{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/appropriations-debate-pingree-advocates-programs-vital-maine", "In Appropriations Debate, Pingree Advocates for Programs Vital to Maine", "2017-07-18", "2017", "2017-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Chellie Pingree", "P000597", "pingree.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014During last night\u2019s full committee markup of the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development FY 2018 Appropriations Bill, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree fought against cuts to programs that are vital to Maine\u2014including Community Development Block Grants and Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants.\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cMaine\u2019s bridges received a C-minus grade and roads a D grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers\u2014taking away TIGER grants is not the right thing to do at this time,\u201d Pingree said in support of an amendment to restore funding for vital transportation infrastructure grants as well as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). \u00a0\u201cAlthough it didn\u2019t cut CDBG grants fully, I\u2019m sorry to see there\u2019s 100 million cut in there. The flexibility of the CDBG program makes it a priority for all of our states.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0  \n  Congresswoman Pingree's remarks start\u00a0at 38 minutes  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tDuring debate, she spoke out in support of other members\u2019 amendments that would undo:\u00a0\n\u2022 A proposed elimination of the TIGER Grant program, which has funded numerous infrastructure replacements and improvements to support Maine\u2019s economy  \n\t\u2022 A $100 million cut to the Community Development Block Grant program\u2014used widely by Maine municipalities  \n\t\u2022 A $100 million cut to the HOME Investments Partnership Program, which has helped build many units of affordable family and elderly housing units in the state.\u00a0  \n\t\u2022 The sunsetting of the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, which ensures states share information and best practices to end homelessness.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tPingree also offered an amendment to increase funding for Housing Choice Voucher Program by $1.2 billion to a total of $19.9 billion. If the House bill funding is maintained at $18.7 billion, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that 140,000 vouchers currently used by individuals and families would not receive renewal funding next year. The amendment did not pass.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/appropriations-debate-pingree-advocates-programs-vital-maine"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.563487108796835, "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"}