial investments in Maine jobs and manufacturers that he championed in his role as a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and the largest raise for junior enlisted service members in 40 years. The congressman is confident that, as last year, harmful amendments will be struck from the final compromise version of the bill with the Senate.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s economic and military strength are built on the back of our productive capacity, and the provisions included in this package will bolster both our national security and the Maine communities that contribute to it,\u201d Golden said. \u201cI\u2019m also proud to continue fighting for long overdue improvements to servicemembers\u2019 quality of life. The investments in this legislation are necessary and will make a real difference.\u201d\n\nThe FY2025 NDAA authorizes more than $4.7 billion in funding for two DDG-51 Flight III destroyers \u2014 one of which will be built at Bath Iron Works (BIW) \u2014 and includes language to promote the construction of two destroyers at BIW in 2026. Alongside other investments in Maine-based manufacturing and research and development, the legislation also significantly improves servicemembers\u2019 compensation and encourages the military to source materials from Maine\u2019s heritage industries.\n\nThe House approved a Golden-led amendment, the Welcome Home Veterans Act, to ensure veterans have the support and information they need to ensure a smooth transition when leaving active duty and beginning civilian life.\n\nGolden voted against several harmful policy riders pushed by members of the House as amendments to the bill, including those that would restrict servicemembers\u2019 access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care.\n\n\u201cFunding our military and ensuring a strong national defense is one of Congress\u2019 main responsibilities and I\u2019m disappointed that some are trying to use this must-pass legislation to advance unrelated and harmful political agendas,\u201d Golden said. \u201cEnacting the NDAA has been a successful bipartisan process for over six decades, and last year Congress continued that tradition by successfully stripping extremist poison-pill provisions from the final authorization. I\u2019m eager to work again with the Senate to produce a final NDAA that returns the focus to strengthening our nation and delivering for our servicemembers.\u201d\n\nIn addition to securing authorization for BIW to build a DDG-51 destroyer in 2025 and ensuring BIW continues to be a leader in naval warship production, Golden helped secure $50 million for shipyard infrastructure and technological improvements and more than $150 million for shipyard research and development to support the next generation of Bath-built ships in the final House bill. This authorization represents years of additional work for the shipyard on top of existing orders secured by Golden in the past.\n\nThe legislation also includes a 19.5 percent pay raise for the most junior enlisted service members, which would be the largest increase in roughly 40 years. On top of other meaningful investments in housing, health care and child care this package is recognition that our troops fill an irreplaceable role and that their wages and benefits should reflect that.\n\nCongressman Golden worked to secure several other provisions that were included in the House NDAA, including funding for researchers and manufacturers at the University of Maine and in Lewiston, Bridgton, and Brewer, as well as language to encourage the use of mass timber in military construction projects and protect positions at the Maine Air National Guard.\n\nClick here for more details about Golden-led provisions in the NDAA. The bill now moves to the Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-biden-s-border-security-action-an-overdue-step-but-job-far-from-over", "Golden: Biden\u2019s border security action \u2018an overdue step\u2019 but job far from over", "2024-06-05", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Reps. Jared Golden (ME-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Mary Peltola (AK-AL) and Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement today regarding President Biden\u2019s new executive order on border security:\n\n\u201cThis order is an overdue step, but our Southern border is still not secure,\u201d the members said. \u201cWe\u2019ve long demanded President Biden change course and empower the Border Patrol, and he\u2019s finally acting and listening to the law enforcement agents in the field, like we\u2019ve been telling him to do.\n\n\u201cBut make no mistake: This job is far from over for the President and Congress. To that end, in addition to his action today, President Biden needs to use the authority given to the executive by Congress to immediately reimplement 8 U.S.C. \u00a7 1225(b)(2)(C), and we are again calling on leaders in both the House and Senate to pass legislation to give the Border Patrol back the expulsion authority that expired last year.\n\n\u201cBorder security must be the top national security priority for President Biden. The President needs to do all he can to restore operational control of our Southern border and stop drug cartels from trafficking fentanyl into communities across America.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nReps. Golden, Gluesenkamp Perez, Peltola and Davis were four of only five Democrats to vote in March for H.R. 3602, to restore operational control at the Southern Border. Since the vote, the members have repeatedly called on the president to utilize his full executive authority to secure the border. In March, they voted to pass funding for the largest Border Patrol workforce in the nation\u2019s history.\n\nGolden, Gluesenkamp Perez and Peltola are co-chairs of the Blue Dog Coalition, a House Caucus dedicated to pursuing fiscally responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense for our country, and transcending party lines to get things done for the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-pushes-for-house-vote-on-right-to-contraception-act", "Golden pushes for House vote on Right to Contraception Act", "2024-06-05", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) is pushing to force a House vote on a bill to create statutory protections for an individual\u2019s right to obtain and use contraception and enshrine the right of health care providers to provide contraception without interference from politicians.\n\nGolden announced today he will sign a discharge petition to bring H.R. 4121, the Right to Contraception Act, to the floor. He is a cosponsor of the bill. The discharge petition has 193 signatories so far.\n\n\u201cThe Supreme Court upheld the right to access contraception in the landmark Griswold decisions in 1965, but the repeal of Roe v. Wade has emboldened those who seek to limit access and impede health care providers \u2014 not only with regard to abortion, but contraception too,\u201d Golden said. \u201cSupporting American families includes supporting the right of Americans to decide for themselves how and when to have children. The House should get a chance to vote on this bill.\u201d\n\nH.R. 4121 would establish a right to receive and use contraception free from coercion and ensure the right of health care providers to provide contraception, information, referrals and services related to contraception. It also would prohibit the federal government and states from restricting access or prohibiting individuals from helping others obtain contraception and would establish a right to sue states or governments that restrict the right to birth control.\n\nThe House,with Golden\u2019s support, passed an earlier version of the bill in 2022. The Senate never held a vote on that bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-urges-regulators-biden-administration-to-level-the-playing-field-for-workers-in-us-solar-industry", "Golden urges regulators, Biden administration to level the playing field for workers in US solar industry", "2024-06-05", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) joined a bicameral effort today to push for the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce to level the playing field for American solar workers by supporting a set of antidumping and countervailing duty petitions filed by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee.\n\nIn a letter to the Secretary of Commerce and the Chair of the ITC, Golden is demanding they thoroughly investigate Chinese companies with facilities in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam that are engaging in unfair trade practices to avoid U.S. tariffs and undermine the U.S. solar industry and its workers, to pave the way for further action to combat China\u2019s cheating.\n\n\u201cChina is skirting trade laws. Its anti-competitive practices undermine U.S. workers and manufacturers, jeopardize our national security and threaten American energy independence,\u201d Golden said. \u201cRegulators and the Biden administration must do everything in their power to stand up for American industry in the face of unfair foreign competition.\u201d\n\nGolden signed the letter, which was led by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09). Additional signers include Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bob Casey (D-PA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Joe Manchin (I-WV), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA); and Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Jon Garamendi (D-CA-08), Frank Mrvan (D-IN-01) and Terri Sewell (D-AL-07).\n\n\u201cU.S. solar workers and manufacturers are ready to compete on a level playing field, but leaving China\u2019s cheating unaddressed puts thousands of American solar jobs and the domestic solar industry in jeopardy,\u201d the members wrote. \u201cSupporting the petitions filed by the Alliance helps hold China accountable and ensure all Americans and our allies benefit from a thriving U.S. solar manufacturing base. Careful consideration of all four countries in the petitions is a necessity, as a negative determination in one will lead Chinese-headquartered producers to shift production to that country. We support the Alliance\u2019s AD/CVD petitions to give the U.S. solar industry its chance to shine.\u201d\n\nGolden in May introduced The Declaring Our Energy Independence from China Act, which would require the President to apply additional tariffs to all battery components, solar energy components, and wind energy components imported from China at a 25 percent rate. The rate would rise by an additional five percent each of the following five years, for a final rate of 50 percent. The bill also would require the United States Trade Representative to submit to Congress a report detailing the extent to which China has, during the preceding 15 years, provided industrial subsidies to its battery, solar energy, and wind energy sectors.\n\nIn August, the Department of Commerce issued a final determination confirming that Chinese solar panel producers \u2014 operating in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam \u2014 are circumventing U.S. trade law meant to protect American businesses and workers by routing their products through Southeast Asia. A March 2023 reportfrom the ITC showed that Section 301 and 232 tariffs led to significant increases in domestic production in the tariffed industries that were analyzed.\n\nThe full letter is available here and below.\n\n+++\n\nDear Chairman Johanson and Secretary Raimondo:\n\nWe write in strong support of the antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) petitions filed by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee (Alliance) to investigate unfair trade practices by primarily Chinese-owned companies operating in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam that are causing harm to the U.S. solar industry. We support the petitions against these entities \u2013 many of which have previously been found to have engaged in illegal dumping in violation of our nation\u2019s trade laws \u2013 to ensure America\u2019s solar workers have the chance to compete on a level playing field.\n\nThe Alliance, which includes Convalt Energy, First Solar, Hanwha-QCells, Meyer Burger Mission Solar, REC Silicon, and Swift Solar, has filed its petitions on behalf of the domestic solar manufacturing industry, which supports 34,000 workers and has the potential to add tens of thousands more good-paying, American jobs. Unfortunately, China has made it clear that it will do anything to stop American manufacturing from realizing its potential and is currently targeting the growing U.S. solar industry through the use of market-distorting trade practices, including illegal subsidies. Holding China accountable for its illegal trade practices will allow for the growth of a more diverse, and more secure, solar supply chain, here in the United States.\n\nChina has subsidized the construction of manufacturing facilities in other countries, particularly those within their Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. These are Chinese-owned factories, operated by Chinese companies, making solar panels and cells with Chinese materials all with one goal: to circumvent U.S. trade law. By establishing facilities in third-party countries, Chinese companies can avoid targeted trade enforcement actions, which is why these petitions are so critical. Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam accounted for 84 percent of solar panel imports in the fourth quarter of 2023. This is a continuation of long-standing practice, albeit with different tactics, as it was these same countries that were home to the last Chinese efforts to evade enforcement of American trade law. This case also has the potential to set an important precedent for addressing China\u2019s anticompetitive practices across many industries.\n\nSubsidization, dumping, and ultimately circumvention are the tools China utilizes to support production far in excess of market demands. Massive government subsidies allow Chinese solar manufacturers to develop overcapacity, decimating market dynamics. By dumping solar products into markets at artificially low prices, Chinese companies deny solar manufacturers in the U.S. the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.Asa result of China\u2019s longstanding policies, solar is one of the \u201cnew three\u201d strategic industries \u2013 which includes electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries \u2013 that the Chinese government has decided to dominate. Today, China\u2019s dominance of solar supply chains already represents a strategic vulnerability. Its solar industry, which has deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party, currently produces more than 90 percent of solar-grade polysilicon, controls more than 99 percent of the global production capacity for wafers, and disturbingly controls over 80 percent of global shipments across the solar supply chain.\n\nChina\u2019s dominance of the solar supply chain creates significant energy security risks, in addition to stifling domestic job growth and harming American manufacturing potential. This industry cannot reach its full potential in the U.S. if China's companies operate as a one-nation solar cartel. For the American solar manufacturing sector, holding China accountable for its illegal trade practices is of critical importance. Strong enforcement will allow for the growth of a more diverse, and more secure, solar supply chain, which minimizes the risks associated with relying on imports and keeps workers employed.\n\nU.S. solar workers and manufacturers are ready to compete on a level playing field, but leaving China\u2019s cheating unaddressed puts thousands of American solar jobs and the domestic solar industry in jeopardy. Supporting the petitions filed by the Alliance helps hold China accountable and ensure all Americans and our allies benefit from a thriving U.S. solar manufacturing base. Careful consideration of all four countries in the petitions is a necessity, as a negative determination in one will lead Chinese-headquartered producers to shift production to that country. We support the Alliance\u2019s AD/CVD petitions to give the U.S. solar industry its chance to shine.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-demands-answers-after-third-anniversary-of-west-paris-post-office-closure-passes-with-no-update-on-reopening-timeline", "Golden demands answers after third anniversary of West Paris post office closure passes with no update on reopening timeline", "2024-06-04", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) is demanding answers from the United States Postal Service (USPS) about why the West Paris post office has remained closed past the agency\u2019s estimated timeline to reopen in May.\n\nMay 28 marked the third anniversary of the closure of the West Paris post office, with the USPS yet to provide any update on purported reopening plans. Golden sent a May 30 letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy about this facility \u2014 which follows letters sent in September 2023 and October 2022 \u2014 nearly ten months after the agency\u2019s last substantive update on July 21, 2023, when USPS officials said they expected the facility to be \u201cfully operational\u201d again in May 2024.\n\nSince the facility was shuttered in 2021, members of the community have needed to travel an additional seven miles to South Paris to access postal services, and the closure is affecting residents and local businesses\u2019 mail service.\n\n\u201cWhile I understand the USPS cannot provide information relating to ongoing negotiations [over the facility\u2019s lease], the lack of transparency and unwillingness to provide information to relay to my constituents who rely on the Postal Service every day is deeply concerning,\u201d Golden wrote in the letter. \u201cThat is why I am once again asking for an honest and accurate estimated timeline for the reopening of the West Paris post office.\u201d\n\n\u201cMy constituents \u2014 your customers \u2014 deserve to know when their local post office will reopen or at least, if that information is unavailable, what is causing the delay,\u201d he continued. \u201cIf your plans to reopen have changed, they deserve to know that too.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Postal Service has lost focus under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. This is clearly evident in the disparity between how slowly it takes to reopen rural post offices to how rapidly they move forward to consolidate large processing facilities across the country,\u201d said Scott Adams, President of the American Postal Workers Union Local 458. \u201cThree years to get service back to West Paris, Maine, is unacceptable. Thank you to Congressman Golden for addressing not only West Paris, but others as well.\u201d\n\nGolden has championed holding the Postal Service accountable to Mainers throughout his time in Congress. Following his outreach to Postmaster General DeJoy last year, USPS reopened its Etna facility, which had also been closed since May 2021. Earlier this month, USPS announced that it was postponing plans to consolidate the Eastern Maine Processing & Distribution Facility in Hampden after bipartisan efforts led by Golden and other members of Congress. His bipartisan Timely Mail Delivery and Postal Services Protection Act \u2014 which he introduced in April \u2014 would permanently block the process USPS uses to consolidate mail processing facilities across the country.\n\nA copy of the letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nMay 30, 2024\n\nMr. Louis DeJoy\n\nPostmaster General\n\nUnited States Postal Service\n\n75 L \u2019Enfant Plaza SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20260-1000\n\nDear Postmaster General DeJoy:\n\nI write again regarding the lack of transparency and communication from the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding the reopening of the post office in West Paris, Maine. It has now been three years since the USPS closed the facility, requiring residents of West Paris and neighboring communities to travel an additional seven miles to the next closest USPS facility.\n\nSince USPS announced the closure of the West Paris post office my requests for status updates about the reopening have been met with unsatisfactory and ultimately false responses from your agency. The most substantive update Mainers received was on July 21, 2023, when the USPS said, \u201cThe Postal Service is nearing completion of negotiations for a replacement facility. We anticipate the facility to be fully operational within the next 10 months.\u201d Now, nearly ten months later, not only is the West Paris post office still closed, but there is also no update on whether a lease has even been executed.\n\nWhile I understand the USPS cannot provide information relating to ongoing negotiations, the lack of transparency and unwillingness to provide information to relay to my constituents who rely on the Postal Service every day is deeply concerning. That is why I am once again asking for an honest and accurate estimated timeline for the reopening of the West Paris Post Office.\n\nMy constituents \u2013 your customers \u2013 deserve to know when their local post office will reopen or at least, if that information is unavailable, what is causing the delay. If your plans to reopen have changed, they deserve to know that too.\n\nI appreciate your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-trump-convictions", "Golden statement on Trump convictions", "2024-05-30", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement tonight following former President Donald Trump\u2019s conviction by a New York jury on 34 counts of felony falsification of business records.\n\n\u201cIn this case, former President Trump has had his day in court and has been found guilty by a jury of his peers. I respect the jury\u2019s decision,\u201d Golden said. \u201cAs to the many questions I\u2019ve received about the politics of this decision, let me say this: As of today, Donald Trump is the Republican candidate for president. I have no doubt that information about this verdict will feature in the campaign. I trust the people of Maine with their votes.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-wins-armed-services-committee-approval-for-new-bath-built-destroyer-other-major-maine-investments", "Golden wins Armed Services Committee approval for new Bath-built destroyer, other major Maine investments", "2024-05-23", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 The House Armed Services Committee late last night approved the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, with provisions by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) directing billions in federal dollars to Maine, including funds for a new DDG-51 destroyer to be built at Bath Iron Works.\n\nGolden, a member of the committee, ensured the annual defense authorization bill secures the future of shipbuilding jobs in Bath and invests in Maine-based manufacturers and institutions.\n\n\u201cMaine\u2019s shipbuilding industry doesn\u2019t just provide good-paying jobs for Mainers, it is a critical element of the United States\u2019 military readiness and ability to protect our country,\u201d Congressman Golden said. \u201cLikewise, our state is home to manufacturers and researchers that are ready and able to support our servicemembers. This year\u2019s NDAA cements Maine\u2019s key role in America\u2019s national defense.\u201d\n\nGolden ensured that through the NDAA, Bath Iron Works will continue to play a leading role in the production of naval warships. The bill includes an over $4.7 billion authorization for the construction of two DDG-51 destroyers next year, including one at BIW; $150.5 million for shipyard research and development to lay the foundation for the next generation of Bath-built ships; and $50 million for shipyard infrastructure divided between BIW and a shipyard in Mississippi. The bill also includes advanced funding with an eye toward the construction of two destroyers at BIW in 2026, and language to ensure the dredging of the Kennebec River necessary for BIW to get ships to the ocean.\n\nThe NDAA directs millions in additional federal funds to Maine-based institutions and manufacturers. The University of Maine will receive $2.5 million to design and test rapidly deployable materials and structures suitable for extreme polar environments \u2014 a critical necessity to ensure deterrence capabilities.\n\nLewiston-based Elmet Technologies, a 100 percent U.S.-owned and operated company, will receive $2.5 million to manufacture specialized alloys critical for munitions, reducing U.S. dependence of foreign-produced rounds.\n\nGolden also praised the NDAA\u2019s inclusion of a 19.5 percent pay raise for the most junior enlisted service members. The raise applies to pay grades E-1 to E-4, such as the ranks of private to corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, and is the first substantive increase to the bottom of the military\u2019s pay scale since the 1980s.\n\n\u201cThose who sign up to defend our country in the armed services deserve pay and benefits commensurate with their dedication to our nation,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThis raise \u2014 along with investments in housing, health care and child care in this year\u2019s NDAA \u2014 will help our country recruit and retain the military and civilian workforce we need for the future.\u201d\n\nGolden also led inclusion of a provision to ensure time spent by soldiers receiving training and education to become officers is included as part of their official Time In Service, which affects \u2014 among other things \u2014 retirement and eligibility for promotions. This measure would bring parity to the Army by bringing its Time In Service calculation in line with the other military departments.\n\nThe 2025 NDAA also includes the following Golden-led priorities:\n\nSupport for Maine-based wood products, through a directive to encourage the use of mass timber in military construction projects;\n\n$5 million for Bridgton-based Howell Laboratories for the modernization of water purification systems on ships;\n\nA provision to protect positions in the Maine Air National Guard by prohibiting the reduction of KC-135 Aircraft until they can be replaced with next-generation aircraft.\n\nA provision to support Brewer-based Compotech, Inc., by encouraging the use of their artificial intelligence and machine learning technology for weapons testing to improve the safety and success of U.S. armed forces.\n\n$47.5 million for the U.S.-Israel Future of Warfare Fund and $30 million for U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperation. Golden was the lead Democratic sponsor on the bill establishing the Fund, which supports the bilateral research and development of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, directed energy and automation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-d-esposito-lead-40-colleagues-in-bipartisan-push-to-protect-fire-departments-from-potential-closures", "Golden, D\u2019Esposito lead 40 colleagues in bipartisan push to protect fire departments from potential closures", "2024-05-22", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Anthony D\u2019Esposito (NY-04) today led a bipartisan letter calling on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to extend the public comment period for its newly proposed Emergency Response Standard and to protect fire departments from expanded regulations that could threaten the closure of volunteer departments across the country.\n\nThe letter to Assistant Secretary of Labor Douglas Parker follows OSHA\u2019s February publication of a new safety and health standard to replace the existing Fire Brigades Standard. The proposal mandates 22 additional rules for all fire departments, including required upgrades for departments that lack certain facilities and increased training requirements for firefighters. Golden and D\u2019Esposito were joined by 40 Representatives from both sides of the aisle, who joined volunteer and professional emergency responders in sounding the alarm over OSHA\u2019s failure to recognize unique and significant financial and personnel limitations of many departments.\n\n\u201cWhile we appreciate OSHA\u2019s efforts to improve the safety of our first responders, we have heard from volunteer fire departments and first responders in our districts that the new requirements proposed in the rule would result in their closure, undermining public safety and leaving many communities without essential emergency services,\u201d the Representatives said. \u201cAs drafted, this rule fails to recognize the significant financial and personnel limitations that are unique to volunteer departments that serve our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201c...These concerns were conveyed to OSHA by stakeholders participating in the agency\u2019s Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel in the fall of 2021,\u201d they continued. \u201c\u2026That is why the SBAR recommends that OSHA consider exempting these entities from some or all parts of the standard as well as identify additional areas where financial and logistical burdens can be reduced. We do not believe the proposed standard as written adheres to SBAR\u2019s recommendation and we urge OSHA to revisit their feedback to ensure the standard does not damage emergency response capabilities in our districts.\u201d\n\nFirefighter groups praised the bipartisan letter:\n\nRetired Chief William St. Michel, Executive Director of the Maine Fire Chiefs' Association: \u201cWe appreciate OSHA\u2019s support for improving the health and safety of our first responders. However, as drafted we believe the new \u2018Emergency Standard\u2019 would make both our departments and our communities less safe. Maine departments are staffed by a mix of volunteer, on-call, and full-time firefighters. OSHA\u2019s stated goal is to improve safety standards for those on the front lines and the public they so valiantly protect. We fear that, without direct input from emergency managers \u2014 and the phase-in time needed to implement the proposed rules \u2014 will result in a product contrary to those goals. The Maine Fire Chiefs' Association thanks Congressman Golden for his advocacy on behalf of the First Responder community.\u201d\n\nMike Scott, President of the Professional Firefighters of Maine: \u201cThe Professional Fire Fighters of Maine are the voice of firefighters, EMS providers, and dispatch personnel on the front lines in our state. We thank Congressman Golden for ensuring that voice is heard by OSHA regulators.\u201d\n\nSteve Hirsch, Chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council: \u201cWhile the National Volunteer Fire Council appreciates OSHA\u2019s efforts to improve firefighter safety via their proposed Emergency Response Standard, the resources for volunteer departments to comply with this standard do not exist and it could cause many of these departments to close. I applaud Reps. Golden and D\u2019Esposito on their leadership in requesting that OSHA re-examine its proposed Emergency Response Standard and find a more feasible path forward to ensure our mutual goal of improving firefighter safety.\u201d\n\nAccording to the National Fire Department Registry, 93.1 percent of Maine fire departments are classified as entirely or mostly volunteer. The total number of volunteer firefighters in Maine has declined by half over the last 40 years.\n\nA copy of the letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nThe Honorable Douglas L. Parker\n\nAssistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health\n\nOccupational Safety Health Administration\n\nU.S. Department of Labor\n\n200 Constitution Ave NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20210\n\nDear Assistant Secretary Parker:\n\nWe are writing to share our strong concerns with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration\u2019s (OSHA) proposed rulemaking to replace the existing \u201cFire Brigades Standard.\u201d While we appreciate OSHA\u2019s efforts to improve the safety of our first responders, we have heard from volunteer fire departments and first responders in our districts that the new requirements proposed in the rule would result in their closure, undermining public safety and leaving many communities without essential emergency services.\n\nEarlier this year, OSHA announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would update existing regulations for the safety and health of firefighters and other emergency responders, including municipal volunteer departments covered by OSHA-approved State Plan programs and potentially non-profit volunteer fire departments in non-State Plan states. This new \u201cEmergency Response\u201d standard would impose new written emergency response plans, hazard vulnerability assessments, training, personal protective equipment, medical screening and behavioral health services, and other requirements. OSHA estimates that over one million emergency responders are anticipated to fall within the scope of the proposed rule, 331,472 of whom self- identify as volunteers.\n\nAs drafted, this rule fails to recognize the significant financial and personnel limitations that are unique to volunteer departments that serve our communities. The vast majority of these departments operate under very small budgets or self-fundraise. Volunteers donate their own time and resources to ensure that communities have readily available access to emergency services, often serving as the only source of emergency response within miles or hours of response time away. Under the proposed \u201cEmergency Response\u201d standard, volunteer departments would need to implement more requirements, including additional training and fitness standards for veteran first responders with years of experience, recordkeeping, and other activities. The rule would also require the incorporation by reference of over twenty industry consensus standards. While these are excellent as best practices, these departments lack the economic resources to carry them out as a requirement in statute.\n\nThese concerns were conveyed to OSHA by stakeholders participating in the agency\u2019s Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel in the fall of 2021. In their report, the SBAR highlighted that \u201cconcern about the economic feasibility of implementing these requirements in smaller, particularly volunteer, fire departments was common.\u201d Alarmingly, the SBAR also received feedback from numerous emergency service organizations (ESOs) that, \u201cgiven the limited resources of many volunteer fire departments, this standard, if promulgated, would force small ESOs to close.\u201d It is clear that as proposed, this new standard imposes a significant unfunded mandate that is simply untenable for our volunteer departments. That is why the SBAR recommends that OSHA consider exempting these entities from some or all parts of the standard as well as identify additional areas where financial and logistical burdens can be reduced. We do not believe the proposed standard as written adheres to SBAR\u2019s recommendation and we urge OSHA to revisit their feedback to ensure the standard does not damage emergency response capabilities in our districts.\n\nAdditionally, we are hearing that with the conclusion of the public comment period just over a month away, many of the departments that would be most impacted do not have the time or the capacity to compile the necessary information to ensure that OSHA fully understands the impacts the proposed standard would have on them. Additional time for the public comment period could help ensure that your agency receives a more accurate picture of the nation\u2019s fire service.\n\nWe appreciate OSHA\u2019s support for improving the health and safety of our first responders. However, as drafted we believe the new \u201cEmergency Standard\u201d would make both our departments and our communities less safe. It is our hope that your agency will consider the unique circumstances of volunteer departments to ensure that they can continue to operate and provide lifesaving services.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-backs-bills-supporting-law-enforcement-officers-during-national-police-week", "Golden backs bills supporting law enforcement officers during National Police Week", "2024-05-15", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced he will support seven bills under consideration in the House this week in recognition of National Police Week.\n\n\u201cWhen President John F. Kennedy proclaimed the first Police Week in 1962, he called on the nation to commemorate police officers past and present whose \u2018faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens,\u2019\u201d Golden said.\n\n\u201cWhile our world and the challenges facing law enforcement officers have changed since President Kennedy\u2019s proclamation, the duty to serve and protect remains one of our nation\u2019s highest callings. Their faithful and loyal devotion to that duty is as deserving of our gratitude now as it ever has been.\u201d\n\nCongressman Golden announced his support for the following bills:\n\nHR 7581, which would require the U.S. Attorney General to develop a series of reports related to violent attacks on law enforcement officers, the efficacy of current data collection related to attacks on officers, and the efficacy of programs intended to provide protective equipment and wellness resources to officers.\n\nH.R. 7343, which would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take into custody any illegally present immigrant who is arrested for, charged with, convicted of, or admitting to assaulting law enforcement personnel while they are performing official duties.\n\nHR 8146, which would require the Justice Department to submit a report to Congress on the effect national immigration policies are having on federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officers.\n\nH.R. 354, which would allow qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms and ammunition in school zones, in national parks, on government property open to the public, and in certain federal facilities.\n\nH.R. 7530, which would require the District of Columbia to revise its definition of youth offenders to include individuals 18 years old or younger, require the DC Attorney General to establish and update a website with statistics on juvenile crime, and prohibit the District of Columbia from enacting changes to criminal sentences.\n\nH Res. 1213, a resolution condemning calls to defund the police.\n\nH. Res. 1210, a resolution stating that the border crisis is exacerbating challenges and dangers faced by law enforcement.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-demands-answers-accountability-from-va-over-nearly-11-million-misspent-on-executive-bonuses", "Golden demands answers, accountability from VA over nearly $11 million misspent on executive bonuses", "2024-05-15", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today sent a letter from a bipartisan group of representatives to Dennis McDonough, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, seeking answers and action following a recent VA Inspector General report that showed the department improperly awarded nearly $11 million in bonuses to senior officials at its central office.\n\nThe letter was signed by Golden and Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Mary Peltola (AK-AL), and Mike Thompson (CA-04).\n\nThe VA Inspector General found in September that the agency had used $10.8 million in critical skill incentive (CSI) payments \u2014 funds appropriated by Congress to help recruit and retain employees with in-demand skills that are in short supply \u2014 to fund bonuses ranging from $39,000 to more than $100,000 to 182 senior executives in the central office.\n\n\u201cWhile we appreciate that upon learning of these payments in September you demanded the executives reimburse the VA, eight months have passed, and the money is still being recouped,\u201d the members wrote in the letter. \u201c... The VA has an obligation to the veterans and families they serve to claw back the millions of dollars that were improperly distributed, reallocate the funds to their original purpose, and discipline the senior executives who do not comply.\n\n\u201cWe will ensure these egregious missteps cannot happen again, and the VA continues to provide veterans and their families with the highest level of quality and access to care.\u201d\n\nThe members asked the Secretary whether the VA is working with the Office of the Inspector General to follow its recommendations, what steps the agency is taking to recoup the bonuses, how it will hold senior officials who approved the bonuses accountable, and how it will protect funds from being misused in the future.\n\nYou can see the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-s-bill-to-address-mental-health-safety-issues-in-fishing-industry-passes-house", "Golden\u2019s bill to address mental health, safety issues in fishing industry passes House", "2024-05-14", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today released the following statement after the House voted to pass his Fishing Industry Safety, Health, and Wellness Improvement (FISH Wellness) Act, which was included in a bill reauthorizing funding for the U.S. Coast Guard:\n\n\u201cFishermen have been the foundation of Maine\u2019s coastal communities for hundreds of years, and these investments in their safety will help sustain those communities for generations to come,\u201d Golden said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to see so much bipartisan support for this bill from my colleagues and am eager to work with the Senate to get this across the finish line.\u201d\n\nThe Fish Wellness Act would expand existing programs for safety training in the commercial fishing industry to include a more comprehensive range of common physical and behavioral challenges, such as worker fatigue, substance use disorders, and mental health. According to the Maine Coast Fishermen\u2019s Association, factors such as unpredictable hours, isolation, financial uncertainty and more contribute to \u201chigh levels of stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues among fishermen.\u201d\n\nThe full Coast Guard Authorization Act passed the House by a vote of 376-16.\n\nWhat they\u2019re saying about the bill:\n\n\u201cWorking on the water is hard work and it takes a real toll on fishermen and our families,\u201d Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and Director of the Maine Lobstering Union, said at the bill\u2019s introduction. \u201cThe investments this bill would make in their health and safety would make a real difference in peoples\u2019 lives, especially by preventing problems before they develop. The Maine Lobstering Union is grateful to Congressman Golden for his ongoing commitment to the industry.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur lobstermen and their families face unique safety, physical and behavioral health challenges because they work long hours at sea, often under dangerous conditions,\u201d Patrice McCarron, Policy Director for the Maine Lobstermen\u2019s Association said. \u201cThe Maine Lobstermen\u2019s Association commends Congressman Golden for introducing this legislation, which would help improve the health and well-being of fishermen, who are the critical backbone of our coastal economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cFishermen are industrial athletes who work long hours in one of the most dangerous professions in the US,\u201d Ben Martens, Executive Director of the Maine Coast Fishermen\u2019s Association said. \u201cThe mental and physical health of our fishermen is incredibly important if we want sustainable fisheries, vibrant fishing communities, and a next generation excited to continue harvesting the best seafood in the world here in Maine. This bill is a significant investment in our fishermen and an important step towards addressing those needs. We thank Congressman Golden for his work and the entire Maine delegation for their support for the industry.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/usps-delays-consolidation-of-hampden-facility-following-golden-s-bipartisan-legislation-and-advocacy", "USPS delays consolidation of Hampden facility following Golden\u2019s bipartisan legislation and advocacy", "2024-05-14", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Postal Service\u2019s (USPS) announcement that it will freeze postal facility consolidations nationwide through at least January 1, 2025, including at the Eastern Maine Processing & Distribution Facility in Hampden:\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve fought tooth and nail to protect rural communities from the restructuring proposed by USPS because I know how Mainers rely on the mail to receive medicine, conduct business, and keep in touch with their loved ones,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThis announcement is a big win for the entire state, and I\u2019ll continue to push for a permanent stop to any plans that threaten mail service.\u201d\n\nUSPS\u2019 moratorium follows Golden\u2019s introduction of bipartisan legislation to freeze Mail Processing Facility Reviews (MPFRs) nationwide and his repeated outreach to DeJoy throughout the review of the Hampden facility to express concerns about the agency\u2019s consolidation process.\n\n\u201cWe were very pleased to see that the Postal Service is pausing the current network changes until next year,\u201d Scott Adams, President of the American Postal Workers Union of Maine, said. \u201cThat should give sufficient time to assess the current delayed mail issues and hopefully correct them, inclusive of returning the process to the way it was before DeJoy's changes were implemented. There are no details to the effect this will have on the Eastern Maine P&DC, but since most changes have yet to take place, we see this as great news that should benefit Mainers and their mail service. Again, thanks to Congressman Golden's efforts on this, as the decision clearly came about from the pressure from Congress and Postal patrons.\u201d\n\nIn a letter today to Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Senate\u2019s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said he \u201cneed[s] more time to evaluate\u201d the effects of MPFRs on timely mail service following outreach from lawmakers in both chambers and that he \u201cwill not advance these efforts without advising you of our plans to do so, and then only at a moderated pace of implementation.\u201d\n\nMail Processing Facility Reviews were launched in 2021 to study the feasibility of relocating certain postal operations from local facilities to larger regional ones. The USPS first announced that it was reviewing consolidation of some mail processing from the Eastern Maine facility into its Scarborough site last November, and its decision to move forward with the plan follows a February public hearing that garnered widespread opposition from Mainers across the state.\n\nLast month, Golden introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate funding for the Mail Processing Facility Review process, effectively blocking the USPS\u2019 plans to shift mail processing from Hampden to Scarborough. The Timely Mail Delivery and Postal Services Protection Act would also require any future consideration of consolidation to be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission, an independent and bipartisan oversight panel composed of members appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.\n\nPrior to his legislation, Golden demanded answers about what steps the agency was taking to prevent mail delays and job losses in the Second District.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-gluesenkamp-perez-peltola-davis-call-on-biden-and-congress-to-do-more-now-on-border-security", "Golden, Gluesenkamp Perez, Peltola, Davis Call on Biden and Congress to Do More Now on Border Security", "2024-05-10", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013Today, Reps. Jared Golden (ME-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Mary Peltola (AK-AL), and Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced a new asylum processing rule:\n\n\"Border security must be the top national security priority for President Biden. These proposed changes do not give the Border Patrol the authority it needs to bring order to our Southern border, and the proposed changes will not be enough to stop the drug cartels from trafficking fentanyl over the border and into communities across America.\n\n\"Put simply, the proposal is not good enough, and it is taking far too long for President Biden to take the steps he urgently needs to take to restore operational control of our Southern border.\n\n\"As we said last month, President Biden needs to use the authority given the executive by Congress to immediately reimplement 8 U.S.C. \u00a7 1225(b)(2)(C), and we are calling on leaders in both the House and Senate to pass legislation to give Border Patrol back the expulsion authority that expired last year.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-bills-to-protect-america-s-energy-independence-auto-industry-with-increased-tariffs-on-china", "Golden introduces bills to protect America\u2019s energy independence, auto industry with increased tariffs on China", "2024-05-10", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced legislation to safeguard America\u2019s energy independence and protect America\u2019s auto industry with increased tariffs on the importation of Chinese renewable energy products and autos.\n\n\u201cOur country imports far more goods than it exports, a trade imbalance that threatens our future and leaves us dependent on the productive capacity of our competitors. When it comes to our manufacturers and energy independence, Congress should privilege American industry and be relentless champions for America and our workers,\u201d Golden said. \u201cBut industrial and trade policy aren\u2019t just about our economy. They\u2019re about our ability to write our future on our own terms. Raising tariffs on Chinese autos and green energy technology will ensure our industrial base, and thus our future, is strong.\u201d\n\nThe two bills are:\n\nThe Declaring Our Energy Independence from China Act, which would require the President to apply additional tariffs to all battery components, solar energy components, and wind energy components imported from China at a 25 percent rate. The rate would rise by an additional five percent each of the following five years, for a final rate of 50 percent. The bill also would require the United States Trade Representative to submit to Congress a report detailing the extent to which China has, during the preceding 15 years, provided industrial subsidies to its battery, solar energy, and wind energy sectors.\n\nThe Protecting American Autoworkers from China Act, which would increase the current tariff on Chinese auto imports to 125 percent of the base rate. The higher tariff rate would apply to all imported autos manufactured by Chinese automakers, regardless of where the vehicle is manufactured, so that Chinese manufacturers cannot use other nations, such as Mexico, as a backdoor to avoid the tariffs. The bill is endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.\n\nChina in 2023 overtook Japan as the largest auto exporter in the world and leads the global market in electric vehicle cars and parts. Meanwhile, a global glut of Chinese clean energy productsundermines America\u2019s domestic energy sector.\n\nThe bills are companion bills to legislation introduced in the Senate by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in March.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-collins-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-support-loggers-harmed-by-natural-disasters", "Golden, Collins introduce bipartisan legislation to support loggers harmed by natural disasters", "2024-05-08", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act, which would establish a new U.S. Department of Agriculture program to support loggers who have lost income due to natural disasters.\n\nCongressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) is the lead co-sponsor in the House. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) are cosponsors of the legislation.\n\nCurrent law excludes loggers from the kinds of disaster relief and assistance available to other industries, including fishermen and farmers, when natural disasters strike. Under the Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act, a disaster declaration from the president or respective governor would unlock federal assistance eligibility for logging businesses with at least a 10 percent loss in revenue or volume compared to the prior year. Covered damage would include high winds, fire, flooding, insect infestation and drought.\n\n\u201cLoggers have faced a series of unrelenting challenges in recent years, and uneven access to disaster assistance is among the most artificial,\u201d said Golden, who authored the legislation. \u201cThese businesses are pillars for some of Maine\u2019s most rural communities, and we simply cannot afford to lose them. Protecting these jobs ensures that future generations can continue to make a consistent living in the woods. I\u2019m grateful to have so many of my colleagues join this important effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cThroughout Maine\u2019s history, our forest products industry has supported good-paying jobs, driven local economies and strengthened rural communities,\u201d said Senator Collins. \u201cLoggers were already facing significant headwinds due to a changing 21st century economy and recent price instability, and the recent damaging storms only compounded those challenges. This bipartisan legislation would provide much-needed financial support to loggers who have suffered losses as a result of natural disasters.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn Minnesota\u2019s Eighth Congressional District, our forest products industry has created good-paying jobs and driven our local economies,\u201d Stauber said. \u201cUnfortunately, this crucial industry is currently facing a wide variety of threats, from wildfires and drought to insect infestation. Minnesota\u2019s loggers have supported our communities for generations and it is now our turn to support them. That\u2019s why I am proud to introduce legislation with my friend, Congressman Jared Golden, to establish a new program through the USDA that will provide financial assistance to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that have seen their bottom line impacted by natural disasters. I look forward to seeing this legislation help ensure Minnesota\u2019s forest products industry remains strong and resilient.\u201d\n\nLast December, Maine\u2019s logging industry lost $2.6 million after particularly damaging winter weather. A survey released by the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast in January found that more than 90 percent of the industry\u2019s businesses suffered damage to equipment or logistics from the December 18 storm alone. In total, Maine\u2019s economy lost $5.5 million due to the loss in logging revenue and productivity.\n\n\u201cLogging has been fundamental to the success of our state for centuries \u2014 creating good jobs, supporting working families and providing essential economic activity across rural areas,\u201d said Senator King. \u201cThe Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act would ensure that any disaster declaration by the President or Maine\u2019s governor would unlock federal disaster assistance eligibility for these critical Maine businesses. As a new generation of Maine people consider careers in logging, and as we see the catastrophic impacts of these storms, this bill will ensure that the logging industry remains a stable source of income \u2014 and our state\u2019s culture \u2014 for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe logging industry is a critical pillar of Maine\u2019s economy and history, supporting jobs and rural communities for centuries. Several recent devastating storms in our state highlighted the urgent need to address gaps in our federal disaster response and support for loggers,\u201d said Pingree, a member of the House Agriculture Committee. \u201cBy establishing a new program within the Department of Agriculture to support loggers facing losses due to natural disasters, our bipartisan, bicameral Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act will help this vital industry survive whatever future storms or challenges may come.\u201d\n\nLogging industry leaders praised the bipartisan legislation:\n\nDana Doran, executive director of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast: \u201cNortheast logging contractors have been hit hard with an unprecedented series of weather challenges over the past eighteen months. This has triggered expanded state regulations, which impede harvesting and hauling for long periods of time. While this has created an environmental success story, it has also created an economic disaster due to no fault of the logging community. As a result of these challenges, we have discovered there is no federal relief for logging and trucking companies due to natural disasters. We want to thank Congressmen Golden and Senator Collins for leading this effort to secure relief for these hard-working small family businesses, and we urge swift passage to provide relief and finally treat logging and trucking the same as farming for the first time in history.\u201d\n\nScott Dane, executive director of the American Loggers Council: \u201cThe timber/forest industry is a commodity-based sector similar to farming. Loggers are farmers of the forests. They are included in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, within the U.S. Forest Service. However, unlike all other agriculture-based commodities, loggers have no support when their \u201ccrop\u201d is damaged or destroyed by natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfire, floods, disease, and drought. This legislation will provide assistance to loggers impacted by natural disasters by providing the same type of assistance that all other agricultural sectors receive. The American Loggers Council commends Congressmen Golden and Stauber and Senator Collins for sponsoring and introducing this bipartisan legislation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-against-effort-to-oust-speaker-of-the-house", "Golden votes against effort to oust Speaker of the House", "2024-05-08", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted to table a motion to vacate the speakership, which would have removed House Speaker Mike Johnson from the post. He released the following statement:\n\n\u201cMike Johnson is not Kevin McCarthy,\u201d Golden said. \u201cMcCarthy was an untrustworthy leader ousted by his own party because he passed a budget. I wasn\u2019t going to save him for doing the bare minimum expected of Congress since its founding. Now, a small group of extreme members tried to remove Speaker Johnson because he passed essential military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan to support their defense against authoritarians and terrorists who are hostile to America. I am not going to punish this Speaker for doing the right thing.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, there are only six months until the next election and Congress still has work to do. Removing the Speaker would mean weeks or months of time lost to a chaotic House GOP infighting. We should spend that time addressing the unprecedented number of illegal crossings and the tidal wave of deadly fentanyl coming across our southern border. Or restoring the Affordable Connectivity Program, which helps connect one out of every five households in my district to broadband Internet. Or passing my Government Integrity & Anti-Corruption Plan to fight dark money special interests, ban public officials from using their office for personal profit, stop the lawmaker-to-lobbyist pipeline and overturn Citizens United.\n\n\u201cOur politics are broken enough. I will not vote for more chaos or to waste the precious time we have left to do the people\u2019s work.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-six-new-bills-to-strengthen-government-integrity-and-fight-corruption", "Golden introduces six new bills to strengthen government integrity and fight corruption", "2024-04-30", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced the introduction of six bills designed to reduce the ability of elected officials to leverage their position for personal profit, reduce the influence of foreign actors in American politics, close dark money loopholes and increase transparency in political spending.\n\n\u201cThe United States Government belongs to the people and its chief purpose should be to serve the common good \u2014 public service should never be about personal enrichment\u201d Golden said. \u201cThe government, including Congress, should serve the people, not powerful special interests, multinational corporations, foreign entities and whoever can write the biggest checks.\n\n\u201cThese six bills, along with other good government policies I have introduced in Congress would go a long way toward restoring integrity, fighting corruption, increasing transparency and reducing the role of foreign entities, corporations and dark money in our politics.\u201d\n\nThe bills introduced today by Golden include:\n\nThe Lifetime Lobbying Ban Act, which would repeal the current one- or two-year waiting period for former members of Congress to work as a federal lobbyist and replace it with a permanent ban. Today, the number of former members working as lobbyists is greater than the number of members of the House of Representatives.\n\nCongressional and Executive Foreign Lobbying Ban, which would ban retired members of Congress, senior executive branch officials and high-ranking military officials from lobbying on behalf of foreign interests. High-ranking members of both parties have engaged in this practice, from former Obama US Attorney General Loretta Lynch lobbying on behalf of a Chinese drone company to retired US Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn lobbying on behalf of Turkey, including while working on Trump\u2019s 2016 campaign.\n\nStop Foreign Payoffs Act, which would ban members of Congress, presidents, vice presidents and Cabinet secretaries \u2014 as well as their close family members \u2014 from earning a salary or holding investments in foreign businesses for as long as the official is in office. This practice is similarly widespread.\n\nCrack Down on Dark Money Act, which would end the ability of mega-donors to launder secret political activity through 501(c)(4) nonprofits by reducing the cap on political activity by those nonprofits from 50 percent of all spending to 10 percent and requiring them to disclose all donors of $5,000 or more if they spend even one cent on politics. Dark money spending by 501(c)(4) nonprofits has skyrocketed, with a total of roughly $842 million spent from 2010 through 2022.\n\nConsistent Labeling for Political Ads Act, which would increase transparency in online political advertising by requiring social media platforms to make ad labels \u201csticky,\u201d meaning they would appear on paid political content regardless of how it is shared or where it appears. Today, paid content on social media is labeled \u201csponsored\u201d or \u201cpromoted,\u201d but those labels currently drop off if a user shares the post.\n\nFighting Foreign Influence Act, which would require tax-exempt organizations, including think tanks, to disclose high-dollar gifts from foreign governments or political parties, impose a lifetime ban on foreign lobbying by former presidents, vice presidents, senior military officials and require political campaigns to verify online donors have a valid US address. Between 2000 and 2022, at least 90 former members of Congress registered as foreign agents, with a majority having worked on behalf of authoritarian regimes.\n\nThe legislation complements nine bills Golden has introduced or co-sponsored this Congress as part of his Government Integrity & Anti-Corruption Plan. The plan would dramatically reform American campaign finance law, introduce strong guardrails against corruption by public officials and release special interests\u2019 chokehold on the political and electoral system. Among other legislation, it includes:\n\nTerm Limits Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would establish a three-term limit for members of the House and a two-term limit for senators.\n\nTRUST in Congress Act, which would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from owning or trading stocks while the member is in office, except through a qualified blind trust.\n\nThe Democracy for All Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would overturn the Citizens United decision, make clear that the Constitution does not restrict Congress\u2019 ability to limit campaign spending, distinguish between actual people and corporations, limit corporate campaign spending and clear the path for states enacting public campaign financing systems.\n\n\u201cSince day one, Congressman Golden has stood up to special interests to put Mainers' voices front and center in our government,\u201d said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United. \u201cHe\u2019s seen, first-hand, how corporate special interests and shadowy mega-donors have silenced the power of working families by spending unfathomable amounts of money to buy access and influence in Washington. His comprehensive package of anti-corruption reforms builds on his promise to restore power back to the people. We thank Congressman Golden for his continued leadership in the fight to keep our government transparent and accountable to the people.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongressman Golden is leading crucial efforts to strengthen our democracy and restore Americans' faith in our government,\u201d said Anna Kellar, executive director of Maine Citizens for Clean Elections. \u201cIn particular, by sponsoring the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act and by cosponsoring The Democracy for All Amendment, which calls for an anti-corruption amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Rep Golden is reflecting the will of Maine voters, who affirmed their support for those policies at the ballot last year by 83 percent.\u201d\n\nFor more background on the 15-bill Government Integrity & Anti-Corruption Plan, including the six new pieces of legislation announced today, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-pushes-to-delay-proposed-minimum-size-increase-for-maine-lobstermen", "Golden pushes to delay proposed minimum size increase for Maine lobstermen", "2024-04-30", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) denouncing its proposal to implement a gauge increase in the Gulf of Maine, and urged the Commission to delay action until it works with fishermen to consider more accurate data.\n\nAccording to ASMFC claims, lobster stock decline in Lobster Management Area 1 has surpassed 35 percent \u2014 the trigger point for an automatic increase in allowable catch size from 3 1/4 inches to 3 5/16 inches. However, Maine fishermen have questioned the data used to justify these changes, including concerns that ASMFC stock data is out of date. This new rule \u2014 known as Addendum 27 \u2014 is scheduled to begin in January 2025.\n\n\u201cAs we have seen time and again, fishermen in Maine, particularly lobstermen, have shown to be proactive and excellent stewards of the environment and recognize the importance of maintaining the health of their fishery,\u201d Golden said. \u201cWith a pause, ASMFC would have the opportunity to consider more comprehensive data from 2023 further, work with fishermen, dealers, and trade associations to address the concerns raised while ensuring the data collected accurately represents the current lobster stock and fully understand the market impacts of a U.S.-only gauge increase.\u201d\n\nLobstermen gauge the size of a lobster by measuring its carapace from eye socket to tail. Lobsters that are smaller than the minimum gauge size must be put back in the water so they can grow. In addition to questions about the reliability of the data used by ASMFC, Golden raised concerns about how an increased minimum size requirement would put Maine lobstermen at a competitive disadvantage with Canadians.\n\n\u201cBy continuing forward with the Addendum 27 implementation schedule without a delay, ASMFC will jeopardize the livelihoods of fishermen and dealers up and down the coast,\u201d said Dustin Delano, a lobsterman and chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen\u2019s Stewardship Association. \u201cThe New England Fishermen\u2019s Stewardship Association appreciates Congressman Golden for speaking out against this misguided rule, and for his continued support of Maine\u2019s fishing industry.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Maine Lobstering Union is extremely thankful for Congressman Golden's unwavering support of Maine\u2019s Lobster fishermen and our industry.\u201d said Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and director of the Maine Lobstering Union. \u201cThe inequalities between the Maine and Canadian fisheries need to be resolved prior to Addendum 27. There are still crucial conversations that need to be had. The datasets used within the Fisheries Management Plan, and how climate change is impacting the fishery, as well as our data collection methods all need to be looked at thoroughly before implementing this crippling increase to the minimum possession size of the American Lobster.\u201d\n\nGolden\u2019s letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nApril 29, 2024\n\nAtlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission\n\nRobert Beal, Executive Director\n\n1050 North Highland St, Suite 200 A-N\n\nArlington, VA 22201\n\nDear Director Beal and Commissioners,\n\nI am requesting that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and American Lobster Board consider delaying the implementation of the Lobster Management Area 1 gauge increase, Addendum 27, which is now scheduled to begin in January 2025. While the intent of Addendum 27 is designed to take a proactive approach to managing potential stock declines of American lobster, I am deeply concerned about the implications a gauge increase next year \u2013 absent robust economic and scientific analyses \u2013 will have on the viability of Maine\u2019s lobster industry and the communities it supports.\n\nBased on conversations with fishermen and dealers, I am concerned that the data used to arrive at the trigger index was overly precautionary and that the data used to arrive at the index has limitations, raising concern that it does not entirely reflect the current status of the stock. I\u2019m further concerned that the ASMFC and the Maine Department of Marine Resources have not relied more on the observations and experience of Maine lobstermen, who possess invaluable local knowledge and expertise. Additionally, independently and through trade associations, lobstermen have shared concerns about the limitations of the current data used.\n\nWithout further delay in implementing Addendum 27, I am concerned about how this would impact the entire industry. Lobster dealers have told me that this gauge change hurts U.S. lobstermen but is beneficial to Canadian lobstermen, and the Mitchell Provision is only further detrimental to US lobstermen and the economy. We know dealers must have a steady lobster supply to be financially viable. Proceeding as proposed could create a dire economic situation for harvesters and processors. I would further encourage the ASMFC to conduct a study to understand the market impacts of a U.S.-only gauge increase.\n\nAs we have seen time and again, fishermen in Maine, particularly lobstermen, have shown to be proactive and excellent stewards of the environment and recognize the importance of maintaining the health of their fishery. With a pause, ASMFC would have the opportunity to consider more comprehensive data from 2023 further, work with fishermen, dealers, and trade associations to address the concerns raised while ensuring the data collected accurately represents the current lobster stock and fully understand the market impacts of a U.S.-only gauge increase.\n\nSincerely,\n\nJared F. Golden\n\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-gluesenkamp-perez-peltola-gonzalez-davis-call-on-biden-and-congress-to-take-immediate-action-on-border-security", "Golden, Gluesenkamp Perez, Peltola, Gonzalez, Davis call on Biden and Congress to take immediate action on border security", "2024-04-24", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Reps. Jared Golden (ME-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Mary Peltola (AK-AL), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement after voting in favor of bipartisan national security and border security legislation on Saturday:\n\n\u201cOur national security interests don\u2019t stop at our physical borders. That is why we voted to send more weapons to Ukraine for its fight against Russia. The lesson of Pearl Harbor must not be forgotten: appeasement invites aggression against us. As Speaker Johnson stated last week, we would rather send 'bullets than American boys.'\n\n\"Beyond defending our allies, we strongly agree with the National Border Patrol Council that Congress and the President must act and bring order to the Southern border. That is why we also voted for H.R. 3602 on Saturday, and why we all voted last month for $19.6 billion for Border Patrol so that it could ramp up its efforts to secure the border.\n\n\"We are also calling today on President Biden to use the authority given the executive by Congress to immediately reimplement 8 U.S.C. \u00a7 1225(b)(2)(C) and we are calling today on leaders in both the House and Senate to pass legislation to give Border Patrol back the expulsion authority that expired last year.\"\n\nLast weekend, Brandon Judd, President of the National Border Patrol Council, gave the following comment to Fox News:\n\n\"We are beyond disappointed that the House would give aid to secure the borders of foreign countries but gave nothing to allow the Border Patrol to secure the safety of the United States. There\u2019s nothing more backwards. I wouldn't have even expected taxpayers' dollars. They could have given us policy, and that would have been enough.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-to-aid-allies-against-common-enemies-and-secure-america-s-border", "Golden votes to aid allies against common enemies and secure America\u2019s border", "2024-04-20", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted in favor of a package of bills to provide aid and arms to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and in support of legislation designed to address the crisis at the border.\n\n\u201cThe defense of Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan is the defense of America,\u201d Golden said. \u201cPutin\u2019s Russia, Iran-backed terrorists and Chinese communist autocrats are testing the boundaries of democracy and violating the sovereignty of our democratic allies in a way we haven\u2019t seen in generations. The United States cannot stand by as foreign actors hostile to American security, democracy and prosperity gather their strength. If they are successful, the future threat will be on our own shores.\u201d\n\nThe aid package included three bills that provided a total of $95 billion for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and other allies in the Indo-Pacific: H.R. 8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024; H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024; and H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024. A fourth bill, H.R. 8038, the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, contained related provisions including the REPO for Ukrainians Act, which authorizes the president to seize Russian sovereign assets to pay for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.\n\nAll four bills were approved by bipartisan majorities of the House of Representatives and sent for consideration in the Senate.\n\nGolden was also one of just five Democrats in the House to support H.R. 3602, a bill that provides tools to address the border crisis.\n\n\u201cNational security requires border security,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThe unprecedented crush of illegal crossings is not only overwhelming law enforcement, but also creating conditions easily seized upon by Mexican drug cartels and multinational corporations in search of exploitable, cheap labor. This Congress has spent more than a year debating how to address the crisis at our southern border. While this bill is not perfect, the unpredictability of this Congress and the looming presidential election mean it may be our last, best chance to act. America must have control over its borders and this bill would move us in the right direction.\u201d\n\nH.R. 3602 would: expand removal and detention policies, resume construction of border barriers, limit parole admissions and treat visa overstays as unlawful border entries, direct the State Department to negotiate multilateral agreements to allow asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while they await adjudication, and provide funding to southwestern states to reimburse them for local and state border security efforts.\n\nWith a vote of 215-199, the bill did not meet the two-thirds threshold required for passage.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-fitzpatrick-statement-on-foreign-aid-border-security", "Golden, Fitzpatrick statement on foreign aid, border security", "2024-04-19", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), the bipartisan co-leads of the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, released the following statement as the House begins consideration of a foreign aid package and border security legislation:\n\n\u201cWe have for months worked to keep up the pressure on our colleagues to act on foreign aid and the crisis at our Southern border because secure borders, ours and those of our democratic allies, are crucial to the defense of democracy against foreign actors hostile to America \u2014 whether they are Mexican drug cartels, Hamas terrorists, or dictators and autocrats in Iran, Russia, and China,\u201d the Congressmen said.\n\n\u201cSince we introduced the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act in February, that pressure has resulted in appropriations to deploy the largest Border Patrol workforce our country has ever seen, hire new CBP officers to stop the flow of fentanyl from Mexico that is killing our children, and increase funding for security technology and local law enforcement in border states.\n\n\u201cNow we are on track to score another victory for borders and democracy. The foreign aid supplemental taken up by the House today provides aid for our allies in Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and includes provisions we have fought for, including identical funding levels, a similar new loan structure for some of the aid and the use of seized Russian assets to offset some of the cost. Its passage will tell the world that the United States will not stand by as dictators, terrorists, and totalitarians seek to expand their influence around the world.\n\n\u201cWe will continue to push our colleagues and the president to take commonsense actions to secure the border, such as Congress reinstating Title 42-like expulsion authority and the president using his existing power to reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy. Today\u2019s introduction on the House floor of the End the Border Catastrophe Act helps maintain momentum for real action from Congress and the president.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-khanna-stefanik-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-mitigate-blast-overpressure-and-protect-service-members", "Golden, Khanna, Stefanik, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Mitigate Blast Overpressure and Protect Service Members", "2024-04-18", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and others introduced the bipartisan Blast Overpressure Safety Act to direct the Department of Defense (DoD) to help mitigate and protect service members from blast overpressure. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.\n\n\u201cOur servicemembers have signed up to face tremendous risks in service and defense of our country, and Congress should do what we can to mitigate those risks,\" said Golden. \"Blast exposure contributes to traumatic brain injury, which affects many servicemembers and veterans, and the Blast Overpressure Safety Act will help reduce the prevalence of traumatic brain injuries while ensuring that when they do occur, they\u2019re caught and treated early.\"\n\nBlast overpressure, which occurs when the pressure from a shock wave exceeds normal atmospheric values, harms the brain by moving it inside the skull and damaging it at a subcellular level. During just three months in 2023, the Department of Defense (DoD) provided treatment to service members over 50,000 times for traumatic brain injuries (TBI).\n\nNew York Times investigations in late 2023 uncovered service members experiencing debilitating symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures, and high risk for suicide and depression after exposure to high blast levels. Despite this, service members continue to train with weapons with unsafe blast levels. The Blast Overpressure Safety Act works to better mitigate and protect service members from blast overpressure and TBI.\n\nTo better mitigate and protect service members from blast overpressure and TBI, the Blast Overpressure Safety Act:\n\nMandates regular neurocognitive assessments over a service member\u2019s career\n\nCreates blast overpressure exposure and TBI logs for all service members\n\nIncreases transparency regarding blast overpressure safety in the weapons acquisition process\n\nImproves data on concussive and subconcussive brain injuries service members sustain\n\nEnhances efforts to mitigate exposure and help service members access care\n\nSupports service member treatment\n\nMandates GAO review on DoD efforts to address blast exposure.\n\nImplements DoD Inspector General (IG) recommendations from a 2023 report finding DoD does not consistently determine the care service members with TBI need", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-gallagher-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-sanction-chinese-firms-supporting-putin-s-war-in-ukraine", "Golden, Gallagher, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Chinese Firms Supporting Putin's War in Ukraine", "2024-04-17", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced a bill alongside Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and John Moolenaar (R-MI), to impose sanctions on any Chinese military firm that provides material support to Russia. The bill, called the NO LIMITS Act, also gives Chinese military firms identified by the U.S. government 180 days to withdraw from the Russian market or face full, blocking sanctions.\n\n\u201cRussia\u2019s aggressive push for territorial expansion is a direct threat not only to the sovereignty of Ukraine, but to the American-led security framework established after World War II,\u201d Rep.Golden said. \u201cVladimir Putin is testing boundaries in a way we haven\u2019t seen since Hitler invaded Poland. I\u2019m proud to work with Rep. Gallagher to ensure there are consequences for the PRC enabling Russia\u2019s dangerous behavior.\u201d\n\n\"For years, the Chinese Communist Party has provided Russia with lethal aid to prop up Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine and advance the interests of this axis of authoritarian regimes,\" Gallagher said. \"Any company aiding and abetting the horrors in Ukraine- as the Chinese defense industrial complex has done- deserves to experience the full force of American sanctions. It's time to put a financial cost on the CCP's 'no limits' partnership with Russia.\"\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party supplying modern, lethal aid to the Russian military and its associated paramilitary groups puts us, our interests, and our allies at risk,\u201d Rep. Panetta said. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation would counter and hold CCP firms accountable for their support of Russia\u2019s aggressive, destabilizing actions around the world. The United States has a responsibility to confront all those who threaten or undermine our shared democratic values.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe CCP and Russia are working together to hurt America and our allies. This legislation will increase sanctions on military firms in China that partner with Russia, as well as those who are helping modernize China\u2019s military. The American people will benefit from this legislation, as it will make it more difficult for Russia and the CCP to work together against our country,\u201dRep. Moolenaar said.\n\nThe NO LIMITS Act:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-us-must-stand-up-to-china-s-unfair-attempts-to-undermine-american-industry", "Golden: US must stand up to China\u2019s unfair attempts to undermine American industry", "2024-04-17", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement regarding President Biden\u2019s announcement today of new administrative efforts to protect American steel manufacturers and shipbuilders from China\u2019s unfair trade practices:\n\n\u201cWhen China undermines U.S. manufacturers, it hurts our economy, threatens our national security and undermines good, middle-class jobs,\u201d Golden said. \u201cWe cannot just stand by as China rigs the system by flooding the market with cheap, inferior steel. Our industrial and trade policies should protect American workers and jobs, and I support any effort by any president, Republican or Democrat, to stand up for the American steelworkers and shipbuilders who are more than able to compete on a level playing field.\u201d\n\nChina\u2019s efforts to undermine American steel manufacturing are particularly troublesome for American shipbuilding. Five major labor unions representing American steelworkers, shipbuilders, and other American manufacturing workers, wrote to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in March, outlining unfair Chinese trade practices, including flooding the market with below-market-cost steel that is distorting the global shipbuilding market and eroding competition. The unions requested an investigation into those practices.\n\nThe Biden administration today announced several actions to support US steel and shipbuilding: a request to the USTR to triple tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum; imposing more than 30 anti-dumping duties on steel products; investigating China\u2019s unfair shipbuilding practices; and investing $575 million in US-steel production.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-pappas-bean-mann-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-support-rural-small-businesses", "Golden, Pappas, Bean, Mann Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Rural Small Businesses", "2024-04-16", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - This week, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), along with Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), with Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04), and Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01), introduced the Rural Small Business Resilience Act. This bipartisan legislation would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop specific outreach policies and procedures for rural communities and ensure that rural small businesses have full access to SBA disaster assistance, specifically tailoring outreach and marketing plans for SBA's Disaster Loan Program to address challenges rural communities face in accessing disaster relief.\n\n\u201cWhen disaster strikes, getting the right help at the right time can make sure a small business stays afloat,\u201d Golden said. \u201cMany along Maine\u2019s working waterfronts are now facing that exact challenge after particularly damaging winter storms. Rural Americans deserve equal access to critical SBA resources, and this bipartisan effort will ensure that the agency is taking every step necessary to provide timely relief.\u201d\n\n\"New Hampshire's rural small businesses are part of the backbone of our economy and make up the fabric of our rural communities,\" Pappas said. \"We know that rural small businesses face unique challenges and that a one-size-fits-all approach by government agencies is simply ineffective in providing the support they need. This bipartisan legislation would require the Small Business Administration to tailor its outreach and marketing efforts to reach rural businesses and ensure that small businesses in rural areas have full access to SBA disaster assistance. I remain committed to ensuring New Hampshire's Main Street economy can grow and thrive, and I will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to build support for this and other legislation to help Granite State small businesses.\"\n\n\u201cIn the wake of a natural disaster, making sure small businesses can get back up and running is crucial. As we enter hurricane season in Northeast Florida, I\u2019m proud to work with Congressman Pappas to eliminate bureaucratic red-tape and get much-needed emergency relief resources into the hands of those that really need it,\u201d Bean said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-pfluger-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-freeze-mail-processing-facility-consolidations", "Golden, Pfluger introduce bipartisan bill to freeze mail processing facility consolidations", "2024-04-16", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and August Pfluger (TX-11) today introduced the Timely Mail Delivery and Postal Services Protection Act, which would freeze consolidation of mail processing facilities by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill comes after Golden sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Thursday denouncing USPS\u2019 decision to reduce operations at the Eastern Maine Processing & Distribution Facility in Hampden.\n\n\u201cNo matter where they live, Americans deserve timely and efficient mail delivery,\u201d Golden said.\u201cReducing local mail processing capacity and requiring mail to travel farther before reaching its recipient will make the Postal Service worse, particularly for rural communities where timely deliveries are a lifeline. It\u2019s clear that Congress needs to stop these consolidations and hold the decision-makers involved accountable.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe USPS plan to scale back operations at crucial processing sites nationwide, such as the facility in Midland, Texas, would significantly impact those dependent on the Postal Service for essential services like business transactions, educational materials, voting processes, vital medications, and bill payments,\u201d Pfluger said. \u201cI am honored to collaborate with Congressman Golden in spearheading pivotal legislation aimed at safeguarding rural communities' access to reliable and punctual mail delivery services.\u201d\n\nUSPS\u2019 Mail Processing Review program was unveiled in 2021 to study the feasibility of relocating certain postal operations from local facilities to larger regional sites. The USPS first announced that it was reviewing consolidation of some mail processing from the Eastern Maine facility into its Scarborough site last November, and its decision to move forward with the plan follows a February public hearing that garnered widespread opposition from Mainers across the state.\n\nLast week, Golden announced that he would release legislation to eliminate funding for the Mail Processing Facility Review process, effectively blocking the USPS\u2019 plans to shift mail processing from Hampden to Scarborough. The Timely Mail Delivery and Postal Services Protection Act would also require any future consideration of consolidation to be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission, an independent and bipartisan oversight panel composed of members appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.\n\nGolden\u2019s letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy follows repeated outreach by Golden to DeJoythroughout the review of the Hampden facility to express concerns about the agency\u2019s consolidation process, and to demand answers about what steps the agency was taking to prevent mail delays and job losses in the Second District.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here, and Golden\u2019s letter is also included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nApril 11, 2024\n\nMr. Louis DeJoy\n\nPostmaster General\n\nUnited States Postal Service 4\n\n75 L \u2019Enfant Plaza SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20260-1000\n\nDear Postmaster General DeJoy:\n\nI write, in the strongest terms, to express my opposition to the announced consolidations being made throughout the country by the United States Postal Service (USPS), including at the Eastern Maine Processing and Distribution Center in Hampden, Maine.\n\nImproving and modernizing mail processing and distribution centers (P&DC) is an admirable goal. But your proposals through the Delivering for America (DFA) have been met with universal concern and condemnation in Maine, in part because of your failure to address concerns about reduced service and delayed deliveries.\n\nRural communities rely on timely service to pay bills, get medicine, and keep in touch with loved ones. For you to move forward with the decision to transition the Eastern Maine P&DC to a Local Processing Center and moving outgoing mail processing to Southern Maine, despite the overwhelming opposition from Mainers, businesses, and USPS employees, shows a disturbing lack of awareness and care for the people of Maine\u2019s Second Congressional District.\n\nThe Postal Service is an essential service to this country. The DFA risks undue harm to delivery times and puts reliable mail service for many Americans at risk.\n\nGiven your previous lack of timely response and indifference to the concerns of my constituents, it\u2019s clear that legislation is the best course of action to protect mail service for Mainers and Americans across the country whose service is threatened by the DFA.\n\nRural Americans shouldn\u2019t be an afterthought to your agency. That\u2019s why I am introducing legislation to freeze the Mail Processing Facility Reviews and to subject any future, similar plans to independent review so that no Americans have to worry about timely mail delivery.\n\nSincerely,\n\nJared F. Golden\n\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-legislation-to-freeze-consolidation-plans-for-hampden-mail-processing-facility-others-across-the-country", "Golden introduces legislation to freeze consolidation plans for Hampden mail processing facility, others across the country", "2024-04-10", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced he will introduce legislation to freeze consolidation of mail processing facilities by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The legislation comes as the USPS moves forward with plans to reduce operations at dozens of sites across the country, including the Eastern Maine Processing & Distribution Facility in Hampden.\n\n\u201cThe Postal Service\u2019s choice to move forward with consolidation of its Hampden facility despite overwhelming opposition across the state is unacceptable to Mainers who rely on timely mail service for everything from paying bills to receiving life-saving medication,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThe move already caused significant delivery delays across the state when trialed last year, and will exacerbate existing challenges the USPS faces in fulfilling its obligation to Maine\u2019s rural communities. It\u2019s time to freeze the USPS\u2019 broken review process and keep its bureaucrats accountable to the people they serve.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is offensive that the Postal Service has declared the consolidation of the Eastern Maine P&DC as \u2018good news,\u201d Scott Adams, President of the American Postal Workers Union of Maine said. \u201cThe announcement fails to address the public input regarding new delays in mail delivery, the negative impact on the public\u2019s confidence in ballot delivery, and how \u2018network modernization\u2019 is a regression from the ability to deliver parcels, medications, bills, and more. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy\u2019s \u2018Delivering for America\u2019 is truly \u2018Delaying for America\u2019 and will cause lasting negative effects on the Postal Service\u2019s mandate to provide prompt, reliable, and efficient delivery.\u201d\n\nThe bill would eliminate funding for the Mail Processing Facility Review process, effectively blocking the USPS\u2019 plans to shift mail processing from Hampden to Scarborough. It would also require any future consideration of consolidation to be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission, an independent and bipartisan oversight panel composed of members appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.\n\nThe Mail Processing Review Process was unveiled in 2021 to study the feasibility of relocating certain postal operations from local facilities to larger regional sites. The USPS first announced that it was reviewing consolidation of the Eastern Maine facility into its Scarborough site last November, and its decision to move forward with the plan follows a February public hearing that garnered widespread opposition from Mainers across the state.\n\nConsolidation of the Eastern Maine facility would mean mail from the Eastern, Northern, and Western regions of the state \u2014 which is currently processed and distributed in Hampden \u2014 would instead be sent to its Scarborough facility 130 miles away.\n\nWhile the USPS claims that delivery times will not be affected by these changes, significant delays already occurred when processing and distribution in the Eastern Maine facility was temporarily moved to Scarborough in early 2023. Additionally, postal workers have expressed concerns that the move would permanently relocate over a dozen jobs from Hampden to Scarborough \u2014 a change that could uproot families and harm customer service.\n\nGolden has sent multiple letters to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to express concerns about the agency\u2019s consolidation process since the Hampden review was announced.\n\nDraft text of the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/king-golden-announce-more-than-7-million-in-federal-funding-for-renewable-energy-investments-in-cd2-farms-and-small-businesses", "King, Golden Announce More than $7 million in Federal Funding for Renewable Energy Investments in CD2 Farms and Small Businesses", "2024-03-29", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Senator Angus King and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced that the US Department of Agriculture has approved more than $7 million in funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency investments at 10 rural farms and small businesses in the 2nd Congressional District.\n\n\u201cOur small businesses and farms are pillars of our rural communities,\u201d Golden and King said. \u201cThese investments will create jobs, expand clean energy, and increase savings for Maine people. We are proud to have voted for the Inflation Reduction Act which provided more than $2 billion for the Rural Energy for America Program that made this funding available to Mainers.\u201d\n\nThe projects funded include:\n\n$5.89 million in federally guaranteed loans for Belfast PV LLC., to build a 3.2 Megawatt ground-mounted solar system.\n\n$260,600 in grants for WA Bean & Sons, a meatpacking plant in Bangor, to install a 204.4 kilowatt roof- and ground-mounted solar system.\n\n$233,300 in grants for Green Thumb in Fryeburg, a third-generation family farm, to build a highly energy efficient grain dryer, which will reduce energy consumed and create more than $28,000 in annual savings\n\n$184,600 in grants for Edenbrook Hotel in Bar Harbor, to install a 136 kilowatt roof-mounted solar system.\n\n$135,600 in grants for Tide Mill Organics Farm in Edmunds Township to install a 93.6 kilowatt roof-mounted solar system.\n\n$119,000 in grants for Brooklin Boat Yard to install an 86.4 kilowatt roof-mounted solar system.\n\n$77,000 in grants for Eye Center Northeast in Bangor to install a 54 kilowatt roof-mounted solar system.\n\n$65,000 in grants for Moorit Hill Farm in Troy to install a 40.95 kilowatt roof-mounted solar system.\n\n$64,000 in grants for Airline Brewing Company in Amherst to install a 40.8 kilowatt roof-mounted solar system.\n\n$32,700 in grants for Stonecrest Events Center in Waldo to install an 18.8 kilowatt roof-mounted solar system.\n\nThe Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-golden-welcomes-second-daughter-shirley", "Congressman Golden welcomes second daughter, Shirley", "2024-03-25", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "LEWISTON, Maine \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden, ME-02, and his wife, Izzy, today announced the birth of their second daughter, Shirley Berry Golden, born Sunday, March 24, in Lewiston.\n\n\u201cWe are so happy to have Shirley here with us and our daughter, Rosemary, summed it up for all of us quite simply when she told us, \u2018I love her,\u2019\u201d Izzy and Jared said.\n\nCongressman Golden will remain in Maine with his family for several weeks, including the two-week House recess, but expects to return to the Capitol for any key votes.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-for-deal-to-finalize-budget-avert-shutdown", "Golden votes for deal to finalize budget, avert shutdown", "2024-03-22", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Bill includes important investments in defense and border security, including funding for Maine shipbuilding and Houlton Border Patrol\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden, ME-02, voted today for the final package of appropriations bills to fund the government through September.\n\n\u201cThis spending package bolsters national security and the integrity of our border and preserves the Maine manufacturing base to support jobs and the economy, including with $6.6 billion in funding that will support Maine-based shipbuilders and $66 million for the Houlton border patrol station,\u201d Golden said.\n\nThe package includes appropriations for the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, as well as general government funding and state-foreign operations. The bill now goes to the Senate.\n\n\u201cWhile this package has my support, I am frustrated by the broken process that got us here,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThe Fiscal Responsibility Act that we enacted in June 2023 ago set a bipartisan budget framework that met our nation\u2019s needs and reduced the deficit. But to appease the extremes of their party, GOP leadership then spent the next nine months in political theatrics and a needlessly convoluted appropriations process that brought us to the brink of a government shutdown, only to land on roughly the same framework we set last summer. The FRA was a good deal, and sticking to it brought us to a good budget. But we could have \u2014 and should have \u2014 finished this work many months ago.\u201d\n\nThe package also includes a $25 million increase for LIHEAP, an essential program that helps keep many Mainers warm in the winter, bringing funding for the program to more than $4 billion, which is essential to keeping many Mainers warm in the winter.\n\nOther provisions include:\n\nHOMELAND SECURITY:\n\n$19.6 billion for US Customs and Border Protection, including funding to hire 22,000 border patrol agents, the largest border patrol workforce ever.\n\n$66 million for the Houlton Border Patrol Station\n\nThe establishment of a Northern Border Coordination Center for the centralized coordination of operations, information sharing, intelligence, training, and stakeholder engagement with Federal, state, territory, and international government partners along the northern border\n\n$1.1 billion to align TSA employee compensation with the federal workforce and expand collective bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers\n\nDEFENSE:\n\nA 5.2 percent raise for US troops, their largest pay raise in 20 years\n\n$4.5 billion for two Flight III DDG-51 Destroyers in 2024, one of which will be built at Bath Iron Works\n\n$1.6 billion in Advanced Procurement for a third DDG-51 Destroyer in 2025, providing stability to the shipbuilding defense industrial base\n\n$460 million for Navy shipyards, including $300 millions for improvements at Bath Iron Works and Ingalls\n\n$ 3 million for shipyard workforce training\n\n$1.2 billion for Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, with most of the funding focused on synthetic opioids such as fentanyl\n\nCHILD CARE AND EDUCATION\n\n$8.7 billion for Child Care and Development Block Grant, a 9 percent increase\n\n$12.3 billion for Head Start\n\na $20 million increase for special education funding\n\nHEALTH CARE:\n\n$4.6 billion for substance use prevention and treatment\n\n$1 billion for Mental Health Block Grants and $153 million for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program\n\n$1.9 billion for Community Health Centers, including $55 million for school-based health centers\n\nSMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION:\n\n$140 million for Small Business Development Centers\n\n$18.5 million for Veterans Outreach\n\n$17 million for SCORE, a program of volunteer small business experts that provides mentoring, resources and education to Maine entrepreneurs", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-fitzpatrick-successfully-prevent-congressional-pay-raises-in-2024-spending-package", "Golden, Fitzpatrick successfully prevent Congressional pay raises in 2024 spending package", "2024-03-21", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) announced today they have successfully prevented a congressional pay raise in the appropriations package released by House and Senate leaders early Thursday morning.\n\nEarlier this month, Golden and Fitzpatrick \u2014 joined by a bipartisan group of colleagues in the House \u2014 sent a letter to the chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging them to reject efforts to include a Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA, in the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill.\n\n\u201cEvery year a few members of Congress work up the nerve to advocate for pay raises and every time I have worked across the aisle to oppose them,\u201d Golden said. \u201cI have always said: Membership in Congress is about service, not a paycheck. At a time when members already earn far more than the average American, and when the public has little faith in their elected officials, the last thing we need is a raise.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad to see member pay raises are not included in this year\u2019s government funding package,\u201d Fitzpatrick said. \u201cHard working Americans don\u2019t automatically receive a pay increase every year and neither should Congress. We\u2019re here to work for our constituents and fix real issues, not raise our own salaries.\u201d\n\nMembers\u2019 $174,000 annual salary is roughly three times the average individual salary in Maine, and higher than the annual pay of roughly 96 percent of Mainers. Golden has advocated against Congressional raises since his first term in Congress.\n\nThe full letter to the Appropriations chairs is available here. In addition to Golden and Fitzpatrick, co-signers include Reps. Sharice Davids (KS-03), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), John Curtis (UT-03), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Angie Craig (MN-02), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Elissa Slotkin (MI-07).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-congressional-delegation-statement-on-approval-of-major-disaster-declaration-for-severe-january-storms", "Maine Congressional Delegation Statement on Approval of Major Disaster Declaration for Severe January Storms", "2024-03-21", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden today released a statement following the Biden Administration\u2019s approval of the State of Maine\u2019s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the January 10 and 13 coastal storms. This declaration will release federal funds to help individuals and communities impacted by the storms in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York Counties recover.\n\nIn February, the Delegation wrote to President Biden urging him to support Governor Mills\u2019 request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help address the estimated $70.3 million in damage that occurred across the eight counties during the storms.\n\n\u201cWe are grateful the Administration approved Maine\u2019s request for a Major Disaster Declaration \u2014 particularly by categorizing the two storms as a single event to expedite the process,\u201d said the Maine Congressional Delegation. \u201cThis declaration will unlock critical federal funding so the counties impacted by the January storms can get back on their feet and start to rebuild.\u201d\n\nThe approval of the Major Disaster Declaration unlocks Federal assistance through the Public Assistance (PA) and Individual Assistance (IA) Programs. The PA Program provides supplemental grants to State, local, and Tribal governments so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The IA Program provides the same assistance to individuals and households.\n\nThe Disaster Declaration also unlocks Federal funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the entire State of Maine. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to State, local, and Tribal and governments so they can develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future disaster losses in their communities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-ezell-van-drew-gluesenkamp-perez-peltola-kiggans-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-address-mental-health-safety-issues-in-fishing-industry", "Golden, Ezell, Van Drew, Gluesenkamp Perez, Peltola, Kiggans introduce bipartisan legislation to address mental health, safety issues in fishing industry", "2024-03-14", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Mary Peltola (AK-AL), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) today introduced the Fishing Industry Safety, Health, and Wellness Improvement, or FISH Wellness, Act. The bill would increase access to health and safety services for commercial fishermen, and would be particularly focused on addressing substance use disorders and mental health issues, which remain a serious problem across the industry.\n\n\u201cMaine fishermen have a dangerous job, and it\u2019s vital they have the support they need to stay safe,\u201d said Golden. \u201cKeeping the industry sustainable is about more than the size of the catch \u2014 it\u2019s also about keeping these Maine fishermen going, physically and mentally. I\u2019m proud to help lead the effort to address an issue that\u2019s crucial for so many of the men and women on our working waterfront.\u201d\n\n\u201cFishermen play a massive role in feeding America and helping our coastal economies thrive, and we must continue to support them as they take on a difficult and often dangerous job,\u201d said Ezell. \u201cI\u2019m proud to partner with Congressman Golden on the FISH Wellness Act to help keep America\u2019s fishermen safer and healthier.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur fishermen play a pivotal role in feeding our nation, and they often do so in hazardous and unpredictable conditions,\u201d said Van Drew. \u201cThis bill is a critically important investment in the mental and physical wellbeing of our fishermen and the maritime community as a whole.\u201d\n\n\u201cFishing is a tough, high-risk career putting food on America\u2019s tables, and these skilled men and women deserve our respect. Their jobs support our lives, and our job is to support them in accessing the resources they need to stay safe on the job,\u201d said Gluesenkamp Perez. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation would help Southwest Washington fishermen access safety and mental health resources to deal with the fatigue and stress associated with their work.\u201d\n\n\u201cFishing is the backbone of Alaska\u2019s economy,\u201d said Peltola. \u201cCommercial fishing has ranked as the most dangerous job in the nation for decades, with workers facing unpredictable weather, long workdays, and the unique dangers of working on the open ocean. I am proud to co-lead the FISH Wellness Act to help support fishermen with job training and other resources that will strengthen fishing communities and protect commercial fishermen as they work to provide us with sustainable, wild-caught seafood.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe fishing industry is such an important part of our regional economy and our way of life in southeast Virginia,\u201d said Kiggans. \u201cUnfortunately, fishermen often encounter occupational hazards that lead to mental health challenges and substance use disorders. That\u2019s why I joined Congressman Golden in introducing the FISH Wellness Act, which would authorize additional funds for research and training programs to better address the wide range of occupational safety and health risks facing fishermen. I\u2019m proud to advocate for our local fishermen and will continue to do everything I can to ensure they have the resources they need to stay safe and healthy on the job!\u201d\n\n\u201cWorking on the water is hard work and it takes a real toll on fishermen and our families,\u201d said Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and Director of the Maine Lobstering Union. \u201cThe investments this bill would make in their health and safety would make a real difference in peoples\u2019 lives, especially by preventing problems before they develop. The Maine Lobstering Union is grateful to Congressman Golden for his ongoing commitment to the industry.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur lobstermen and their families face unique safety, physical and behavioral health challenges because they work long hours at sea, often under dangerous conditions,\u201d said Patrice McCarron, policy director for the Maine Lobstermen\u2019s Association. \u201cThe Maine Lobstermen\u2019s Association commends Congressman Golden for introducing this legislation,which would help improve the health and well-being of fishermen, who are the critical backbone of our coastal economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cFishermen are industrial athletes who work long hours in one of the most dangerous professions in the US,\u201d said Ben Martens, Executive Director of the Maine Coast Fishermen\u2019s Association. \u201cThe mental and physical health of our fishermen is incredibly important if we want sustainable fisheries, vibrant fishing communities, and a next generation excited to continue harvesting the best seafood in the world here in Maine. This bill is a significant investment in our fishermen and an important step towards addressing those needs. We thank Congressman Golden for his work and the entire Maine delegation for their support for the industry.\u201d\n\nThe Fish Wellness Act would expand existing programs for safety training in the commercial fishing industry to include a more comprehensive range of common physical and behavioral challenges, such as worker fatigue, substance use disorders, and mental health. According to the Maine Coast Fishermen\u2019s Association, factors such as unpredictable hours, isolation, financial uncertainty and more contribute to \u201chigh levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among fishermen.\u201d\n\nA version of the Fish Wellness Act has also been introduced in the Senate.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-requests-update-on-rule-to-reimburse-maine-veterans-homes-for-domiciliary-care", "Maine Delegation Requests Update on Rule to Reimburse Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes for Domiciliary Care", "2024-03-14", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Maine\u2019s Congressional Delegation wrote to the Department of Veterans\u2019 Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough requesting an update on a rule that would allow VA to reimburse Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes (MVH) for nursing home care for veterans with dementia. In the letter, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, a member of the Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, stressed that the ongoing delay in finalizing the reimbursement rule is causing significant financial harm to veterans, their families and MVH.\n\nIn 2020, Congress passed legislation authorizing the VA to cover the costs of nursing home care provided by state veterans\u2019 homes for veterans with early stage dementia. The VA delayed its proposal of the required rulemaking by more than two years. This delay forced MVH, and in some cases veterans and their families, to pay out-of-pocket for the care costing approximately $130,000 per month and over $3 million since 2019.\n\n\u201cWe write to request an update on the finalization of the proposed rule 88 FR 60417 for eligible veterans to receive per diem domiciliary care payments at state veterans\u2019 homes. There is no finalized rule three years after the law was passed and six months since the proposed rule was announced. This delay continues to cause financial harm to our veterans, their families, and Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes (MVH), who have continued to serve deserving veterans while waiting for the proper implementation of this law. We urge the quick finalization of this rule without further delay,\u201d wrote the Delegation.\n\n\"There are currently 118 veteran residents requiring domiciliary care at Maine Veterans\u2019 Home. For the 92 veterans not grandfathered in before 2020, they, their families, or Maine Veterans\u2019 Home must pay out of pocket for their needed care, which can easily be over $1,500 a month. This intolerable cost needlessly burdens veterans and Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes\u2026 Due to the increasing number of residents requiring this care and the rising costs of inflation and wages on healthcare costs, Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes has lost approximately $130,000 per month due to denied VA domiciliary care per diem reimbursements. At this rate, Maine Veterans\u2019 Home expects to lose $3.9 million by the end of this fiscal year if nothing is done,\u201d continued the Delegation.\n\nDomiciliary care was established by the VA after the Civil War as a type of assisted living that is provided to older veterans who are independently mobile, or semi-mobile and incapable of living alone. Over 115 MVH residents receive domiciliary care, 80 percent of whom are on Medicaid.\n\nThe care was federally reimbursed for years until 2019, when the VA abruptly ended payments. The Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, signed into law on January 5, 2021, authorized the VA to resume reimbursements for domiciliary care at state homes like MVH. After pressure from the Maine delegation, in September 2023 the VA announced a proposed rule that would retroactively reimburse MVH for the care they\u2019ve provided back to January 2020, but the VA has yet to announce a finalized rule that would allow MVH to receive the payments.\n\nCreated by the Maine Legislature in 1977, Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes is an independent nonprofit organization that provides services to Maine veterans at six homes in Maine, located in Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias, Scarborough and South Paris. Their care includes rehabilitative care, domiciliary care, nursing care and end of life care.\n\nThe Maine Congressional delegation has continuously pushed the VA to reimburse Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes. In September, the delegation announced the VA had agreed to resume reimbursing Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes for domiciliary care, but sixth months later the rule has yet to be finalized. Last May, the delegation introduced the Reimburse Veterans for Domiciliary Care Act, which would require the Department to begin payments for current care as mandated by law and retroactively provide MVH with the reimbursements for past care.\n\nYou can read the full letter here or below.\n\n+++\n\nDear Secretary McDonough,\n\nWe write to request an update on the finalization of the proposed rule 88 FR 60417 for eligible veterans to receive per diem domiciliary care payments at state veterans\u2019 homes. There is no finalized rule three years after the law was passed and six months since the proposed rule was announced. This delay continues to cause financial harm to our veterans, their families, and Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes (MVH), who have continued to serve deserving veterans while waiting for the proper implementation of this law. We urge the quick finalization of this rule without further delay.\n\nAs you are aware, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimbursed this service for 15 years but abruptly changed course in 2019. The bipartisan fix was contained in the Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, signed into law on January 5, 2021. Specifically, section 3007 of that law authorizes the VA to waive existing eligibility requirements for a veteran to receive per diem payments for domiciliary care at a state home. Despite the clear mandate of this law, we are still waiting on the finalized rule. This delay is unacceptable and puts veterans at risk.\n\nThere are currently 118 veteran residents requiring domiciliary care at Maine Veterans\u2019 Home. For the 92 veterans not grandfathered in before 2020, they, their families, or Maine Veterans\u2019 Home must pay out of pocket for their needed care, which can easily be over $1,500 a month. This intolerable cost needlessly burdens veterans and Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes.\n\nBetween January 2020 and November 2023, Maine Veterans\u2019 Home lost $3 million caring for their domiciliary care residents. Due to the increasing number of residents requiring this care and the rising costs of inflation and wages on healthcare costs, Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes has lost approximately $130,000 per month due to denied VA domiciliary care per diem reimbursements. At this rate, Maine Veterans\u2019 Home expects to lose $3.9 million by the end of this fiscal year if nothing is done.\n\nWe support the September 2023 proposed rule\u2019s retroactive payments back to January 2021 and the expanded eligibility standards for receiving domiciliary care. These important changes will help make veterans and Maine Veterans\u2019 Home financially whole. The proposed rule, if finalized, will also allow Maine Veterans\u2019 Home to better serve veterans with dementia.\n\nWe expect that the Department will act expeditiously in finalizing this rule. We look forward to continuing to support the VA in its efforts to enhance the care of veterans who have served our country.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-18-million-for-castine-pump-station", "Golden delivers $1.8 million for Castine Pump Station", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1.8 million in funding to upgrade the Sea Street wastewater pump station in Castine.\n\nThe funding is part of the 2024 government funding package signed into law Saturday, and will be used for improvements to allow the station to accept increased volume of waste and build resiliency against sea level rise.\n\n\u201cThe least expensive way to deal with emergencies is through prevention,\u201d Golden said. \u201cCastine\u2019s Pump Station has already experienced close calls from flooding and the town is experiencing elevated demand for wastewater processing. This is a no-brainer investment for the community, and I\u2019m glad it\u2019s getting done before a major problem strikes.\u201d\n\n\u201cCastine has one of the highest sewage rates in the State of Maine,\u201d wrote Shawn Blodgett, Castine Town Manager, in March 2023. \u201cThis pump station is over 50 years old and is the most critical pump station in Castine\u2019s sewage network as almost the entirety of village sewage flows through this facility. A typical sewage pump station has a life cycle of over 25 years\u2026 the need to replace the station is rational.\u201d\n\nThis funding will be implemented during the first phase of a new project to protect the Town's Waterfront from sea level rise. While the pump station is currently at a safe level, a December 2022 storm showed the need to raise its elevation when the edge of the flood came within 50 feet of the station.\n\nAdditionally, an upgrade of the pump station is necessary for Castine to connect Maine Maritime Academy's new Maritime Administration National Security Multi-Mission Vessel to the town's sewer network. This project will help support Maine Maritime Academy and the state\u2019s marine transportation, which provide infrastructure to support disaster relief missions in times of emergency.\n\nThe request on behalf of the Town of Castine was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-7-million-for-wastewater-treatment-in-livermore-falls-and-jay", "Golden delivers $7 million for wastewater treatment in Livermore Falls and Jay", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $7 million in funding to support critical improvements for the Livermore Falls Wastewater Treatment Facility.\n\nThe funding is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law Saturday and will be used to cover a portion of the overall cost of the project.\n\n\u201cOver 7,000 people live in the communities of Jay and Livermore Falls,\u201d Golden said. \u201cSafe wastewater systems are critical for not only their health, but for the protection of the surrounding ecosystems that make Western Maine such a special place. I\u2019m glad the facility in Livermore Falls is on track for these necessary modernizations.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we continue to move forward with the construction phases of the $17 million upgrade of the Wastewater Treatment Facility that serves the Towns of Livermore Falls and Jay, the $7 million grant will be a great asset to help reduce the financial burden our ratepayers and citizens will be facing in the wake of our communities mill closure and natural disasters,\u201d said Jay Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere, Livermore Falls Town Manager Carrie Castonguay and Sewer Superintendent Mark Holt in a joint statement. \u201cWe are very appreciative of the work that Senator Collins, Senator King, and Congressman Golden have put forth to secure this CDS Grant funding for our communities. It's good to know they are in Washington looking out for the interests and needs of Maine's citizens.\n\nThe Livermore Falls Wastewater Treatment Facility serves Jay and Livermore Falls. The funding is imperative to prevent system failures in the facility that could spike costs for residents and damage important ecosystems. Improvements at the facility will address structural deficiencies and fund several new systems as well as technical upgrades needed for wastewater treatment, filtration and odor control.\n\nThe request on behalf of the Town of Livermore Falls was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-731000-to-meet-water-demand-avoid-rationing-in-stonington", "Golden delivers $731,000 to meet water demand, avoid rationing in Stonington", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $731,000 for the construction of a new water storage facility in Stonington, which will help the town meet increased demand for water and improve water pressure in homes and businesses.\n\nThe funding is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law Saturday.\n\n\u201cResidents and visitors in Stonington shouldn\u2019t have to wonder whether any water will flow when they turn on the tap. But lack of rain and increased seasonal demand have at times left the town reliant on water trucks to meet demand,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThis funding will help ensure water is available where and when it\u2019s needed, no matter the season.\u201d\n\nThe funding will be used to expand the current water distribution system to add a water storage facility for Stonington. The Stonington Water Company pumps water into the system from a series of wells on Deer Isle, which are stored in a 30-year-old storage tank. During recent summers, the company had to truck in several thousand gallons of water to meet summer demand at a great expense to taxpayers.\n\n\u201cHaving supplemental storage will enable us to better prepare for high usage times and not run so low as to be a public safety water problem for potable supply and fire flows,\u201d wrote Stonington Town Manager Kathleen Billings in a March 2023 letter supporting the project. \u201cLeaks in our old water system plague us at times, so additional storage can help us not get to critical levels of storage concern.\u201d\n\nThe request on behalf of the Loring Development Authority was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-770000-to-bolster-access-to-mental-health-treatment-for-veterans-law-enforcement-officers", "Golden delivers $770,000 to bolster access to mental health treatment for veterans, law enforcement officers", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $770,000 in dedicated funding for the Dream Bigger Campaign of Operation ReBoot Outdoors as part of the 2024 appropriations government funding package.\n\nThe funding, which was signed into law Saturday, will be used to construct an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant outdoors healing center for veterans, law enforcement officers and others who struggle with trauma related to their service.\n\n\u201cCaring for those who\u2019ve been hurt \u2014physically and mentally \u2014 in the line of duty is a sacred obligation for those of us elected to lead,\u201d said Golden. \u201cI\u2019ve seen firsthand the valuable service Operation Reboot Outdoors provides to Mainers, and am eager to see this new facility come to life.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is our Mission at Operation ReBoot Outdoors to create a long-lasting impact on the lives of all Veterans we serve,\u201d said Nicole Waite, president of the organization. \u201cOur goal is to create a fully accessible outdoor outfitter at our location in Byron, Maine, breaking down barriers that might otherwise prevent our nation\u2019s heroes from experiencing the healing powers of the outdoors. We are now one step closer to making that goal a reality.\u201d\n\nOperation ReBoot Outdoors is a nonprofit established in 2019 and has taken a science-backed approach to improving mental health treatment for veterans and law enforcement. It teaches new outdoor skills and hobbies and has developed a community of service members who continue to support each other outside of the program. Operation ReBoot has serviced more than 800 veterans and law enforcement as well as conducted more than 500 hunting missions and fishing trips.\n\nThe funding will be used to build an ADA-compliant guided outdoor healing center. This center will provide lodging, fishing, hunting, wilderness safety and first aid courses to veterans and law enforcement officers in the community.\n\nThe request on behalf of Operation ReBoot Outdoors was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-861000-for-tribal-youth-facility-at-pleasant-point", "Golden delivers $861,000 for tribal youth facility at Pleasant Point", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $861,000 for the construction of a recreational facility for Passamaquoddy youth. The funding is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law Saturday.\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s real value in preserving one\u2019s heritage, and this facility will bolster the Passamaquoddy Tribe\u2019s efforts to do so,\u201d said Golden. \u201cA community kitchen to pass down cultural recipes. Spaces better equipped to host and pass down ancestral traditions. With so many new opportunities soon to be possible, this new building will help unlock the full potential of generations of young people to come.\u201d\n\nThe project \u2014 Kotuwaposu, or \u201cSafe Place\u201d in the Passamaquoddy Language \u2014 will house the Pleasant Point Boys & Girls Club in a 14,000 square-foot facility including a community kitchen, gym, social space, computer lab and teen space for tribal youth.\n\n\u201cI would like to thank Congressman Jared Golden for his commitment and assistance to the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point,\u201d said Passamaquoddy Chief at Pleasant Point Pos Bassett. \u201cWe shared a traditional meal made with moose meat after I first took office in October 2022, and I\u2019m grateful for the time he has spent learning to know our community. Our current facility is an outdated and rundown tribal office. The building is rotting away and some of the doors are held shut with rope. We are absolutely pleased that the initial funding for the Kotuwaposu Youth and Recreational Facility that Congressman Golden supported has been approved. On behalf of the children and community of Pleasant Point we want to say Woliwon \u2014 thank you.\u201d\n\nThe Boys & Girls Club is a tribal program that provides an array of recreational and cultural activities for young people in the Pleasant Point Indian Reservation. It aims to help children find healthier ways to grow physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.\n\nThe request on behalf of the Pleasant Point Tribal Government was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-963000-for-new-belfast-emergency-operations-center", "Golden delivers $963,000 for new Belfast Emergency Operations Center", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $963,000 in for the Belfast Police Department to upgrade equipment and outfit a new Emergency Operations Center.\n\nThe funding is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law Saturday.\n\n\u201cOne of the best ways of addressing staff shortages in rural emergency services is ensuring everyone has the resources required to do their jobs,\u201d said Golden. \u201cThis funding will help Belfast\u2019s police department meet those needs, and equip an Emergency Operations Center that\u2019s truly capable of responding to crises across the region.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe City of Belfast is thrilled to learn that it has been selected for this funding award,\u201d said Erin Herbig, Belfast City Manager. \u201cThe City of Belfast Police Department provides essential and valuable servicesto the community of Belfast, and it is a high priority for the city that they have the tools andequipment necessary for them to ensure a high level of operational capacity and effectiveness. These awarded funds will make that possible.\u201d\n\nLaw enforcement officers are increasingly likely to respond to calls that involve mental illness and substance abuse crises. Additionally, officers are investigating and seizing many new dangerous drugs and chemicals that must be tested, analyzed, and stored for evidence. The lack of proper equipment and specialized storage for these drugs and chemicals puts officers at significant risk.\n\nThis funding will provide the City of Belfast Police Department with modern equipment such as training simulators, specialized evidence testing and analyzing equipment, safe evidence storage, a Live Scan fingerprint scanning terminal, and other equipment to be utilized in a new Emergency Operations Center.\n\nThe request on behalf of the City of Belfast was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-1-million-for-wastewater-improvements-in-lubec", "Golden secures $1 million for wastewater improvements in Lubec", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1 million in dedicated funding for the Lubec Wastewater Project.\n\nThe funding was included in the partial 2024 appropriations package signed into law on Saturday. It will be used to upgrade four wastewater pumping stations and parts of the municipal wastewater treatment plant in order to meet discharge licensing requirements.\n\n\u201cWhen wastewater infrastructure starts to fail, it puts the health of the entire community at risk,\u201d said Golden. \u201cThe improvements that will be funded by this appropriation have been sorely needed, and I\u2019m proud to have partnered with the Town of Lubec to make sure this critical infrastructure is up-to-date.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Town of Lubec would like to thank Congressman Golden for all the hard work required to provide much-needed funding for our wastewater treatment plant upgrade,\u201d said Lubec Town Administrator Suzette Francis. \u201cThe existing facility is more than 30 years old and much of the equipment is beyond the expected useful life of 20 years. The facility requires significant updates to continue to function properly. Given the rising cost of construction, without this funding the town could not afford to pay for the project, which is essential to protect our regional water quality essential to the fishing and ecotourism economy.\u201d\n\nThe funding for Lubec will pay for upgrades needed to keep the town compliant with its discharge license. With some equipment having already failed, requiring emergency repairs, this funding will allow the town to get ahead of future failures before they can occur. The four pump stations will get upgraded pumps, as well as new control panels, telemetry and rail retrieval systems. The wastewater treatment plant will receive many improvements, including new influent samplers, properly ventilated headwork vaults and a new chlorination pump to continue pre-chlorinating the raw sewage for odor control.\n\nThe request on behalf of the Town of Lubec was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-1-million-to-replace-burroughs-road-bridge-in-lisbon", "Golden secures $1 million to replace Burroughs Road bridge in Lisbon", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1 million in funding to replace the Burroughs Road Potter Brook bridge.\n\nThe funding is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law on Saturday.\n\nA recent inspection done by the Maine Department of Transportation determined the bridge needs to be replaced due to its poor condition. Many Lisbon and Bowdoin residents rely on the bridge because it serves as the only access road for those living on Burroughs Road.\n\n\u201cThere are more than 50 homes whose only route to the outside world is the failing Burroughs Road bridge in Lisbon,\u201d said Golden. \u201cIt\u2019s imperative that this access remains safe and open, and I\u2019m proud to partner with the Town of Lisbon and deliver the funds needed to fix it.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe warmly welcome the enactment of the earmark funding for the essential repair of the bridge that serves as the sole means of egress for the residents of Lisbon and Bowdoin on West Burrough Road,\u201d said Glenn Michalowski, Town Manager of Lisbon. \u201cThis vital artery, compromised during the storm of May 2nd, 2023, is crucial not only for the daily commute but as a critical pathway for emergency services, fuel deliveries, and school bus routes. The approval of this earmark underscores a significant commitment to the safety and well-being of our joint communities, ensuring that this route is restored to its full functionality. For our local taxpayers, this investment signifies a dedication to maintaining the lifelines of our community, promising enhanced safety and reliability. We are eager to commence the repair works and are committed to swiftly restoring this essential link to serve our residents.\u201d\n\nThe new bridge will also feature a wider stream opening to assist fish passage \u2014 including for the vulnerable Atlantic salmon \u2014 in accordance with Department of Environmental Protection goals.\n\nThe request on behalf of the Town of Lisbon was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-11-million-for-lewiston-beech-street-revitalization", "Golden secures $1.1 million for Lewiston Beech Street revitalization", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1.1 million in funding for improvements to Beech Street in Lewiston.\n\nThe funding is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law Saturday. It will be used to improve access to Simard Payne Park and two adjacent vacant mill properties. It will also fund water and stormwater infrastructure needed to redevelop both mills, increase public parking for the park, and complete a pedestrian pathway to provide direct connection from the river walk into Simard Payne Park and the pedestrian bridge to New Auburn.\n\n\u201cThe proposed vision for Beech Street will unlock so much potential for Lewiston,\u201d saidGolden. \u201cFrom improving existing properties to creating new connections to the rest of the city, this effort is truly a force multiplier for future development.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am grateful that our funding request for the Simard-Payne Beech St. project has been approved,\u201d said Carl Sheline, Mayor of the City of Lewiston. \u201cDeveloping the riverfront is a top priority for our city and this money will be crucial to helping us develop the park for the benefit of our residents and visitors alike. I appreciate Congressman Golden's commitment to the people of Lewiston and the State of Maine.\u201d\n\nBeech Street in Lewiston plays an essential role for the town. It serves as the access road to Simard Payne Park, which hosts numerous events annually, bringing thousands of people to Lewiston. This funding will provide much needed improved access to the area during these surges in demand.\n\nIt will also fund much needed infrastructure for the Camden Yarns Mill, which will be redeveloped for the Maine MILL Museum and adjacent vacant PAMCO Mill. Beech Street is the primary access point for the Maine MILL Museum, which is forecasted to invite about 30,000 visitors annually. Investing in the redevelopment of both vacant mills is crucial to the economic vitality of the riverfront and will serve as a catalyst for the community\u2019s future.\n\nThe request on behalf of the Town of Lewiston was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-15-million-for-wastewater-upgrades-for-rumford-and-mexico", "Golden secures $1.5 million for wastewater upgrades for Rumford and Mexico", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1.5 million for the Rumford-Mexico Sewerage Project, a comprehensive upgrade of wastewater infrastructure serving the two communities. The funding will help pay for a comprehensive upgrade of a 48-year-old wastewater treatment facility and the Dix Avenue Pump Station to prevent overflows of raw wastewater.\n\n\u201cThe current wastewater infrastructure serving Rumford and Mexico simply can\u2019t meet the needs of the communities,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThis investment will keep people healthier, the Androscoggin cleaner, and help deliver much-needed peace of mind for the region.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe purpose of this project is to address critical deficiencies associated with the existing Wastewater Treatment Facility and pump station to ensure the continued, reliable sewer service,\u201d wrote Stacy Carter and Raquel Welch-Day, the town managers of Rumford and Mexico, respectively, in March 2023 letters in support of the project. \u201cThese facilities have had very limited improvements during the 47 years they have been in service, and are critical infrastructure supporting the social, economic and environmental vitality of the region.\u201d\n\nThe Wastewater Treatment Facility was built in 1975 and is licensed to treat a monthly average flow of 2.65 million gallons per day (MGD). During the wet seasons, the average can get up to 3.26 MGD or spike hourly at over 7 MGD, which exceeds what the facility can process. In 2019, the existing wastewater facility failed, resulting in partially treated wastewater discharged directly into the Androscoggin River while emergency repairs were made.\n\nThis project will ensure reliable and sustainable wastewater infrastructure in the region to protect the Swift and Androscoggin Rivers and provide predictable and economical costs for treatment for all sewer users.\n\nThe request on behalf of the Rumford-Mexico Sewerage District was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-15-million-for-wastewater-upgrades-in-winterport", "Golden secures $1.5 million for wastewater upgrades in Winterport", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1.5 million in funding for upgrades to the Winterport Water District\u2019s wastewater treatment plant.\n\nThe funding is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law Saturday and will be used to complete mandatory upgrades to the treatment plant.\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s a demonstrable financial, human health, and environmental need to overhaul Winterport\u2019s wastewater system,\u201d said Golden. \u201cI\u2019m proud to partner with the town to get this important project across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the Winterport Water District, we are extremely pleased that this funding is going to be available for the upgrade to the District\u2019s primary treatment facility,\u201d said Annaleis Hafford, Winterport Water District Manager. \u201cThe District wants to express its sincere gratitude to Rep. Golden, the Town of Winterport, and everyone else who has helped spearhead the upgrade of the plant to secondary treatment. This funding opportunity is key to helping the District get one step closer to moving forward on the implementation of this very necessary project.\u201d\n\nThis funding will allow the wastewater treatment facility in Winterport to continue safely discharging safe effluent into the Penobscot River. The Penobscot River is an invaluable resource due to its support of Maine's Atlantic salmon habitat, recreation, and tourism. Upgrading this facility will help protect the Penobscot River, relieve the burden on the ratepayers, and retain borrowing capacity to address other infrastructure needs in Winterport.\n\nThe request on behalf of the Town of Winterport was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-19-million-for-skowhegan-area-early-childhood-education-facility", "Golden secures $1.9 million for Skowhegan-area early childhood education facility", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1.9 million for the Early Childhood Learning Center at the new Margaret Chase Smith Community School in Skowhegan.\n\nThe funding is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law Saturday. It will fund the construction of an additional wing at the new school.\n\n\u201cEducation, especially early education, can help people overcome almost all adversity,\u201d said Golden. \u201cThis project will support ongoing work in the region to modernize educational facilities after years of instructional challenges caused by an aging infrastructure that can\u2019t be expected to meet the community\u2019s needs. The communities of MSAD54 have put in hard work to bring this vision to life, and I\u2019m proud to help secure federal investment to get this project over the finish line.\u201d\n\nMSAD54 serves students from Canaan, Cornville, Mercer, Norridgewock, Skowhegan, and Smithfield. The current composition of facilities, with multiple school buildings and the use of portable classrooms, has led to challenges for students and staff, including the lack of continuity of instruction and numerous transitions that have created educational and instructional inefficiencies over time.\n\n\u201cAs a small Maine community, we are incredibly lucky to have representatives that actively work for, understand and support our local initiatives that will produce real change,\u201d said Samuel Hight, chair of the Early Childhood Learning Center fundraising committee. \u201cThe recent approval for MSAD54's $1.92 million application will fulfill the fundraising goals for the Early Childhood Learning Center, covering all the costs of the additional wing on the new $75 million Margaret Chase Smith Community School \u2014 a first of its kind school that will support children ages 6 weeks old through fifth grade \u2014 without adding any burden to the local taxpayers.\u201d\n\nThe new building will allow for the district to close two elementary schools and repurpose one to support special education and alternative programs and allow 20 classrooms that currently utilize portable classrooms to move into a permanent facility. The school will aid in the district's effort to expand to daily universal full-day Pre-K programming through their partnership with KVCAP. It will also serve as a learning center for high school students and pre-service teachers by moving the current Somerset Career and Technical Center early childhood program at North Elementary School into the new building.\n\nAdditional funding has come from a fundraising committee that combines the district, KVCAP, and community leaders, who hit its $3 million funding goal to support the project and minimize the local impact on property taxes.\n\nThe request on behalf of Maine School Administrative District #54 was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-4-million-for-flood-prevention-in-augusta", "Golden secures $4 million for flood prevention in Augusta", "2024-03-13", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured nearly $4 million for the Augusta Front Street Resiliency Project, which will be used to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding downtown.\n\nThe funding is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law on Saturday. It will be used to elevate and reconfigure portions of downtown Augusta adjacent to the Kennebec River.\n\n\u201cImages and footage of the flooding on Front Street last December may have stunned Mainers across the state, but the Augusta community has known that updates are needed to protect residents and businesses from damage associated with more frequent, more extreme flooding,\u201d Golden said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have partnered with the city to identify the infrastructure most at risk from flooding and deliver the funding needed to increase resiliency.\u201d\n\n\u201cHere in Augusta, we have witnessed first-hand over the past few months the impact of climate change, with more frequent storms and damaging flooding along the Kennebec River,\u201d said Keith Luke, economic development director for the City of Augusta. \u201cThe Front Street Resiliency Project aims to mitigate these effects by raising the Front Street parking area by two feet, which will significantly reduce the frequency of floodwaters necessitating the closure of the parking area, impacting local businesses and residents less often.\u201d\n\nThe funding will also provide park-like amenities such as a combination of seating areas, open spaces, and a river overlook deck.\n\nThe request on behalf of the City of Augusta was one of 15 awards from Golden\u2019s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 131, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "ME", "p2": "2024"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=ME&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 131, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=ME&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=ME&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 131, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=ME&year=2024&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=ME&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "ME", "label": "ME", "count": 131, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=ME&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "2024", "label": "2024", "count": 131, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=ME", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2024-03-13,https~3A~2F~2Fgolden~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fgolden-secures-4-million-for-flood-prevention-in-augusta", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=ME&year=2024&_next=2024-03-13%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fgolden~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fgolden-secures-4-million-for-flood-prevention-in-augusta&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 159.6870729699731, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}