{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["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"]], "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"], "primary_key_values": ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-s-bill-to-address-mental-health-safety-issues-in-fishing-industry-passes-house"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.724088866263628, "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"}