url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-bipartisan-colleagues-introduce-smile-for-veterans-act,"Golden, bipartisan colleagues introduce SMILE for Veterans Act",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Don Davis (NC-01) and Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) introduced the SMILE for Veterans Act, to expand affordable dental care for veterans in rural communities across the country. “VA health care is an essential benefit for our nation’s veterans, but for too long a lack of dental coverage has been a massive gap in care. The mouth is part of the body, and our veterans shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get basic dental care. I’m proud to work with Reps. Bergman, Davis and Van Drew on the SMILE for Veterans Act, which takes a smart first step toward more comprehensive coverage by focusing on rural areas where barriers to care are the highest and community providers that can help close the gap,” Golden said. Under current law, only about 15 percent of the nearly nine million veterans enrolled in health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are eligible for VA dental services. Eligibility is generally limited to veterans with a service-connected dental condition, a 100 percent disability rating or former prisoner-of-war status. Efforts to broadly expand dental coverage through the VA have faced significant cost and capacity challenges, including the need for additional personnel, facilities, and community-care infrastructure. The SMILE for Veterans Act takes a targeted approach by creating a pilot program to reimburse existing community-based dental providers to serve rural veterans. By leveraging providers and infrastructure already in place, the legislation would expand access to dental care in underserved communities without requiring the VA to build a new system from the ground up. Research from the CareQuest Institute in 2024 found that more than one-third of veterans surveyed rated their oral health as only fair or poor, while more than 75 percent of respondents reported losing two or more teeth to decay or gum disease. Nearly four in 10 veterans reported having no dental insurance. “For too many Veterans in rural communities, basic dental care is either too far away or simply out of reach,” Bergman said. “The SMILE for Veterans Act offers a practical solution by connecting Veterans with trusted dental providers already serving their communities. Rather than building an expensive new federal system from the ground up, this legislation uses existing local providers to deliver care efficiently and closer to home.” “I spent 30 years as a dentist, and I can tell you that putting off dental care usually only makes things worse,” Van Drew said. “For veterans living in rural communities, sometimes the hardest part is simply finding a dentist close enough to get the care they need. That should not be the case. The SMILE for Veterans Act is a practical way to connect veterans with that care closer to home. To me, that is common sense.” “Quality dental care is a critical part of keeping our veterans healthy, and too often, veterans in rural communities face significant challenges getting the care they need. The bipartisan SMILE for Veterans Act would give community providers across eastern North Carolina a way to deliver that care closer to home. Our veterans kept their promise to our nation, and we must always keep ours to them,” Davis said. “The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is grateful to see the introduction of the SMILE Act, led by Representative Bergman, Representative Davis, Representative Van Drew, and Representative Golden. This legislation would establish a pilot program to improve rural Veterans’ access to dental care, addressing a critical need in rural communities where Veterans often face significant barriers to accessing essential health services. With one in four Veterans living in a rural area, ensuring access to dental care is an important part of ensuring rural Veterans can receive the comprehensive care they deserve,” said Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association. Full text of the bill can be found here. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6865,"Pingree, Kelly Call Out Reports of Illegal Union-Busting at Prime Healthcare",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) are leading a group of their Democratic colleagues in demanding that Prime Healthcare end alleged intimidation and retaliation against nurses engaged in federally protected union activity at its hospitals in Maine, Illinois, and Nevada. In a letter to Prime Healthcare Chairman and CEO Dr. Prem Reddy, the lawmakers cite reports of dozens of nurses being suspended or fired, police being called on nurses and organizers lawfully distributing information outside a hospital, and hospital-branded materials urging employees to vote against union representation. The letter comes as nurses at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine; Olympia Fields Hospital in Olympia Fields, Illinois; and Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois, seek representation through the National Nurses Organizing Committee. At Central Maine Medical Center alone, Prime Healthcare has suspended or fired at least 20 nurses during the organizing campaign—actions the nurses and the union allege are retaliation for advocating for safer staffing, adequate resources, and improved patient care. Olympia Fields Hospital has also reportedly suspended six nurses. “Registered nurses at these Prime facilities are fighting to ensure they can provide the very best care to the communities they serve, including concerns about cuts to vital services that patients rely on. As you are aware, just last year, Senators Duckworth and Durbin contacted you about reversing Prime’s decision to reduce services in several newly acquired hospitals across Illinois,” the lawmakers wrote. “We remain deeply concerned about warnings from these workers that recent changes to services and designations will impact standards and delivery of care in our communities.” The lawmakers also highlight alleged retaliation at other Prime Healthcare facilities, including the firing of six nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago ahead of a June union election and two nurses at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. They are urging Prime Healthcare to comply fully with the National Labor Relations Act, allow employees to decide freely whether to unionize, and negotiate in good faith with workers who choose union representation.[CI3] “All workers should have the free choice to join a union, should they choose to form one, without interference or intimidation,” they said. “[...] We will continue to monitor Prime Healthcare’s actions closely and, should nurses at those facilities form a union, expect you to negotiate a fair contract in good faith with workers in accordance with the law.” The letter is available here and is copied below. Joining Pingree and Kelly on the letter are: Reps. Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.), Jesús ""Chuy"" García (D-Ill.), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). [CI1]They technically aren’t in the union yet, do we need to clarify something like their proposed union or something like that. - Kevin [CI2]Can we link to the letter? Just easier for News to find the right one. - Kevin",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6862,"Pingree Hears Emotional Testimony from Families, Representatives of Slain ICE Victims",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a bicameral public forum of fatal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shootings across the country. Members heard emotional testimony on the killings of Ruben Ray Martinez and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas, Renée Nicole Macklin Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine. Watch Pingree’s portion of questioning here; the full hearing is available to watch here. Click here for photos from the hearing. “Listening to these families today was heartbreaking and infuriating,” said Pingree. “Ruben Ray Martinez was killed by an ICE agent, and DHS refused to even admit it happened for nearly a year, until a public records request forced the truth out. Alex Pretti was shot in the back, and it took a bystander's video to prove the government's own account of his death was a lie. Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero's family still has no confirmation that any federal agency is investigating his death, months later. How can the government take someone’s life and leave their family without a clear account of what happened or why? These families deserve answers. Congress has a duty to demand a full accounting and hold federal officials accountable for the abuses committed using taxpayer dollars. Republicans should be demanding those answers alongside us, but they have been derelict in their duties—refusing to hold hearings like this one. Democrats and I will keep fighting for the truth and for justice.” Other Members participating in the hearing included Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Reps. Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), and Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.). The following witnesses offered testimony about the fatal shootings of five people by federal immigration agents during the Trump Administration: Rachel Reyes: Rachel Reyes’ son, Ruben Ray Martinez, was shot and killed by an ICE agent in March 2025 in South Padre Island, Texas. For nearly a year afterwards, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) refused to publicly acknowledge its involvement in Mr. Martinez’s death, which only came to light through a public records request. Donna and Brent Ganger: Donna Ganger’s daughter and Brent Ganger’s sister, Renée Nicole Macklin Good, was shot and killed by an ICE agent in January 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Stella Carlson: Stella Carlson recorded the killing of Alex Pretti in January 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ms. Carlson, known as the “woman in the pink coat,” was on her way to work when she witnessed and filmed an immigration agent shooting Mr. Pretti in the back. Her video confirmed that DHS’s account of the fatal shooting was false. Ronaldo and Lorenzo Salgado: Ronaldo and Lorenzo Salgado’s father, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, was shot and killed in Houston, Texas in July 2026. Mr. Araujo was driving to work when he was confronted by ICE agents who fired into the vehicle, killing him. Sean P. Murphy: Sean P. Murphy represents the family of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero who was shot and killed by an ICE agent shortly after leaving for work early in the morning hours of July 13, 2026. He was not the target of any ICE removal operation and had no criminal history. Johan Sebastián did have a social security number and valid work authorization issued by the current administration. To date, no federal agency has confirmed that they are investigating. ""The loss of Johan Sebastián is a tragedy. In the past two months, Ben [Gideon] and I have been fighting for him. We will continue to fight for him. We will continue to fight for justice and accountability And while I desperately want to keep this focused on the tragedy of losing even one life to the world, I would be remiss if I did not address the political elephant in the room, that on the other side of Johan’s life lost is the nefarious decision by this administration to steal and take that life,” Murphy said in his testimony. “[…] The only justification given for Johan’s death was that it was in the interest of public safety. You know what actually keeps the public safe? Not shooting innocent and law-abiding fathers whose only dream is to build a better life for his family.” Watch Murphy’s full testimony here. In August, Pingree, Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), and Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, hosted a Democratic shadow hearingexamining ICE’s use of force and abuse of power following the tragic killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford. ###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-pushes-stronger-anti-corruption-rules-on-house-earmarks,Golden pushes stronger anti-corruption rules on House earmarks,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) is co-leading an effort to strengthen guardrails against Members of Congress using taxpayer-funded earmarks to increase their own net worth. Golden joined Reps. Young Kim (CA-40) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) to introduce a resolution seeking to change House rules regarding Community Project Funding (CPF), a process that allows Members to direct federal funds to projects undertaken by state, local or tribal governments or certain nonprofits. “Americans deserve certainty that when a member of Congress secures funding for their district, it’s for the good of their constituents — not themselves, their families or any entity in which they have a financial interest,” Golden said. ""This resolution will strengthen the anti-corruption guardrails around earmarks to ensure federal dollars are used responsibly. I’m proud to co-sponsor this commonsense change to preserve the integrity of the House.” Under current rules, Members requesting CPF must certify that they and their spouses have no financial conflicts of interest in the request. However, current rules do not explicitly account for indirect financial interests — such as whether an earmark could increase the value of a business asset owned by a Member or their family because of its proximity to the CPF project. The proposal closes this loophole by requiring Members of Congress to certify that neither they, their spouse, their immediate family members, nor any entity in which they hold a material financial interest would directly or indirectly benefit financially from an earmark. “When politicians are busy lining their own pockets, how can they ever understand or focus on the pocketbook issues Americans face every single day? Californians are struggling to afford groceries, gas, healthcare, and housing while paying some of the highest taxes in the nation. The least they deserve is representation focused on making their lives better,” Kim said. “I’m proud to lead this commonsense resolution with Congressmen Jared Golden and Brian Fitzpatrick to hold Members of Congress to a stronger standard when bringing federal dollars back home. Members of Congress should be concerned with building a better future for Americans, not filling their own coffers.” “Public service is a public trust, and there can be no ambiguity about whose interests we are here to serve,” Fitzpatrick said. “No Member of Congress should be able to use the power of public office to create a financial benefit for themselves, their family, or an entity in which they have a financial stake. I have spent years working across the aisle to strengthen accountability and eliminate conflicts of interest in Congress, and the principle here is just as clear: public decisions must be made in the public interest. Clear rules, meaningful transparency, and real accountability are essential to protecting the integrity of this institution and the trust of the people we serve.” Text of the resolution is available here. ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6851,"On Heels of Fashion Week, Pingree Champions First-Of-Its-Kind Bill to Fight Fast Fashion Pollution",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), founder and chair of the Slow Fashion Caucus, introduced the Textile Waste Reduction Act (TWRA), a first-of-its-kind bill to address the harmful impacts of fast fashion-driven waste. Based on recommendations made in the first-ever Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on fast fashion pollution—originally requested by Pingree and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) in 2023—this landmark legislation establishes the first coordinated federal framework to reduce textile waste, improve data collection, and develop a national strategy to advance circularity in the textile industry. “The GAO report confirmed what we’ve known for years: that textile waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the U.S.; that it’s being driven largely by fast fashion; and that federal action is necessary to confront this crisis in a real, impactful way,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “This bill would help lay the foundation for that effort by creating a coordinated federal strategy to reduce textile waste and build a more circular textile economy. Our country has the resources and know-how to lead this effort on a global scale. It’s well past time we turn that potential into action—and help transform this wasteful industry into one that’s more efficient, more sustainable, and better for people and the planet.” Specifically, the TWRA: Directs the EPA Administrator to take coordinated federal action to advance textile circularity Requires EPA to develop a comprehensive National Textile Circularity Strategy and conduct a needs assessment identifying the actions, investments, and policy priorities necessary to implement the strategy Creates an Interagency Working Group on Textile Circularity to coordinate federal activities Establishes an Advisory Board to provide recommendations to the Interagency Working Group Requires EPA to identify and publish federal funding opportunities available to states, Tribal governments, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations that support textile circularity Requires EPA to annually publish updated data on textile waste generation and management Background: Textile waste is now one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the United States, with millions of tons of textiles discarded each year and the vast majority ending up in landfills. These discarded materials may leach contaminants including PFAS and microplastics into water and soil and increase costs on communities grappling with capacity shortages at landfills. Despite the harmful impacts of this fast fashion-driven increase in textile waste, there has been no coordinated effort at the federal level to tackle this problem and support a more circular textiles economy. In addition, over the past several decades, hundreds of thousands of fiber and textile jobs that once sustained communities across America have shifted overseas, harming American farmers and communities in the process. Pingree founded and launched the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus in June 2024 to create climate-smart policies to reduce, repair, rewear, and recycle textiles. The caucus has garnered widespread support, including from American Circular Textiles, the Garment Worker Center, Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, Patagonia, ThredUp, fashion designer and slow fashion influencer Kelly Dempsey, and more. The full text of the bill can be found here. Pingree is Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which oversees the EPA. # # #",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6853,"Pingree, Congressional Democrats Call Out Trump Admin’s Corrupt Offshore Wind Buyouts",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), joined members of Congress and labor and environmental advocates in front of the U.S. Capitol to speak out against the Trump administration’s continued attacks on offshore wind. Pingree joined Representatives Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) and Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.)—along with Kendall Martin, General Vice President of Ironworkers International, and Bob Keefe, Executive Director of E2 | Economy+Environment—to call attention to the lack of accountability around the corrupt, taxpayer-funded offshore wind buyout deals, which now cover 12 offshore wind leases and five developers. Since March, the Department of the Interior has made unprecedented use of the Treasury Department’s Judgment Fund to pay developers nearly $4 billion in taxpayer funds to vacate their offshore wind leases. “The Trump administration is spending nearly $4 billion in taxpayer funds to cancel 12 offshore wind leases at the same time when Americans' utility bills are rising. Their priorities are completely out of whack,"" said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01). “As Ranking Member of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I take Congress’s power of the purse seriously. Taxpayers deserve to know who authorized these buyouts, how they were valued, and why the Judgment Fund was used. We need transparency, accountability, and more affordable, reliable domestic energy—not dirty deals that force taxpayers to pay for less of it.” President Trump continues to wage his war on offshore wind amid rising electricity demand and skyrocketing energy bills. These cancellations jeopardize clean energy projects that would have delivered affordable, reliable energy to millions of U.S. households and businesses and hobble industries that create thousands of good-paying jobs across the country. To date, the administration has bought out twelve offshore wind leases, including planned projects off the coasts of Maine, New York, New Jersey, California, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. Cancelling these leases takes away planned domestic power generation and hinders grid diversification, causing real reliability risks and higher energy bills for millions. “I’ve seen firsthand what offshore wind and renewable energy can do for our communities. They can lower costs, provide new sources of power to our homes and businesses, and create good-paying jobs. My home state of North Carolina has been a long time leader in clean energy, including offshore wind,"" said Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02). “The cancelled projects would have created thousands of good-paying jobs and powered over 300,000 homes. This is happening when we are already experiencing record-high electricity prices across our state. [...] President Trump and the Department of Energy put their political agenda ahead of North Carolina's economic and energy needs. Families cannot afford to pay the price for that.” “What is so outrageous about these buyouts that are now totaling almost $4 billion of taxpayer money that’s just been lit on fire is that we’re going through a time when families are struggling,"" said Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02). “We’ve got this industry ready to make major investments in coastal communities that will not only create jobs but will provide cheap and reliable clean power that will bring electric rates down. This is exactly what we need at this time.” “The administration spent nearly $4 billion in taxpayer funds to illegally cancel promising offshore wind project leases across the country, including 2 of 3 in my district off of Morro Bay,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24). “As families face higher energy costs because of the president’s disastrous war in Iran, these cancellations will just inflict more damage to our economy and family budgets—not to mention the big waste of taxpayer funds. I won’t let this extreme federal overreach go unchallenged, and I will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with all of my colleagues here and our communities affected by these cancelled leases to say yes to wind, no to dirty deals.” “What is happening here? It’s just corruption on stilts. We need more affordable, made-in-America, union, ready-to-go power than ever before – and we need it to be clean, because climate change is getting worse and costing us millions and billions more every single year,” said Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts. “This is Economics 101. We’ve got a major supply and demand problem: Trump is killing our electricity supply at his donors’ demand. Instead of solving the energy affordability crisis he has created, Trump is blocking offshore wind from the grid. He’s taking union workers out of work by the tens of thousands. And to add insult to injury, he’s spending your money to do it.” “Offshore wind is here, and it’s working. It’s saving ratepayers money, breaking our dependence on volatile foreign fuel markets, creating cleaner air, and putting thousands of American union members to work,” said Kendall Martin, General Vice President of Ironworkers International. “It is common sense to keep building this necessary infrastructure at a time of increasing energy demand. Union workers in offshore wind are just trying to do our jobs, pay our bills, and build something that leaves the planet a little better for our kids and grandkids. I ask the Trump administration to stop these senseless attacks on American energy and let us get to work.” “It makes no sense to waste billions in taxpayer dollars paying companies not to build new energy sources – especially at a time when electricity demand and prices are soaring,” said Bob Keefe, Executive Director of E2 | Economy+Environment. “And we’re not just losing new made-in-America energy here. We’re losing new jobs, new investments, new tax revenues and new opportunities in coastal communities that could use a break.” “While families face skyrocketing bills and worry about blackouts or power outages, offshore wind provides a cheaper, more reliable, and cleaner energy future for all of us,” said Sierra Club Chief Program Officer Holly Bender. “Offshore wind is here and ready to be deployed in the United States, but Donald Trump is hell-bent on creating obstacles that tip the scales in favor of fossil fuels. It is completely unacceptable that $4 billion of our taxpayer dollars have been wasted on paying off energy companies to cancel renewable energy projects and double down on fossil fuels. We are grateful for the support of our partners in Congress and together we will continue to fight for a healthier, more affordable, and cleaner future.” “As if energy costs were not high enough, the Trump administration has spent almost four billion taxpayer dollars to keep our energy costs high by blocking affordable clean offshore wind energy,” said David Shadburn, Legislative Director at the League of Conservation Voters. “Trump is instead directing our tax dollars to new LNG export projects, shipping gas overseas and actually driving prices back home even higher, all while enriching Trump’s fossil fuel donors. We stand with clean energy leaders in Congress who are fighting to hold this administration to account and lower costs for working families.” ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-in-support-of-russia-sanctions-bill,Golden statement in support of Russia sanctions bill,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement regarding his vote in favor of HR 5334, legislation to impose sanctions against Russia until it ends its war against Ukraine: “Every barrel of Russian oil sold on the global market is funding for Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia is successfully evading the existing sanctions imposed by the U.S. and our Western partners. This bill provides new tools to cut off the oil revenue that’s greasing Russia’s war machine, including tariffs on the top buyers of Russian energy and those countries helping the federation evade existing sanctions. “Under Putin’s rule, Russia has tested the boundaries of international order and safety at a scale not witnessed in generations. It is waging a war of territorial expansion against our democratic ally in Ukraine. It has made its hostile intent toward the United States and other western democracies clear in its words and actions, including its efforts to undermine U.S. elections. “Passing this bill will weaken Putin’s hand, and will show the Ukrainians fighting to defend their homes that the United States will not abandon them. I’m proud to vote yes.” The bill passed the House in a bipartisan vote of 262-159, having previously passed in the Senate 86-11. It now goes to the president to be signed into law. BACKGROUND: Russia has successfully evaded existing sanctions on its energy products with a “shadow fleet” of tankers conducting ship-to-ship transfers or rerouting to friendly buyers, often using false documents to hide ownership or cargo point-of-origin. According to one estimate, this shadow fleet transported roughly 3.7 billion barrels of oil in 2025. In addition to direct sanctions on Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, the bill targets Russian financial institutions and defense and energy actors. It also sidesteps Russia’s evasion strategies by targeting the buyers of Russian energy products, authorizing the president to impose tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil and gas and the top five facilitators of sanctions evasion. Golden has been a consistent champion for the defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty, having voted in favor of every major military and financial aid for the besieged nation since 2022. To overcome partisan gridlock, in 2024 he co-sponsored the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), which paired aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with funding the restore order at America’s southern border. Elements of the bill were included in a successful bipartisan foreign aid and border security package enacted by the House that year. ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6848,"House Passes Pingree Bill to Cut Diesel Pollution, Protect Maine Families",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) applauded the passage of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting public health and lowering the cost of replacing older, heavily polluting diesel engines. Introduced by Pingree and Reps. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), and Nick Longworthy (R-N.Y.), the bill reauthorizes the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program (DERA) through fiscal year 2029 at $100 million annually. First created through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, DERA provides grants and rebates that help schools, local governments, small businesses, and fleet operators replace or upgrade older diesel-powered trucks, buses, construction equipment, and other heavy-duty engines. “Diesel fuel powers Maine’s boats, ferries, buses, construction trucks, agricultural equipment, and more, but emissions from older diesel engines have serious consequences for public health and the environment. Since its passage in 2005, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act has helped replace or retrofit nearly 100,000 diesel engines, vehicles, and pieces of equipment and deliver cleaner air and billions in public health benefits to communities across the country—including here in Maine,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “With Trump’s reckless war in Iran increasing volatility in global energy markets, and with the threats posed by climate change looming larger every day, Congress took a much-needed step today to reauthorize DERA so that we can continue to pursue solutions that help reduce our dependence on foreign energy and incentivize American consumers and businesses to embrace more efficient technologies. Reauthorizing this proven program will help us make progress on both fronts, while reducing pollution and improving air quality in Maine and across the country.” “For more than two decades, DERA has been a model of effective, bipartisan policymaking,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Under the program, California has replaced thousands of polluting trucks, tractors, and school buses, helping children breathe cleaner and healthier air as they ride to school. And now, as diesel prices reach $6 per gallon nationally, DERA is more important than ever. It doesn’t just save lives, it saves people money. I’m proud that the House voted to continue funding this practical, commonsense program.” “Today’s passage of the bipartisan Diesel Emissions Reduction Act is a win for American workers, American manufacturing, and communities across the country,” said Congressman Langworthy. “This legislation will help replace aging diesel engines in school buses, snowplows, agricultural equipment, emergency vehicles, and other critical equipment with newer, American-made technology. That means cleaner air for our communities while supporting good-paying manufacturing jobs right here at home. I’m proud to have co-led this bipartisan effort with Congresswoman Matsui, and I urge the Senate to pass this bill and get it to the President's desk."" Diesel engines are known to produce an outsized share of pollutants that contribute to asthma, heart and lung disease, and premature death—but remain in service across the economy due to the significant cost of replacement. Since its creation, DERA has helped retire these outdated engines sooner by lowering the cost of cleaner replacements, returning up to $30 in public-health benefits for every federal dollar invested. The program’s voluntary, technology-neutral model allows communities to choose the upgrades that best suit their needs. Since 2008, the program has improved more than 76,900 vehicles and engines nationwide. Pingree has long been a champion of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, cosponsoring its previous reauthorization in 2019. Full text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-the-25th-anniversary-of-911,Golden statement on the 25th anniversary of 9/11,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks: “Twenty-five years ago today, our nation endured the deadliest foreign attack on American soil. Today, we hold in our hearts the thousands who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, their families and loved ones. Their memory will not be forgotten. We also honor those who ran toward danger in the wake of the attacks, from the first responders who rushed without question to Lower Manhattan to the generation who answered the call to defend our nation. That day, Americans joined together, resolute in the face of those who brought terror to our shores. As we remember those lost and those forever changed on 9/11, let’s also remember that a united America can never be outmatched and that no shadow of fear or terror can dim our spirit.” ###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6845,"Responding to Pingree Request, GAO Finds USDA Has Done Too Little to Protect Farms and Forests from Climate-Driven Diseases and Pests",2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Independent watchdog’s report prompts Pingree to urge USDA action on nationwide risk assessment and strategy as threats grow and climate capacity shrinks Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a longtime organic farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to swiftly implement recommendations from a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that examines the growing climate-related risks that diseases and pests pose to American farms and forests. In September 2019, Pingree and former Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) asked GAO to undertake a broad examination of USDA’s climate-related work in agriculture, including the status of USDA Climate Hubs and additional actions the department could take. That oversight request previously produced a 2023 GAO report, which outlined 13 options for strengthening agricultural climate resilience. The latest report focuses on climate-related diseases and pests affecting both farms and forests. For its latest review, GAO examined federal laws, regulations, agency guidance, and scientific literature; interviewed 84 government and nongovernment stakeholders; and conducted site visits in eight states, including Maine. The report, “Agricultural Diseases and Pests: Nationwide Assessment and Strategy Needed to Enhance the Climate Resilience of Farms and Forests,” found that USDA has taken “few actions” to address these risks—and that staffing and funding for some of the programs doing this work have declined. “Climate change is rewriting the rulebook for farming and forestry. Pests are moving beyond their typical boundaries, outbreaks are starting earlier and lasting longer, and some of the management methods farmers have relied on for years are becoming less effective. In Maine, where our economy and way of life depend on healthy farms and forests, this is not an abstract warning. It is already happening,” said Pingree. “USDA should be our first line of defense—providing farmers and forest landowners with reliable science, early warnings, and practical assistance. Instead, the Trump Administration is proposing deep cuts to the Climate Hubs and other programs while shedding the expertise needed to confront these threats. House Republicans have gone along with this and eliminated funds for Climate Hubs in the proposed fiscal year 2027 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. That is dangerously shortsighted. GAO has provided a practical roadmap, and USDA should act on both recommendations without delay.” Among GAO’s key findings: From 1960 through 2020, invasive species—including diseases and pests—cost the U.S. agricultural and forestry sectors at least $550 billion. Climate change is expanding or shifting the geographic range of diseases and pests while increasing the timing, duration, and scale of outbreaks. The southern pine beetle, once concentrated in southern and mid-Atlantic states, has now been detected as far north as Maine. Warmer winters are allowing pests such as corn earworm to appear earlier and in greater numbers, making some traditional pest-management methods less effective and potentially increasing crop losses and pesticide use. USDA has not fully integrated disease and pest risks into its climate-resilience planning and has provided farmers and land managers with limited information and technical assistance addressing individual threats. USDA Climate Hubs have supported research, forecasting tools, and outreach related to specific pests and diseases, but the hubs have lost staff and face proposed funding cuts. The President’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposed cutting $153 million from Agricultural Research Service climate-science research and the Climate Hubs, as well as more than $300 million from Forest Service State, Private and Tribal Forestry activities. An analysis published with the fiscal year 2024 President’s Budget estimated that, by 2100, climate change could increase federal crop-insurance payments by $300 million to $2.2 billion annually. GAO requested updated information from USDA in April 2026, but the department did not respond. USDA also did not provide written comments stating whether it agreed or disagreed with GAO’s findings and recommendations. The threats identified by GAO are already affecting Maine producers. Recent reporting by the Portland Press Herald described how Emma Sanchi of Crowfoot Farm in Lyman uses insect netting, row covers, and a high tunnel to protect vegetables from pests, diseases, and increasingly volatile weather. Sanchi has sought USDA assistance to construct another high tunnel—an investment that can cost more than $15,000. The article also highlighted efforts by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association to help farmers track and manage diseases encouraged by hotter, more humid conditions. GAO made two recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture: In consultation with agricultural and land-management stakeholders, conduct a nationwide assessment identifying and comparing the climate-related risks posed by agricultural and forest diseases and pests. Use that assessment to develop a national strategy for managing the identified risks. GAO identified four central areas for such a strategy: Improve and coordinate disease and pest monitoring and surveillance; Incorporate climate information into modeling and projections; Coordinate and expand education, outreach, and technical assistance; and Modify existing—or develop new—disease and pest management strategies. “The longer USDA waits, the more expensive and difficult this problem will become,” Pingree said. “A nationwide risk assessment and coordinated strategy would help direct limited resources where they can do the most good, give producers the information they need, and reduce the growing costs borne by farmers, landowners, and taxpayers.” Pingree’s letter to USDA Secretary Rollins is available here and copied below. +++ Secretary Rollins, I am writing to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to swiftly implement the recommendations in the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recent report, Agricultural Diseases and Pests: Nationwide Assessment and Strategy Needed to Enhance the Climate Resilience of Farms and Forests. Farmers, ranchers, and foresters know all too well that the impacts of climate change are not distant or theoretical—they are already materializing on the ground and affecting their operations and livelihoods. GAO found that USDA has taken few actions to enhance the resilience of farms and forests to climate‑related diseases and pests, despite clear trends showing rapidly escalating threats. USDA’s Climate Hubs—once instrumental in providing regionally tailored climate and pest information—have reduced their capacity at precisely the moment producers need them most. The consequences of inaction are significant. Between 1960 and 2020, invasive species—including diseases and pests—cost U.S. agriculture and forestry at least $550 billion. Climate change is further compounding these risks. A 2024 analysis estimated that shifting climate conditions could increase federal crop insurance costs by $300 million to $2.2 billion annually. Given the scale of documented losses and projected future costs, it would be fiscally irresponsible for USDA to disregard these findings or delay action. The GAO report lays out a practical, forward-looking roadmap that USDA should adopt without delay. The first step is for USDA, in consultation with stakeholders across the agricultural and land-management communities, to conduct a nationwide risk assessment to identify and assess the relative risks of climate‑related diseases and pests. Such an assessment would provide the analytical foundation for a national strategy to confront these threats before they escalate further. GAO identified four key activities that should inform such a strategy: “improve and coordinate monitoring and surveillances of diseases and pests, incorporate climate information into modeling and projection data, coordinate and expand education, outreach, and technical assistance, and modify existing or develop new diseases and pest management strategies.” Farmers and foresters across Maine are already being forced to adapt to unpredictable and extreme weather, pest outbreaks, and shifting growing seasons. Visit with any producer across the country and their stories will confirm the urgent need for USDA leadership. Farmers in my state have seen dramatic increases in pest populations, requiring many to spend thousands of dollars investing in netting and high tunnels to protect their crops. Others have faced late freezes, heavy rainfall, extreme heat, and drought that have damaged or destroyed crops. Some have also struggled to obtain timely crop insurance or disaster assistance to recover from these losses. As the report notes, rising temperatures have enabled the southern pine beetle to expand its range into forests as far north as Maine. The resulting tree death and damage can leave forests more vulnerable to future insect outbreaks and wildfires. These stories demonstrate that climate change is not a distant threat—it is a daily reality for Maine farmers, who are innovating and adapting but cannot shoulder the burden alone. USDA must meet this moment with urgency, leadership, and a clear commitment to implementing the GAO’s recommendations. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I look forward to your response to assist farmers, ranchers, and foresters facing the impacts of climate change and your plans to reduce climate-related risks to American agriculture and forestry while protecting taxpayers from avoidable future costs. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6846,Ranking Member Pingree Slams Interior Plan to Carve Up Yosemite for Private Development,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, is pushing back against the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) proposed land exchange in Yosemite National Park. The project is listed as DOI’s sixth most important priority—even though Interior has acknowledged that it has not identified the parcel it intends to exchange. In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Pingree warns that the Department is seeking approval without identifying the property involved or demonstrating any public benefit. “Given the complete absence of any demonstrated conservation or other public benefit, the unavoidable conclusion is that this project has been deemed a departmental priority to advance a private transaction rather than a public purpose,” Pingree said. “The Land and Water Conservation Fund exists to safeguard land for the American people—not to serve as a federal concierge for a private landowner’s real estate ambitions. Absent compelling evidence to the contrary, which has not been provided by the Department, this project should not move forward.” The full letter is available here and is copied below. Congress established the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in 1964 to protect natural areas, water resources, and cultural heritage while expanding outdoor recreation access. At no cost to taxpayers, LWCF provides matching grants to Tribal, state and local governments to support the acquisition and development of land for public parks and other outdoor recreation sites. Congress permanently reauthorized the program in 2019, and the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020 provided it with $900 million in permanent annual funding. The proposed Yosemite exchange involves Kingsbarn Realty Capital, which owns the approximately 83-acre Hazel Green Ranch along the park’s western boundary. The developer has said it is seeking approximately 1.1 acres of federal land to construct a roughly 700-foot road connecting a planned lodging development to Big Oak Flat Road inside Yosemite. In return, it would acquire and transfer property of equal value in California, but that replacement property has not been identified. A previous owner of Hazel Green Ranch pursued separate easement claims seeking more direct access through Yosemite, but a federal district court dismissed those claims, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal in 2012. Interior has said no final decision has been made and that any proposal moving forward would be subject to environmental review and public notification. +++ Dear Secretary Burgum: I am writing in response to the Land and Water Conservation Fund project lists that the Department of the Interior (DOI) submitted for Fiscal Year 2026. As required by Section 428(2)(A) of Public Law 119-74, these lists are subject to the Committee’s reprogramming guidelines. I strongly oppose proceeding with the land exchange project in Yosemite National Park, priority number 6. In its communication with the Committee, DOI asserted that this land exchange is a priority while acknowledging that it has not identified an exchange parcel. Therefore, the National Park Service cannot possibly have assessed the public benefit or suitability of the exchange. DOI is effectively asking the Committee to approve a solution before it has identified either the property involved or the public purpose served. Given the complete absence of any demonstrated conservation or other public benefit, the unavoidable conclusion is that this project has been deemed a departmental priority to advance a private transaction rather than a public purpose. The Land and Water Conservation Fund exists to safeguard land for the American people—not to serve as a federal concierge for a private landowner’s real estate ambitions. Absent compelling evidence to the contrary, which has not been provided by the Department, this project should not move forward. Additionally, I am deeply troubled by the omission of certain Fish and Wildlife land acquisition projects, for which the Department has routinely requested funding for over recent years and for which additional funding needs remain. The information provided by the Department to date about the prioritization of projects in the Fish and Wildlife Service Fiscal Year 2026 land acquisition and supplemental lists has been wholly inadequate and provides no meaningful basis for evaluating these unexplained omissions. Since these lists were transmitted to the Committee, staff have asked for additional details. To date, DOI has failed to provide sufficient responses to the requested information. Accordingly, I ask that the Department immediately provide complete responses to the Committee. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6838,Pingree: Trump’s Arch Tests Whether Congress Will Defend Its Own Power,2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, is calling on Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) to file a lawsuit on behalf of Congress to block construction of President Trump’s 250-foot arch. Pingree’s letter comes after the Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced they’d be breaking ground at Memorial Circle—which sits directly in the sightline between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial—within two weeks, ignoring a pending lawsuit and bypassing Congressional authorization. Pingree argues that Congress has neither appropriated funding nor granted authority for this project under the Commemorative Works Act. “Congress is the institution whose appropriations power and Commemorative Works Act authority this Administration is bypassing outright. That is a concrete, particularized injury, traceable directly to the Administration's own conduct and redressable by a court order halting construction,” Pingree said. “If the Administration wants to hide behind a standing argument, let it make that case against the body whose laws it is violating.” Three Vietnam War veterans have sued the Trump Administration over the proposed arch, arguing that the arch would “dishonor their military and foreign service.” “Americans are watching this White House pour concrete over the rules of their own government, and they are furious,” Pingree continued. “That fury runs deepest among veterans and Gold Star families. […] Gold Star families who walk through Arlington's gates to visit their loved ones would have to do it in the shadow of a 250-foot tribute to a man who, when asked who the monument was for, reportedly answered, ‘Me.’” On Friday, Trump’s DOJ filed a notice of supplemental authority in the veterans’ lawsuit, Lemmon v. Trump, citing the Supreme Court's August 31 decision concerning the White House ballroom in support of its standing arguments in the pending arch litigation. Pingree, however, argues that Chief Justice Roberts’ dissenting argument stating that the ballroom construction was ""likely unlawful"" and emphasizing that the Court was allowing construction to proceed on standing grounds, not because the construction was legal, expressly puts the ball in Congress’s court to act. “Mr. Speaker, this Administration is testing whether Congress will defend its own authority. This case is therefore an institutional obligation, not a dispute about architectural taste or party politics,” Pingree said. “The House has the standing, the authority, and the obligation to stop this before the excavators arrive. The window to act is closing; unless Congress intervenes, this project will irreversibly alter one of our nation’s most sacred landscapes, and you will have allowed Congress to further cede its constitutional authority to the Executive Branch. During the House Appropriations Committee markups of FY2027 funding bills, Pingree submitted amendments to block construction of the arch, including one that would have required the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with Arlington National Cemetery, to conduct a study on the impact of construction of the Triumphal Arch on veterans, family members, and other visitors to Arlington National Cemetery. The complete letter is available here and is copied below. +++ Dear Mr. Speaker: I am writing with extreme urgency to call on you to file a lawsuit on behalf of the United States Congress to stop construction of the 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle before it breaks ground. Congress has neither appropriated funding nor granted authority for this project under the Commemorative Works Act. The Administration is building it anyway, betting this body will do nothing to stop it. I am asking you to take all necessary steps to file suit immediately, while there is still ground left to save. On September 3, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on social media that excavation for what he called the ""Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck"" would begin within two weeks, framing it as the end of ""a very long wait (over 125 years!)."" That same day, Department of Justice lawyers filed a notice of supplemental authority in Lemmon v. Trump, a pending lawsuit that challenges construction of the arch. The Administration invoked the Supreme Court's August 31 decision concerning the White House ballroom in support of its standing arguments in the pending arch litigation. That decision does not establish that the Executive may disregard Congress. The Court expressly stated, ""we do not pass upon the legality of the government's East Wing project."" It concluded only that the private organization before it was unlikely to establish Article III standing and that the remaining stay factors favored relief. Chief Justice Roberts, dissenting, stated that the ballroom construction was ""likely unlawful"" and emphasized that the Court was allowing construction to proceed on standing grounds, not because the construction was legal. Congress is the institution whose appropriations power and Commemorative Works Act authority this Administration is bypassing outright. That is a concrete, particularized injury, traceable directly to the Administration's own conduct and redressable by a court order halting construction. If the Administration wants to hide behind a standing argument, let it make that case against the body whose laws it is violating. Americans are watching this White House pour concrete over the rules of their own government, and they are furious. That fury runs deepest among veterans and Gold Star families. Three Vietnam War veterans are the lead plaintiffs in Lemmon v. Trump, arguing that the arch would ""dishonor their military and foreign service."" Their case is being fought steps from Arlington National Cemetery, where an estimated 400,000 service members, veterans, and their relatives are buried. The site sits along the route funeral processions use to reach the cemetery's gates and less than two miles from Reagan National Airport's flight path. The arch would rise directly on the line of sight between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, a corridor built to symbolize the nation's reunification after the Civil War, the same war in which Maine sent a higher share of its people into the Union Army than any other state. Maine is home to nearly 100,000 veterans, among the highest concentrations in the country, and not one of them asked for a monument like this. Gold Star families who walk through Arlington's gates to visit their loved ones would have to do it in the shadow of a 250-foot tribute to a man who, when asked who the monument was for, reportedly answered, ""Me."" Mr. Speaker, this Administration is testing whether Congress will defend its own authority. This case is therefore an institutional obligation, not a dispute about architectural taste or party politics. The House has the standing, the authority, and the obligation to stop this before the excavators arrive. The window to act is closing; unless Congress intervenes, this project will irreversibly alter one of our nation’s most sacred landscapes, and you will have allowed Congress to further cede its constitutional authority to the Executive Branch. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6840,Ranking Member Pingree Statement on Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch,2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Smithsonian Institution, released the following statement on Secretary Lonnie Bunch’s resignation: Secretary Lonnie Bunch is a trailblazing historian and dedicated public servant who has devoted nearly four decades to the Smithsonian. From bringing the National Museum of African American History and Culture to life to becoming the institution’s first Black Secretary, his extraordinary leadership has strengthened the Smithsonian and enriched our nation. Secretary Bunch has guided the Smithsonian through a period of unprecedented political interference while remaining committed to scholarship, expertise, and the public trust. Under his leadership, the Smithsonian continued to do what it does best: tell America’s story truthfully and completely—the good and the bad, the tragic and triumphant. I am deeply grateful for Secretary Bunch’s service and wish him well in his next chapter. His departure comes at a consequential moment for this treasured American institution. As Ranking Member of the subcommittee that oversees the Smithsonian, I will continue fighting to ensure the institution has the resources, expertise, and curatorial independence necessary to fulfill its mission free from White House interference. The Smithsonian belongs to the American people, and no president has the right to erase, soften, or rewrite our history. ###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-to-extend-government-funding-through-december-11,Golden votes to extend government funding through December 11,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted today in favor of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded until December 11, preventing the risk of a government shutdown on October 1. The CR maintains current government funding levels until December 11, with limited policy changes. The bill passed the House of Representatives in a bipartisan 370-48 vote. It previously passed the Senate in a vote of 90-6 and now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. “As the November elections come into view, and we remain without a funding deal, the risk of political gamesmanship is high,” Golden said. “This resolution will remove the incentive for either party to hold the government hostage in an attempt to score political points — and give Congress the time needed to negotiate a sound appropriations deal.” Golden has consistently voted to avoid government shutdowns because of the harm they cause, often to those less fortunate. This past winter, a lapse in appropriations triggered the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. As a result, food assistance benefits for needy families were disrupted, core public health and food safety programs were paused, millions of federal workers missed paychecks and travelers experienced long delays. In Maine alone, a government shutdown would affect the more than 11,000 federal employees and could force Acadia National Park to close. Additionally, a shutdown would likely impact the 169,000 Mainers who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table and the more than 45,000 Maine households that depend on Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEP) to heat their homes. ###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-golden-lawler-bill-to-protect-maine-lobstermen-from-burdensome-new-right-whale-regulations-until-2035,House passes Golden-Lawler bill to protect Maine lobstermen from burdensome new right whale regulations until 2035,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Maine’s lobstermen and the communities they support would get an extended reprieve from onerous new regulations related to the North Atlantic right whale until 2035 under a bill spearheaded by Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Mike Lawler (NY-17), which passed the House of Representatives in bipartisan 219-196 vote on Tuesday. The Golden-Lawler bill, The Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, now goes to the Senate. “This bill is a big win not only for fishermen in Maine, but for bipartisanship in Congress,” said Golden, whose district hosts the largest lobster fishery in the United States. “While the threat of unnecessary, industry-killing regulations is a matter of survival for lobster harvesters in Maine, the issues at play affect fishermen across the Northeast. Building bridges across party lines is essential for a functional Congress, but unfortunately, it’s a skill that has been lost for far too many members. I’m grateful to Rep. Lawler for recognizing an injustice to working men and women and joining me to correct it.” “While this legislation is particularly important to Maine’s fishing communities, the Northeast lobster industry supports small businesses and hardworking families far beyond the coastline, including restaurants here in New York. Fishermen have spent years adapting to conservation requirements and deserve regulatory certainty instead of constantly shifting rules that threaten their ability to operate and plan for the future. I’m grateful to Congressman Jared Golden for his partnership on this bipartisan effort and to the Natural Resources Committee for their support. We are proud to see this bill pass the House,” Lawler said. The moratorium was originally enacted in 2022 under President Joe Biden, with bipartisan support from the entire Maine delegation and Maine Gov. Janet Mills. It was made necessary after the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in 2021 issued an opinion using “worst-case scenarios,” assumptions and poor data that led to regulatory proposals for more gear modifications, such as ropeless gear, and area closures, threatening the future of Maine’s lobster fishery. Two parallel but related processes related to crafting new rules for the protection of North Atlantic right whales are both behind schedule: Layoffs at NOAA and government shutdowns have delayed the start of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team’s regulatory process, reducing the timeline for developing fishery management proposals. Meanwhile, scientists and researchers at Maine’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR) say more time is needed to ensure relevant data is available to inform the rulemaking process. In the meantime, Maine lobstermen have done their part to reduce the likelihood of entanglements. Over the past 20 years, they have removed many vertical lines from the water by putting more traps on each line; added breakaways to fishing lines to ensure that if it comes into contact with a whale or other large animal comes into contact, it breaks; limited the diameter of vertical lines; and switched to sinking groundlines, among other new practices. Despite the worst-case projections from advocates for industry-killing regulations, including the potential of fishery closures, data from NOAA suggests that from 2009 through 2018, the number of serious injuries or deaths to North Atlantic right whales that could be attributed to entanglements from American fishing gear was just 0.2 annually. “We don’t have to choose between a lobster industry that is the lifeblood of communities in Maine and protecting the right whale,” Golden said. “The truth is we can do both. Maine fishermen are already proving it.” The Golden-Lawler bill drew support from Maine state agencies, northeast fishermen and organizations representing Maine’s lobster industry, including: Maine Department of Marine Resources, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Maine Lobstering Union Local 207, Maine Lobster Advisory Council, New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association, New Hampshire Commercial Fisherman’s Association and Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association. Earlier this year President Donald Trump signaled his support for the proposed extension. ###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-bipartisan-fiscal-forum-react-to-historic-debt-milestone,"Golden, Bipartisan Fiscal Forum React to Historic Debt Milestone",2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and members of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum (BFF) released the following statements as our nation’s gross national debt recently surpassed $40 trillion. Annual interest payments on the debt are already approaching $1 trillion, more than the United States is projected to spend this year on defense, Medicare or Medicaid. Absent meaningful action, the debt is only projected to increase, and this has real consequences for hard-working families. The BFF is a group of House members committed to raising awareness of the nation's unsustainable debt and working across the aisle toward a more responsible fiscal future. “Both parties talk a big game on fiscal responsibility — until they’re the ones who have to govern. Reducing our national debt shouldn’t be seen as a threat to one party’s agenda, but as a once-in-a-generation chance to work together for the good of all Americans,” Golden said. “It’s worth remembering: the last time we actually balanced the budget, Republicans controlled Congress and a Democrat sat in the White House. Absent bipartisan legislation, it's only a matter of time before one of the two parties is left holding the bag.” “Our national debt threatens our economy, drives up interest rates, slows wage growth, and leaves us less prepared for the next emergency. We are in this together, regardless of party label. Addressing our looming fiscal challenges will take both parties, and a bipartisan fiscal commission is a practical step toward doing so.” said Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum “The national debt is now more than $40 trillion and we borrow nearly $2 trillion every year just to pay our expenses. As government borrowing grows, there is less money available in the system to help San Diegans afford homes, invest in their businesses, or take out loans. Congress must help working people keep up with the cost of living. The first step is to pass the Fiscal Commission Act.” said Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum Golden has led efforts on fiscal stability throughout his time in Congress, helping to introduce the bipartisan Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act, which would require the federal government to conduct annual ""fiscal stress tests"" to measure the nation's financial resilience against major national emergencies. In addition to this legislation, Golden has cosponsored a series of bipartisan bills aimed at reducing the nation’s debt, including the Fiscal Commission Act, Budgeting for a Better America Act and a resolution that would encourage Congress to achieve and maintain deficits at 3% of GDP. While the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum does not endorse legislation, members of the group are leading a range of proposals that would seek to improve the nation’s fiscal outlook. ###",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6835,"Pingree, Homeland Democrats Host Hearing on ICE’s Deadly Use of Force in Biddeford",2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), and Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, hosted a Democratic shadow hearing examining Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) use of force and abuse of power following the tragic killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford. The hearing, titled “Seeking Justice in Biddeford: Oversight of ICE’s Use of Force in the Death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero,” brought Members of Congress to Maine to hear directly from the Durán Guerrero family’s legal representation, local officials, and immigrant rights advocates about the investigation, the need for accountability, and the effects of ICE operations on communities across the state. Click here to watch the full hearing. “Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero should be alive today. His family deserves answers, and the people of Biddeford deserve to know how an ICE operation in their community ended in an innocent man’s death. Today’s testimony laid bare the devastating human cost of allowing ICE to operate with impunity in our communities and underscored the urgent need for transparency and accountability,” said Pingree. “As demonstrated today by their absence and utter ambivalence to the terror ICE is inflicting across the country, Republicans refuse to hold this Administration accountable for the atrocities committed using Americans’ tax dollars. My Democratic colleagues and I will keep fighting for the truth, for justice for Johan and his loved ones, and for safeguards to ensure no other family has to endure a tragedy like this.” “Today’s hearing made clear that the Durán family deserves accountability and justice for Johan’s Sebastian’s death. ICE cannot continue using reckless and deadly force without consequence,” said Ranking Member Thompson. “Congress must hold this agency accountable before another family is forced to endure this kind of tragedy.” ""While Republicans continue to fund, greenlight, and cover up for ICE, Democrats are shining a light on the truth. And the truth is these are not protectors. This is a masked, secret police force that has terrorized children, trampled on our Constitution, and wielded violence as a political weapon,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “We will continue fighting to secure justice for Johan, for his family, and for every American who has been targeted by this unhinged administration."" ""We must hold the line against the Trump administration's reckless, unaccountable immigration enforcement. The killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero is not an isolated incident. It fits a pattern of ICE agents operating with impunity in communities across the country, from Louisiana to Maine. Democrats are stepping up when Republicans in Congress have failed to act, demanding the transparency and accountability that ICE and the Trump administration have refused to provide. The rule of law must still mean something in America, and that means no person, whether a mother detained without warning, a student punished for speaking out, or a man killed by the very agents meant to protect and serve, should be denied justice. Congress has a constitutional duty to conduct oversight, and we intend to fulfill it until ICE is held accountable,"" said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02). Witnesses included Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain; Ben Gideon, legal representative for the Durán Guerrero family; Sue Roche, Executive Director of the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project; Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition; and Crystal Cron, Executive Director of Presente! Maine. “A federal force came into my city, exercised one of the most extraordinary powers the government possesses—the use of deadly force—and left the consequences for Johan's family and our small community to carry,” said Mayor Liam LaFountain. “An arrest can be challenged. A removal order can be reviewed. A death, however, cannot be reversed—not by Congress, not by a court, not by this Committee. That is why the safeguards around deadly force should be the strongest we have. And yet in Biddeford on the morning of July 13, they were the weakest.Biddeford is a city of 23,000 people. We were left to absorb the aftermath of that federal law-enforcement operation without federal support.” “[...] What happened in Biddeford, Maine, in the early morning hours of July 13, was the result of intentional policies and decisions—at the highest levels of our government-that treat the killing of innocent people as acceptable collateral damage,” said Gideon. “We know it's not an unintended, random occurrence, because it keeps happening, over and over again, in Minnesota, and Houston, and now in Biddeford. We know it's not an unintended, random occurrence because there is no remorse, no apology or even the slightest concern shown to those whose lives have been destroyed. And we know it's not an unintended, random occurrence because there has been no effort to investigate the causes of what happened, or to change anything to stop it from happening again.” “People come for our mountains, coast, and small towns. But people stay because of something deeper: community. Maine is a place where neighbors shovel each other's driveways, bring food when a family is struggling, and check in on each other,” said Chitam. “For immigrant families, that is part of what makes Maine home.VAnd on July 13, something about that sense of home was shattered. Before Johan Sebastián Guerrero was killed in Biddeford, people feared what an encounter with ICE could mean. After July 13, their reality became all too clear—an encounter could mean they may never return home. A father left for an ordinary day and did not come home.” “Johan's death is not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a system that has inflicted fear, separation, detention, and death on immigrant communities. The responsibility for his death, and the many deaths by immigration police and in ICE detention this year, is a collective one,” said Cron. “Maine people have been clear about what is needed. ICE out of Maine, ICE out from everywhere. The abolishment of ICE and all immigration policing is one of many steps toward repair. It is not the last. Today, Presente! Maine is calling on Congress to pass Congresswoman Ramirez and Congresswoman Clarke's Melt ICE Act to end DHS's funding to detain and monitor immigrants and reinvest those funds into services that support life. We ask you to mourn and grieve Johan Sebastián's life by abolishing ICE and ending all funding for immigration policing. Our healing and future depend on it."" “Johan Sebastián’s death is a devastating tragedy, felt by his family, the Biddeford community, and all of Maine. It is also not an isolated incident, and it was not an accident. It is the direct and foreseeable result of deliberate federal policy choices, rooted in racism and dehumanization,” said Roche. “ICE is an imminent public safety threat and must get out of our communities now. The billions of dollars that have been appropriated to immigration enforcement are wholly unjustifiable. Congress should take all steps to defund and dismantle ICE and put those taxpayer dollars towards the public good.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-trump-s-new-push-to-offshore-navy-shipbuilding,Golden statement on Trump’s new push to offshore Navy shipbuilding,2026-08-14,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s latest effort to build American warships in foreign shipyards: “I don’t know how we’re supposed to take any soaring ‘America-first’ language from this administration seriously when it appears to be bound and determined to send American shipbuilding jobs overseas and, now, to sell American shipyards to foreign corporations. Luckily, the House has already given bipartisan support to my language to block this short-sighted offshoring scheme, and the Senate is poised to do the same. Congress must take seriously its job to protect national security and American jobs.” BACKGROUND: Golden successfully amended this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to explicitly prohibit the appropriation of federal funds to build American ships overseas. The House passed the NDAA, with Golden’s language to protect American shipbuilding, in July. Golden’s amendment was in response to a Navy Shipbuilding Plan released by the Pentagon earlier this year, which called for offshoring the production of some warships, or parts of warships, in overseas yards. Maine’s 2nd Congressional District is home to scores of shipbuilders employed at Bath Iron Works who build DDG-51 Destroyers, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called the “workhorse” of the US naval fleet. ###",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6810,"King, Pingree Lead Push to Protect Federal Workforce at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard",2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and U.S Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), are urging the administration to withdraw a proposed rule that would weaken longstanding civil service protections for federal employees, including the nearly 8,000 civilian workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY). In a letter to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Charles Ezell and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Chairman Cathy Harris, the lawmakers warned that the proposal would make it more difficult to recruit and retain the skilled civilian workforce responsible for maintaining the Navy's submarine fleet, ultimately threatening national security. ""We write in strong opposition to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)'s proposed rule 'Promoting Employee Accountability,’” the lawmakers began. “This proposed rule would weaken longstanding civil service protections that promote merit-based employment, due process and the recruitment and retention of skilled workers. Moreover, as Members of Congress who represent nearly eight thousand civilian workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, we are concerned about the proposed rule's impact on workers essential to our national security."" ""By stripping away the procedures that keep discipline fair for civilian employees doing the work of naval readiness... the proposed rule introduces costly unpredictability in the workforce and needlessly undermines readiness. We are concerned this will increase attrition in the critical and experienced workforce that keeps our submarine fleet ready... We, therefore, ask you to withdraw OPM and MSPB's proposed rule,"" the lawmakers concluded. Joining King and Pingree on the letter are U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and U.S. Representatives Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02) and Chris Pappas (D-NH-01). The full text of the letter can be found here and below. +++ Director Kupor and Acting Chairman Kerner, We write in strong opposition to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)’s proposed rule “Promoting Employee Accountability,” Docket OPM-2025-0012 (RIN 3206-AO91). This proposed rule would weaken longstanding civil service protections that promote merit-based employment, due process and the recruitmentand retention of skilled workers. Moreover, as Members of Congress who represent nearly eight thousand civilian workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, we are concerned about the proposed rule’s impact on workers essential to our national security. OPM and MSPB’s joint notice of proposed rulemaking issued on July 2, 2026, unnecessarily weakens civil service protections and undermines workers’ rights to challenge removal. Current law provides agencies with the authority to address misconduct and poor performance while ensuring personnel decisions are appropriate, fair and consistent. This rulewould impose a short 30-day limit for performance improvement periods and make termination the default penalty. Theshortened window, coupled with termination as the default, could result in the loss of skilled workers who could have improved their performance if given sufficient time. Furthermore, the proposed rule weakens workers’ ability to challenge disciplinary measures by barring the use of union time to represent workers in removal proceedings. Since the MSPB’s decision in Douglas v. Veterans Administration in 1981, agencies must consider 12 factors when examining the reasonableness of an agency’s proposed penalty for adverse action taken under 5 U.S.C. 7513. These include considering mitigating circumstances, rehabilitation potential and length of service. For nearly 50 years across Republican and Democratic administrations, these consistent standards have provided fairness to federal workers facing accusations of misconduct and created a framework for determining approportionate responses. OPM’s and MSPB’s proposal would instead require agencies to rely on an arbitrary, case-by-case examination of whether disciplinary action is reasonable given the “totality of circumstances” and explicitly states that “noparticular factors must be considered in every case.” This could allow agencies to ignore important mitigating factors and more easily remove skilled workers with strong rehabilitation potential from critical industries. As you are no doubt aware, the men and women who work at our public shipyards are critical members of our defenseindustrial base, without whom the ability to repair, retrofit and refuel our country’s submarines would be in jeopardy. In our states, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) has nearly eight thousand civilian employees, creating more than $1.5 billion in annual economic impact in surrounding communities. As our military’s “pacing threat,” the People’s Republic of China, is rapidly expanding its nuclear weapons programs, the role that our own submarines play in the survivability of our nuclear triad cannot be overstated. In fact, PNSY currently needs to hire over 700 workers annually to meet the Navy’s demand – which is an increase from 550 over the past two years. Further, policies that reduce workplace protections risk making federal service less attractive to qualified candidates. Due to civilian hiring quotas imposed by the Office of Personnel Management, PNSY has struggled to onboard workers and cannot risk additional delays or departures. If the Administration intends to retain this political litmus test at our public shipyards, the costs of unnecessarily losing more skilled workers through this proposed rule far outweigh any potential benefit. By stripping away the procedures that keep discipline fair for civilian employees doing the work of naval readiness and refusing toconsider important factors, the proposed rule introduces costly unpredictability in the workforce and needlessly undermines readiness. We are concerned this will increase attrition in the critical and experienced workforce that keeps our submarine fleet ready, ultimately harming the shipyard’s ability to meet the Navy’s needs and threatening our national security. We, therefore, ask you to withdraw OPM and MSPB’s proposed rule, “Promoting Employee Accountability,” and consider alternatives that preserve federal workers’ longstanding civil service protections. Sincerely,",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6811,"Reps. Pingree, Valadao and Sens. Ernst, Padilla Recognize American Producers During National Farmers Market Week",2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and David Valadao (R-Calif.), along with Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), reintroduced a bipartisan resolution designating August 2–8, 2026, as National Farmers Market Week. This resolution honors the critical role farmers markets play in bridging the gap between urban and rural communities, helping people better understand the realities of farming and ranching. “Farmers markets have been a cherished tradition in communities across America for generations. A quarter of Maine farms sell directly to consumers, with more than 100 farmers markets currently operating in our state,” said Congresswoman Pingree, a longtime organic farmer and co-chair of both the Organic Caucus and the Food Recovery Caucus. “By connecting local growers with their communities, farmers markets not only help put healthy food on the table, but also strengthen local economies and help preserve Maine’s agricultural traditions for future generations. This bipartisan, bicameral resolution reminds us that, in red states and blue states alike, farmers markets can be a force for good—and an important part of building a stronger, more resilient food system for all Americans.” “The Central Valley grows a quarter of our nation’s food on less than one percent of America’s farmland, yet too many people living in urban areas don’t realize what it takes to get food from field to table,” said Congressman Valadao. “Farmers markets provide a valuable opportunity to connect people with the hardworking producers who feed our nation, and they highlight the important role agriculture plays in our communities. I’m proud to join my colleagues in recognizing National Farmers Market Week and honoring the contributions of our CA-22 producers working to support food access, bolster local economies, promote healthy living, and foster sustainable farming.” “California is home to more than 800 farmers markets that nourish our families, bolster the local economy, and cultivate thoughtful relationships between growers and consumers,” said Senator Padilla. “We cherish these shared spaces which are a vibrant, dependable source of nutrition for our state. I’m proud to lead this Senate resolution celebrating National Farmer’s Market Week to support our local farmers who feed our families and strengthen our communities.” “Agriculture is the heart of Iowa, and farmers markets make it easier for Iowans to buy fresh, locally grown food in communities across our state,” said Senator Ernst. “I’m proud to lead a bipartisan resolution designating Aug. 2-8 as National Farmers Market Week to recognize the tireless work of our farmers, ranchers, and producers who put nutritious food on Americans’ tables every day.” Read the resolution here. ###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6809,Pingree Urges MaineHealth to Preserve Labor and Delivery Services at Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta,2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) is urging MaineHealth to preserve labor and delivery services at Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, warning that closing the unit would have far-reaching consequences for families, health care workers, and communities throughout the Midcoast. In a letter to MaineHealth President and CEO Dr. Andy Mueller and MaineHealth Chair of the Board of Trustees Marie McCarthy, Pingree acknowledged the challenges facing rural hospitals, while encouraging them to do everything in their power to keep the unit open. ""Lincoln Hospital has a long history of providing safe and quality care to maternity patients,"" Pingree wrote. ""I sincerely appreciate that there are structural challenges to the continued delivery of that care, but the consequences of a closure—on patients, hospital staff, and the surrounding towns—could be devastating. I urge you to explore every possible avenue to preserve access to labor and delivery services in Damariscotta."" She also raised broader concerns about the steady decline of maternity care across Maine, noting that the state has lost 10 birthing units over the past decade, while warning that continued closures could jeopardize the ability of families to live and raise children in rural Maine. Maine has lost 10 of its 23 hospital-based labor and delivery units over the past decade. Nationally, a 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 52.4% of rural hospitals no longer offered obstetric care in 2022, contributing to growing maternity care deserts across the country. In the U.S., maternal mortality remains far higher than in most other high-income countries, with persistent racial and geographic disparities in outcomes. Pingree acknowledged that addressing the crisis will require stronger federal support for rural health care—including protecting Medicaid, expanding the rural health care workforce, and improving reimbursement rates. She pledged to continue advocating for those priorities in Congress, while working with Maine providers to preserve access to maternity care. On Saturday, dozens of community members, health care providers, patients, and local leaders gathered outside the MaineHealth headquarters in Portland to raise awareness about the impacts of the closure. The MaineHealth Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the proposal this week. The full text of Pingree's letter is available here and copied below. +++ Dear Dr. Mueller and Ms. McCarthy, I understand that MaineHealth is currently deliberating over the future of labor and delivery services at MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital. As that process continues, I’m writing to echo the deep concerns I’ve heard from constituents about the potential impact that closing the unit would have on families and communities across the Midcoast. Lincoln Hospital has a long history of providing safe and quality care to maternity patients, guiding new parents through all kinds of childbirth experiences. I sincerely appreciate that there are structural challenges to the continued delivery of that care, but the consequences of a closure – on patients, hospital staff, and the surrounding towns – could be devastating. I urge you to explore every possible avenue to preserve access to labor and delivery services in Damariscotta. Beyond the specific circumstances at Lincoln Hospital, I fear the continued erosion of maternity care access statewide. I delivered all three of my children at hospitals in the Midcoast that no longer provide labor and delivery care. In total, Maine has lost 10 birthing units in just the past decade. We must decide to draw a line somewhere, or risk sending the message that you cannot raise a family in Maine outside of our biggest cities. Rural maternity care that is truly sustainable will require substantial policy change – from restoring the historic cuts to Medicaid in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, to training more providers across rural settings, to boosting reimbursement rates. I’m committed to advocating for that change on the federal level, and I welcome your continued partnership in that fight. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Chellie Pingree Member of Congress ###",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6806,Pingree Backs Scarborough Town Council's Call for Federal Review of ICE Facility,2026-07-29,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Ahead of the Scarborough Town Council's special meeting Wednesday evening, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) sent the Council a letter supporting their proclamation calling for a federal review of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility at 40 Manson Libby Road. In the letter, Pingree urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to seriously reconsider whether the facility should continue operating in Scarborough if its presence is undermining public trust and making residents feel less safe. “The facility at 40 Manson Libby Road has become a symbol of fear, uncertainty, and intimidation for many immigrant families and their neighbors,” Pingree said. “That should concern every one of us.” In her letter, Pingree emphasized that the Town of Scarborough has every right to question whether continuing to host the ICE facility serves the interests of the community. She called on DHS and ICE to conduct a serious review of the facility's continued operation and to give meaningful weight to the concerns raised by local residents and elected officials. “When a federal facility reaches the point where its very presence undermines the public confidence and leaves residents feeling less safe, the federal government has a responsibility to reconsider if that facility belongs there at all,” she said. Pingree also reiterated that her office has been conducting aggressive oversight of ICE's activities in Maine following the fatal shooting of her constituent, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, in Biddeford. She has demanded answers from DHS, called for a transparent investigation, pursued legislative and appropriations oversight, and remains committed to holding the agency accountable to the communities it serves. “Federal agencies must carry out their responsibilities in a manner that respects human dignity, civil rights, due process, and the communities in which they operate. When they fail to do so, local communities have not only the right but the responsibility to speak out,” Pingree said. The full letter is available here and copied below. Pingree has conducted official oversight visits of ICE facilities in Scarborough, Burlington, Mass., and Dilley, Texas. Earlier this month, Pingree sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mullin demanding answers about the fatal shooting of her constituent, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, by ICE officers in Biddeford, Maine, on July 13. Pingree also joined the other members of Maine’s Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Secretary Mullin calling for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation. In addition, Pingree and Reps. Jayapal (D-Wash.), Garcia (D-Texas), Raskin (D-Md.), and Thompson (D-Miss.) led nearly 200 Members in calling for independent investigations into Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero’s deaths and demanded that ICE halt removal proceedings against the witnesses. +++ Dear Council Members, I write to express my support for your proclamation regarding the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility at 40 Manson Libby Road. I commend the Town Council for giving voice to the significant and growing concerns in Scarborough and across Maine about ICE’s presence in our communities. The tragic death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero has profoundly shaken our state. While investigations into the shooting continue, many Mainers are once again confronting a larger and deeply troubling reality: ICE is operating in our communities with no transparency, accountability, or regard for the people who live here. The facility at 40 Manson Libby Road has become a symbol of fear, uncertainty, and intimidation for many immigrant families and their neighbors. That should concern every one of us. Residents should not have to wonder whether heavily armed enforcement actions will occur in their neighborhoods, whether federal officers are operating under appropriate oversight, or whether a facility in their town is contributing to tactics that erode trust between neighbors and government. This affects whether people feel safe attending school, seeking medical care, reporting crimes, practicing their faith, or simply going about their lives. The Town of Scarborough has every right to ask whether continuing to host this facility serves the interests of the community. In my view, that question deserves serious consideration from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). When a federal facility reaches the point where its very presence undermines the public confidence and leaves residents feeling less safe, the federal government has a responsibility to reconsider if that facility belongs there at all. I believe ICE and DHS should undertake a serious review of the continued operation of this facility and proceed in accordance with the community’s wishes. Please know that I am exploring every available avenue to address enforcement operations and the continued presence of ICE in Scarborough. My office has been conducting aggressive oversight of ICE’s activities in Maine and demanding answers from DHS regarding the preventable circumstances that led to Mr. Guerrero’s death. I have demanded a transparent and collaborative investigation, pressed the agency to justify its actions, sought greater accountability, and continue to pursue legislative, appropriations, and administration options to challenge policies that undermine public trust. I remain committed to using every tool available to me as a Member of Congress to ensure that federal agencies are accountable to the communities they serve. Your proclamation appropriately recognizes that the immigration process and community trust are not mutually exclusive. Federal agencies must carry out their responsibilities in a manner that respects human dignity, civil rights, due process, and the communities in which they operate. When they fail to do so, local communities have not only the right but the responsibility to speak out. Thank you for your leadership and your willingness to stand with the people of Scarborough during these difficult times. I am proud to stand with you, and I will continue working alongside you to pursue every available opportunity to reevaluate the federal government’s continued operation of this facility. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-07-30T07:32:48Z,2026-07-30T07:34:08Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-democratic-veterans-demand-transparency-on-iran-war-casualties,"Golden, Democratic veterans demand transparency on Iran war casualties",2026-07-28,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Following reports that the Department of Defense removed the names of four American troops from the official Iran War death toll, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and 14 fellow Democratic veterans are urging the Trump Administration to accurately and transparently account for U.S. servicemembers killed and wounded in the Iran war. “As veterans of America’s wars, we have serious concerns about reports that the Department of War is delaying, removing or otherwise mischaracterizing the release of information about wounded and killed U.S. servicemembers,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to President Trump. “The U.S. government owes U.S. servicemembers, their families, and every American the truth about all U.S. casualties in the War with Iran. It is imperative that these reports are timely, accurate and adequately explain the reason for amended or delayed reports,” they continued. “We urge you to commit to releasing timely and accurate information on all injuries and deaths of U.S. servicemembers.” The letter was led by Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-14). Golden was joined on the letter by Reps. Pat Ryan (NY-18), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Derek Tran (CA-45), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jason Crow (CO-06), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Gil Cisneros (CA-31). The full text of the letter can be found here and below. Dear President Trump, As veterans of America’s wars, we have serious concerns about reports that the Department of War is delaying, removing or otherwise mischaracterizing the release of information about wounded and killed U.S. servicemembers. The U.S. government owes U.S. servicemembers, their families, and every American the truth about all U.S. casualties in the War with Iran. It is imperative that these reports are timely, accurate and adequately explain the reason for amended or delayed reports. Inaccurate and delayed reports from the Department of War about U.S. casualties is bad for morale and undermines our U.S. servicemembers. We urge you to commit to releasing timely and accurate information on all injuries and deaths of U.S. servicemembers. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-07-29T07:41:48Z,2026-07-29T07:42:57Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-against-gop-s-reconciliation-framework,Golden votes against GOP’s reconciliation framework,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted today against Republicans’ partisan reconciliation framework. “While we don’t know the details of the Republicans’ reconciliation plan yet, I've watched the GOP run this play before and I’m not expecting it to add up to anything good for Maine,” Golden said. “I’ll keep an open mind and will assess whatever they pull together on the merits. But I’m not going to grease the skids for the majority to write a partisan bill behind closed doors.” The vote passed the House in a party-line 216-214vote. Background: Reconciliation is a budgetary maneuver that allows the majority party to amend the current budget and bypass the 60-vote threshold for passage in the Senate. The resolution before the House today begins the process with a framework that outlines $95 billion in new spending to be drafted by the committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Intelligence, and House Administration. Their proposals will then be lumped together into one bill to be laid before the full House of Representatives. ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-to-extend-government-funding-through-december-4,Golden votes to extend government funding through December 4,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted in favor of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded until December 4, preventing a risk of government shutdown on October 1. The CR contains no major changes to federal policies, programs or current spending levels. The bill passed the House Tuesday night in a 220-205 vote. “It is unusual to pass a CR this far ahead of a funding deadline, but the reality is the House and Senate are far away from a deal to keep government funded and, with an election coming up, the risk of political gamesmanship is high,” Golden said. “This CR will give us space to continue negotiating an appropriations deal while removing the incentive for either party to hold the government hostage in an attempt to score electoral points.” Golden has a long history of voting to avoid government shutdowns because of the harm they cause. This past winter, a lapse in appropriations triggered the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. As a result, millions of federal workers missed paychecks, travelers experienced long delays, food assistance benefits for needy families were disrupted and core public health and food safety programs were paused. A government shutdown in October would affect the more than 11,000 federal employees in Maine and could force Acadia National Park to close. The CR now heads to the Senate for consideration. ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-defense-authorization-bill-with-golden-s-pro-shipbuilding-provisions,House passes defense authorization bill with Golden’s pro-shipbuilding provisions,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including provisions won by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) to protect American shipbuilding from offshoring and to fund an additional destroyer to be built in Maine at Bath Iron Works (BIW). The 2027 NDAA authorizes $1.15 trillion in spending for the Department of Defense and other national security priorities. Golden — a member of the House Armed Services Committee, which drafted the bill — voted in favor of the legislation, which passed the House in a bipartisan 216-212 vote. “This bill is a win for America’s shipbuilders, including the thousands of workers at Bath Iron Works for whom it will provide job security so they can keep building the world-class destroyers that are the workhorse of America’s surface fleet,” Golden said. “By blocking the Pentagon’s plan to move shipbuilding overseas, we have proven that Congress will act to protect American industry, jobs, innovation and our national security.” Golden fought successfully in committee to attach two critical provisions to the final 2027 NDAA: Language to block the U.S. Navy’s offshoring plan: In May, the Navy issued a shipbuilding plan that included a proposal to allow American ships, or parts of ships, to be built in overseas yards using foreign labor. Golden pushed back and won language to specify that no funds authorized under the 2027 NDAA may be obligated to enter into a contract for the procurement of a battle force ship to be built in a foreign yard. Language to authorize additional funds to ensure construction of a DDG-51 destroyer at BIW: In previous years, the pentagon has requested authorization to build multiple DDG-51 destroyers, creating demand for ships at both Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi and Bath Iron Works. This year, the president’s budget proposal included only one ship, which was expected to be built at Ingalls. General Dynamics, BIW’s parent company, told HASC that this would have resulted in layoffs in Bath. Ultimately, Golden successfully won inclusion of $1 billion for a second ship, expected to be built in Bath. His language also allowed for incremental funding, which will keep shipbuilders working at BIW. In addition to the shipbuilding provisions, Golden also lauded several elements of the 2027 NDAA that will improve quality of life for America’s service members. The most immediate individual benefits are a pay raise of 5 to 7 percent for all troops, improved cost-of-living adjustments for troops stationed in high-cost areas, increased paid leave allowances, fertility coverage and junior-reserve dental coverage. ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/irs-to-provide-in-person-tax-assistance-in-bangor-this-week,IRS to provide in-person tax assistance in Bangor this week,2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — The IRS announced that it will be in Bangor this week to provide in-person tax assistance for Mainers. Specifically, they will assist with tax law, refunds, payments, transcripts and forms. IRS staff will be available in Suite 20300 of the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building, located at 202 Harlow St. They will be onsite from July 21 to July 23, during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The IRS asks that attendees bring a valid state or federal photo ID. Tax payments will not be accepted. For an appointment, call (615) 250-5331. If you need assistance with the IRS but are unable to visit in person, please reach out to any of our district offices: Bangor Office: 6 State Street, Bangor ME 04401. Phone: (207) 249-7400 Caribou Office: 7 Hatch Drive, Suite 230, Caribou ME 04736. Phone: (207) 492-6009 Lewiston Office: 179 Lisbon Street, Lewiston ME 04240. Phone: (207) 241-6767 ###",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6803,Pingree Demands Answers from DHS After Fatal ICE Shooting in Biddeford,2026-07-17,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding answers about the fatal shooting of her constituent, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Biddeford, Maine, on July 13. “[O]nce again, a family and community is grieving because a person is dead after an encounter with your officers,” Pingree said. “My constituents are being asked to trust that deadly force was justifiable and are left to confront the question of whether federal immigration officers are operating under policies that prioritize aggressive efforts to meet quotas over the preservation of human life.” In light of recent reporting about the agent’s disturbing background, and DHS’s reported hiring push, Pingree asks Mullin how his agency is ensuring quality and experience of new hires and what information would be disqualifying in an agent. ICE’s agents who spoke on the record with The Intercept said there were, in fact, agents equipped with body cameras on the scene, but that they weren’t active or recording video–information which contradicts the Secretary’s own statements to Pingree in their phone call on Wednesday. Her letter seeks clarity on this discrepancy and asks what other recordings exist, and when footage will be released publicly. Pingree also asks DHS to explain whether the Biddeford operation was targeted and whether Durán Guerrero was its intended target; to detail the planning and risk assessment conducted beforehand; identify any witnesses; and more. Her full list of questions is available in the letter here and copied below. “The people of Maine deserve better than vague assurances after another fatal encounter involving immigration officers,” Pingree said. “We are a nation of immigrants. They are our family, friends, and our neighbors. A community is grieving and angry—as is our state. If that is not enough for the Department, immigrants are vital to Maine’s workforce; without them, our economy would crumble.” Pingree also joined the other members of Maine’s Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Secretary Mullin on Tuesday calling for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation. In addition, Pingree and Reps. Jayapal (D-Wash.), Garcia (D-Texas), Raskin (D-Md.), and Thompson (D-Miss.) led nearly 200 Members in calling for independent investigations into Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero’s deaths and demanded that ICE halt removal proceedings against the witnesses. +++ Dear Secretary Mullin, I write with profound outrage regarding the fatal shooting of my constituent, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Biddeford, Maine, on July 13, 2026. I appreciate you making yourself available for a call; however, the reality is that once again, a family and community is grieving because a person is dead after an encounter with your officers. My constituents are being asked to trust that deadly force was justifiable and are left to confront the question of whether federal immigration officers are operating under policies that prioritize aggressive efforts to meet quotas over the preservation of human life. As such, I am following up on several matters I brought up with you. First, I question the justification your agents have relied on to arrest and detain my constituents. You told me your agents focus their enforcement efforts on individuals with final orders of removal, but, as my office has witnessed firsthand, and heard repeatedly from local lawyers and organizations, ICE is detaining Mainers who are lawfully pursuing asylum or other status through the proper channels. These are not people with final orders of removal at all; they are actively engaged in the legal process your agency claims to respect. Beyond that, we also know a final removal order does not necessarily indicate the end of the legal process; due process allows for motions to reopen, petitions to review, and applications for humanitarian relief. Arresting and detaining individuals as though they have no legal recourse and their due process is complete ignores the complexity of immigration law, is a waste of taxpayer dollars, and risks needlessly engaging aggressive enforcement tactics. This intentional mischaracterization of the process ignores that immigration enforcement is largely a civil administrative process, not a criminal one. Yet we have seen a clear pattern of that distinction being ignored, with preventable deaths chalked up to “necessary” enforcement. No family should have to wonder whether their loved one would still be alive had federal officers exercised better judgement, had received better training, or followed different procedures. Every use of deadly force demands rigorous oversight, complete transparency, and total accountability. Anything less is unacceptable. For months, even in the past week, Americans have witnessed increasingly aggressive ICE operations conducted in their communities. Despite repeated warnings and calls for greater transparency after the deaths of Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, another person has been killed during an immigration enforcement operation. Mainers demand and deserve accountability. Congress has the responsibility and authority to determine whether ICE has created an enforcement culture that unnecessarily escalates encounters and places civilians at greater risk. Therefore, I need answers to the following questions: Was the July 13th operation in Biddeford a targeted enforcement operation? What planning and operational risk assessment occurred before the operation? You told me officers involved in the operation were not equipped with or actively wearing body cameras. Recent reporting indicates there were officers at the scene equipped with devices capable of audio and visual recording.. If that’s the case, what entities will have access to the footage, and when will it be made available to the public? Why were visual recording capabilities not utilized? Given that Congress has provided specific appropriations to acquire body cameras, what is the justification for the delay in deployment? Are there any additional recordings captured by DHS-owned devices, including dashboard cameras or cell phone recordings? Were all officers conducting the operation local to the community or were some brought in from outside of Maine? If the officers were from out of state, why was it necessary for them to carry out this operation? Will the officers themselves be subject to an investigation? What is the status of the officers involved in the incident? How long had the officer(s) been conducting enforcement activity and what training had they received? If they are on leave, how long is that leave period? There have been credible and alarming reports about the officer who allegedly discharged the weapon that resulted in Mr. Guerrero’s death, including a history of “terrifying and violent” behavior. Further, DHS reported that ICE had hired 12,000 new officers and agents in less than a year. How do you ensure the quality and experience of these new hires? What information is reported from the background checks you require before hiring? What information would disqualify an applicant from being hired? What is the average time between an individual submitting an application and a final job offer being extended? What training does DHS currently require for officers engaging with occupied or moving vehicles? How frequently is this training conducted? Are officers instructed to de-escalate rather than result in deadly force? How did the officers use that training to de-escalate this situation to avoid the use of deadly force? Has this training been modified following the death of Renee Good or any other fatal officer-involved shooting? Has DHS initiated an administrative review of the operation? If not, when will such a review begin? What office is/will be conducting the review? The people of Maine deserve better than vague assurances after another fatal encounter involving immigration officers. We are a nation of immigrants. They are our family, friends, and our neighbors. A community is grieving and angry - as is our state. If that is not enough for the Department, immigrants are vital to Maine’s workforce; without them, our economy would crumble. To this end, I expect full cooperation between your department and Maine State Police and Biddeford Police Department in any independent investigation that they pursue, including full access to evidence and witnesses. This needless death raises the question of whether DHS has learned anything from prior tragedies, or whether DHS has the decency to care. If DHS continues to ignore systematic failures and dismiss each fatal shooting as an isolated event, then the loss of trust in this institution is well and truly deserved, and we need to consider how to fundamentally change our approach to immigration enforcement. I expect a complete written response to these questions no later than July 24, 2026. Given the gravity of this incident, I also request that DHS promptly brief my office on the status of its internal review and any immediate policy changes under consideration. ###",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-s-bill-to-extend-lobster-right-whale-moratorium-earns-green-light-from-natural-resources-committee,"Golden’s bill to extend lobster, right whale moratorium earns green light from Natural Resources Committee",2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — The House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday approved a proposal by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) to extend until 2035 protections for Maine’s lobstermen from new regulations related to the North Atlantic right whale. The committee advanced H.R. 9436, the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, to the House floor in a bipartisan 22-13 vote. The bill, led by Golden and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), extends the moratorium on certain new regulations — including potential fishery closures — from 2028 to 2035. “I’m grateful to Rep. Lawler and my colleagues on the Committee for a strong show of bipartisan support for Maine lobstermen. In 2022, Congress enacted this regulatory pause and funded new efforts to gather information to support a data-driven process establishing rules that made sense for both the fishermen and the whales. But today the rulemaking process is behind schedule for reasons that have nothing to do with Maine fishermen. At the same time, those charged with gathering the necessary data say more time is needed to ensure regulations can incorporate the best available science. Mainers are not asking for much. We just need more time,” Golden said. “Protecting the North Atlantic right whale and supporting America's fishing communities are goals that can and must go hand in hand. By extending the current regulatory framework through 2035, the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act provides the time needed to develop durable, science-driven solutions that protect this endangered species without imposing unnecessary burdens on fishermen. I’m grateful to Chairman Bruce Westerman for advancing this legislation through Committee and to Rep. Jared Golden for his partnership on this bipartisan effort,” Lawler said. The moratorium was originally enacted in 2022 under President Joe Biden, with bipartisan support from the entire Maine delegation and Maine Gov. Janet Mills. Earlier this year President Donald Trump signaled his support for Golden’s proposed extension. Two parallel but related processes related to crafting new rules for the protection of North Atlantic right whales are both behind schedule: Layoffs at NOAA and government shutdowns have delayed the start of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team’s regulatory process, reducing the timeline for developing fishery management proposals. Meanwhile, scientists and researchers at Maine’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR) say more time is needed to ensure relevant data is available to inform the rulemaking process. “We are still gathering various types of data, and we anticipate that several of these data streams will not be able to be incorporated into decision-support tools due to the compressed timeline for rulemaking,” wrote Maine DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson in a Letter of Support for H.R. 9436. “An extension of the pause would ensure that there is time to incorporate this information, and that rulemaking is based on the best available science.” In addition to the Maine DMR, the extension of the regulatory pause was supported in written testimony by the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Maine Lobstering Union Local 207, Maine Lobster Advisory Council, New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association, New Hampshire Commercial Fisherman’s Association and Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association. Golden entered their letters into the Congressional Record. Select portions of letters in support of H.R. 9436: John Drouin, Vice President, New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association: “H.R. 9436 strikes an appropriate balance between protecting one of the world's most endangered whale species and preserving the economic viability of historic fishing communities throughout the Northeast. It ensures that future management decisions will be informed by more complete scientific information while maintaining protections already in place.” David M. Tar, Chairman, Maine Lobster Advisory Council: “Maine fishermen want no harm to come to a right whale, from our, or any, fishing practices. We need some stability in management. … We strongly support extending the pause to 2035. It would allow regulators the time to make meaningful changes using the data that is improving every day.” Virginia Olsen, Director, Maine Lobstering Union Local 207: “A thoughtful extension would allow for the development of effective, enforceable, and economically realistic regulations that protect both the North Atlantic right whale and the people whose lives depend on these waters. We remain committed to being part of the solution and to working collaboratively toward outcomes that ensure a sustainable future for all.” Patrice McCaron, Executive Director, Maine Lobstermen’s Association: “Recent estimates indicate that the right whale population has increased for four consecutive years as births have exceeded deaths. Mortalities have declined from the levels experienced during the population downturn that began in 2011, when right whales increasingly shifted into Canadian waters where protections were not yet adequate. Canada has since adopted significant measures to reduce right whale deaths and serious injuries. Extending the pause through 2035 would give managers the time needed to formulate decisions based on a meaningful body of data. It would support management measures that protect right whales while avoiding unnecessary harm to Maine lobstermen, their families, and the coastal communities that depend on this fishery.” Text of the legislation is available here. Video of Congressman Golden’s remarks before the Committee today is here. ###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-ice-shooting-in-biddeford,Golden statement on ICE shooting in Biddeford,2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement Tuesday regarding the fatal ICE shooting that took place Monday in Biddeford, Maine. “This morning, I spoke with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He confirmed that the independent DHS Office of the Inspector General and the FBI are investigating the fatal shooting in Biddeford yesterday. The Maine Attorney General’s Office is also investigating. That’s a good thing. As with any deadly use of force by law enforcement, what we need now is thorough, independent investigation that establishes the facts necessary for accountability. “Unfortunately, the ICE officers involved in this incident were not yet wearing body cameras, which could have helped to establish those necessary facts. I supported body camera adoption for ICE earlier this year and Congress approved funding for this technology in April to increase transparency and accountability, but deployment has been slow. DHS needs to make this a priority. “Mainers are understandably scared and shocked by this painful loss of life. My heart goes out to all those who are hurting, and I urge Mainers to take care of one another and stay safe.” ###",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-golden-s-bipartisan-bill-to-ban-foreign-donations-in-state-local-referendums,"House passes Golden’s bipartisan bill to ban foreign donations in state, local referendums",2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed the bipartisan Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, led by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). This bill would ban foreign nationals from making political contributions in state and local ballot initiatives and recall elections. “In an increasingly divided world, free and fair elections offer a rare chance for positive civic engagement — foreign influence undermines that opportunity,” Golden said. “I’m proud the House took a major step to ensure our elections are not for sale and that American voters call the shots.” “The ballot is the instrument by which a free people govern themselves,” Fitzpatrick said. “No foreign government, foreign national or foreign interest should have a hand in deciding the laws Americans live under. Today’s unanimous vote is an important step in our broader bipartisan work to protect the integrity of our elections, preserve the sovereignty of the American voter, and strengthen public faith in self-government. On this principle, there should be no division and no exception: American elections must be decided by American citizens alone. The Senate should now act with the same unity and send this bill to the president’s desk.” While foreign nationals are already barred from contributing to candidate campaigns, current law does not prohibit them from financing issue-based ballot measures. The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act closes this loophole by amending the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend the prohibition to every aspect of our electoral system. Maine is one of only 15 states to pass its own law banning foreign contributions in ballot initiatives. Golden has fought to limit foreign influence in American elections during his time in Congress. In 2024, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act was part of Golden’s Government Integrity and Anti-Corruption Plan, a set of 14 bills designed to prevent political leaders from leveraging their position for profit, increase transparency and reduce the influence of dark money and foreign interference in American democracy. Read the text of the bill here. ###",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-calls-for-full-expedited-investigation-into-ice-fatal-shooting-in-maine,"Maine Delegation calls for full, expedited investigation into ICE fatal shooting in Maine",2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME) are calling for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel in Biddeford. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, the delegation requested an independent review of the incident to ensure a full accounting of the facts and help maintain public confidence in the investigative process. “We write to formally request that your office conduct a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel that occurred [yesterday/earlier this week] in Biddeford, Maine,” the lawmakers began. “Along with our constituents, we are deeply saddened by this loss of life. The facts surrounding this tragedy remain a matter of significant local concern and necessitate thorough, objective accounting.” “Given the gravity of the situation and the understandable anxiety within the Biddeford community, we urge you to prioritize this investigation,” they continued. “Timely and factual answers will be critical to providing closure for the grieving community and ensuring that federal law enforcement operations are conducted safely, lawfully, and in a manner that respects public safety.” The full text of the letter can be found here and below. +++ Dear Inspector General Cuffari: We write to formally request that your office conduct a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel that occurred yesterday in Biddeford, Maine. Along with our constituents, we are deeply saddened by this loss of life. The facts surrounding this tragedy remain a matter of significant local concern and necessitate thorough, objective accounting. To ensure public trust, transparency, and accountability, we request that your office include the following key areas in your examination: The Sequence of Events: A detailed timeline of the encounter, including the specific actions taken by both the ICE agents and the individual involved prior to the discharge of a firearm. Operational Protocols: An evaluation of whether the tactics, use, and degree of force utilized adhered strictly to current DHS and ICE use-of-force policies. Recording and Documentation: Clarification on the availability of audio, dashcam, or body-worn camera footage of the incident, and the status of any evidence preservation. Furthermore, we ask that you detail the extent to which DHS will collaborate with state or local agencies in carrying out the investigation. Given the gravity of the situation and the understandable anxiety within the Biddeford community, we urge you to prioritize this investigation. Timely and factual answers will be critical to providing closure for the grieving community and ensuring that federal law enforcement operations are conducted safely, lawfully, and in a manner that respects public safety. We look forward to your response and stand ready to work with your office to facilitate any necessary inquiries. Sincerely, cc: Markwayne Mullin, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; David Venturella, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ###",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6801,"Maine Delegation Calls for Full, Expedited Investigation into ICE Fatal Shooting in Maine",2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME) are calling for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel in Biddeford. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, the delegation requested an independent review of the incident to ensure a full accounting of the facts and help maintain public confidence in the investigative process. “We write to formally request that your office conduct a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel that occurred [yesterday/earlier this week] in Biddeford, Maine,” the lawmakers began. “Along with our constituents, we are deeply saddened by this loss of life. The facts surrounding this tragedy remain a matter of significant local concern and necessitate thorough, objective accounting.” “Given the gravity of the situation and the understandable anxiety within the Biddeford community, we urge you to prioritize this investigation,” they continued. “Timely and factual answers will be critical to providing closure for the grieving community and ensuring that federal law enforcement operations are conducted safely, lawfully, and in a manner that respects public safety.” The full text of the letter can be found here and below. +++ Dear Inspector General Cuffari: We write to formally request that your office conduct a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel that occurred yesterday in Biddeford, Maine. Along with our constituents, we are deeply saddened by this loss of life. The facts surrounding this tragedy remain a matter of significant local concern and necessitate thorough, objective accounting. To ensure public trust, transparency, and accountability, we request that your office include the following key areas in your examination: The Sequence of Events: A detailed timeline of the encounter, including the specific actions taken by both the ICE agents and the individual involved prior to the discharge of a firearm. Operational Protocols: An evaluation of whether the tactics, use, and degree of force utilized adhered strictly to current DHS and ICE use-of-force policies. Recording and Documentation: Clarification on the availability of audio, dashcam, or body-worn camera footage of the incident, and the status of any evidence preservation. Furthermore, we ask that you detail the extent to which DHS will collaborate with state or local agencies in carrying out the investigation. Given the gravity of the situation and the understandable anxiety within the Biddeford community, we urge you to prioritize this investigation. Timely and factual answers will be critical to providing closure for the grieving community and ensuring that federal law enforcement operations are conducted safely, lawfully, and in a manner that respects public safety. We look forward to your response and stand ready to work with your office to facilitate any necessary inquiries. Sincerely, cc: Markwayne Mullin, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; David Venturella, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6798,"Pingree, Massie Introduce ‘People Over Poison Act’ to Protect Americans’ Right to Hold Big Chemical Companies Accountable",2026-06-29,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced the People Over Poison Act, legislation to protect Americans’ right to hold pesticide manufacturers accountable under state law when they fail to warn consumers about the risks of their products. The bipartisan bill comes days after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bayer—formerly Monsanto—in Monsanto v. Durnell, a case centered around Roundup, the company’s widely used glyphosate-based herbicide. In its decision, the Court held that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) preempts state-law failure-to-warn claims when those claims involve a warning not mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pingree and Massie’s People Over Poison Act would reverse the Monsanto v. Durnell ruling by explicitly stating that FIFRA does not block or limit state tort claims related to pesticide labeling or packaging—preserving the right of people harmed by pesticides to seek accountability in court. ""The Supreme Court just handed Big Chemical the legal immunity its lobbyists and millions of dollars couldn't buy in Congress,"" said Pingree. ""Federal pesticide law was never supposed to be a liability waiver for corporations, and not a permission slip to hide behind insufficient labels while people get sick. For all the Trump Administration’s talk about ‘Making America Healthy Again,’ it keeps siding with chemical companies in court, dragging its feet on long-overdue safety reviews, and even boosting glyphosate production. Enough with the empty slogans and broken promises. If this Administration won’t put people’s health over corporate profits, Congress must. The right to seek justice in court is one of our most foundational freedoms, ensuring that every American has a fair chance to be heard and hold powerful interests accountable.” “The Supreme Court just ruled that Monsanto/Bayer can’t be sued for omitting a warning even if their herbicides do cause cancer,” said Massie. “Even if the legal reasoning of the court is sound in this case, it’s a blatant travesty of justice. Congress and the President can fix this and we absolutely should.” State tort law has served as a critical backstop when federal regulators fail to fully protect the public from dangerous products. The Supreme Court’s ruling threatens to upend that balance by removing the ability to hold pesticide manufacturers accountable through state failure-to-warn claims. The implications extend far beyond Roundup and glyphosate. The ruling could affect future claims involving other pesticides and chemical products, including cases where farmers, farmworkers, landscapers, groundskeepers, and consumers allege they were not adequately warned about serious health risks. Pingree, a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, successfully removed a liability shield for Big Chemical from the FY2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. After similar language appeared in the draft Farm Bill, Pingree led an amendment during Committee markup to strip the language. She and Rep. Massie introduced the same amendment when the Farm Bill came before the full House of Representatives. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s (R-Fla.) identical amendment passed with strong bipartisan support. Earlier this month, Luna and Pingree introduced the Paraquat Prevention Act, legislation that would ban the herbicide paraquat. In February, President Trump signed an Executive Order to increase domestic production of glyphosate—a widely used weedkiller that has been linked to multiple health issues, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In response, Pingree and Massie introduced the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, which would undo Trump’s Executive Order. ###",1,2026-06-30T06:29:10Z,2026-06-30T06:30:42Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6797,Pingree: SCOTUS Victory for Big Chemical Exposes Trump’s MAHA Hypocrisy,2026-06-25,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,###,1,2026-06-26T06:29:35Z,2026-06-26T06:31:46Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-welcomes-me-02-winner-of-congressional-art-competition,Golden welcomes ME-02 winner of Congressional Art Competition,2026-06-25,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) welcomed the winner of the annual Congressional Art Competition in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, Elden Irish, to his Washington office Thursday morning. Elden’s original work, a photograph titled “Gramps,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the next year alongside the winners from other congressional districts. Elden was born and raised in Rangeley. Having recently graduated from Rangeley High School, Elden plans to attend the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland this coming academic year. “It was great to meet Elden and welcome him to Washington. Elden is clearly a thoughtful and bright young man, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him,” Golden said. “Family is a big deal to me, and it was touching to see Elden honor his grandfather in this way. I look forward to seeing Gramps in the halls of Congress every day and I am glad to know that so many visitors to our Capitol will have a chance to see his work.” “Irish's photo of ‘Gramps’ stood out prominently for its strong artistic voice and honest depiction of the subject, appearing simple at first but revealing more complexity upon prolonged viewing,” said Gerald Walsh, one of the judges for the competition. “I imagine that Gramps, like this image, gets more complex the more time you spend with him.” The Maine College of Art and Maine Arts Commission, as well as the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, partner each year to choose the winning submissions for the Congressional Art Competition. The competition began in 1982 to help Members of Congress support young artists from districts across the country. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:11:26Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6795,"Pingree Blasts Republicans, Trump for Being “All Talk” on Supporting US Shipbuilding",2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today during the House Appropriations full committee markup of the FY2027 Defense funding bill, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) spoke out against Republicans’ outrageous $1 trillion bill that, despite it’s enormous price tag, fails to support American shipbuilding. In her opening remarks, Pingree contrasted the Trump Administrations’ claims to support American manufacturing and long-touted “America First” mantra, while at the same time seeding the prospect of buying ships overseas. She noted that as maritime competition is intensifying, especially in the Indo-Pacific, Republicans’ funding bill provides funding for only one DDG-51 destroyer, which are built at Bath Iron Works in Pingree’s district. “These ships are the backbone of our Navy, and they are essential to preserving our military superiority. And only one of those ships is provided for in this bill,” Pingree said. “I often hear bipartisan agreement about how we need a larger, more capable fleet. And last year, the president himself said he wanted to ‘resurrect the American shipbuilding industry.’ But without investment or a strategy, that is just talk. And it's especially just talk in a bill that gets over $1 trillion. If we're serious about naval readiness, we cannot continue under investing in our ships and in our shipyards and the workforce that is needed to sustain that fleet.” +++ I'm going to trust my colleagues because I know there have been a lot of opening remarks, and they'll continue to be to make sure that everybody understands the problems and challenges of this bill. But I do want to emphasize that it is $1 trillion. That's $1 trillion for the Pentagon. At the same time, we're cutting and we've all been through a lot of subcommittee hearings here or markups. We're cutting over $13 billion for domestic programs that would actually support working families while we're spending this much on defense. And we all know what we've been cutting childhood cancer research farmers through the USDA, education, housing, childcare it's all on the chopping block. And every time we fight back, someone says, but there isn't enough money, but there's always enough money for this bill. This bill also abandons our allies in Ukraine, continues the unchecked spending on unauthorized operations in the Middle East. It's got a lot of big challenges in it. But I want to use my time just to focus on the impact on our Navy and on shipbuilding and that industry. You know, maritime competition is intensifying, especially in the Indo-Pacific. But this bill provides funding for only one DDG-51 destroyer. These ships are the backbone of our Navy, and they are essential to preserving our military superiority. And only one of those ships is provided for in this bill. I often hear bipartisan agreement about how we need a larger, more capable fleet. And last year, the president himself said he wanted to “resurrect the American shipbuilding industry.” But without investment or a strategy, that is just talk. And it's especially just talk in a bill that gets over $1 trillion. If we're serious about naval readiness, we cannot continue under investing in our ships and in our shipyards and the workforce that is needed to sustain that fleet. I'm sure many of you remember, because I love to talk about it, that Bath Iron Works, one of our important defense shipyards is located in my district. We're very proud of the shipbuilders and the work that gets done there. And we love to say that “Bath built is the best built” because they do an amazing job building ships. And for all of you, when you take your vacation in Maine this summer to get a lobster roll and ride on a ferry, I hope you'll come by and get a tour of this shipyard, because it's an amazing thing. It's a miracle to watch these ships come together. They're complex. They require incredible skill and incredibly skilled workers. Stability in the prediction of how many ships are going to be built and having sufficient orders is what helps to recruit and retain a workforce. These workers can't just be reassigned if there's no ships to build until there's more money, or until there is sufficient procurement planning done. Many of them are machine operators, highly skilled, highly specialized. They've been there for years, and not having ships impacts the production line. Multi-year contracts lower the cost, ultimately saving money. I know the chairman in his opening remarks, talked about advanced procurement and how critically important that is in these complex industries that happened in our country. It's especially difficult to hear about the lack of sufficient shipbuilding in this contract when you put it in a broader context, and that is Russ Vought in OMB now signaling that they're thinking about buying ships from foreign shipyards. I'm going to say that again. They're thinking about using their waiver authority to actually buy ships offshore. And we know how important our six shipyards here are here in this country. And it's antithetical to think that they would ever suggest that. But a senior OMB official has said, if you look at the average cost of a destroyer construction in Japan or Korea, $1 billion of fairly nominal cost associated with destroyer construction. Just yesterday, I was driving in for votes and I turned on C-SPAN radio in my car, and I heard President Trump talking to a big Pennsylvania gathering, I think he was at a Mack truck facility saying how important American workers and American manufacturing was and how he's on top of that. And that's what we're going to do in this country. And in fact, when we got out of votes and I drove away, you'll not be surprised that the president was still talking to the Pennsylvania gathering, and he was still talking about American workers in American manufacturing. Yet his official at OMB is now saying, we're thinking about building ships offshore in other countries. Really? Our defense industry? We're thinking of moving that manufacturing offshore? This bill's increase over FY 26 is more than the entire funding of Labor [Health and Human Services], and Education. And we're talking about buying destroyers from foreign nations rather than investing in our own shipyards. I appreciate that this committee has put language in to curb the president's authority to do so. But the fact that it's even being considered is shameful. Adding this language while still selling our shipyards short doesn't make sense. We need to use this bill to make strategic investments in American readiness, which includes a skilled workforce, a skilled union workforce. And we cannot stand by where the administration drives decline of our industrial base. I yield back. And I thank the chair. ###",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6789,Pingree Urges USDA to Look Beyond Cotton in Push to Rebuild American Textiles,2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a longtime organic farmer and leader in Congress for sustainable agriculture and reducing pollution from fast fashion, is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen federal support for American-grown and American-made natural fibers. In a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, Pingree urged the Department to build on its recently announced “Great American Cotton Plan” by expanding its focus to include other plant- and animal-based fibers, including hemp, flax, wool, alpaca, and leather. Pingree also requested information on existing USDA programs, authorities, and data collection efforts that could support domestic natural fiber production and processing. “As global trends have impacted the economics of producing textiles and apparel outside the U.S., there is a critical need to reshore production of American-made textiles and to ensure more sustainable textile production,” Pingree wrote. “The United States Department of Agriculture plays an important role in supporting these efforts and revitalizing the sustainable fibers industry in the U.S.” According to the Textile Materials Market Report, synthetic fibers accounted for approximately 65 percent of global fiber production in 2022, with polyester ranking as the most widely used fiber. In contrast to synthetic fibers, which shed microfibers that pollute waterways, land, and air, natural fibers may have a lower environmental footprint and can also be grown and raised in ways that sequester carbon and provide additional co-benefits to producers, such as improved soil health and reduced inputs like pesticides. “As global fiber production continues to increase, it is critical to support the production and processing of additional plant-based fiber crops, such as hemp and flax, and animal-based fibers such as wool, alpaca, and leather, as the USDA considers reshoring fiber production,” Pingree continued. In the letter, Pingree noted that natural fiber production aligns with multiple USDA mission areas, including farm production and conservation, domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products, rural economic opportunity, and providing farmers and ranchers with opportunities to compete in the global marketplace. Pingree requested USDA provide information on: Existing programs and authorities that can support natural fiber production and processing; USDA data collection on fiber production in the United States, specifically whether the USDA Census of Agriculture includes data on fiber crops such as flax and hemp; Examples of USDA funding supporting natural fiber production and processing; Barriers to addressing existing gaps in the natural fiber textile supply chain; Whether USDA is evaluating approaches to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides in fiber production, and how such considerations are being incorporated into current or future programs; How the goals, tools, or findings of the Great American Cotton Plan may inform USDA’s strategies for other fiber crops and materials. The full text of Pingree’s letter is available here and copied below. Pingree has been a national leader in pushing for a more sustainable textile economy. She is the founder and chair of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus, which aims to raise awareness about textile waste, pollution, labor concerns, and develop policies that support circular, sustainable, and domestically produced materials. +++ Dear Secretary Rollins, I am writing regarding the production and processing of natural fibers, specifically plant and animal-based fibers. As global trends have impacted the economics of producing textiles and apparel outside the U.S., there is a critical need to reshore production of American- made textiles and to ensure more sustainable textile production. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays an important role in supporting these efforts and revitalizing the sustainable fibers industry in the U.S. I appreciate USDA’s recently announced Great American Cotton Plan, which aims to strengthen domestic cotton production and provide new opportunities for American growers. As USDA proceeds with the implementation of this plan, I urge USDA to expand the plan to include additional natural fiber crops and materials. I also request USDA examine existing programs that can support natural fiber production and processing. As global fiber production continues to increase, it is critical to support the production and processing of additional plant-based fiber crops, such as hemp and flax, and animal-based fibers such as wool, alpaca, and leather, as the USDA considers reshoring fiber production. According to the Textile Materials Market Report, in 2022, synthetic fibers made up approximately 65 percent of global fiber production, with polyester being the most widely used fiber. In contrast to synthetic fibers, which shed microfibers that pollute waterways, land, and air, natural fibers may have a lower environmental footprint and can also be grown and raised in ways that sequester carbon and provide additional co-benefits to producers, such as improved soil health and reduced inputs like pesticides. Natural fiber production and processing is relevant to multiple USDA mission areas, including farm production and conservation, facilitating domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products, supporting opportunity and economic security for people and communities in rural America, and providing our farmers and ranchers with opportunities to compete in the global marketplace. In light of these priorities and USDA’s new initiatives, I request that the USDA provide the following information: Existing programs and authorities that can be used to support natural fiber production and processing; USDA data collection on fiber production in the United States, specifically whether the USDA Census of Agriculture includes data on fiber crops such as flax and hemp; Examples of USDA funding supporting natural fiber production and processing; Barriers to addressing existing gaps in the natural fiber textile supply chain; Whether USDA is evaluating approaches to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides in fiber production, and how such considerations are being incorporated into current or future programs; How the goals, tools, or findings of the Great American Cotton Plan may inform USDA’s strategies for other fiber crops and materials. I appreciate learning more about existing support from the USDA to enhance natural fiber products and ask for your commitment to working with Congress to enhance the production and processing of natural fibers. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-06-20T06:35:38Z,2026-06-20T06:37:01Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6791,"Pingree, Luna Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ban Toxic Pesticide Paraquat and Protect Americans from Parkinson’s Disease",2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) today introduced the Paraquat Prevention Act, legislation that would cancel all registered uses of the pesticide paraquat under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and permanently prohibit its reregistration. “Vermont just proved a paraquat ban is possible. Now Congress must make it national. This pesticide is already banned in more than 70 countries and linked to Parkinson’s disease, yet EPA has been reviewing its safety since 2022 without finishing the job,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “I’m proud to introduce this bill with Congresswoman Luna, because all Americans deserve the same protection from this poison. Our bill cancels paraquat’s registration outright. No more reviews, no more waiting, no more excuses.” “Paraquat has been banned in over 70 countries, including every nation in the European Union, because the science is clear about the devastating neurological risks associated with exposure,” said Congresswoman Luna. “The United States has no business allowing a chemical linked to Parkinson’s disease to keep being sprayed on American farmland, and this bill ends that.” The bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to cancel all existing paraquat registrations, revoke any tolerances permitting paraquat residue in food, and ban the sale and use of existing stocks upon enactment. This action comes amid growing concern over the health impacts of paraquat exposure, with multiple studies consistently linking this chemical to increased risks of Parkinson’s disease. Studies from the National Institutes of Health have found that individuals exposed to paraquat face a significantly elevated risk of developing the disease, with laboratory research demonstrating that the chemical directly damages the dopaminergic neurons whose destruction causes Parkinson’s. The European Union acted on this science in 2007, and more than 70 countries have since followed. Among them is China, which banned paraquat domestically in 2016 to protect public health while continuing to export the majority of its production, sending roughly 78 million pounds to American ports in a single year. Both the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation have called for a ban on these grounds, which has found support on both sides of the aisle, which is why the bill has received bipartisan support. “Independent scientific evidence has found that exposure to paraquat has lead to increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, yet the EPA has continued to allow this pesticide to be used in our communities,” said Andi Fristedt, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Policy Officer for the Parkinson’s Foundation. “By banning paraquat, the Paraquat Prevention Act would protect Americans and help create a world where fewer people develop Parkinson’s disease in the first place. The Parkinson’s Foundation is grateful to the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Luna and Pingree to help bring the U.S. one step closer to joining the more than 70 countries that have already banned paraquat.” “Paraquat exposure is one of the clearest preventable risks linked to Parkinson’s disease,” said Dan Feehan, chief policy and government affairs officer at The Michael J. Fox Foundation. “On behalf of the 1.2 million Americans living with Parkinson’s and related diseases, we thank Representatives Luna and Pingree for their bipartisan leadership on the Paraquat Prevention Act and look forward to supporting the bill throughout the legislative process.” The United States remains one of the few developed nations that still permits paraquat use, leaving American farmers, farmworkers, and rural families unprotected. This legislation would close that gap by removing paraquat from the market entirely and prohibiting any future pathway for reregistration. “We applaud Representatives Luna and Pingree for highlighting the threat of paraquat to farmers and rural communities. The people who feed us should not face twice the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. States across the country have a clear path and example to end the use of one of the most toxic herbicides and should pass their own paraquat bans,” said Geoff Horsfield, legislative director for the Environmental Working Group (EWG). “MOFGA has long stood against toxic pesticides that harm farmers, families, and the land we all depend on. The evidence linking paraquat to Parkinson's disease is overwhelming and undeniable,” said Bill Pluecker, Public Policy Organizer for Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. “More than 70 countries worldwide have banned Paraquat. Farmers and rural communities in Maine and across this country have suffered from paraquat exposure for far too long. The time for federal action is now."" View the full bill text here. Pingree is a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee. She and Luna recently celebrated a win for the “Make America Healthy Again” movement after they successfully stripped dangerous, industry-written language from the Farm Bill that would pre-empt state rights to regulate pesticide usage or labeling and provide a liability shield for pesticide manufacturers. Earlier this year, President Trump signed an Executive Order to increase domestic production of glyphosate—a widely used weedkiller that has been linked to multiple health issues, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Pingree and Massie introduced the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, which would undo Trump’s Executive Order. ###",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6793,"Pingree Leads Roundtable on Threats to Maine Forests, Research from Trump Forest Service Shakeup",2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, led a roundtable discussion with Maine forestry leaders about the Trump Administration’s reckless decision to reorganize the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and shutter research facilities. The planned USFS reorganization poses a serious risk to forest health and productivity in New England, realign key Forest Service staff away from the region, and potentially impact the research conducted at the Massabesic, Howland and Penobscot experimental forests. “Maine is the most forested state in the nation. The Forest Service is an essential partner in protecting Maine’s forests, supporting our working forest economy, and advancing the research and innovation that will shape the future of wood products. But the Trump Administration is trying to push through a sweeping reorganization with little transparency, little justification, and little regard for the people and regions that rely on Forest Service expertise,” Pingree said. “Today’s roundtable made clear that Maine’s forestry leaders are concerned about what this plan could mean for forest health, regional staffing, and critical research at the Massabesic, Howland and Penobscot experimental forests. USDA and USFS owe Congress and the public real answers before taking another step. I’m grateful to everyone who joined today’s discussion, and I will keep fighting to ensure this reorganization does not weaken the Forest Service or leave Maine behind.” Participants included University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, and Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal, as well as representatives from the Appalachian Mountain Club, The Nature Conservancy, New England Forestry Foundation, Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast, and more. Pingree recently pressed USFS Chief Schultz about the reorganization plans in an Appropriations budget hearing. As Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Forest Service, Pingree will continue pushing for clarity from the Administration about the reorganization and take what she heard today to Washington. ###",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6786,"Pingree, Huffman Demand Answers from Forest Service on Glyphosate Spraying in National Forests",2026-06-09,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, and Congressman Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) are demanding answers from the U.S. Forest Service about its current and planned use of glyphosate-based herbicides on federal forestlands. Their letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz follows a yearlong Mother Jones investigation that raised serious questions about the use of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, on public and private forestlands, particularly in areas recovering from wildfire in California. The reporting detailed plans for large-scale spraying in national forests, including areas near trails, campgrounds, waterways, and communities, while also highlighting concerns about the scientific basis and oversight behind the agency’s continued use of the chemical. “Given the recent scientific disputes, retracted studies, and litigation surrounding glyphosate due to serious ecological and health harms, we are deeply concerned by the alleged use of the herbicide and lack of information available regarding current and planned use,” Pingree and Huffman wrote. In the letter, Pingree and Huffman request information on how frequently glyphosate is used on Forest Service land, what criteria determine when and where spraying occurs, which forests are treated, and how current acreage compares to five and ten years ago. The lawmakers also ask whether the Forest Service has assessed glyphosate residues in soil, water, or wildlife in and around treated areas; evaluated potential human health harms; established a publicly accessible database of herbicide use; and coordinated with state, tribal, local, and water officials before application. The letter further presses the agency on worker safety and exposure risks, including protections for Forest Service employees, firefighters, trail crews, contractors, and others who may enter treated areas. Pingree and Huffman also ask whether there have been reported worker illnesses, accidental exposures, or contamination complaints tied to glyphosate applications. Finally, the lawmakers request details on whether the Forest Service has explored or piloted nonchemical or lower-toxicity alternatives to herbicide applications, what those findings showed, and what barriers may be limiting broader adoption. The full letter is available here and is copied below. The Mother Jones investigation found that the Forest Service is moving forward with major glyphosate spraying projects in California, including in post-fire recovery areas. It also highlighted that the Forest Service continues to rely on a 2011 risk assessment that cited a now-retracted study on glyphosate safety, which the journal withdrew after determining the named authors were not solely responsible for the paper and that it relied entirely on Monsanto data. During a House Agriculture Committee hearing on Thursday, Pingree raised this issue with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The inquiry comes as the Trump Administration has moved to bolster domestic glyphosate production and as Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, continues to seek legal protections from lawsuits brought by people alleging glyphosate exposure caused serious illness. Pingree and Congressman Thomas Massie have introduced the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, legislation to block federal funds from being used to implement President Trump’s executive order supporting glyphosate production and to affirm that glyphosate manufacturers are not immune from civil liability. In April, Pingree successfully helped remove dangerous, industry-written language from the Farm Bill that would have pre-empted state rights to regulate pesticide usage or labeling and provide a liability shield for pesticide manufacturers. +++ Dear Chief Schultz, We are writing to request information regarding the U.S. Forest Service’s current and planned use of glyphosate-based herbicides on federal forestlands. Recent reporting has raised questions about the scale, frequency, and oversight of glyphosate application on Forest Service land, as well as the scientific basis for its continued use on forest land. Given the recent scientific disputes, retracted studies, and litigation surrounding glyphosate due to serious ecological and health harms, we are deeply concerned by the alleged use of the herbicide and lack of information available regarding current and planned use. Please provide the following information: 1. Current Usage: How frequently are glyphosate applications conducted on Forest Service land, and what criteria determine when and where spraying occurs? Is glyphosate used after seedlings are manually seeded or replanted or as a substitute for manual reforestation? In post-fire applications, is glyphosate usage limited to areas where natural regeneration is likely, such as in low or moderate burn severity regions? In post-fire applications of glyphosate, has the Forest Service analyzed the erosion impacts of glyphosate use and the corresponding reduction in soil stability? In which forests is glyphosate used, and for what purpose? What is the current acreage treated annually with glyphosate on Forest Service lands, and how does that compare to five and ten years ago? 2. Monitoring, Reporting, and Public Transparency Has the Forest Service conducted or commissioned assessments of glyphosate residues in soil, water, or wildlife in and surrounding treated areas? Has the Forest Service evaluated potential human health harms associated with the use of glyphosate? Does the Forest Service maintain a publicly accessible database of herbicide use, including quantities, locations, and application methods? If not, will the Forest Service establish such a database? What coordination occurs with state health and environmental departments, tribal governments, local governments, and water districts before glyphosate application? 3. Public Health and Environmental Risk Evaluation and Worker Safety What steps does the agency take to protect workers, campgrounds or other public facilities, nearby communities, and sensitive ecosystems during and after herbicide application? What protections are in place for Forest Service employees, firefighters, trail crews, and others who may need to enter treated areas? Have there been any reported worker illness incidents, accidental exposures, or contamination complaints associated with glyphosate applications? 4. Consideration of Alternatives Has the Forest Service explored or piloted non-chemical or lower-toxicity alternatives to herbicide applications? If so, what were the findings, and what barriers—financial, operational, or regulatory—limit broader adoption of these alternatives? Given the public’s deep interest in the stewardship of our federally forested land, clear information on these questions would help build trust and ensure that management decisions reflect the best available science. Thank you for your attention to this inquiry. We look forward to better understanding how the Forest Service is evaluating glyphosate use and considering safer or more sustainable approaches to forest management. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-06-10T06:36:00Z,2026-06-10T06:37:32Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-against-gop-s-partisan-ice-cbp-reconciliation-bill,"Golden votes against GOP’s partisan ICE, CBP reconciliation bill",2026-06-09,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted against the Republicans’ fiscally irresponsible reconciliation bill that would have plowed nearly $70 billion of funds toward ICE and CBP, despite the agencies already sitting on enough funds to cover their operations. “I support the men and women who enforce our nation’s immigration laws, but this partisan spending bill is irresponsible and unnecessary,” Golden said. “Last year, Congress gave the Department of Homeland Security a huge budget increase, with ICE in particular receiving more than seven times its usual appropriation. Given our nation’s already shaky fiscal footing, I see no reason to circumvent the normal annual budget process by throwing tens of billions of dollars at agencies that are already able to cover their costs well into the future.” The vote passed the House in a party-line, 214-212 vote. BACKGROUND: The Republicans’ so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a party-line reconciliation bill passed last year, provided $65 billion to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and $75 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last year. Both sums far outpace prior years’ appropriations. According to OMB, the agencies have so far spent only a fraction of these windfalls: ICE still has roughly 84 percent of the funds, while CBP still has roughly 62 percent. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:11:26Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-golden-backed-bill-to-make-it-easier-for-unions-to-secure-their-first-contract,House passes Golden-backed bill to make it easier for unions to secure their first contract,2026-06-09,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives today passed The Faster Labor Contracts Act, a bill co-sponsored by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) that would stop corporations from using endless negotiating delays to block unions from obtaining their first contract. The bill, introduced by Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), would establish clear deadlines for a first contract, and guarantee mediation and binding arbitration if the deadlines aren’t met. Together, its provisions guarantee that workers will receive the protections of a union contract in a timely, fair manner. It passed the House with bipartisan support in a 230-193 vote. “Federal law protects the right of workers to form a union and collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits and working conditions, but that right is meaningless if corporations can delay a contract indefinitely by dragging their feet at the negotiating table,” Golden said. “I’m proud to join Congressman Norcross to oppose these anti-union tactics and strengthen the promise of collective bargaining for American workers.” Unionization rates are rising as more Americans reap the benefits of collective bargaining. But under current law, after workers vote to form a union, companies are allowed to drag out the negotiating process indefinitely. On average it takes 458 days for a new union to negotiate its first contract. The Faster Labor Contract Act requires corporations to begin negotiations within 10 days of workers voting to form a union. If no contract is agreed within 90 days, the law would require mediation. And if mediation failed after 30 days, the dispute would be sent to binding arbitration to secure an initial contract. A new analysis by the Economic Policy Institute finds that corporations drag their feet negotiating with their workers far more than in other negotiations. For example, Starbucks has made its workers wait four and a half years, and counting, for a first union contract, but managed to negotiate a merger with Teavana in just 67 days. Amazon has made its workers wait 498 days for a contract so far but completed its blockbuster merger with Whole Foods in 123 days. “It is clear that corporations can move quickly to reach a deal related to a merger or acquisition but are far too often unwilling to apply that same priority to negotiations with their workforce for a fair first contract,” the EPI researchers wrote. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:11:26Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-wins-ndaa-amendment-to-block-pentagon-from-sending-us-shipbuilding-jobs-overseas,Golden wins NDAA amendment to block Pentagon from sending U.S. shipbuilding jobs overseas,2026-06-05,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy would be forced to scrap its plans to send shipbuilding jobs overseas under a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sponsored by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and approved by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) early this morning. Golden also secured funding for an additional destroyer to be built in Maine at Bath Iron Works. Golden, a member of HASC, voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2027 NDAA after a marathon markup overnight. The legislation authorizes $1.15 trillion in spending for the Department of Defense and other national security priorities. The bill now heads to the House floor. “American military spending should support American jobs. The idea that we would build any portion of our surface fleet on foreign soil with foreign labor is unconscionable,” Golden said. “I am grateful to my colleagues on the committee for seeing this plan for what it is: A threat to American industry, jobs and national security.” HASC approved two of Golden’s amendments to the NDAA before voting the bill out of committee. Those include: An amendment blocking the U.S. Navy’s offshoring plans. The amendment added language to specify that none of the funds authorized to be appropriated for the Navy in FY27 may be obligated or expended to enter into a contract for the procurement of a battle force ship to be built in a foreign yard. Background: In May, Rep. Golden questioned Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao about the Navy’s proposal to send shipbuilding jobs overseas and pledged to stop it (video, press release). An amendment to authorize additional funds to ensure construction of a DDG-51 destroyer at Bath Iron Works (BIW): This amendment increased funding for a second DDG-51, to be built at BIW, by $500 million. This brings the total funding for the destroyer to $1 billion. It also allows incremental funding, which will keep shipbuilders working at BIW. Background: In April, Rep. Golden questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about why the Pentagon’s budget proposal cuts procurement of this proven “workhorse” down to a single ship (video, press release), and failed to include multi-year procurement of destroyers. In committee, Golden advocated for — and won — authorization for a second ship, to be built at BIW, and for multi-year procurement necessary to ensure the destroyers are built well into the future. A third amendment by Golden would have closed a loophole in military purchasing rules known as the Berry Amendment, which requires all troop apparel be manufactured in the United States from domestically sourced materials. The loophole allows troops to purchase additional footwear that is not compliant with the Berry Amendment, undermining troop readiness and American manufacturers. Golden’s amendment would have required that all boots worn by U.S. troops comply with the Berry Amendment’s made-in-America requirements. Despite supporting the same amendment unanimously in committee last year, members of HASC changed their votes and defeated it this year, siding with private equity-owned corporations who produce footwear overseas. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:11:26Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-to-re-up-military-aid-for-ukraine-sanctions-for-russia,"Golden votes to re-up military aid for Ukraine, sanctions for Russia",2026-06-04,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted in favor of H.R. 2913, the Ukraine Support Act, which provides additional military financing loans and weaponry to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself in the face of Russian aggression. The bill passed the House in a bipartisan 226-195 vote after a successful discharge petition forced Republicans to hold a vote despite the opposition of majority leadership. “If we don’t support our allies when they need us most, then our word means nothing,” Golden said. “The people of Ukraine have fought heroically in the face of the most brazen campaign of territorial expansion since World War II. The fact they are fighting against Russia, who has made their hostility toward the United States clear through words and actions, makes our ongoing support for their defense even more urgent.” The bill authorizes $8 billion in military finance loans to Ukraine and extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through 2027, allowing the transfer of weapons to Ukraine directly from the United States’ own stockpiles. It also imposes new sanctions on Russia, establishes a Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund to support rebuilding efforts and strengthens the United States’ work to counter Russian disinformation. Golden has been a consistent champion for the defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty, having voted in favor of every major military and financial aid for the besieged nation. To overcome partisan gridlock, in 2024 the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), which paired aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with funding the restore order at America’s southern border. Elements of the bill were included in a successful bipartisan foreign aid and border security package enacted by the House in 2024. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:11:26Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6783,"WATCH: Ranking Member Pingree Slams Republican Cuts to EPA, Arts, Parks, and More While Trump Prioritizes Gilded Vanity Projects in DC",2026-06-03,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, spoke out against Republicans’ funding bill for the 2027 fiscal year during the Appropriations Committee's markup today. In her opening remarks, Pingree condemned proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Park Service (NPS), and the National Endowments for the Arts (NEA) and Humanities (NEH). At the same time, the Trump Administration is spending millions of taxpayer dollars on the President’s vanity projects in D.C., Pingree said—including a 250-foot Arch, a $1 billion ballroom, resurfacing the reflecting pool, the so-called “Garden of Heroes”, and more. “How is the President paying for all of these vanity projects? While he might claim private fundraising, the real answer has seemed to be raiding national park entrance fees that typically go toward maintenance and stealing funding from the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities,” Pingree said. Pingree also cited how Trump has destroyed the Kennedy Center over the past 18 months, and said the Committee must take steps to protect the institution. “I’m very pleased with the court’s confirmation last Friday that it’s plainly illegal for him to rename the Center after himself and remake it in his own image,” she said. “But we need real and committed oversight from this Committee to protect this critical institution and the artists, workers, and audiences that make it special."" A summary of the bill is available here. Pingree’s full remarks as prepared for delivery are copied below. +++ Thank you for yielding. I would like to thank Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, and the staff on both sides of the aisle. Chairman Simpson, I appreciate our working relationship and that we were able to find common ground last year to enact a bipartisan full-year funding bill. Unfortunately, the bill before us reverts back to the same partisan playbook, with grossly insufficient funding and a surplus of poison pill riders. The bill cuts EPA by 20 percent. This agency has already lost one-fifth of its workforce since President Trump took office. The cuts in this bill would completely cripple EPA’s ability to fight climate change, respond to environmental disasters, and hold polluters accountable. Meanwhile, the administration continues to roll back regulations that protect public health and the environment, including a recent announcement that will increase exposure to toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water. I’m disappointed that the bill further cuts funding to states for water infrastructure. This is the first year that states won’t have the additional funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and I believe that it is critical that we don’t lose the momentum we built with those investments. I’m also very concerned by the cuts to the National Park Service facilities operation and maintenance. This is the funding the Park Service uses to maintain and repair its infrastructure. The bill cuts it by $163 million, or 17 percent. Meanwhile, in the Commerce, Justice, Science funding bill, Republicans have provided up to $152 million to renovate Alcatraz into a functioning prison. I find this completely outrageous. I won’t get into the many reasons why I think trying to reopen Alcatraz is a farce and a waste of money. But I have to say, when I look at that funding and then look at the bill before us today, it’s painfully obvious that the majority is prioritizing resurrecting a 19th century prison over today’s underfunded and understaffed parks. At the same time, the President is diverting significant resources toward pet projects that most Americans oppose: his ridiculous $1 billion gilded ballroom (from which he dumped the toxic demolition debris on a National Park-owned golf course), approving a no-bid contract to resurface the reflecting pool, forging ahead on his so-called “Garden of Heroes” – all of which he handpicked – and his 20-story tall Triumphal Arch that veterans’ groups have literally sued to block … the list goes on and on. How is the President paying for all of these vanity projects? While he might claim private fundraising, the real answer has seemed to be raiding national park entrance fees that typically go toward maintenance and stealing funding from the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities. And speaking of vanity projects, I would be remiss not to mention the absolute mess that the President has made of the Kennedy Center over the past 18 months. I’m very pleased with the court’s confirmation last Friday that it’s plainly illegal for him to rename the Center after himself and remake it in his own image. But we need real and committed oversight from this Committee to protect this critical institution and the artists, workers, and audiences that make it special. So: the President and this administration have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to dictate exactly what it deems artistically and culturally worthy – and at the same time, it’s trying to rob our communities of funding for our own local museums, historical societies, and arts education programs by cutting the NEA and NEH. I am vehemently opposed to this bill slashing each endowment by 35%, $72 million. The bill also cuts funding for cultural institutions, such as the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institution. Last year, we came to an agreement and beat back these cuts. We must do so again this year. While the administration is focused on building a gilded ballroom and a triumphal Arch to appease the president’s ego, Americans are facing soaring gas and energy prices. Yet this bill does nothing to reign in the administration’s assault on energy projects that states have been counting on. As the administration spends nearly 2 billion in taxpayer dollars to pay off companies for abandoning offshore wind projects, this bill piles on – adding additional fees for offshore wind companies and drastically cutting funding for renewable energy programs. Finally, I have to express my opposition to the dozens of poison pill riders included in the bill. These riders aim to cripple environmental protection, undermine climate change policies, and override the Endangered Species Act. As written, I cannot support the bill before us today. I oppose the bill, I urge my colleagues to oppose it, and I yield back. ###",1,2026-06-05T06:35:23Z,2026-06-05T06:36:42Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-ndaa-amendments-to-protect-strengthen-domestic-shipbuilding-manufacturing,"Golden introduces NDAA amendments to protect, strengthen domestic shipbuilding, manufacturing",2026-06-03,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"June 3, 2026 Proposals would block Navy’s planned offshoring, boost BIW, require American-made footwear for troops WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced the introduction of three amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would protect domestic shipbuilding and ensure combat boots worn by service members are made in America. The amendments will be considered by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), when it reviews and finalizes the NDAA during a markup scheduled for tomorrow. “Wherever possible, American military spending should support Americans’ jobs — not only out of a sense of patriotism, but to secure supply chains and ensure the United States reaps the innovation benefits that a strong manufacturing base provides,” Golden said. “The Pentagon’s budget proposal shortchanges production of DDG-51 destroyers made in Bath, it sends shipbuilding jobs overseas and it continues a loophole that puts foreign-produced boots into our service members’ footlockers. My amendments fix these failures, strengthen national security and protect American jobs.” Golden’s amendments would make the following changes to the current draft of the NDAA, known as the “chairman’s mark”: Additional Funds to Ensure Construction of a DDG-51 Destroyer at Bath Iron Works (BIW): This amendment would increase funding for a second DDG-51 by $500 million, bringing the total to $1 billion. It would also allow incremental funding, which will keep shipbuilders working at BIW. Background: In April, Rep. Golden questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the future of the DDG-51 destroyer and why the Pentagon’s budget proposal cuts procurement of this proven “workhorse” down to a single ship (video, press release), and failed to include multi-year procurement of destroyers. In committee, Golden advocated for — and won — authorization for a second ship, to be built at BIW, and for multi-year procurement necessary to ensure DDG-51s are built well into the future. Blocking U.S. Navy Plans to Send Shipbuilding Jobs Overseas: A second amendment would prevent the administration from offshoring shipbuilding jobs by adding language to specify that none of the funds authorized to be appropriated for the Navy in FY27 may be obligated or expended to enter into a contract for the procurement of a battle force ship to be built in a foreign yard. Background: In May, Rep. Golden questioned Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao about the Navy’s proposal to send shipbuilding jobs overseas and pledged to introduce an amendment to stop it (video, press release). Strengthening Existing Requirements that Troop Apparel be American-Made (BOOTS Act): A third amendment would require that all footwear worn by members of the Armed Forces be made in the United States. Background: This proposal mirrors Golden’s BOOTS Act, legislation he passed through the NDAA last year, which was later stripped in the Senate. Existing made-in-America requirements under the Berry Amendment stipulate that all troop apparel be manufactured in the United States, with U.S.-based materials. However, a loophole allows troops to purchase additional footwear that is not compliant with the Berry Amendment, undermining troop readiness and American manufacturers. New Balance has said that it would produce Berry-compliant footwear at its Skowhegan manufacturing plant, and that enactment of the Boots Act will support jobs in Maine for years to come. Golden will speak in support of his amendments during the HASC markup of the NDAA schedule for Thursday evening. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:11:26Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/in-line-with-war-powers-act-golden-votes-to-constrain-military-action-in-iran,"In line with War Powers Act, Golden votes to constrain military action in Iran",2026-06-03,2026,2026-06,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted today in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 86, a resolution under the War Powers Act to remove the United States from hostilities against Iran. Golden opposed earlier War Powers resolutions, in recognition that the administration had, to that point, met its obligations to notify Congress and provide updates under the War Powers Act of 1973. The law requires the president to obtain authorization from Congress or to end the fighting within 60 days. That deadline has now passed, and President Trump has yet to seek Congressional authority for his continued campaign in Iran. Golden released the following statement: “The War Powers Act is not a recommendation. It is the law. If the president has a case to make about why this conflict is in America’s interest, he must come to Congress and make it. That is the only way to bestow any continued conflict with the legitimacy our system of checks and balances requires. Without it, the operation — including any blockade of Iranian ports, which cannot be seen as anything but an act of war — cannot continue” “My vote today supports the separation of powers that are central to our democracy. But make no mistake: In its words and actions the Iranian government has long been hostile to the United States. We cannot afford to take that threat lightly. Should Congress consider an Authorization for the Use of Military Force against Iran, I will approach that question with an open mind and an emphasis on our collective security.” Today’s vote was the first clean War Powers resolution since the 60-day window ended on May 1. The resolution passed in the House in a bipartisan 215-208 vote. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:11:26Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6781,Ranking Member Pingree Statement on Court Ordering Removal of Trump’s Name from Kennedy Center,2026-05-29,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Kennedy Center, released the following statement after a federal judge ordered the removal of President Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and blocked the administration’s plan to close the venue for two years beginning in July: Donald Trump tried to slap his name on the Kennedy Center like it was one of his tacky hotels, and today a federal judge made clear what we have been saying from the start: he had no legal authority to do it. I am also relieved the court blocked Trump’s plan to shutter the Center. Closing the Kennedy Center was never about renovation. It was about covering up the catastrophic damage Trump has already inflicted: ticket sales in free fall, the Washington National Opera ending its 55-year residency, beloved performances canceled, and union workers fired in clear violation of their contracts. The court saw through the pretense. I want to commend Congresswoman Beatty for her courage and persistence in filing this suit, along with the preservation and architectural organizations that fought alongside her. This victory belongs to every American who refused to accept a president using a national memorial as a vehicle for his own ego. The Kennedy Center’s deferred maintenance needs are real, and they should be addressed. But that work must happen through a transparent, collaborative process, with full congressional oversight and proper historic preservation review. I stand ready to be a genuine partner in restoring the Kennedy Center’s integrity and greatness for generations to come. That is what the American people deserve, and that is the work that lies ahead. Trump has two weeks to comply with this court order. The Kennedy Center belongs to the American people. Now and always. Pingree, who co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus, has been a leading voice in Congress to protect the Kennedy Center since Trump installed himself as board chair in 2025. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Pingree successfully stripped language from the 2026 Appropriations bill that would have renamed the Kennedy Center Opera House after Melania Trump. ###",1,2026-06-02T06:40:38Z,2026-06-02T06:42:17Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6780,"Three Maine Students Accepted to U.S. Service Academies, Pingree Announces",2026-05-27,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced that three students she nominated have been accepted to U.S. Service Academies. Wallace “Wynn” Pooler of South China will attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., while Isaiah Morgan of Cumberland Center and Cole Tomuschat of Scarborough will both attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. “Earning acceptance to a U.S. Service Academy is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to a student’s scholarship, leadership, character, and commitment to service,” said Pingree. “Wallace, Isaiah, and Cole have each demonstrated a deep sense of duty and a clear desire to serve their country. I’m incredibly proud to have nominated them and thrilled to see them accepted to the Merchant Marine Academy and Naval Academy. I know they will represent Maine well, and I wish them every success as they begin this next chapter.” “I have long been interested in serving my country in some way and was raised in a service-oriented family, with family members having served for many generations. Both my great-grandfathers served during World War II. My grandfather served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and my father served as a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer after graduating from Maine Maritime Academy,” Wallace wrote in his nomination request. “I now wish to continue this legacy by attending the Merchant Marine Academy.” “Growing up with a father who has served for over 30 years, and an aunt and uncle who both attended West Point, I have learned how this community is unique. Part of my patriotic duty is to give back to my country, following in their footsteps,” Isaiah wrote in his nomination request. “I want to be part of a service academy because it offers a unique combination of leadership development, academic rigor, and a path to a lifelong commitment to serving my country.” “Some of my earliest memories are listening to my dad and grandpa tell stories of their service. My dad is a 20-year merchant marine, and Grandpa is a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps. They would tell of travels around the world, hardships, and victories. Even as a small boy, I knew I wanted to be like the men in my life; I wanted to serve my country and become a leader,” Cole wrote in his nomination request. “The U.S. Service Academies are the best places in the world to sharpen my intellect, leadership skills, and sense of morality to reach my goals.” To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. ###",1,2026-05-28T06:29:45Z,2026-05-28T06:31:18Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-co-leads-legislation-to-extend-rural-hospital-program,Golden co-leads legislation to extend rural hospital program,2026-05-21,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) introduced bipartisan legislation today to extend for five years a program to provide increased Medicare matching funds to rural hospitals including facilities in Ellsworth and Presque Isle. The bill — the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization Act — was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04), and co-led by Golden and Reps. Mike Flood (NE-01) and Janelle Bynum (OR-05). It is companion legislation to a bill that passed this week in the Senate. “Without rural hospitals, many of my constituents would have to travel long distances, sometimes hours away, to get the care they need,” Golden said. “These hospitals are essential, but face unique challenges associated with rural places. Extending this program for another five years will provide them the stability they need to focus on what matters most: caring for their patients.” The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration, or RCHD, pays Medicare reimbursements to small rural hospitals based on their actual costs, rather than standard fixed rates. To qualify, a hospital must be in a rural area, have fewer than 51 beds and not already be part of the Critical Access Hospitals program. The test program is set to expire at the end of this year. The bill would extend the program until 2031. Two hospitals administered by Northern Light Health in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District have participated in RCHD: Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital in Ellsworth and Northern Light AR Gould Hospital in Presque Isle. “By reauthorizing the Rural Community Hospital Program Demonstration, we are ensuring rural hospitals have the support they need to keep their doors open and continue providing the essential services that keep Iowa’s economy strong, families healthy, and communities thriving,” Feenstra said. “With a proven track record, this program provides rural hospitals with the financial stability needed to sustain health care services in our communities and ensure patients continue to have access to quality care close to home. I am honored to help lead this legislation in the House and strengthen support for Iowa’s rural hospitals.” This legislation is supported by local and national organizations focused on rural healthcare: “We thank Congressman Jared Golden for his leadership in sponsoring legislation to reauthorize the Medicare Rural Hospital Demonstration Project for another 5-year period,” said Lisa Harvey-McPherson, vice president for government relations at Northern Light Health. “Rural hospitals are challenged by low patient volumes, caring for older populations with high chronic disease burdens and a dependence on Medicare and MaineCare payments that reimburse hospitals less than the cost to provide care. The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act allows hospitals to continue providing essential care in communities by supporting the financial stability of participating rural hospitals. Hospitals with 50 beds or less are some of the most vulnerable hospitals in Maine as they do not qualify to become Critical Access Hospitals receiving cost-based reimbursement. The Rural Hospital Demonstration Project provides an important model to maintain access in Aroostook and Hancock counties.” “Many rural hospitals face financial uncertainty from low patient volumes, sicker patient populations, a challenging payer mix, geographic isolation, and shifts in care delivery,” said Lisa Kidder Hrobsky, American Hospital Association’s Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Political Affairs. “The Rural Community Hospital (RCH) Demonstration Reauthorization Act allows hospitals to continue providing essential care in their communities by supporting the financial stability of participating rural hospitals. Hospitals with 50 beds or less are some of the most vulnerable to closure and the RCH demo offers an important model to maintain access in rural communities around the country. The AHA thanks Rep. Feenstra and Rep. Golden for their strong leadership to support America's rural hospitals.” “The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is grateful to see the introduction of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) Program Reauthorization Act, led by Rep. Feenstra and Rep. Golden,” said Alan Morgan, CEO, NRHA. “This bill would provide a 5-year extension of the RCHD Program, which offers much-needed support for small rural hospitals through enhanced Medicare reimbursement. The RCHD Program has demonstrated improvement in Medicare inpatient margins for participating rural hospitals and has been crucial in helping rural hospital leaders maintain rural hospital viability.” Full text of the resolution is available here. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:21:02Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-s-effort-to-restore-retirement-benefits-for-cbp-officers-advances-to-house-floor,Golden's effort to restore retirement benefits for CBP officers advances to House floor,2026-05-21,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced his bipartisan U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act, had passed the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform unanimously by a vote of 40-0. Golden is the lead Democratic sponsor on the bill, introduced by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). The legislation corrects a CBP error that caused certain officers to lose enhanced retirement benefits they were promised and planned around. The bill restores those benefits, adds accountability safeguards, and is supported by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). “What’s fair is fair, and clerical screw-ups shouldn’t be allowed to stand between federal law enforcement officers and the benefits they were promised,” Golden said. “This bill is a simple solution to ensure the federal government lives up to its word. I urge my colleagues in the House to support this bill to restore fairness for these essential federal workers.” “Our CBP officers stand on the front lines of America’s security every day—protecting our ports of entry, stopping illicit activity, facilitating lawful trade and travel, and helping keep our communities safe,” Fitzpatrick said. “When these officers relied on guidance from their own agency, they made career and retirement decisions in good faith. This is not special treatment. It is basic fairness, government accountability, and keeping faith with those who serve our country. A bureaucratic error should never erase benefits these officers were promised, planned around, and earned. This bill corrects the record, restores fairness, and honors their service to our nation. I will always stand with the men and women who protect America, and look forward to bringing this bipartisan fix to the House floor. I am grateful to Congressman Golden, Chairman Comer, NTEU, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their unanimous support.” ""NTEU is proud to support the US Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act. This bipartisan, common-sense legislation will fix a longstanding error affecting approximately 1,500 CBPOs who have planned their retirements around guidance they were given when they were hired. H.R 8844 fixes this error and makes sure the government keeps its promise to these workers. We appreciate Reps. Fitzpatrick, Golden, and the entire House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for standing up for our CBP workforce,” said NTEU National President Doreen Greenwald. Specifically, the bill would: Ensure eligible officers receive the enhanced retirement and annuity treatment they were promised; Require the Department of Homeland Security to identify and notify eligible officers; Direct the Office of Personnel Management to make the necessary annuity corrections, including retroactive adjustments for eligible officers who have already retired; Allow necessary waivers to ensure eligible officers can receive the corrected retirement treatment; and Require the Government Accountability Office to review CBP hiring practices, internal controls, personnel-file policies, and training related to enhanced retirement benefits to help prevent similar errors in the future. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act now heads to the House floor for consideration. Read the full bill here. Background: In 2008, CBP officers became eligible for enhanced law enforcement retirement coverage. During that transition, a limited group of officers received tentative job offers before the effective date but entered duty afterward, and were told they would remain eligible for proportional annuity treatment. Based on that guidance, they planned their careers and retirements around benefits they were later told they could not receive. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act corrects that error, restores the retirement treatment these officers were promised, and requires a GAO review to strengthen oversight and prevent similar failures in the future.",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:21:02Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6778,Statement from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree on the Passing of Former Congressman Barney Frank,2026-05-20,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Barney Frank: ###",1,2026-05-27T06:38:34Z,2026-05-27T06:40:17Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-fatal-fire-in-searsmont,Golden statement on fatal fire in Searsmont,2026-05-16,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"LEWISTON, Maine — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement today, following the fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont on Friday that killed Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross, 27, and injured several other first responders and civilians: “There is no braver man than one who runs toward the danger to protect others. Firefighter Andrew Cross was a hero who died far too young in the line of duty, confronting the blaze at the Robbins Lumber mill so that others could be safe. May he rest in peace. “I am keeping Andrew, his family, his friends and all of our first responders in my thoughts today. And Izzy and I continue to pray for the recovery of the others injured in Friday’s fire. “I’m also aware of what a loss this fire is to the region. I have met the Robbins family several times, and toured the mill in Searsmont. The damage to the facility is loss not only to their family business, but to the families of the dozens of people who work there. In the wake of this tragedy, my staff and I stand ready to support the community in whatever way we can.” Searsmont and Morrill are both in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. ###",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:21:02Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-to-begin-accepting-military-academy-nomination-applications-may-15,Golden to begin accepting military academy nomination applications May 15,2026-05-14,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jared Golden announced today he will begin accepting nomination applications from Maine high school students for appointments to the United States service academies operated by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marines. No nomination is required to apply to the United States Coast Guard Academy. Students should apply for a nomination in the spring and summer of their junior year. Golden will begin accepting nomination applications on May 15, 2026, from students for admission to the academies in the summer of 2027. Click here to apply. For more information please contact: Casework Manager Kim Rohn at (207) 249-7400. ###",1,2026-06-10T06:36:00Z,2026-06-10T06:37:32Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6776,The Dilley immigrant detention facility costs taxpayers millions. The human cost is even higher.,2026-05-14,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"On a sunny day in Texas inside one of the nation’s most notorious immigrant detention facilities, I sat down with Olivia Andre, a 19-year-old asylum seeker whose story has garnered national attention. Despite it being nearly 90 degrees that day in Dilley, a small town about an hour outside of San Antonio, Olivia was bundled up in a down jacket. She was freezing. Her spirits, understandably, were low and she told me she hadn’t been sleeping much. She’d been suffering from headaches and had lost nearly 20 pounds in the six months she spent inside what has become known as the Family Trailer Prison. For more than an hour, we talked about her family and the life that was unfairly ripped from her when Olivia, her mother and siblings were detained by immigration enforcement in November of 2025. I brought a hefty stack of legal documents with me, as well as family photos and letters from loved ones to give her in hopes they would lift her spirits. Because the government is court-ordered to release migrant children and their parents from prolonged detention, the rest of Olivia’s family — mother Carine Balenda Mbizi; brother Joel Andre, 16; and sister Estafania Andre, 14 — were released from Dilley in March. But since Olivia is technically an adult, and not the legal guardian of her siblings, she was not released with them. The last thing I wanted to do when I visited was give her any false hope, but, after hearing near-daily updates from her lawyers, I was optimistic she’d be soon released. And I promised her that we were doing everything we could to get her out. The very next day, a federal district judge ordered her release. Soon, she’d finally be on a plane bound for where she belongs: back home in Portland with her loved ones. Around 11:15 p.m. on Friday, May 8, Olivia finally made it home to Maine, where a raucous and overjoyed crowd of family, friends, neighbors and fellow Mainers was ready to welcome her home. I can’t imagine the overwhelming sense of relief she and her family must be feeling right now. I sincerely hope that, in the months and years ahead, they’ll be able to find the peace and happiness they deserve. At the same time, it’s impossible not to feel outraged by the cruelty and callousness the Andres have experienced, and the senseless suffering they — and countless others — have been forced to endure. All on the American taxpayer’s dime. Despite the astronomical cost of $15.3 million a month, or roughly $1,000 per person a day, life inside the Dilley facility is pure misery. (And let me be clear: misery is the point, but more on that later.) While on our official congressional oversight visit, Reps. Joaquin Castro, Henry Cuellar, Sylvia Garcia, Adelita Grijalva, Christian Menefee, Mark Takano and I saw the conditions firsthand and spoke directly with more than 60 people who were detained there. The facilities appeared clean and were presented to us in a real “nothing to see here” kind of way. The food seemed fine and the medical bay was nice enough, though completely unoccupied. But outside of the personnel’s overview, which was literally read to us from a script, what we heard from the actual people forced to live there was deeply disturbing. Here’s what a day in Dilley looks like, according to Olivia and the people we met with: You wake up by 6 a.m. for breakfast after a sleepless night, trying to eat what you can because lunch and dinner are often worse. By mid-morning, you are back in bed, exhausted, depressed or dealing with headaches and untreated health needs. You share a room with 10 to 12 other people so there is no privacy. Time drags on through the afternoon and by the evening, you just want to sleep. But the harsh lights stay on, you’re cold and the room is restless with anxiety and crying from your bunkmates. It’s no wonder Olivia was feeling utter despair when I met with her there. And, as I alluded, that is the point. The Department of Homeland Security operates under the mantra “detain to deport.” Regardless of whether a person has a pending asylum claim, has been denied due process, or is legally permitted to be in the United States, the Trump administration wants to detain and deport as many immigrants as they can. Their inhumane and un-American anti-immigration agenda demands it. Olivia and many others said they’d been pressured to take the $2,500 offer to self-deport. “You will never see your mother again,” they would tell her. “You may as well take the money and go home.” Of course, by “home” they don’t mean Portland, where she lives. They mean the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where her family fled horrific violence before claiming asylum in the U.S. in 2022. On their journey, Olivia’s family suffered an unimaginable tragedy: her 8-year-old brother, Manuel, drowned while crossing the Darién Gap, where flash floods can be deadly and the journey itself is a measure of a family’s desperation. It’s important to note that in Dilley, there are no violent criminals or anyone with a criminal conviction. This specific facility is meant for parents and their children who, at most, have minor immigration infractions equivalent to a parking ticket. Many, though, were simply caught up in our country’s broken immigration system. They have active asylum claims, green cards, visas and valid work permits. Maybe they are waiting for their court date or for their claim to be processed, which can take years, but they are doing everything they are legally supposed to do. Olivia never should have been detained for this long in the first place. Nor should anyone whose only “crime” was fleeing violence and seeking a better life for themselves and their family — and has followed the rules at every turn. For every Olivia whose story breaks through, there are countless others still trapped in facilities like Dilley, without national headlines, public pressure or members of Congress advocating on their behalf. Dilley must be closed for good. This is a facility built to incarcerate families and children, operated at enormous public expense, and used to pressure vulnerable people into giving up their rights. Children do not belong in detention. Families seeking safety do not belong in detention. And no private prison company should profit from keeping them there. We shouldn’t have to fight this hard to protect people’s constitutional rights — or to get people out of these horrific detention centers. But we will keep fighting. I want to thank my team, Olivia’s attorneys, my colleagues, local advocates like Project Relief Maine, Ms. Rachel and everyone who had a hand in amplifying her story and helping secure her freedom. When I met Olivia at the airport after her long flight home, the smile on her face could’ve lit a thousand rooms. I know she and her family have a long road ahead. But I hope she knows just how many people will be with her. Every step of the way. I hope every innocent person who has been detained by this cruel and callous administration will one day feel the same joy Olivia is feeling right now — and that her story inspires all of us to continue pushing for the freedom and justice they deserve.",1,2026-05-15T06:17:41Z,2026-05-15T06:18:51Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-to-introduce-amendment-to-block-navy-from-offshoring-american-shipbuilding-jobs,Golden to introduce amendment to block Navy from offshoring American shipbuilding jobs,2026-05-14,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he will introduce an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prohibit any funds from being used to produce American warships, or parts of warships, overseas. During a hearing today in the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Golden questioned top officials from the U.S. Navy about the Navy Shipbuilding Plan. The plan includes a request for Congressional authority to move a portion of American shipbuilding overseas. “This administration has said over and over that it will prioritize American manufacturing. How could those goals possibly square with a request to offshore American fleet production?” Golden said. “Every ship or hull built overseas would weaken America’s shipbuilders, making it harder for them to maintain the capacity, knowledge and technical skill necessary to build and maintain our fleet.” In its latest budget request, the Pentagon has asked Congress to fund procurement for just one DDG-51 destroyer, the style of warships built at Bath Iron Works (BIW), down from the usual order of two or three destroyers. In response to questions from Golden, General Dynamics — BIW’s parent company — told HASC members yesterday that the reduced demand signal could trigger layoffs in Bath as soon as next year. Golden discussed the threat of layoffs Thursday while questioning Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. “Stop and think about that: In the same year that American shipbuilders might get laid off, the U.S. Navy wants to employ foreign workers. Good luck selling that as anything but a one for one trade off. I can’t believe the Navy would even consider it and it would be an absolute shame if the Congress approved it.” Golden will draft the amendment to prohibit the offshoring of American shipbuilding in the coming days and will introduce it later this month when the NDAA is opened to amendment. Click here for video of Golden’s remarks during today’s HASC hearing. ###",1,2026-06-26T06:29:35Z,2026-06-26T06:31:46Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-announces-support-for-clean-resolution-to-constrain-military-action-in-iran,Golden announces support for ‘clean’ resolution to constrain military action in Iran,2026-05-13,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced he would vote in favor of a ‘clean’ war powers resolution to remove the United States from hostilities against Iran. One such resolution, H.Con.Res.86, sponsored by Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-05), will become eligible for a floor vote as early as next week. “I have said since the start of this conflict that the War Powers Act of 1973 grants the president only 60 days to conduct military operations without an explicit authorization from Congress,” Golden said. “President Trump, like all his predecessors, has refused to recognize the limitations of the War Powers Act, but to me the law is clear. His window for unilateral military engagement has closed. Hostilities, including the use of the U.S. fleet to impose a blockade of Iranian ports, cannot legally continue unless the president seeks, and wins, Congressional approval.” H.Con.Res.86 will be the first clean war powers resolution eligible for a vote since the 60-day deadline for the president to seek Congressional authorization was surpassed on May 1. Golden has opposed prior resolutions in recognition that the administration had, to that point, met its obligations under the War Powers Act. Golden also announced that he will oppose a separate resolution, offered by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), that has been widely reported to be coming to the floor for a vote this week. That measure, H.Con.Res.75, was originally submitted on March 4 and would have reduced the deadline for Congressional authorization from 60 days to 30 days. This resolution was rendered moot one day after the 30-day deadline it sought to impose on the president. “I supported this resolution when it was introduced, but unfortunately its proposed 30-day deadline lacks any real meaning now that we are more than 70 days into this conflict,” Golden said. “It no longer passes the straight-face test. I look forward to voting for a clean, relevant resolution as soon as possible.” ###",1,2026-06-10T06:36:00Z,2026-06-10T06:37:32Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6774,"Federal Judge Orders Olivia Andre’s Release from Dilley, Pingree Announces",2026-05-06,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Just hours after returning to Maine from San Antonio, Texas, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) shared news that a federal district court judge has ordered Olivia Andre’s release from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in Dilley, Texas. According to Olivia’s lawyer, Elora Mukherjee, the judge’s order states she must be released by no later than Friday, May 8. “I am overwhelmed with joy and relief that Olivia will finally be released and reunited with her family. Yesterday, I sat with Olivia in Dilley and heard how she struggled through every second of her time in detention. Words cannot describe how heartbreaking it was to leave knowing she was still trapped there in utter despair. Olivia should never have been left locked away in Dilley, far from her family, her community, and the life she was building in Portland. But today, after six months of fear, pain, and uncertainty, Olivia is finally coming home,” Pingree said. “Olivia’s release is a testament to the power of public pressure, persistent advocacy, and the simple truth that no one seeking safety should be subjected to this kind of needless cruelty. Now, ICE must release Olivia without delay so she can be reunited with her family and begin to heal where she belongs: at home in Maine.” ""I just spoke with Olivia. She is overwhelmed with emotion to learn that she will be coming home to Maine. Olivia and her family should never have been detained. The federal court ordered her release because the Trump administration had no lawful basis for detaining her. She suffered in detention for six months in violation of federal law and the U.S. Constitution's protections. Her mental and physical health deteriorated during this time because she did not have access to sufficient clean drinking water, palatable food, or appropriate medical care,” Mukherjee said. “All children and families should be released from Dilley immediately. There are cost-effective and humane alternatives to detaining children and families. Protecting children from needless cruelty is not an enormous ask. Our humanity demands it of us."" On Tuesday, Pingree—along with colleagues U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Christian Menefee (D-Texas), and Mark Takano (D-Calif.)—conducted an official oversight visit of the Dilley detention center. They had the opportunity to meet with more than 60 people detained there and heard firsthand accounts of their treatment and the facility conditions. Pingree met with Olivia during the visit. Olivia, a 19-year-old student, has been detained in the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas since November. In a letter to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, Pingree called for immediate release and questioned the legal basis for her continued detention, as no explanation had been given to Andre or her legal counsel. Olivia and her family are asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and have been living in Portland, where Olivia was a first-year nursing student. The rest of her family—mother Carine Balenda Mbizi; brother Joel Andre, 16; and sister Estafania Andre, 14—were released from the Dilley Processing Center in March. Pingree previously conducted oversight visits of the ICE field office in Scarborough, Maine and the ICE facility in Burlington, Mass. ###",1,2026-05-08T05:46:43Z,2026-05-08T05:48:09Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6772,"After Oversight Visit, Pingree, House Dems Call for Release of Their Constituents, Closure of Dilley Detention Facility",2026-05-05,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Pingree met with Olivia Andre, an asylum seeker from Portland who remains detained in Dilley despite her family being released last month Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) is once again calling for the release of her constituent, Olivia Andre, from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in Dilley, Texas following an official Congressional oversight visit on Tuesday. Pingree—along with colleagues U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Christian Menefee (D-Texas.), and Mark Takano (D-Calif.)—held a press conference where they detailed what they witnessed at the Dilley facility and shared stories of those they met with. “I came here today for one specific reason and one specific constituent. [But] I want to validate all of the things that my colleagues have been saying, and everything you’re hearing is true: We need to close Dilley, we need to close these facilities, there was nothing about the conditions that were humane—and it’s done with our tax dollars, in our name, and it has to stop,” Pingree said during the press conference. In April, Pingree called on ICE to immediately release Olivia Andre, a 19-year-old student who has been detained in the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas since November. In a letter to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, Pingree questioned the legal basis for Olivia’s continued detention, as no explanation has been given to Andre or her legal counsel. Olivia and her family are asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and have been living in Portland, where Olivia was a first-year nursing student. The rest of her family—mother Carine Balenda Mbizi; brother Joel Andre, 16; and sister Estafania Andre, 14—were released from the Dilley Processing Center in March. Pingree previously conducted oversight visits of the ICE field office in Scarborough, Maine and the ICE facility in Burlington, Mass. ### Related News",1,2026-05-08T05:46:43Z,2026-05-08T05:48:09Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6769,‘Outrageous and Needlessly Cruel’: Pingree Statement on Kennedy Center Firing Union Members,2026-05-04,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Kennedy Center, released the following statement after the Center reportedly fired staff who are members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union: As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Pingree successfully removed language from the 2026 Appropriations bill that would have renamed the Opera House after Melania Trump. ###",1,2026-05-05T05:58:12Z,2026-05-05T05:59:44Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-hinson-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-lobbying-ban-for-senior-government-officials,"Golden, Hinson introduce bipartisan bill to strengthen lobbying ban for senior government officials",2026-05-01,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today reintroduced the bipartisan Promoting the Unbiased Role of Employees in the Executive Act (PURE Executive Act) with Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02). The bipartisan bill imposes a five-year ban on senior executive branch employees from lobbying an agency where they had been employed. It also creates a lifetime ban on senior executive branch employees lobbying for foreign governments or companies tied to them. “Senior government officials’ decisions should be about serving their country — not how to position themselves for the most profitable, influential job possible after they leave civil service,” Golden said. “Further restricting these leaders from immediate lobbying gigs will help ensure they keep their eyes on the actual prize: better outcomes for working families.” “Washington insiders shouldn’t be able to leave their taxpayer-funded posts and use their status to immediately cash out and lobby their politician friends, and they should never be able to use sensitive U.S. intelligence to benefit a foreign adversary,” Hinson said. “This is exactly the kind of corruption Iowans sent me to Congress to root out – we have to drain the swamp and clean up Washington.” Current rules for executive branch officials leaving federal service are limited, allowing individuals to quickly begin lobbying the agency they just left or even lobby on behalf of foreign companies or governments. While some short-term bans can apply to certain officials — one year for some and two years for the most senior leaders — that moratorium has not meaningfully slowed the revolving door between the executive branch and high-paying lobbying jobs. Meanwhile, exemptions still remain for lobbying for foreign interests. The PURE Executive Act expands the lifetime foreign lobbying ban to include any foreign entity or corporations controlled by foreign governments, and implements a five-year ban from lobbying their former agency. Full text of the bill can be found here. ###",1,2026-06-05T06:35:23Z,2026-06-05T06:36:42Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-wins-president-trump-s-support-for-extending-moratorium-on-lobster-right-whale-regulations-until-2035,"Golden wins President Trump’s support for extending moratorium on lobster, right whale regulations until 2035",2026-05-01,2026,2026-05,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today won the support of the White House for his legislation to protect Maine’s lobstermen from new regulations related to the North Atlantic right whale until 2035. Golden in recent weeks has had several conversations with administration officials about the bill, H.R. 8509. The Trump administration announced its support for the bill in a Statement of Administration Policy released this afternoon. Golden worked with the Maine delegation and Governor Janet Mills to win the moratorium on industry-crippling new regulations — including potential fishery closures — in 2022 under President Joe Biden, but the freeze is scheduled to expire in 2028. Golden has long advocated for the federal government to extend the moratorium. “The need to protect Maine’s iconic lobster industry knows no party. I’m grateful for the President’s support for Maine’s lobstermen and hopeful that my colleagues in the House will join me in quickly passing this bill into law,” Golden said. “Before we enacted this moratorium, Maine’s lobster industry was on the verge of shutting down because of proposed regulations that were onerous and based on flawed science and hypothetical scenarios rather than the reality on the water. Extending the moratorium will give lobstermen and their communities stability and peace of mind, protect an industry worth half a billion dollars annually and give the government time to get the science right,” Golden said. Golden’s bill can be found here. The White House’s Statement of Administration Policy can be found here. ###",1,2026-06-06T06:16:30Z,2026-06-06T06:17:47Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6765,"‘A Handout to Big Chemical’: On House Floor, Pingree Speaks Out Against Republican Farm Bill",2026-04-30,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Speaking on the House floor last night, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) condemned the Republican Farm Bill that fails farmers and puts chemical company profits over the health of Americans. Pingree spoke in support of an amendment to remove dangerous, industry-written language that would pre-empt state rights to regulate pesticide usage or labeling and provide a liability shield for pesticide manufacturers. Representative Anna Paulina Luna’s (R-Fla.) amendment language is identical to the bipartisan amendment Pingree and Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced. “Our amendment to strike the pesticide liability shield sections from the Farm Bill has drawn broad bipartisan support, both within this chamber and across America,” Pingree said. “The harmful language that Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee included in the Farm Bill is a handout to Big Chemical and preempts states’ rights to regulate pesticide usage or labeling and provides a liability shield for pesticide manufacturers.” Click here to watch Pingree’s full remarks Transcript: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the ranking member for yielding me the time. I am sorry to say that this is a terrible Farm Bill. As a result of this bill, more people will go hungry. More farmers will lose assistance to conservation programs that are already oversubscribed. And more farmers who are struggling to make ends meet will find it more and more difficult to hang onto their farms. I have a lot of concerns about this bill, but I’d like to use the limited time I have to show strong support for Representative Luna’s pesticide amendment. I am proud to say that her amendment, which was made in order, mirrors the language of the bipartisan amendment I sponsored with Representative Massie, and I want to thank Representative Luna for also working on this important issue. Our amendment to strike the pesticide liability shield sections from the Farm Bill has drawn broad bipartisan support, both within this chamber and across America. The harmful language that Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee included in the Farm Bill is a handout to Big Chemical and preempts states’ rights to regulate pesticide usage or labeling and provides a liability shield for pesticide manufacturers. Put simply, this language puts chemical company profits over the health of Americans. More than 200,000 Roundup-related health claims have been made against Bayer. Behind the numbers are real people—husbands, wives, farmers, even pets—with heartbreaking stories. People suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other devastating cancers, racking up outrageous medical bills. And what’s worse, chemical manufacturers have spent time and money developing additional uses for these same chemicals beyond killing weeds. We see glyphosate now used to dry crops before harvest, and that means it makes its way into more and more of our food system. That means the bread we’re eating, the hummus, the pasta, is more likely to contain this toxic and dangerous chemical. So more and more people are ingesting it without even realizing it. If this language is not removed, we will have handed companies like Bayer exactly what they have spent millions of dollars and lobbying power on: legal immunity. Earlier this year, I successfully sought to strip similar language from the FY 2026 Interior Appropriations funding bill. Unfortunately, the work we did in that committee did not deter Bayer, who, armed with 53 lobbyists and millions of dollars, immediately got to work to get their get-out-of-jail-free card elsewhere, in this Farm Bill and at the Supreme Court. Democrats, Republicans, and citizens across this country agree: Keep this language out of the Farm Bill. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I thank you, and I yield back. Background: Pingree, a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, attempted to strip this language from the Farm Bill during the committee markup in February. Pingree and Massie introduced the bipartisan Pingree-Massie Protect Our Health Amendment to remove this language from the final Farm Bill. In January, Pingree successfully removed a similar provision from the FY2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. Earlier this year, President Trump signed an Executive Order to increase domestic production of glyphosate—a widely used weedkiller that has been linked to multiple health issues, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Pingree and Massie also introduced the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, which would undo Trump’s Executive Order. On Monday, April 27, the U.S. Supreme Court heard an appeal by the manufacturer of Roundup, supported by the Trump Administration, over lawsuits that allege it failed to warn consumers about the product’s dangers. Pingree and Massie both spoke at the ""People vs. Poison"" rally outside the Supreme Court [photos available here]. Pesticides in the United States are regulated under a combination of federal, state, and local laws. Debates over state and local authority to regulate pesticide use have been litigated for decades, particularly in cases involving widely used chemicals such as Roundup and paraquat, which have been linked to serious health harms. Many states, cities, and counties have adopted measures to restrict pesticide spraying near schools, homes, and public spaces, citing the heightened vulnerability of children to toxic exposure and risks to brain development, reproduction, and long-term health. Seven states—Maine, Alaska, Hawaii, Maryland, Utah, Nevada, and Vermont—do not preempt local governments from regulating pesticide use within their jurisdictions. In Maine alone, there are more than 30 state and local regulations related to pesticide use and warning requirements that would be undermined or preempted under this Republican pesticide provision in the Farm Bill. ###",1,2026-05-01T06:06:26Z,2026-05-01T06:08:22Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6766,Pingree Statement on House Passage of Republican Farm Bill,2026-04-30,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a longtime organic farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after the House passed Republicans’ Farm Bill: At a time when farmers are struggling in the face of rising costs and the President’s reckless tariffs, food insecurity is on the rise, and families are paying more for food than they ever have before, this Farm Bill fails to meet the moment. From failing to address desperately needed food assistance and cutting conservation funding, to providing massive subsidies to big agribusinesses and not including any resources for farmers in Maine and across the country impacted by PFAS contamination, the Republicans’ Farm Bill champions corporate interests over the well-being of small and mid-sized farmers, consumers, and rural communities. Once again, they’ve failed the American people. While I’m relieved that we were able to remove language that would have shielded giant chemical companies like Bayer from liability for harms caused by toxic pesticides, this bill does little to address the very real pain that millions of people across the country are feeling right now. Republicans talk a big game about being the champions of rural America. About helping hardworking families. About how they’re trying to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’ But when it comes time to walk that walk, they go where their corporate donors tell them to go—every time. This Farm Bill is no different. How do we expect Americans to eat healthier food when we refuse to support the very farmers who are working so hard to bring those options to market? Why are we giving more subsidies to giant corporations when family farms are struggling to get by? Why are we treating conservation, climate-smart solutions, nutrition, and public health as optional, instead of essential? It’s truly baffling to me. We have the resources, technologies, and people power to create the most productive and sustainable agriculture sector anywhere in the world. Instead of tapping into that boundless potential, this bill merely keeps the status quo: unconditional support for Big Ag; swill for everyone else—including the hundreds of thousands of farmers who feed this country every day. For these and many other reasons, I could not support this Farm Bill. I remain hopeful that the Senate will put forth a more workable version of this traditionally bipartisan, must-pass legislation that meets the moment for our farmers, families, and rural America. The Farm Bill: Protects Republicans’ SNAP Cuts: Republicans cut $187 billion from SNAP in reconciliation resulting in benefits being taken away or reduced for more than 40 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 1.2 million veterans and 4 million people with disabilities. Those cuts are protected by this farm bill. In addition, Republicans are openly talking about coming back for more SNAP cuts in new rounds of reconciliation bills. Ignores States’ Ability to Set Their Own Food Production Standards: The bill would overturn state laws that dictate how animal products sold in their state must be raised. Many of these standards were approved by voters at the ballot box and upheld by the conservative Supreme Court in a 2023 ruling. These production standards have created premium markets for hog farmers across the country. To codify this language would be to overrule the voters and eliminate valuable markets for farmers. Cuts Conservation Funding: At a time when farmers are struggling to make ends meet, the bill cuts $1 billion from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a nationwide program that farmers rely on to help cover the costs of farming practices that protect water quality, soil health, and natural habitats. EQIP is one of the most oversubscribed conservation programs USDA offers, but the bill treats the program as a piggy bank for Republican priorities. At a time when farmers desperately need relief from rising costs, Republicans took money out of their pockets. Includes No Money for Specialty Crops: After being largely left out of the Trump administration’s Farmer Bridge Assistance program, specialty crop growers who are asking for an additional $5 billion in economic relief received no additional direct support in this bill. They also received no mandatory money for specialty crop research or to assist with labor challenges, and no new investments were made in Specialty Crop Block Grants or GusNIP. The bill fails to adequately champion and support our specialty crop growers during this challenging time. Has No Additional Farm Assistance: Despite farmers facing nearly $54 billion in losses and calls from leading farm groups for additional direct financial support, this farm bill fails to provide any aid to the family farmers who need it most. Farm country is being crushed under the weight of the war in Iran, ill-conceived tariffs and backward economic priorities driving input costs up and commodity prices down. The Republicans’ farm bill doesn't address these systemic issues, failing farm country. ###",1,2026-05-01T06:06:26Z,2026-05-01T06:08:22Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6768,"Pingree Statement on Governor Janet Mills, Applauds her Leadership and Legacy",2026-04-30,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today released the following statement after Governor Janet Mills announced she would be suspending her campaign for U.S. Senate: I have deep respect and admiration for Governor Mills, and I’m proud to call her a friend. While I know this decision was a difficult one, I trust her judgment—and know she’s doing what she feels is best for herself, her family, and the people of Maine. As the first woman to ever lead our state, Governor Mills has overseen many remarkable accomplishments: expanding access to health care, investing in public education and childcare, providing free school meals, advancing clean-energy initiatives, protecting and expanding reproductive freedom, and so much more. Her commitment to addressing the climate crisis has been exceptional—setting ambitious clean energy targets, investing in coastal and community resilience, modernizing infrastructure, ensuring our state remains on track to meet its emissions-reductions goals—providing other states a visionary model to follow. I have no doubt that history will remember her as one of the best governors our state has ever had and that her legacy and impact will continue to shape our state for generations to come. I want to thank Governor Mills for her leadership, her accomplishments as Governor, and her unwavering dedication to the people of Maine. ###",1,2026-05-01T06:06:26Z,2026-05-01T06:08:22Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-urges-hegseth-to-pump-brakes-on-planned-trump-battleship,Golden urges Hegseth to pump brakes on planned Trump battleship,2026-04-29,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today cautioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over plans to rush a costly, unproven battleship while slowing production of the proven DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers built at Bath Iron Works. Hegseth appeared before the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), on which Golden is a member, to present the Pentagon’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget. While the plan cuts production of DDG-51s, it includes $17 billion for a new “Trump-class” battleship on a rushed timeline. “Everyone on this committee knows about the Navy’s struggles to successfully design, manage and field new classes of ships,” Golden said, citing the Littoral Combat Ships, Zumwalt-class destroyers and Constellation-class frigates — all of which had to be scrapped due to challenges such as cost overruns, design problems and scheduling delays. “Recent history is littered with failed Navy efforts to replace existing, successful programs that remain the best in class worldwide — including the Bath-built Arleigh Burke destroyers. This isn’t the failure of our shipbuilders or our sailors. It’s a failure by top brass to learn a simple lesson: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. My sincere hope is that Secretary Hegseth, the Navy and Congress will pump the brakes on this battleship and focus on producing ships we know can meet our needs today.” Bath Iron Works has built dozens of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., which entered service earlier this month. Golden has long advocated, successfully, for multi-ship procurement in defense appropriations bills to ensure not only maritime combat readiness but stable demand for highly skilled, good-paying jobs at BIW. Hegseth himself called the destroyer the “workhorse” of the U.S. Navy when he visited BIW earlier this year and told shipbuilders that the Pentagon would “max out” on destroyer procurement. But the Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal requests just one DDG-51. Instead, it proposes construction of a new battleship named for the president with a price tag of $17 billion — enough to fund six DDG-51s. Golden noted that the Trump-class ship would be a return to a vessel style not used since WWII. Experts have raised questions about the proposed battleship’s ability to meet modern surface combatant needs, with one suggesting that the ship will never hit the water. “The proposed battleship is a high-risk, low-reward proposition and the cost will be high — not just for taxpayers, but for the lost opportunity to maintain the supply of destroyers proven to meet our surface fleet's needs,” Golden said. HASC will continue to consider the Pentagon’s budget request in the coming weeks. Video of Golden’s remarks can be viewed here. ###",1,2026-06-04T06:38:12Z,2026-06-04T06:39:44Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6763,"Pingree Blasts Republican Agriculture Funding Bill that Fails Farmers, Families, and Rural America",2026-04-29,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a longtime organic farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, spoke out against Republicans’ Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies FY2027 funding bill. During the House Appropriations Committee markup of the bill today, Pingree criticized the funding bill for cutting nutrition assistance, farmer support, conservation programs, local food initiatives, and USDA staffing at a time when families are struggling to afford healthy food and farmers are facing rising costs, extreme weather, and tariff chaos. “Republicans can say they care about farmers and the health of Americans. But the choices they make in this bill tell a very different story. Our farmers deserve better. Our rural communities deserve better. Families trying to put healthy food on the table deserve better,” Pingree said. Pingree argued that Republicans’ claims to support farmers and the “Make America Healthy Again” movement are contradicted by a bill that cuts WIC fruit and vegetable benefits, weakens local food systems, and includes poison pill riders that undermine fair competition and public health. “How do we expect to make America healthy if we are cutting the very benefit that helps pregnant women, new moms, babies, and young children access healthy fruits and vegetables?” Pingree said. “[…] This is at a time when nearly half of children in this country do not eat a vegetable every day. So, I just do not understand how anyone can say we are making America healthy while cutting the benefit that helps children eat healthy food.” For 2027, House Republicans agriculture funding bill provides $6.3 billion in discretionary funding, a 4 percent cut below 2026. The legislation: Increases costs for farmers and rural communities by steeply cutting critical investments, including water and waste grants to help the poorest communities get safer water services, and slashing the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) loans in half. Hurts farmers by cutting the number of federal and local employees who help them access government resources they are promised. Threatens access to food for hardworking and vulnerable Americans, failing to ensure that every eligible recipient can access their benefits, by not providing the full fruit and vegetable benefit to USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Slashes Food for Peace, which provides American farmers with additional revenue and helps feed hungry children around the globe, while USDA proceeds to start implementing the program after the administration gutted USAID. Pingree’s full opening remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have serious concerns about the funding bill before us today. As appropriators, we have a very important responsibility. That is especially true for this bill, because we are talking about our farmers. About the food people eat. About whether our communities the basic support they need to survive. Unfortunately, this bill takes us in the wrong direction. Take WIC, for example. We spend a lot of time in this committee talking about healthy food, nutrition, and getting more fruits and vegetables into people’s diets. And this is supposedly the administration of “MAHA” — Make America Healthy Again. But how do we expect to make America healthy if we are cutting the very benefit that helps pregnant women, new moms, babies, and young children access healthy fruits and vegetables? This bill cuts the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit by 10 percent for fiscal year 2027. And the Chairman has been very clear that this is just a starting point, with the eventual goal of going back to “pre-pandemic levels.” Well, let’s talk about what that means. For women, that means going from $52 a month for fruits and vegetables down to $13. For children, it means going from $26 a month down to $10. That is not a small adjustment. That is a dramatic cut. In Maine, about 15,000 people participate in WIC. In a state of only 1.3 million people, that matters. And the fruit and vegetable benefit is one of the most used and most redeemed parts of the program. One WIC participant in Maine said that, because of the current benefit, she was able to buy a bag of cherries for her child for the first time. Before that, when the benefit was lower, bananas were all they could afford. Her child had never had cherries before because they were too expensive. That is what this cut means. It means fewer choices. It means fewer healthy foods. It means a parent standing in the grocery store deciding what they have to put back. And again, this is at a time when nearly half of children in this country do not eat a vegetable every day. So I just do not understand how anyone can say we are making America healthy while cutting the benefit that helps children eat healthy food. The same contradiction shows up when we talk about farmers and conservation. We hear a lot about regenerative agriculture. We hear a lot about soil health. But this bill cuts the very programs that help farmers do that work. It eliminates funding for the USDA Climate Hubs. It cuts Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education by $8 million. It cuts conservation technical assistance by $61 million. And it cuts the Office of Urban Agriculture, which supports food loss and waste reduction projects and local food systems, by $3 million. Now, I know what we are going to hear today. We are going to hear that this is some climate agenda—that some of these programs are unnecessary or political. To that, I would just say this: talk to farmers. Talk to the farmers in my state who are dealing with extreme weather. Talk to the farmers who are trying to improve their soil, manage flooding, deal with drought, use cover crops, and make their land more resilient. That is not “woke.” That is what farming in 2026 looks like as they grapple with the impacts of climate change and rising costs. We are derelict in our duty if we are not helping them meet the challenges that are right in front of them. At the same time, farmers in Maine are already struggling with the chaos of this Administration’s tariffs. I heard from a farmer in Brunswick who was trying to purchase a machine from Holland and had to calculate the daily price of steel just to figure out whether he could afford it. Eventually, he gave up. I heard from another farmer in Unity who is trying to buy equipment to weed potatoes. His tariff bill is 20 percent of the cost of the equipment, plus 50 percent of the price of the aluminum and steel in that equipment. The dealer does not even know what to charge because no one knows what the price will be when the equipment arrives. That is the reality farmers are living with right now. And what does this bill do? It cuts Farm Service Agency staffing, Rural Development staffing, and conservation technical assistance, which supports NRCS staff. We can put all kinds of programs into a bill, but if there is no one in the county office to answer the phone, return an email, process a loan, or help a farmer access conservation funding, then those programs cannot—and, as we’ve seen over the past year of staff cuts—do not work. I am also deeply disappointed that this bill does nothing to restore the Local Food Purchase Assistance program or the Local Food for Schools program. We learned a lot during the pandemic. We learned that our supply chains were fragile, that buying locally matters, and that schools, food banks, farmers, and families all benefit when we connect local food to local need. These programs did exactly that. In Maine, Farms for Food Equity used LFPA funding to purchase more than 61,000 pounds of nutritious food from 15 local farms in Southern Maine. That food went to pantries and other food assistance programs. Daybreak Growers Alliance, a women-owned food distribution company in Unity, used LFPA funding to purchase from more than 35 Maine farms and distribute more than $500,000 in Maine-grown products to neighbors in need. Cultivating Community in Portland supported fresh, culturally familiar food for limited-resource neighbors. Liberation Farms supported 30 immigrant and refugee farmers and helped provide thousands of pounds of culturally familiar crops to immigrant and refugee families in Androscoggin and Cumberland counties. These programs helped farmers make ends meet, helped families eat, and kept dollars in local communities. That is exactly the kind of thing this bill should support. Instead, this bill walks away from them. And finally, I have serious concerns about the poison pill riders in this bill, including provisions that end support for more competition in our poultry systems through the Packers and Stockyards Act and block sodium reduction targets from going into place. Again, Republicans can say they care about farmers and the health of Americans. But the choices they make in this bill tell a very different story. Our farmers deserve better. Our rural communities deserve better. Families trying to put healthy food on the table deserve better. Thank you, and I yield back. ###",1,2026-04-30T06:05:15Z,2026-04-30T06:07:09Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-demands-answers-from-usps-for-failing-to-pay-rockland-contractor-more-than-349000-jeopardizing-mail-service-for-maine-island-communities,"Maine Delegation Demands Answers from USPS for Failing to Pay Rockland Contractor More Than $349,000, Jeopardizing Mail Service for Maine Island Communities",2026-04-27,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Maine’s Congressional Delegation is calling on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to immediately resolve its payment issue with a Maine contractor that serves island communities. In a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden condemned USPS for failing to pay the Rockland-based Penobscot Island Air (PIA) more than $349,000 for mail-delivery service and demanded answers about why USPS has, according to PIA, repeatedly failed to make timely payments for several years. After PIA announced it would not make its scheduled deliveries on Tuesday in protest, USPS agreed Wednesday to immediately pay 25% of the outstanding balance, and PIA promptly resumed service. But questions and concerns still remain. “For decades, Penobscot Island Air has helped the USPS deliver essential mail to Maine’s island residents. We urge you to immediately resolve the outstanding back payments and provide clarification on how these payment lapses occurred, as well as how delays can be prevented in the future,” the delegation wrote. “From Matinicus to Vinalhaven, island communities in Maine rely on the USPS to pay bills, receive life-saving medications, and stay connected with friends and family. Penobscot Island Air is an indispensable bridge between the mainland and islands that helps the Postal Service fulfill its promise of reaching every American, even in the most rural communities.” USPS’s failure to pay PIA is the latest example of recent disruptions to mail delivery in Maine. Over the past several months, delegation offices have received hundreds of complaints from constituents about delayed and inconsistent deliveries—particularly in rural communities. Together, these issues underscore the importance of ensuring that USPS has the necessary resources and staff to fulfill its mission of providing all Americans with reliable, affordable, and universal mail service—and that its agreements with contractors like PIA are fully honored. The letter is available here and is copied below. +++ Dear Postmaster General Steiner: We write to seek clarification regarding reports of Penobscot Island Air’s (PIA) payment issues with the United States Postal Service (USPS). For decades, Penobscot Island Air has helped the USPS deliver essential mail to Maine’s island residents. We urge you to immediately resolve the outstanding back payments and provide an explanation of how these payment lapses occurred, as well as how delays can be prevented in the future. From Matinicus to Vinalhaven, island communities in Maine rely on the USPS to pay bills, receive life-saving medications, and stay connected with friends and family. Penobscot Island Air is an indispensable bridge between the mainland and islands that helps the Postal Service fulfill its promise of reaching every American, even in the most rural communities. On April 21, Penobscot Island Air alerted island residents that they would be halting mail deliveries for the day due to the back payments they are owed by the USPS. According to PIA, these back payments amount to over $349,000. While PIA had received partial payments for the balance, the last payment they received was on March 13. They had also made numerous attempts to resolve these payment issues through direct outreach to the USPS. The amount owed, the ongoing delay in payment, and the failure to resolve these issues in a timely fashion are alarming and unacceptable. Mail deliveries for the USPS account for almost a fifth of PIA’s annual revenue. We are concerned that PIA’s operations will continue to be disrupted without reliable processing of this critical stream of income. The USPS cannot afford to jeopardize a dedicated, decades-long partnership, and Maine island residents cannot afford any discontinuation in service, even for a few days. Penobscot Island Air is one of many contractors in the state that deliver mail to island communities by air and sea. This incident raises concerns over whether the USPS is faithfully fulfilling the terms of all these contracts. While it is promising to hear that the USPS has reached a partial payment agreement to pay Penobscot Island Air about 25% of its outstanding balance, we need greater assurance from the USPS that Maine island contractors will receive fair and prompt compensation for the services they provide. We respectfully request detailed answers to the following questions and ask that USPS continue to work urgently with Penobscot Island Air to resolve these back payments immediately and ensure that future payment processing is timely and consistent. What is the current balance of back payments USPS owes to Penobscot Island Air? Can you provide a timeline of the USPS payments to PIA over the past three years, including when payments were due and when they were paid? Can you provide an explanation for these delays in payment to PIA? What specific steps will the USPS take to prevent lapses in payment from occurring in the future and to ensure that payment is processed in a timely and consistent manner? Can you provide a list of all the USPS contractors in Maine who deliver mail to island communities? Do any other island contractors have balances owed to them by the USPS? Thank you for your attention to this time-sensitive issue. We look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-06-04T06:38:12Z,2026-06-04T06:39:44Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6761,"Maine Delegation Demands Answers from USPS for Failing to Pay Rockland Contractor More Than $349,000, Jeopardizing Mail Service for Maine Island Communities",2026-04-24,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Maine’s Congressional Delegation is calling on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to immediately resolve its payment issue with a Maine contractor that serves island communities. In a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden condemned USPS for failing to pay the Rockland-based Penobscot Island Air (PIA) more than $349,000 for mail-delivery service and demanded answers about why USPS has, according to PIA, repeatedly failed to make timely payments for several years. After PIA announced it would not make its scheduled deliveries on Tuesday in protest, USPS agreed Wednesday to immediately pay 25% of the outstanding balance, and PIA promptly resumed service. But questions and concerns still remain. “For decades, Penobscot Island Air has helped the USPS deliver essential mail to Maine’s island residents. We urge you to immediately resolve the outstanding back payments and provide clarification on how these payment lapses occurred, as well as how delays can be prevented in the future,” the delegation wrote. “From Matinicus to Vinalhaven, island communities in Maine rely on the USPS to pay bills, receive life-saving medications, and stay connected with friends and family. Penobscot Island Air is an indispensable bridge between the mainland and islands that helps the Postal Service fulfill its promise of reaching every American, even in the most rural communities.” USPS’s failure to pay PIA is the latest example of recent disruptions to mail delivery in Maine. Over the past several months, delegation offices have received hundreds of complaints from constituents about delayed and inconsistent deliveries—particularly in rural communities. Together, these issues underscore the importance of ensuring that USPS has the necessary resources and staff to fulfill its mission of providing all Americans with reliable, affordable, and universal mail service—and that its agreements with contractors like PIA are fully honored. The letter is available here and is copied below. +++ Dear Postmaster General Steiner: We write to seek clarification regarding reports of Penobscot Island Air’s (PIA) payment issues with the United States Postal Service (USPS). For decades, Penobscot Island Air has helped the USPS deliver essential mail to Maine’s island residents. We urge you to immediately resolve the outstanding back payments and provide an explanation of how these payment lapses occurred, as well as how delays can be prevented in the future. From Matinicus to Vinalhaven, island communities in Maine rely on the USPS to pay bills, receive life-saving medications, and stay connected with friends and family. Penobscot Island Air is an indispensable bridge between the mainland and islands that helps the Postal Service fulfill its promise of reaching every American, even in the most rural communities. On April 21, Penobscot Island Air alerted island residents that they would be halting mail deliveries for the day due to the back payments they are owed by the USPS. According to PIA, these back payments amount to over $349,000. While PIA had received partial payments for the balance, the last payment they received was on March 13. They had also made numerous attempts to resolve these payment issues through direct outreach to the USPS. The amount owed, the ongoing delay in payment, and the failure to resolve these issues in a timely fashion are alarming and unacceptable. Mail deliveries for the USPS account for almost a fifth of PIA’s annual revenue. We are concerned that PIA’s operations will continue to be disrupted without reliable processing of this critical stream of income. The USPS cannot afford to jeopardize a dedicated, decades-long partnership, and Maine island residents cannot afford any discontinuation in service, even for a few days. Penobscot Island Air is one of many contractors in the state that deliver mail to island communities by air and sea. This incident raises concerns over whether the USPS is faithfully fulfilling the terms of all these contracts. While it is promising to hear that the USPS has reached a partial payment agreement to pay Penobscot Island Air about 25% of its outstanding balance, we need greater assurance from the USPS that Maine island contractors will receive fair and prompt compensation for the services they provide. We respectfully request detailed answers to the following questions and ask that USPS continue to work urgently with Penobscot Island Air to resolve these back payments immediately and ensure that future payment processing is timely and consistent. What is the current balance of back payments USPS owes to Penobscot Island Air? Can you provide a timeline of the USPS payments to PIA over the past three years, including when payments were due and when they were paid? Can you provide an explanation for these delays in payment to PIA? What specific steps will the USPS take to prevent lapses in payment from occurring in the future and to ensure that payment is processed in a timely and consistent manner? Can you provide a list of all the USPS contractors in Maine who deliver mail to island communities? Do any other island contractors have balances owed to them by the USPS? Thank you for your attention to this time-sensitive issue. We look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-04-25T05:38:36Z,2026-04-25T05:40:21Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6758,"Pingree, Massie Team Up to Strip Big Chemical Immunity from Farm Bill",2026-04-22,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) are teaming up to introduce an amendment to the Farm Bill that fights back against immunity for chemical companies and protects the health of Americans. Republicans’ Farm Bill, which is expected to be taken up by the House next week, includes provisions that would shield chemical manufacturers like Bayer from lawsuits and would preempt state and local warning label laws or usage regulations for potentially harmful products. The Pingree-Massie Protect Our Health Amendment would remove this harmful language from the Farm Bill. Cosponsors of the amendment include Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), and Eugene Vindman (D-Va.). “Big Chemical has spent years trying to buy exactly this kind of protection from Congress: immunity from lawsuits, weaker safeguards, and a federal override of state and local pesticide protections. This Farm Bill would hand it to them on a silver platter,” Pingree said. “If a company’s product makes people sick, that company should be held accountable. If states and local communities want to put stronger protections in place, they should have every right to do so. I’m grateful to Congressman Massie for joining me in this fight. This is beyond politics and party lines. Congress should be protecting families, farmers, and children, not doing favors for Bayer and other chemical giants.” “Americans need to know: our government is under siege by lobbyists for German company Bayer,” said Massie. “Bayer has spent over $9 million lobbying for exemption from liability for harm its chemicals, like glyphosate, might cause. To Make America Healthy Again, Congress should remove the language containing the pesticide liability shield from the Farm Bill.” Seven states—Maine, Alaska, Hawaii, Maryland, Utah, Nevada, and Vermont—do not preempt local governments from regulating pesticide use within their jurisdictions. In Maine alone, there are more than 30 state and local regulations related to pesticide use and warning requirements that would be undermined or preempted under this Republican pesticide provision in the Farm Bill. ###",1,2026-04-23T05:48:52Z,2026-04-23T05:50:10Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6757,WATCH: Ranking Member Pingree Blasts Burgum for Sabotaging Renewable Energy as Gas Prices Soar,2026-04-20,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, during the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee hearing for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) condemned the Trump Administration’s aggressive campaign against renewable energy as gas prices soar. In her opening remarks, Pingree outlined the Administration’s clear pattern of propping up Big Oil and sabotaging renewable energy projects, while also failing to uphold the Department’s mission to protect and manage our natural resources, to uphold our trust and treaty obligations, and to follow the science. “All of these dirty deals are to benefit industry. And it’s at the expense of the American people. Americans are now paying an average of $4.04 for a gallon of gas. According to Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, gas prices could peak at $4.36 a gallon, costing the average household $740 more for gas this year,” Pingree said. “So it makes no sense to me why this administration would be actively sabotaging renewable energy, which we know is the cheaper and more affordable energy option for families. Honestly, it just makes me very angry. This administration’s policies are causing an affordability crisis and there seems to be a lack of focus on what the Department’s mission actually is.” The fiscal year 2027 budget requests $15 billion for the Department of the Interior: Renewable Energy: cuts $45 million from the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and eliminates renewable energy funding which includes onshore and offshore wind energy. Bureau of Land Management: cuts $480 million and slashes funding for Wildlife and Aquatic Habitat Management by $139 million, which includes funding for sage grouse and threatened and endangered species. US Fish and Wildlife (FWS): cuts $526 million, decreasing the National Wildlife Refuge System by 20 percent, eliminates grant programs managed by States, Tribes, and other nations, and moves NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service into FWS ($125 million transfer). National Park Service: cuts $1.06 billion Operation of the National Park System: cuts $760 million or 26 percent. The skinny budget suggests they may change the funding formula to defund or drastically cut support for smaller or less visited park units. National Recreation and Preservation: cuts $86 million or 93 percent Historic Preservation Fund: cuts $170 million, or a 94 percent cut, and eliminates everything except funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Construction: cuts $40 million, or a 45 percent cut. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): cuts $526 million, a 37 percent reduction that eliminates ecosystems, and dramatically cuts funding for core science and natural hazards. Bureau of Indian Affairs: cuts $378 million, including the elimination of the Indian Guaranteed Loan program and the Indian Land Consolidation program, and a 34 percent reduction in funds that support self-governance and directly fund tribal operations. Bureau of Indian Education: cuts $436 million, a 32 percent reduction; some eliminations include funding for Tribal Colleges and Universities, Replacement School Construction, and Early Child and Family Development. Wildland Fire: Transfers all U.S. Forest Service Wildland Fire Management functions to DOI. +++ ###",1,2026-04-21T05:46:59Z,2026-04-21T05:48:34Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-to-extend-protection-from-deportation-for-haitians,Golden votes to extend protection from deportation for Haitians,2026-04-16,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals until January 2029. Golden released the following statement: “Allowing TPS to expire would put lives at risk and create even greater instability in Haiti, threatening the security of the United States. Multiple administrations from both parties, as well as international bodies, have recognized the dangerous situation on the ground in Haiti, where armed gangs and drug traffickers effectively control most of the country. A mass deportation would effectively force Haitian immigrants with Temporary Protected Status to join these criminal organizations or be put in their crosshairs. It’s not an exaggeration to say that for many, it could be a death sentence. That’s just not who we are.” TPS designation was extended to Haiti in 2010 after the deadliest earthquake in the history of the Western hemisphere, which killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than 1 million Haitians. Since then, crises have continued to rock the island nation. Last year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory due to kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest and limited health care. ###",1,2026-05-27T06:38:34Z,2026-05-27T06:40:17Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-to-protect-us-negotiating-position-in-iran,Golden votes to protect U.S. negotiating position in Iran,2026-04-16,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — As negotiations between the United States and Iran continue, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted against a war powers resolution that would weaken the U.S. position by withdrawing military forces from the region. Golden released the following statement: “The purported aim of this and other War Powers resolutions is to stop the hostilities. Thankfully, the United States and Iran are currently in a ceasefire, and we are negotiating over critical questions of national security and international order. I believe we must maintain a strong negotiation position over Iran’s nuclear program, freedom of movement in the international waters at the Strait of Hormuz, and how to achieve a durable peace between our two nations. At this moment, a resolution like this would weaken our hand.” ###",1,2026-05-22T06:27:39Z,2026-05-22T06:29:18Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6739,Pingree Calls on ICE to Release Mainer Indefinitely Detained in Texas Detention Center,2026-04-16,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) is calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately release Olivia Andre, a 19-year-old student who has been detained in the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas since November. In a letter to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, Pingree questioned the legal basis for Andre’s continued detention, as no explanation has been given to Andre or her legal counsel. “ICE has failed to provide any clear, written explanation for why she alone continues to be detained. This lack of transparency, especially to Ms. Andre and her legal counsel, is unacceptable and indefensible,” Pingree said. Andre and her family are asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and have been living in Portland, where Andre was a first-year nursing student. The rest of her family—mother Carine Balenda Mbizi; brother Joel Andre, 16; and sister Estafania Andre, 14—were released from the Dilley Processing Center last month. Pingree’s letter comes amid reports of deplorable conditions at ICE detention centers, particularly at the Dilley facility, where detainees have reported severe lack of medical care, inadequate access to food, water, personal hygiene, and basic care. Andre has reportedly lost over 20 pounds since being detained. Her mental health has suffered as a result of detention and unnecessary family separation, writing in a letter to Pingree that she feels “lost, alone, and many times feel like I no longer have the strength to keep going.” This inhumane treatment is causing real long-term trauma for detainees—especially young people and children, who are particularly vulnerable to long-term psychological and developmental harms. “ICE’s failure to provide counsel with the basic grounds of her ongoing detention reflects a serious breakdown in process and raises profound due process concerns,” Pingree continued. “When the government deprives someone of their liberty, it should at the bare minimum be able to clearly state why. Here, ICE has failed to do that.” “ICE is not free to detain individuals without explanation,” Pingree said. “Every additional day that passes without a clear explanation only deepens my belief that this detention lacks any lawful or articulable basis.” The full letter is available here and is copied below. +++ Dear Acting Director Lyons and Field Office Director Vergara, I write to request a clear and immediate explanation of the legal basis for Olivia Andre’s continued detention and to call on your agency to promptly release her from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Ms. Andre remains in ICE custody despite her mother and two siblings, who were detained with her, being released. ICE has failed to provide any clear, written explanation for why she alone continues to be detained. This lack of transparency, especially to Ms. Andre and her legal counsel, is unacceptable and indefensible. Even more troubling, Ms. Andre’s attorneys have repeatedly requested this information in conjunction with requests for her release and have not received any response. ICE’s failure to provide counsel with the basic grounds of her ongoing detention reflects a serious breakdown in process and raises profound due process concerns. When the government deprives someone of their liberty, it should at the bare minimum be able to clearly state why. Here, ICE has failed to do that. To my knowledge, ICE has not made, or at the very least has not communicated, any individualized custody determination in Ms. Andre’s case. If such a determination does exist, ICE must explain the specific statutory or regulatory authority it is relying on, identify the individualized factors it claims justify her continued detention, and explain why that information has been withheld from her legal representatives despite repeated requests. If no such determination exists, and I have difficulty imagining there is, then ICE must explain on what basis Ms. Andre remains in custody at all, particularly when a federal court has issued a stay of removal in her case. Holding a 19-year-old student in indefinite detention when she cannot be removed from the country and doing so without clearly articulating or communicating a lawful justification, raises serious concerns about arbitrary detention and is a failure of accountability. ICE is not free to detain individuals without explanation. Every additional day that passes without a clear explanation only deepens my belief that this detention lacks any lawful or articulable basis. I expect a prompt response. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-04-17T05:47:03Z,2026-04-17T05:48:33Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6736,"Three Maine Students Accepted to US Service Academies, Pingree Announces",2026-04-15,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced three students she nominated have been accepted to U.S. Service Academies. Reed Proscia of Freeport High School and Alberto Cutone of Kennebunk High School will both attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and Kaitlyn Dostie of Camden Hills Regional High School will attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. “Earning acceptance to a U.S. Service Academy is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to a student’s hard work, leadership, and commitment to service,” said Pingree. “Reed, Alberto, and Kaitlyn have each distinguished themselves through their academic achievements, strength of character, and dedication to serving something larger than themselves. I’m incredibly proud to have nominated them and thrilled to see them accepted to the Naval Academy and Merchant Marine Academy. I know they will represent Maine well, and I wish them every success as they begin this next chapter.” “My desire to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy is rooted in my passion for leading people around me, whether it be my teammates as captain, my class as a student officer, or the future generation as their sports coach,” Reed wrote in her nomination request. “Everything I have worked towards on the field and in the classroom aligns with the Naval Academy's commitment to developing physically and intellectually fit leaders of the country. I am confident my athletic and academic mindset have prepared me for the rigor of the Academy. I aim to lead with integrity, serving alongside others with the same mindset, and positively contribute to the Navy's mission.” “I'm drawn to the Naval Academy because it's more than just college. It is a place that pushes you to be your best and values high standards. The chance to learn alongside people committed to service, academic excellence, and moral integrity is exactly the environment I want. I'm driven to grow and succeed, never resting on past achievements, and I believe the Naval Academy is where I can do that,” Alberto wrote in his request for a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. “Serving my country is a responsibility I hold with deep respect, and I'm eager to give everything I have to that mission. I don't know exactly what my future role in the Navy will be, but the idea of leading, growing, and serving with likeminded people deeply motivates me.” “The United States Merchant Marine Academy represents everything I value: service, challenge, discipline, and purpose. From my earliest maritime experiences to my academic preparation and extracurricular involvement, each step has strengthened my commitment to serving a greater mission and pursuing a life at sea,” Kaitlyn said in her nomination request. “The motto of USMMA, ‘Acta Non Verba’ or ‘Deeds Not Words’, captures exactly how I strive to live. It is not enough to say I am committed; I must prove it through action, and USMMA will allow me to do so in service to my country. I am ready to embrace the Academy’s demands, both in and out of the classroom, and to grow into the kind of leader USMMA is known for producing.” To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. ###",1,2026-04-16T05:48:36Z,2026-04-16T05:50:08Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6734,Why a progressive and a MAHA activist are joining forces against Big Chemical,2026-04-08,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Op-Ed published in The Hill You would not expect the two of us to be writing an op-ed together. One of us is a progressive U.S. congresswoman and longtime organic farmer from Maine — someone who has spent decades fighting for organic and regenerative agriculture, access to healthy food, and accountability for corporate polluters. The other is a leader in the “Make America Healthy Again” or “MAHA” movement, a grassroots movement advocating for access to nutritious food and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs in agriculture. Moms who care about the safety of the food their kids are eating. MAHA advocates — everyday Americans who are concerned by the health effects of ultra-processed foods — are often associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and voters who backed President Trump. And yet here we are, united by three simple beliefs: that everyone should be able to eat food that is free of toxic chemicals; that people should have proper warning about possible health-risks associated with chemical use; and that giant corporations should not get special immunity when their products pose real health risks. Behind the headlines about glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, are real human beings: a school groundskeeper who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after years of spraying Roundup; a homeowner diagnosed with the same cancer after using it around his property for decades; a California couple, both diagnosed after years of exposure; a child in France born with a severe congenital disorder; a mother who lost her infant daughter soon after birth. These are not statistics. They are people whose lives were upended while one of the most powerful chemical companies in the world insisted everything was fine. Bayer has now paid roughly $10 billion to settle lawsuits related to Roundup. The company recently announced a proposed additional settlement of up to $7.25 billion to address current and future cases. You do not set aside that kind of money because there is nothing to worry about. You do it because the scientific, legal, and moral pressure has become impossible to ignore. Yet powerful interests are working overtime to make sure those families never get their day in court. Our fight is about to reach two major flashpoints. First, the House is moving toward a floor vote on a farm bill that includes pesticide language with sweeping consequences. Rep. Pingree offered an amendment in committee to strip that language from the bill during the recent House Agriculture Committee markup. Nearly every Democrat voted yes. Not a single Republican joined them. But the fight is far from over. The provisions in question would strengthen federal pesticide preemption by removing states’ ability to regulate pesticide usage, strip states and communities of their ability to warn consumers of health risks and establish a liability shield to protect chemical manufacturers from being held accountable when their products make people sick. Maine is one of seven states with local pesticide ordinances and warning requirements designed to protect people and water. This industry-written language — rubber stamped by Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee — would gut those protections. Second, on April 27, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Monsanto v. Durnell, a case that could determine whether people harmed by pesticide exposure can continue to bring state-law failure-to-warn claims against chemical manufacturers. We will be outside the court that morning, alongside advocates and MAHA supporters from across the political spectrum, for the “People vs. Poison” rally. This is not an abstract legal dispute. It is about whether ordinary people get their day in court when corporations fail to warn them about risks. The chemical industry wants Americans to believe this is all overblown. But EPA safety reviews for pesticides take place every 15 years. The last risk assessment for glyphosate was decades ago, in 1993. That is not a serious approach to protecting public health in 2026, when the science on toxic exposures keeps evolving and the toll on families keeps growing. There is a deeper political lesson here too. For years, both parties have underestimated how much Americans care about toxins in their food, water and environment. The MAHA movement did not invent those concerns, but it has amplified them. That is why the White House’s full-throated support of Bayer and its move to back glyphosate production through an executive order caused such fury among the movement’s own base. Kennedy’s supporters saw it as a betrayal. The backlash proved that this is not a fringe concern — it is a live fault line in American politics, and voters across the spectrum are paying attention. The MAHA movement and Democrats do not agree on everything. But what we share is a refusal to let corporate interests write the rules and then hide behind agencies that move too slowly or rely too heavily on industry-submitted data. Farmers and families are the ones paying the price for that broken system. Not Big Chemical. Congress should reject any farm bill language that strips away state and local protections or hands chemical companies a liability shield. The Supreme Court should not close the courthouse doors to people seeking justice. And the public should join us on April 27 at the People vs. Poison rally to show that this fight is bigger than any one bill or any one case. You do not have to agree on everything to agree on this: Our families deserve honest warnings, our communities deserve the right to protect themselves, and Big Chemical should not be above the law.",1,2026-04-10T05:46:57Z,2026-04-10T05:48:19Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-announces-reopening-of-west-paris-post-office-tomorrow,Golden announces reopening of West Paris Post Office tomorrow,2026-04-03,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced that the West Paris Post Office will reopen Saturday, April 4, after being closed since 2021. The reopening comes after years of delays and a lack of transparency from the United States Postal Service (USPS) about the future of the town’s post office. Since its abrupt closure, Golden has repeatedly pushed the USPS for a concrete reopening plan, and has introduced bipartisan legislation that would prevent similarly unannounced closures in rural communities. The new West Paris Post Office is located at 141 Bethel Road, which was previously home to the Ledgeview Living Center. After failing to renew its lease at 238 Main Street in May 2021, the USPS declined to offer any specific plans or deadlines for a reopening — a dilemma that some locals said “left a void in the community.” “Restoring faith in government starts with making it work at the local level, and I’m glad West Paris residents no longer have to travel to another community to access basic mail services,” Golden said. “While the USPS should have been more prompt and transparent throughout this process, this reopening is a happy ending to the saga — and welcome news for the many families who have reached out to me about equal access to the post office.” “The American Postal Workers of Maine is more than excited to have the doors open again to the West Paris, Maine, Post Office. The Post Office is an integral part of all communities by providing rural mail delivery, getting medications to its residents, especially veterans, voting by mail, parcel services and money orders,” said Jennifer Garland, executive vice president of the American Postal Workers Union of Maine. “The APWU of Maine would like to thank Rep. Golden for keeping attention focused on and fighting with us to re-open this office for the West Paris community and the employees of this office.” The agency’s handling of the West Paris Post Office was one motivation for Golden and a group of bipartisan colleagues to introduce the Protecting Postal Performance Act in March 2025. Among other reforms, it would require the USPS to hold a public hearing and provide six months advance notice before closing post offices in underserved communities. The bill is endorsed by the United Postmasters and Managers of America. Golden has sought to increase accountability for USPS leadership throughout his time in Congress. Following his outreach to Postmaster General DeJoy in 2023, USPS reopened its Etna facility that had been closed for more than two years. In 2024, USPS also announced that it was postponing plans to consolidate the Eastern Maine Processing and Distribution Facility in Hampden after bipartisan efforts led by Golden and other members of Congress. ###",1,2026-05-17T06:10:29Z,2026-05-17T06:12:11Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6732,Pingree Statement on Firing of Pam Bondi,2026-04-02,2026,2026-04,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement on President Trump firing Attorney General Pam Bondi: Pam Bondi will go down as the worst, most incompetent, and most corrupt Attorney General in American history. Her firing was long overdue—and richly deserved. From the day she arrived at the Department of Justice, Bondi’s primary objectives were painfully clear: to go after the President’s enemies and to protect Donald Trump at all costs. From directing prosecutors to bring baseless charges against Democratic politicians and refusing to release the full Epstein files in accordance with the law, to her embarrassing, unprofessional behavior during high-profile public hearings (including lying under oath), Bondi demonstrated time and again that she lacked the judgment, temperament, and decision-making required of the nation’s top law enforcement official. And these are just the top-line failures. That so many of these pursuits required redirecting critical resources from far more pressing matters—combatting organized crime, prosecuting corruption, protecting the American people from all manner of threats—has objectively made our country less safe, and done incredible damage to the DOJ's reputation. For Donald Trump, loyalty has always been a one-way street. Bondi’s firing only reaffirms what we've known for years: that no amount of blind fealty or blatant corruption on his behalf will spare you from his erratic impulses. I have little doubt that many others will learn that same lesson before his time in office is up. Whoever is chosen as the next AG, they have a serious and solemn responsibility to ensure the DOJ returns to its core mission of serving the American people—and not capitulating to the paranoia and petty grievances of a man whose sole aim is to protect and enrich himself. It should be noted that the House Oversight Committee was set to depose Bondi on April 14 over the DOJ's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and her shambolic handling of the Epstein files. Getting fired doesn’t get her off the hook. Bondi is still legally obligated to appear before the Committee and testify under oath. I, for one, am very much looking forward to that testimony. ###",1,2026-04-03T05:34:17Z,2026-04-03T05:35:48Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-against-house-republicans-dhs-dodge,Golden votes against House Republicans’ DHS dodge,2026-03-27,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted tonight against a 60-day Continuing Resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and urged House leadership to call a vote on the bipartisan, full-year appropriation approved earlier this week by the Senate. “For more than a month, the DHS shutdown has caused chaos at airports as TSA agents have gone without pay, while our Coast Guard and emergency agencies are undermined without funding from Congress,” Golden said. “I have voted for every bill to fund DHS since before the shutdown began, and I remain open to any serious proposal with a real path toward becoming law. I see no reason to believe this 60-day stopgap will pass the Senate anytime soon, so I could not support the House GOP’s effort to keep kicking the can down the road. The Senate passed a bipartisan compromise that ensures funding for every agency in DHS for the full fiscal year. It’s time for House Republicans to take the deal.” The Senate bill would fund all of DHS except for immigration agencies, which are already funded through the GOP’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Earlier this week, Golden signed a discharge petition to force a vote on a similar bill in the House of Representatives. ###",1,2026-05-15T06:17:41Z,2026-05-15T06:18:51Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6726,"Pingree, Murphy, King Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Protect Small Farmers from Financial Risk",2026-03-12,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) introduced the Agricultural Management Assistance Act to reauthorize and improve the Partnership for Risk Management Education and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) programs, which help farmers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing, or conservation practices. The AMA program is only available to 16 states that have historically low rates of participation in the Federal Crop Insurance Program, including Maine. U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The Agriculture Management Assistance Act would boost funding for the AMA to $30 million, increase funding limits for farmers to $200,000 over five years, and expand the eligible uses for these funds to include: soil health improvements, composting, supporting perennial crop production, and food safety certification in addition to existing authorized uses such as water management structure and soil erosion control. “Farmers in Maine and across the country are facing unprecedented uncertainty—from extreme weather and rising costs to volatile markets. Programs like Agricultural Management Assistance give farms the tools they need to manage risk, invest in soil health and conservation, and keep their operations viable for the long term,” said Pingree. ""I’m proud to partner with Senators Murphy and King to strengthen this program and ensure farmers in states like Maine have the support they need to adapt and thrive.” “Connecticut’s small farmers are really important to the diversity of our state’s food supply, but they face unique challenges, especially as climate change worsens,” said Murphy. “Our bill provides small farmers with the support they need to navigate financial risks and invests in making their farms more resilient and efficient in the long term.” “Maine’s farmers are the backbone of our rural communities, and they deserve the same safeguards and assistance that we provide other industries across the country,” said King. “The Agricultural Management Assistance Act will help ensure that Maine farms have the tools they need to manage financial risks, handle nature’s evolving challenges, and continue to produce the food that supports our local economies and families.” Full text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-collins-king-demand-irs-re-open-bangor-and-augusta-tax-assistance-centers,"Golden, Collins, King demand IRS re-open Bangor and Augusta Tax Assistance Centers",2026-03-10,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Jared Golden and U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King are calling on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to immediately reverse the closure of its Augusta and Bangor Tax Assistance Centers (TAC). TACs are physical offices which offer assistance to Mainers who lack stable internet access, need help navigating technology, or otherwise need in-person assistance. With the Presque Isle TAC having previously been shuttered and Downeast Maine long lacking its own TAC, some rural Mainers already traveled hundreds of miles to access the IRS’ services in Bangor. If the Bangor and Augusta offices — the only locations available in the Second District — were to remain closed, a resident of Fort Kent could face a roughly ten-hour, 600-mile trip to Maine’s only remaining TAC in South Portland. The trio recently contacted the IRS after receiving reports from constituents that the TACs they planned on using this filing season had closed. Following confirmation of the closures from the agency, the lawmakers are now making the case that rural Maine deserves the same quality of assistance as those living in the southern part of the state — especially for navigating the new tax provisions created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “TACs provide critical services to rural communities and seniors,” the lawmakers wrote. “...We ask that you restaff and re-open the TACs in Bangor and Augusta in a timely manner, and work with the Maine Congressional Delegation on a longer-term strategy to avoid future prolonged disruptions to these services in Maine.” In addition to asking for a long-term plan to re-open the Presque Isle TAC, the lawmakers are also pressing the IRS for answers on how the federal hiring freeze affected TAC staffing in Maine, whether Mainers who are unable to access tax assistance will receive an extended deadline to file, and what the agency’s plans are to help affected Mainers in the meantime. Last year, the IRS rolled back a previously scheduled closure of its Bangor TAC after outreach from Maine’s delegation. The full letter can be found here, and is included in full below: +++ March 10, 2026 The Honorable Scott Bessent Secretary and Acting IRS Commissioner U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary Bessent: We write to share our concerns regarding the closures of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC) in Bangor and Augusta, Maine. TACs provide critical services to rural communities and seniors. Now, with the 2026 filing season in full swing, many of our constituents must travel for four and a half hours and over nearly 300 miles to Portland for in-person services. We urge you to reopen the Augusta and Bangor TACs without delay. Recently, the Maine Congressional Delegation received outreach from constituents reporting the closures of the Augusta and Bangor TACs. Previously, the Bangor TAC was at risk of closure in December 2024. The Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the IRS urging reconsideration of this decision. We deeply appreciate that the IRS ultimately kept the Bangor TAC in service through the 2025 filing season. However, unfortunately, we received confirmation from the IRS Office of Legislative Affairs that both the Bangor and Augusta TACs will be closed during this tax filing season, absent the rapid hiring and onboarding of new staff. South Portland is now the only city in Maine with a TAC that provides in-person services. Some of Maine’s most rural counties relied on the Bangor and Augusta TACs as their primary service center. Residents in Piscataquis County, which is 100 percent rural, regularly used Bangor and Augusta as their major service centers. Augusta was the closest TAC for residents of Washington County, the easternmost county in the United States, after the closure of the Bangor TAC. Washington County residents had to commute over two hours to Augusta to receive basic tax services and now will have to drive over three hours to South Portland. The same is true for Aroostook County, the second largest county east of the Mississippi River by total area, where some Mainers traveled over 200 miles to receive assistance from the Bangor TAC. Although the Office of Legislative Affairs indicated that taxpayers can use online resources, such as IRS.gov, for tax filing guidance in the interim, we fear that these resources may not be sufficient for taxpayers with complicated situations or those seeking to better understand the changes to the tax code as a result of the new tax provisions Congress approved last July in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Further, many of these communities have limited Internet and broadband access, making in-person TAC services essential. As you know, the Office of Management and Budget announced a federal government-wide freeze on hiring, which also affects the IRS. This hiring freeze does not have a clear end date, creating uncertainty for our constituents in the middle of tax season. For these reasons, we ask that you restaff and re-open the TACs in Bangor and Augusta in a timely manner, and work with the Maine Congressional Delegation on a longer-term strategy to avoid future prolonged disruptions to these services in Maine. In addition, the Congressional Delegation would also value the opportunity to work with you to find a long-term solution that would reopen the Presque Isle TAC in Aroostook County and ensure that it can sustainably provide in-person services. To get a better understanding of how the IRS plans to provide adequate taxpayer services to our constituents throughout this filing season and beyond, please provide us answers to the following questions by Tuesday, March 31st, 2026: Is the IRS committed to meeting the demand and providing the same level of service in person, online, and by phone? What is the IRS’s in-person assistance strategy? How many Mainers have utilized services at the following TACs since 2008? Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston, Augusta, and South Portland. What steps is the Southern Portland TAC taking to meet increased volume of service inquiries, including those which are in-person that go beyond the services offered online and by telephone? Will residents be eligible for an extension to file their taxes if they are unable to receive in-person services at the South Portland TAC that goes beyond the automatic October 15th exemption that taxpayers can request? While the Bangor and Augusta TACs are closed, how does the IRS plan to provide sufficient taxpayer services to rural Mainers with limited or no broadband access? Did Treasury include TACs in their request for exemptions to the federal hiring freeze? If not, is there an indication when the federal hiring freeze will be lifted so the Bangor and Augusta TACs can be restaffed? Does the IRS have any plans to temporarily staff the Bangor and Augusta TACs in the interim? How can the IRS prevent future TAC closures that are a result of staffing shortages? What plans, if any, does the IRS have to expand TACs in Maine? Thank you for considering our request, and we appreciate your attention to this important matter. ###",1,2026-05-15T06:17:41Z,2026-05-15T06:18:51Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6724,The 19th: This Democrat built a farm-to-politics career. Now she’s working with MAHA moms.,2026-03-09,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Published in The 19th Long before entering politics, Rep. Chellie Pingree was a self-described hippie, a back-to-the-lander and an organic farmer. In the 1970s, after attending college in Maine, she saw an opportunity to live a more sustainable life there. She decided to stay, and moved to an island off the coast where she and her husband started a small farm and sold their produce at a local market. Pingree’s passion for farming influenced her legislative work at the state and federal level. Representing Maine’s 1st District in Congress since 2009, the 70-year-old Democrat has focused on bolstering organic food production, creating better access to healthy foods for kids and fighting pesticides. If her priorities sound familiar, it may be because much of her life’s work on these issues aligns neatly with certain facets of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which is led by current Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. but gained momentum through the support of moms on social media. But while the Democratic lawmaker is far from a supporter of Kennedy, she saw early into the second Trump administration the potential of working with MAHA activists. “It’s kind of a no-brainer in many ways,” she said. “We have a lot in common.” And as MAHA moms, in particular, are conflicted about some of Kennedy and President Donald’s Trump’s recent decisions, it’s an even better opportunity to find common ground. Most sustainable agriculture-related issues are populist and bipartisan at their core, she said, adding: “I really don’t think that these are necessarily left or right. I think the questions around toxins in our food and food is medicine, and the opposition to Big Ag and big chemical companies is very universal. This just really broadens the coalition of people.” Pingree had also seen how Kennedy’s message resonated with farmers in her district. When he visited her state as a presidential hopeful, “A lot of people went to hear him, and it was partly because of his interest in alternative medicine and healthy food,” she said. So, after Trump’s return to office, she started reaching out to members of the movement: people like Kelly Ryerson, better known by her social media handle, The Glyphosate Girl, and Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America, a grassroots group focused on healthy foods. Both are big supporters of Kennedy’s role at HHS and the MAHA agenda he’s pushed there. But over the past few months, they’ve also expressed disappointment about Kennedy’s shifting stance on pesticide use. While he has championed some of the issues that animate MAHA, including his decisions around vaccine recommendations and his fight against food dyes and ultra-processed foods, Kennedy has distanced himself from his position on glyphosate — the same herbicide he fought against as an environmental lawyer. In late February, when Trump issued an executive order to expand domestic production of glyphosate, which is found in the week killer Roundup, and that potentially shield pesticides companies from lawsuits, Kennedy announced his support, stating the “order puts America first where it matters most — our defense readiness and our food supply.” Though most MAHA activists still view Kennedy favorably, the executive order has exposed a widening rift for some in the movement. “Unfortunately, Trump’s action to issue this executive order on glyphosate broke a lot of that trust,” Honeycutt said. “It may be permanently broken.” But where MAHA and the current administration don’t see eye to eye they’ve found an ally in Pingree. In late December, she worked with MAHA to strip a pesticides rider in a spending bill that would have shielded companies like Bayer, which produces Roundup, from health-related lawsuits and stopped states and localities from being able to regulate pesticides. Ryerson said Pingree has been a key partner over the past few months and applauds the work she did to remove the language from the spending bill. “We’re finding our friends, and it’s like, can we get even more? I don’t care even which side they’re from,” she said. “Can we get even more on board to just prioritizing this issue?” And Honeycutt said that on one of her recent visits to Capitol Hill, she was impressed that Pingree met with them in person. Every other lawmaker sent a staff member to hear her concerns. “We loved learning that she is an organic farmer in Maine, and has been for quite some time, and is a huge supporter of organic farming,” she said. “So we had a lot of things in common to talk about.” For Pingree the alliance has been mutually beneficial. “Frequently, I would be kind of a lone voice in fighting to take that out, but we were able to remove that language from the bill just before it passed at the end of the year,” she said. “And a lot of that was due to the help of the MAHA moms.” Recently, the Democratic lawmaker introduced an amendment to strip similar language from this year’s farm bill, which the House Agriculture Committee advanced out of committee last week. While her efforts ultimately failed, she plans to take up other opportunities to continue the fight when it goes to a floor vote in the House. And a few weeks ago, she and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie introduced the bipartisan No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, which aims to undo Trump’s executive order. All of this work has been bolstered by MAHA advocates who have a powerful platform to keep pressure on GOP leaders. She says they’ve helped raise the profile of wonky issues like pesticide regulations and the dangers of PFAS chemicals, better known as forever chemicals. They are able to reach everyday moms who might not know much about environmental policy but care about the foods their kids are eating. The veteran lawmaker has watched the movement amplify the reach of its message on TikTok and Instagram. “They are reaching many more people than maybe your average organic farming blog or environmental group.” As a result, Pingree said she’s also started to post on social media more, sharing reels on Instagram, for example, to gain visibility among potential supporters. For environmental groups, the MAHA movement has also helped make some of these issues relevant to Republicans who need to keep their constituents happy ahead of midterms, said J.W. Glass, an Environmental Protection Agency policy analyst at the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity. “Now that the dialogue is wider and bipartisan there is lots of pressure on the Republicans,” he said. “There is more of a world where Republicans are sweating across the aisle. There is a lot more attention on them.” For environmental organizations, it’s also a welcome change to see bipartisan support for some of these issues. “It’s safe to say that MAHA shares a lot of the same views as the mainstream environmental movement,” he said. Moving forward, Pingree hopes to raise the profile of the work she said Democrats have been doing all along and sees the potential of forming a bipartisan MAHA caucus. “I think my feeling has always been, if you could win on some of these important issues, then you build a coalition to win. You don’t make everything a litmus test on whether or not you’ll have a conversation.”",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-re-introduces-bill-to-highlight-address-national-debt,"Golden re-introduces bill to highlight, address national debt",2026-03-05,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and a bipartisan group of colleagues have re-introduced legislation to increase transparency and provide greater insight about the growing national debt. The Debt-to-GDP Transparency and Stabilization Act, introduced with GOP Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), would require the President’s annual budget and congressional budget resolutions to include the ratio of the public debt to the estimated gross domestic product (GDP). The House Budget Committee passed this legislation by voice vote in the 118th Congress. “It’s essential that the national debt is front of mind for lawmakers when making decisions about the federal budget,” Golden said. “Equipping Congress with more information about bills’ impact on the debt will enable more informed lawmaking, and I’m encouraged by the strong bipartisan support for this easy solution.” The national debt stands at nearly $39 trillion, according to data from the Treasury Department, and is currently on track to reach 175 percent of GDP by 2056, according to the latest long-term outlook by the Congressional Budget Office. Interest payments on the debt are the fastest-growing line item in the federal budget and already eclipse nearly all social safety net spending. Continued unchecked debt growth threatens to crowd out essential services such as Social Security and Medicare. “Our national debt is the greatest internal threat to our country,” Smucker said. “Tackling our national debt must be a priority. This legislation increases transparency and creates accountability in Washington to deliver real, tangible solutions. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize the urgency of addressing the debt crisis, and I’m hopeful this legislation will help correct our fiscal trajectory and ensure our nation’s long-term economic prosperity.” Additional cosponsors of the Debt-to-GDP Transparency and Stabilization Act include Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Ben Cline (R-VA-06), Don Davis (D-NC-01), Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez (D-WA-03), Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06), Dan Meuser (R-PA-09), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03) and Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02). This legislation is endorsed by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) and Concord Action, two organizations focused on addressing the nation’s debt. ""The public deserves to know the size and scope of planned debt and deficits,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of CRFB. “Requiring congressional and presidential budgets to include debt and deficit figures relative to the size of the economy, as in this bill, would help the public and lawmakers understand the fiscal goals in such budgets."" “The Debt-to-GDP Transparency and Stabilization Act is a common-sense step to ensure that both Congress and the President clearly present our nation’s debt as a share of the overall economy, one of the most widely used indicators of fiscal health,” said Dr. Carolyn Bordeaux, executive director at Concord Action. “Concord Action thanks Congressman Smucker and Congressman Golden for their leadership in advancing greater accountability and transparency in the federal budget process.” ###",1,2026-05-02T05:53:08Z,2026-05-02T05:54:44Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-war-powers-resolution-vote,Golden statement on War Powers resolution vote,2026-03-05,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted against a War Powers Resolution sponsored by Reps. Thomas Massie (KY-04) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) that would have forced an immediate end of military operations in Iran. The resolution failed in a 212-219 vote. Golden has instead joined Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) to sponsor a resolution that would give President Donald Trump 30 days to end military action and prohibit the deployment of ground troops without explicit congressional authority. Golden released the following statement: “The president has not provided sufficient clarity for why this action was necessary at this exact moment. But servicemembers are actively engaged in hostilities, our allies are under attack and the Iranian regime is more desperate than ever to reassert its power. While I do not believe that an abrupt about-face is a good course of action given the reality on the ground, that should not be construed as my approval. While conflict requires that we remain flexible to shifting circumstances, at this time I would not support Congressional authorization or funding for sustained combat operations. “The president has so far acted within the authorities given to him by Congress through the War Powers Act of 1973. He has been briefing Congress, and he has 60 days to make his case for ongoing operations. This is not an illegal war — but it could become one. “There are reasonable constraints Congress should impose. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing the Resolution I have introduced with Congressman Gottheimer, which would cut the president’s authorized timeline for military action to 30 days and prohibit the deployment of ground troops outside the context of search-and-rescue or intelligence gathering. A month is plenty of time for the president to make his case to the American people — and for Congress to weigh in.” ###",1,2026-05-14T06:11:37Z,2026-05-14T06:12:56Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6721,Pingree Statement on Firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem,2026-03-05,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement on the firing of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem: Kristi Noem’s firing was long overdue. Her tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security will be remembered as one of the most corrupt, reckless, and disgraceful chapters in the department’s history. Under Noem’s leadership, DHS abandoned its core mission of protecting the American people and instead became a political weapon. Families were torn apart. Communities—including in Maine—were terrorized by violent enforcement tactics. Lawful residents and American citizens were swept up in operations that too often operated outside the bounds of accountability and basic decency. At the same time, Noem treated the department as a vehicle for her own self-promotion and political ambitions, relying on cynical PR stunts and constant misinformation to obscure the damage being done. The consequences of that leadership have been devastating. Americans were killed in the streets while DHS leadership deflected responsibility and doubled down on cruelty. Entire communities were traumatized by policies designed to intimidate rather than protect. The bloodshed and chaos that occurred under her watch demands far more than a quiet exit from office. Whoever is in charge of DHS next—whether it’s Senator Markwayne Mullin or someone else—will inherit an agency in urgent need of reform. Nowhere is that clearer than at ICE, which has been empowered and emboldened by the staggering $170 billion it received through the Big Ugly Bill. That funding is already being used to expand mass surveillance, ramp up aggressive enforcement operations, and deploy poorly trained, unaccountable agents into communities across the country. Kristi Noem needed to go. But let’s not forget the real architect behind the Administration’s cruel and dangerous immigration policy: Stephen Miller. He needs to be fired next. This action does not move the needle, for me, on funding DHS. We must confront the abuses that occurred under Noem, demand transparency from this administration, and pursue reforms that ensure our immigration system respects the law, protects civil liberties, and treats people with basic humanity. No department entrusted with this much power can be allowed to operate without meaningful accountability ever again. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6722,Pingree Statement on the Bipartisan Iran War Powers Resolution,2026-03-05,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement on her vote for the bipartisan War Powers Resolution, which would have restricted the Trump Administration from taking further military action in Iran without Congressional approval: ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-lauds-noaa-for-hiring-mainer-as-fisherman-in-residence,Golden lauds NOAA for hiring Mainer as ‘Fisherman in Residence’,2026-03-03,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — In a letter to top leaders at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) lauded the recent creation of the position of “Fisherman in Residence” and the appointment of Mainer Dustin Delano to the post. Delano, of Friendship, is a fourth-generation lobsterman and leading advocate for Maine’s seafood harvesters. Thanks to his experience, knowledge and the respect of his peers, Delano has held positions on the board of the Maine Lobstermen's Association and the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. He also helped create the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association in 2023. As Fisherman in Residence, Delano is tasked with strengthening communications between fishermen and NOAA, making federal fishery management processes more accessible and responsive to fishermen, and enhancing decision-making frameworks so they reflect industry realities and support balanced outcomes, among other responsibilities. “Mr. Delano is a perfect fit for the position,” Golden wrote in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Dr. Neil Jacobs. “[His] exemplary record as a fisherman and advocate for the marine resources economy speaks for itself. I applaud NOAA for identifying the need for a real harvester, not another bureaucrat, to have a seat at the table and to provide input and clarity on fisheries issues.” Golden, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee (HNRC), voiced his support for the Fisherman in Residence as other Democrats on the committee launched unfair attacks against Delano. HNRC Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Maxine Dexter (OR-03) questioned Delano’s fitness for the position in a letter earlier this week. They insinuated he had “conflicts of interest” because of his fishing experience and advocacy for Maine harvesters — even though that experience was the very reason he was appointed to the post. Huffman and Dexter “seem to believe that the only place for people with real-world harvesting experience is at the receiving end of government regulations, not in the rooms where those decisions are made,” Golden wrote. He noted that Delano is a contractor under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, a law designed to allow people with relevant experience outside of government to bring their expertise to bear in temporary posts. “Good policy and regulations must not be created in a vacuum, and those who are being regulated must have a real voice in the process,” Golden said. “I am confident the creation of the Fisherman in Residence will give voice to harvesters, and I applaud NOAA for taking this proactive step to bring fishermen into the fold.” Click here to view Golden’s full letter. ###",1,2026-05-02T05:53:08Z,2026-05-02T05:54:44Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-now-accepting-applications-for-community-project-funding,Golden now accepting applications for Community Project Funding,2026-03-02,2026,2026-03,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — The office of Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) is now accepting applications for Community Project Funding (CPF) for the 2027 Fiscal Year. As part of the annual appropriations process, eligible entities may submit applications to their members of Congress for project-specific funding. Recently, Golden secured nearly $14 million in the most recent appropriations process, including CPF to support: improvements to support working waterfronts; investments that reduce pressure on property taxes, such as wastewater treatment facilities; and modernization and new equipment for emergency responders such as police and fire departments. Eligible applicants this year may include but are not limited to state and municipal governments and their agencies, colleges and universities, and certain types of nonprofit organizations. Interested parties should visit Golden’s website for more information about the types of projects and organizations that are eligible this year, or email Deputy District Director Zach Schmesser at GoldenCPF@mail.house.gov with any questions. All applications must be received by 4 p.m. on March 11, 2026. Golden for years has been one of the most effective members of Congress in securing funding for projects in his district. In FY 2024, Golden secured more than $25 million of CPF — the most of any Democrat in Congress. “Helping worthwhile projects get the funding they need is one of the most direct ways I can support our District, and my staff and I are more than happy to chat through any proposals that could benefit Mainers,” Golden said. “If you have any ideas or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to learn more about the CPF application process. We’re here to help.” ###",1,2026-04-30T06:05:15Z,2026-04-30T06:07:09Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6719,Pingree Statement on Trump’s War in Iran,2026-02-28,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement on President Trump’s unauthorized war in Iran: “Early this morning, President Trump launched a major attack on Iran and openly called for regime change—without consulting Congress and without seeking authorization from the American people’s elected representatives. That is a flagrant violation of the Constitution and a dangerous escalation that puts American service members, civilians in the region, and global stability at grave risk. Republicans will inevitably try to downplay this action as something short of war. The President himself makes clear that is false. In his own words: 'The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war.' When a president acknowledges casualties and calls it war, Congress cannot pretend otherwise. The consequences are already unfolding. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes across the region. A U.S. Navy base in Bahrain has been hit. Airspace over the UAE and Qatar has been shut down. Iran-allied militias in Iraq have announced they will begin attacking American bases. Israelis are racing to bomb shelters. Civilians in Tehran are fleeing their homes. This is not a limited operation—this is a war, and it is spreading by the hour. The President took this country into that war based on claims his own intelligence community has not confirmed. The New York Times reports this morning that Trump's central assertions about Iran's nuclear program—that it had restarted, that Iran had enough material for a bomb within days, that it had missiles capable of reaching the United States—are either false or unproven. We were told similar things before Iraq. We know how that ended. The American people are still living with the consequences of wars launched without accountability or an endgame. We cannot repeat those mistakes. My colleagues have introduced a bipartisan War Powers Resolution, and Democrats were already planning to force a vote the moment Congress reconvenes next week. Speaker Johnson should call the House back to Washington immediately to take up that vote. Congress must reassert its constitutional authority, halt unauthorized military action, and make clear that no president—of either party—has the power to drag this nation into war alone."" ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-bipartisan-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-formally-review-mental-health-programs-for-servicemembers-and-veterans,"Golden, bipartisan colleagues introduce bill to formally review mental health programs for servicemembers and veterans",2026-02-27,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Don Bacon (NE-02) have introduced the Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act, which would launch a formal review into the effectiveness of the federal government’s mental health programs for veterans and transitioning servicemembers in an effort to address longstanding accessibility issues. “When I came home from the Marines, I saw how important it is to have a strong support system in your corner. The VA is full of skilled public servants who do that work, but there’s only so much an individual employee can do about the fundamental gaps in service created by an imperfect system,” Golden said. “I’m grateful for the partnership of Congressmen Bergman, Bacon and Suozzi in the effort to show VA leaders just how lacking the agency’s outreach, rural logistics, and staffing efforts have been.” “I’ve seen firsthand how the transition from active duty to civilian life can be one of the most vulnerable periods in a servicemember’s career. We owe our men and women in uniform more than gratitude - we owe them accountability and results,” Bergman said. “The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act ensures the Department of War and VA are working together effectively, eliminating gaps and duplication, and delivering real access to mental health care when it matters most. By requiring measurable standards, regular review, and transparency to Congress, this bill strengthens the transition process and helps ensure no Veteran falls through the cracks.” “Too many veterans and service members fall through the cracks when transitioning from active duty to civilian life. We have to do better,” Suozzi said. “It’s our responsibility as lawmakers and Americans to make sure that everyone who serves our country receives the healthcare, including mental healthcare, they deserve,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi. “It’s common sense to assess and improve veterans’ health services of all kinds as time goes on. This bipartisan bill does just that, and I’m glad to join my colleagues, Congressmen Golden, Bergman, and Bacon, who I also thank for their service. Never forget the vet!” “The transition to civilian life is one of the most vulnerable periods in a servicemember’s career. We must ensure our mental health screening tools are validated, effective, and connecting people to care,” Bacon said. “The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act strengthens oversight, improves coordination between the Department of Defense and the VA, and helps ensure no servicemember falls through the cracks. I’m pleased to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Golden on this important effort to better support our servicemembers and veterans.” The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act would require the Department of Defense-Veterans Affairs Joint Executive Committee (JEC) to assess the effectiveness of their programs and processes in facilitating access to mental health services for veterans returning to civilian life. Included in JEC’s review would be a complete inventory of the government’s mental health programs, along with metrics, milestones and plans of actions to identify inefficiencies and gaps in programming. There would be a 180-day deadline to present the report to the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. The legislation would also require the JEC to update its existing Joint Separation Health Assessment (SHA) every two years. The SHA currently uses an outdated process to infrequently catalog veterans’ generalized health needs — an issue that forces policymakers to contend with data that isn’t specific nor timely enough. “The American Legion is proud to support the Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act,” Matthew Jabaut, chairman of the American Legion’s National Legislative Commission said. “On behalf of our nearly 1.5 million members, we commend Representative Golden for advancing oversight-driven reforms that reinforce mental health support and help ensure no servicemember or veteran falls through the cracks.” “We are happy that Congressman Jared Golden continues to focus on mental health for our Service Members and Veterans,” said Steve SanPedro, national legislative committee member and chief of staff for the Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars. “These invisible injuries need to be addressed so these men and women can live a healthy life after service to their country.” Full text of the legislation can be found here. ###",1,2026-04-28T06:05:12Z,2026-04-28T06:07:17Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-supreme-court-striking-down-trump-s-tariffs,Golden statement on Supreme Court striking down Trump’s tariffs,2026-02-20,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the vast majority of tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump in his second term. “Today’s ruling reaffirms that the most durable way to rebalance trade in favor of American workers isn’t tariffs by executive action: It’s Congress reasserting its power and passing them into law. A good place to start is my bipartisan Secure Trade Act, which includes a 10 percent baseline tariff,” Golden said. “America’s broken trade order decimated domestic manufacturing and Maine’s heritage industries, all to uphold a system where we consume far more than we produce,” he added. “Tariffs remain a proven tool to restore balance and tilt the scales back in favor of American manufacturing. I remain committed to ensuring our country uses this tool — whether at the president’s direction or the Congress’s.” In its decision today, the Supreme Court ruled that two broad sets of tariffs implemented by President Trump under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), were unconstitutional. The first set were targeted against Canada, Mexico, and China in response to an emergency declaration regarding the illegal flow of fentanyl into the United States. The second set included the president’s 10 percent baseline tariff and other “reciprocal tariffs” levied against dozens of countries, aimed at reducing the United States’ trade deficit. The Court ruled that the president cannot claim tariff authority under IEEPA. The Trump administration has already indicated it will seek other executive authorities to restore as many of the struck-down tariffs as it can. Golden has been a leading voice in the Democratic party for rebalancing America’s free trade agenda in favor of American workers and domestic manufacturing. His bipartisan Secure Trade Act would codify a 10 percent tariff baseline on all imported goods while further elevating tariffs on some strategic goods from China and reducing foreign acquisition of American land and businesses. He previously authored similar legislation in the 118th Congress, and has written extensively about the need for a stronger industrial base and the tariffs that would develop it. In 2019, he was one of only 41 House members to vote against the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which he called “a missed opportunity to deliver real and lasting change” to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). ###",1,2026-04-17T05:47:03Z,2026-04-17T05:48:33Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6709,"Pingree Tees Up Farm Bill Fight Over Pesticides, Big Chemical Immunity",2026-02-20,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a longtime organic farmer and senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, announced today that she will be introducing an amendment to the Republican Farm Bill that fights back against chemical companies and protects the health of Americans. Republicans’ Farm Bill includes provisions that would shield chemical manufacturers like Bayer from lawsuits and would preempt state and local warning label laws or usage regulations. The Pingree Protect Our Health Amendment would remove this harmful language from the Farm Bill. In January, Pingree successfully got a similar provision taken out of the FY2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. “Once again, the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress are siding with chemical companies and choosing corporate profits over Americans’ health—while paying lip service to the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement. This Farm Bill is a gift to Big Chemical, plain and simple. It delivers exactly what giants like Bayer have spent years lobbying for: blanket immunity from lawsuits and the power to gut the state warning label laws that protect families, farmers, and children,” Pingree said. “This provision would handcuff states and local communities when federal regulators drag their feet or bow to industry pressure, and it would slam the courthouse doors on people who’ve been poisoned and harmed. I have fought this industry-written language before, and I won. I am ready to fight it again. Public health, local control, and accountability are not bargaining chips, and they should never be sacrificed to shield polluters from responsibility.” On Wednesday, President Trump signed an Executive Order to increase domestic production of glyphosate—a widely used weedkiller that has been linked to multiple health issues, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Outside of the upcoming Farm Bill fight, Pingree and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) have joined forces to introduce the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, which would undo Trump’s recent Executive Order. The U.S. Supreme Court also recently agreed to take up an appeal by the manufacturer of Roundup, supported by the Trump Administration, over lawsuits that allege it failed to warn consumers about the product’s dangers. Pesticides in the United States are regulated under a combination of federal, state, and local laws. Debates over state and local authority to regulate pesticide use have been litigated for decades, particularly in cases involving widely used chemicals such as Roundup and paraquat, which have been linked to serious health harms. Many states, cities, and counties have adopted measures to restrict pesticide spraying near schools, homes, and public spaces, citing the heightened vulnerability of children to toxic exposure and risks to brain development, reproduction, and long-term health. Seven states—Maine, Alaska, Hawaii, Maryland, Utah, Nevada, and Vermont—do not preempt local governments from regulating pesticide use within their jurisdictions. In Maine alone, there are more than 30 state and local regulations related to pesticide use and warning requirements that would be undermined or preempted under this Republican pesticide provision in the Farm Bill. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6711,Pingree Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Strike Down Trump’s Illegal Sweeping Tariffs,2026-02-20,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement on the Supreme Court's decision rejecting President Trump's illegal tariffs: I’m relieved that the Supreme Court has finally acknowledged Trump’s chaotic tariff policy as a clear case of executive overreach. This is a win for businesses and industries that have struggled to navigate the uncertainty surrounding trade policy that was based on nothing more than the President’s egotistical impulse to impose tariffs on an immediate, boundless basis under the guise of an emergency measure. But while this ruling may provide momentary relief, we must acknowledge that Trump is insistent on reinstating these tariffs through other methods and means. Trump’s tariffs have done incredible damage to our economy, to our relationships with key allies, and to the pocketbooks of millions of Americans. Maine’s core industries have suffered greatly: falling lobster exports, family dairy farms being pushed to the brink, our lumber and paper companies hit by retaliatory tariffs and rising input costs—the list goes on. Meanwhile, the increased prices caused by Trump’s reckless tariffs are taking a serious toll on Maine households, at a time when many are already struggling with rising inflation, skyrocketing health care costs, and an economy that’s been increasingly rigged to benefit billionaires and big corporations. When used in the right way, tariffs can protect domestic industries. But the president’s chaotic and outright unconstitutional approach—the on-again-off-again threats, the ever-changing numbers, the blatant lies about who actually shoulders the economic burden—has instead destabilized an already fragile economy and isolated us from the rest of the world. I strongly oppose any efforts by the Trump Administration to reinstate these tariffs by other means, and will fight alongside my colleagues in the House to reassert Congressional authority on trade—even if Republican leadership fails to do so. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6714,‘This is about one thing: making our country whiter’: Pingree Condemns DHS Proposal that Would Pause Work Permits for All Asylum Seekers,2026-02-20,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a new proposed rule that would pause work permit issuance for people with pending asylum applications. This change represents a sweeping erosion to employment authorization for asylum seekers. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) condemned the proposal, releasing the following statement: The new rule announced by DHS is one of the cruelest changes to our immigration policies that I’ve seen during my time in Congress. It will have devastating consequences for thousands of Mainers and millions of people across the country. This isn’t about ‘restoring integrity’ to our asylum system. It’s about punishing asylum seekers, making it impossible to build lives and families here, and creating the conditions to detain and deport as many people as possible. The overwhelming majority of asylum seekers living in the U.S. have fled truly horrific conditions in their home countries, including targeted violence, persecution, and political oppression. To suggest that they are frauds, or somehow gaming the system, is both grossly inaccurate and deeply insulting. These are human beings. They’re our neighbors and coworkers. They show up to work, send their kids to school, volunteer in their communities, and contribute to our economy every single day. Treating people as disposable political targets denies their humanity—and diminishes us all. If DHS was serious about reducing backlogs, it would use a fraction of the hundreds of billions of dollars currently at its disposal to invest in more asylum officers. Instead, they’re using a bureaucratic logjam as an excuse to target millions of people for eventual deportation—all to meet some made-up quota from Stephen Miller. This rule change will make our immigration system less humane, more dysfunctional, and further undermine America’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian protection. It won’t make us safer, it won’t make us stronger, and it sure as hell won’t do anything to reverse the profound economic damage that this Administration is doing to our economy. This is about one thing: making our country whiter. Because people like Donald Trump and Stephen Miller believe that’s what will ‘Make America Great Again.’ Nothing could be further from the truth. Pingree is the author of the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, a bipartisan bill backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and dozens of national and state immigration groups that would reduce the current 180-day waiting period for work authorization eligibility to 30 days, allowing an asylum seeker to apply for authorization as soon as the asylum claim is filed. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6716,Representatives Massie and Pingree Introduce Bipartisan “No Immunity for Glyphosate Act”,2026-02-20,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces the introduction of the bipartisan No Immunity for Glyphosate Act (HR 7601). The legislation will undo the February 18 Executive Order that promotes the use of glyphosate and insulates manufacturers of the chemical from liability. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) is the co-lead on the legislation. ""If the goal is to 'Make America Healthy Again,' the federal government should not be using its authority to promote or protect the production of glyphosate,"" said Rep. Thomas Massie. ""The February 18 Executive Order expands production of this chemical while granting liability protections to manufacturers. Congress should ensure that Americans retain their right to seek a remedy in court if they believe they have been injured by this product."" ""If there was ever any doubt about whose side this Administration is on, this Executive Order makes it crystal clear: Big Chemical comes first, and the health of Americans comes last,” Rep. Chellie Pingree said. “Calling glyphosate production a matter of ‘national security’ is absurd. Invoking wartime authorities to ramp up production while opening the door to liability shields for chemical companies is dangerous and indefensible. This Executive Order has nothing to do with protecting farmers or feeding the country—it’s about protecting corporate profits and insulating polluters from accountability. The No Immunity for Glyphosate Act draws a firm line: chemical companies do not get immunity or government-backed profit boosts because Washington cut them a deal, and Americans do not lose their right to seek justice when they’ve been harmed. I’m proud to work with Rep. Massie and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to uphold that basic principle, because protecting people from toxic exposure should never be a partisan issue."" The February 18 Executive Order invokes wartime authorities to expand and prioritize domestic glyphosate production and confers liability protections for companies participating in federally mandated manufacturing. Because the order explicitly directs and compels the production of glyphosate, manufacturers may argue that their production, formulation, and distribution were undertaken pursuant to federal directive - a defense that could be raised in litigation involving alleged injuries linked to glyphosate exposure, potentially shielding manufacturers from liability. HR 7601, the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act: Prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the Executive Order, preventing federal agencies from using appropriated funds to administer or enforce the directive; and Affirms that glyphosate manufacturers are not immune from civil liability, ensuring that manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers cannot claim immunity under the Defense Production Act, federal contractor defenses, or other federal authorities, while preserving the right of injured individuals to pursue claims under federal and state law. Original co-sponsors of the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act include Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA). The No Immunity for Glyphosate Act has been endorsed by Farm Action Fund. The text of the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act is available at this link. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6707,"King, Pingree Seek Confirmation from DHS Secretary Noem on Reported ICE Drawdown in Maine",2026-02-12,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) are demanding answers to their unanswered questions regarding the recent surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) activity in Maine. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons, the members of the Maine Delegation called for a detailed explanation and update about ICE’s presence in Maine, including what their mission is and who they are targeting. The letter comes on the heels of ICE’s enforcement actions in Maine, inappropriately called “Operation Catch of the Day,” which began nearly three weeks ago. Since its start, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided no formal information on the people arrested and their legal status beyond a list of 19 people on its website. Meanwhile, DHS claims that several hundred people have been detained. “We write to request your prompt response to our outstanding questions regarding Immigration and Customs Enforement’s (ICE) recent surge in activity in Maine. It has been 22 days since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE would launch “Operation Catch of the Day” (OCOTD) in Maine. The January 20, 2026, announcement from DHS stated that this operation was “an immigration enforcement effort across the state of Maine targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities.” ICE officials told the media in Maine that the target for the operation was 1,400 individuals and that roughly 200 individuals have reportedly been apprehended thus far. The DHS website “Worst of the Worst” lists only 19 individuals apprehended in Maine,” the lawmakers began. The lawmakers continued, “On January 29, 2026, we learned from Senator Collins that Secretary Noem would be halting the operation; however, we have not seen any written correspondence corroborating this announcement. While state and municipal leaders along with stakeholders in Maine have reported a reduction in ICE’s presence related to this recent surge—absent a formal notice from DHS of the end of the operation—we have outstanding questions regarding the scope of this operation as detailed in various correspondence with the Legislative Affairs offices of DHS and ICE.” The full text of the letter can be found here and below. +++ Dear Secretary Noem and Director Todd Lyons: We write to request your prompt response to our outstanding questions regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recent surge in activity in Maine. It has been 22 days since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE would launch “Operation Catch of the Day” (OCOTD) in Maine. The January 20, 2026, announcement from DHS stated that this operation was “an immigration enforcement effort across the state of Maine targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities.” ICE officials told the media in Maine that the target for the operation was 1,400 individuals and that roughly 200 individuals have reportedly been apprehended thus far. The DHS website “Worst of the Worst” lists only 19 individuals apprehended in Maine. On January 29, 2026, we learned from Senator Collins that Secretary Noem would be halting the operation; however, we have not seen any written correspondence corroborating this announcement. While state and municipal leaders along with stakeholders in Maine have reported a reduction in ICE’s presence related to this recent surge—absent a formal notice from DHS of the end of the operation—we have outstanding questions regarding the scope of this operation as detailed in various correspondence with the Legislative Affairs offices of DHS and ICE. To address these urgent concerns, we request that you provide answers to the following questions and information requests by Wednesday, February 18, 2026: Please confirm whether Operation Catch of the Day is ongoing in Maine? Please clarify if the operation has been completely halted, reduced, or has not yet changed? If it has only been reduced, please detail the current scope and nature of this operation? What further information can ICE provide regarding any ongoing activity? What is the objective of launching “OCOTD” in Maine? Which individuals are being targeted? How many DHS/ICE (any federal) agents were deployed to Maine specificallyfor “OCOTD?” How many additional agents have arrived to Maine for this operation? What agencies did they represent? What is the total number of arrests made to date (from the time you are responding to this inquiry) as part of OCOTD? Barring any legal restrictions, please provide a name and justification for each criminal arrest—such as what is posted on DHS’ “Worst of the Worst” website and clarify whether the individual has been convicted of or just charged with the crime listed? Where are detainees apprehended in this operation being taken (please list name of states and facilities)? Among those arrested, do any have final removal orders? Among those arrested, how many have criminal convictions verses criminal charges How many discretionary arrests of asylum seekers? How many arrests are of refugees whom US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have decided to re-interview? Please share where and how ICE compiled its list of “1,400 targets” for OCOTD? Why are detainees of OCOTD who are asylum seekers, those without a criminal record, and waiting to appear before an immigration judge, being taken into custody? There have been numerous arrests of individuals without criminal records—what is the justification for these arrests? This is contrary to the DHS statement that the objective of OCOTD is to arrest the “worst of the worst.” How is ICE classifying “the worst of the worst?” Does this include those with parking citations, for example? Are there any concurrent, separate operation(s) and/or targets being pursued in tandem with OCOTD? If so, please what are those operation(s)? Are there any U.S. citizens on ICE’s target list in Maine? It appears the individuals who have been listed in DHS’s announcement about “Operation Catch of the Day” do not also appear on the “”Worst of the Worst” website under Maine arrests, despite being characterized as “worst of the worst”? Please explain. We have repeatedly asked for this basic information over the past three weeks. Senator King made request on January 23; Congresswoman Pingree sent you a letter with a similar series of questions on January 22; and further, we have jointly requested to be briefed on your agency’s operation—all with no response. We expect answers to the questions posed here, as well as responses to our previous inquiries, within a week, as congressional oversight is not optional. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6706,"Pingree Unveils Bill to Protect Peaceful Observers and Bystanders from ICE Surveillance, Intimidation",2026-02-06,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today unveiled new legislation to combat the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) aggressive and invasive surveillance and intimidation of peaceful observers. The Stop ICE Intimidation Act blocks funding for expanded U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surveillance tools and staffing until the agency fully discloses how it uses databases and facial recognition, who it targets, how long it keeps data, and whether it complies with constitutional protections and local laws. It also freezes ICE’s Clearview AI contract until Congress receives clear assurances that bystanders, observers, and protestors are not swept into the enforcement dragnet. ""Donald Trump and Kristi Noem’s dangerous Department of Homeland Security has quietly built a vast surveillance apparatus that threatens the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens everywhere. From iris-scanning technology that can identify people in seconds to facial recognition databases with millions of records, these tools are being deployed not to enhance public safety, but to intimidate and silence lawful dissent. When a federal agent can photograph someone's license plate, add them to a database, and label them a 'domestic terrorist' simply for filming ICE officers, we've crossed a dangerous line,” Pingree said. “Mainers have seen firsthand how these surveillance tools are weaponized—people followed home, called on their personal phones, threatened for simply documenting what's happening in their own communities. In a truly free society, citizens don’t live in fear of their government. My bill demands transparency and accountability and ensures that not one more taxpayer dollar is spent on this surveillance state.” The Stop ICE Intimidation Act: Establishes that ICE surveillance and intimidation of observers—including the use of databases and facial recognition—raises serious constitutional concerns under the First and Fourth Amendments. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds for certain surveillance purposes and hiring additional ICE officers until the required congressional reports are submitted. Prohibits funding for the continuation of ICE’s contract with Clearview AI until ICE submits the required reports. Requires ICE to report to Congress within 30 days about exactly how it conducts surveillance; confirm it does not target bystanders or observers; explain how it uses, stores, shares, and deletes personal data from tools like Clearview AI; and demonstrate that its practices comply with constitutional protections and state and local laws governing facial recognition and surveillance. Pingree’s effort comes amid disturbing reports of ICE rapidly expanding its surveillance arsenal—including new contracts for iris-scanning technology that allow agents to identify people in seconds during field operations, facial-recognition software from Clearview AI, and massive data-sharing arrangements that pull in IRS, Medicaid, and other personal records. Recent reporting has revealed that ICE can now access databases containing millions of biometric records, use mapping tools to locate individuals on digital maps, and tap into systems like SAVE that may sweep in information about U.S. citizens who have never consented to being part of an immigration database. These tools are increasingly being used in the field, including against people who are simply documenting ICE activity. In one widely circulated incident in South Portland, a federal agent photographed a woman’s license plate after she filmed officers and told her, “We have a nice little database, and now you’re considered a domestic terrorist.” During ICE’s expanded enforcement operation “Catch of the Day”, Mainers reported being followed home, called on their personal cell phones, and threatened by agents. Civil liberties experts warn this kind of surveillance expansion, paired with aggressive enforcement tactics, raises profound constitutional and privacy concerns. Pingree also supports sweeping and urgently-needed reforms to rein in ICE, including requiring body cameras, requiring judicial warrants for enforcement operations, prohibiting agents from hiding behind masks, allowing independent investigations into extrajudicial killings, preventing the detention and deportation of U.S. citizens, prohibiting racial profiling, and legally binding use of force policies are how we keep our communities safe. Pingree is among more than 160 members of Congress who have signed onto articles of impeachment for DHS Secretary Noem. For more information about how Pingree is pushing back against the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement abuses, click here. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6704,The Kennedy Center Belongs to the American People. Trump Thinks It Belongs to Him.,2026-02-04,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Op-Ed published on MSNOW President Donald Trump’s decision to close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for “an approximately two year period of time” — which he announced via Truth Social on Sunday — underscores the profound damage he’s doing to this iconic institution. Setting aside the sheer financial incompetence that led to this crisis, Trump’s callous disregard for the history, mission and legacy of the Kennedy Center should alarm every American. And that includes members of the president’s party. I hope my colleagues across the aisle recognize that we must recoup the power the president has usurped from Congress. A good start would be working with Democrats to restore a cultural institution that was created for the benefit of all Americans, and named in honor of one president (not the current one). The National Cultural Center was established by Congress in 1958, renamed in honor of John F. Kennedy shortly after his death, and opened to the public in 1971. For more than 50 years, it has celebrated artistic excellence, fostered creativity and reflected Kennedy’s steadfast belief that equitable access to the arts is essential to democracy. Since taking office, President Trump has repeatedly demonstrated utter contempt for that mission and vision, treating the Kennedy Center not as a national trust, but as another institution to be bent to his personal vanity. One year ago, Trump announced he was firing several members of the Board of Trustees and installing himself as chair. In the weeks and months that followed, the center’s programming was marred by sudden cancellations, behind-the-scenes political interference and growing concerns from artists about ideological litmus tests. By June, the effects of Trump’s hostile takeover were already being felt. According to reporting by The Washington Post, the center faced a 82% decline in theater subscriptions, a 57% drop for ballet packages and a $1.6 million decline in overall ticket sales. Rather than see these numbers as a clear sign to reverse course, Trump and his loyalists have chosen to double down: attempting to name the center’s opera house after first lady Melania Trump, continuing to politicize its programming, and — most absurd of all — illegally renaming it the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” Now, he wants to close the center for two years while he makes “major renovations” — presumably without any input from Congress. Considering it took less than 24 hours after the board “vote” for him to plaster his name on the building, and that he demolished the East Wing of the White House in a matter of days without proper approval or regard for historical significance, it’s entirely possible that he could decide to just bulldoze the entire center to remake it in his own, tacky image. Just look at what he’s done to the Rose Garden and the Oval Office. Let’s be crystal clear: The Kennedy Center is a national cultural institution established by Congress, and is statutorily named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. No board vote or social media post has the legal authority to change that without an act of Congress. These are the facts. Any claim to the contrary — whether from Trump himself, or one of his far-too-many Republican enablers — is either a willful lie, or a staggering misreading of the law. Dr. Charlotte Canning, the Frank C. Erwin Centennial Professor of Drama at the University of Texas at Austin, is one of the country’s foremost experts on the Kennedy Center. For her, Trump’s takeover underscores the stark contrast between what the center represents, and the president’s bizarre obsession with dictating the terms of cultural engagement. “The Kennedy Center was designed to embody national unity, generosity and connection,” Canning explained. “Even before Kennedy’s assassination, the two parties recognized the Center as a venue for all Americans, reflecting the spirit and soul of the country. Its mission has always been about the common good, not individual aggrandizement.” Sadly, Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center is part and parcel of a broader effort to politicize our cultural institutions, rewrite our shared history and cast himself as the indispensable centerpiece of the American story. In just the past few months, Trump has renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after himself; bulldozed the East Wing of the White House to make room for a $300 million vanity ballroom; draped several federal buildings with banners of his own face; and generally treated the federal government as an extension of his personal publicity machine. And that’s before we get to the reckless — and often illegal — cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and countless other agencies that support education, art and culture — all because they don’t fit Trump’s narrow and twisted view of what these words mean. But it’s his takeover of the Kennedy Center — one of our greatest cultural institutions and our only memorial in D.C. dedicated to JFK — that shows how far Trump is willing to go to bend our public institutions to his will. “The Kennedy Center’s programming and outreach are designed to include all Americans, and represent the country as broadly as possible,” Canning said. “These actions by the President directly undermine that mission.” Americans — including JFK’s family — are rightfully appalled by Trump’s garish and egomaniacal fixation on the Kennedy Center. They are fed up that he keeps getting away with blatantly illegal actions and disgracing our historical and cultural institutions. Congress has the power to fight back. We can and we must reassert the statutory protections that safeguard the center’s name and mission, and ensure that federal funding and governance support the institution’s original purpose rather than a partisan agenda. And we need Republicans to step up. Just because he has the unmitigated gall to act without consent of the law — or of the People’s House — doesn’t mean that whatever he says, goes. The Kennedy Center is a living monument to a man who fervently believed in the emancipatory power of art and culture. It’s a legacy our current president clearly doesn’t understand — and has no right to usurp for himself. I will do everything in my power to ensure he doesn’t.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6703,Ranking Member Pingree: Trump Is Shuttering the Kennedy Center to Cover Up His Own Failure,2026-02-02,2026,2026-02,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,pingree,https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Kennedy Center, released the following statement after Trump announced a multi-year closure of the Kennedy Center: President Trump’s decision to close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts underscores the profound damage he’s done to this iconic institution. Setting aside the sheer financial incompetence, his callous disregard for the history, mission, and legacy of the Kennedy Center is appalling. From firing the board of Trustees and installing himself as chair, to using political litmus tests to determine programming, to the outrageous and illegal attempt to rename it the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” the president is making every effort to turn this American treasure into yet another vehicle for his own political vanity. Trump has failed the Center’s workers, performers, and supporters from the very beginning of his takeover last year. Subscriptions have plummeted. Ticket sales are cratering. Artists are cancelling shows and refusing invitations. Rather than see these trends as a clear sign to reverse course, Trump now wants to close the Center for two years while he makes “major renovations”—presumably without any input or oversight from Congress. Let’s not forget: the Kennedy Center was recently given $256 million in the Big Ugly Bill, which is nearly six times its typical allocation, plus another $37 million in the annual appropriations bill. Despite repeated calls for transparency and clarity about their plans with that exorbitant amount of money, Trump and his sycophants now in charge of the Center have given Congress next to nothing. Considering it took less than 24 hours for him to plaster his name on the building, and that he demolished the East Wing of the White House in a matter of days without proper approval, it’s entirely possible that Trump could decide to just bulldoze the entire Center to remake it in his own tacky image. Just look at what he’s done to the Rose Garden and the Oval Office. Congress has a duty to step in. The Kennedy Center is a living monument to a man who fervently believed in the emancipatory power of art and culture. It’s a legacy our current president clearly doesn’t understand—and has no right to usurp for himself. Pingree, who is co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus, has led the charge in Congress to save the Kennedy Center from Trump after he took it over last year. Pingree demanded answers and transparency from Richard Grenell, a Trump ally who was installed as President of the Kennedy Center, about how the $256 million requested, and later approved in the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, would be spent. In December, Pingree led more than 70 Members of Congress in calling on President Trump to reverse the illegal renaming effort and remove his name from the building. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Pingree successfully removed language from the 2026 Appropriations bill that would have renamed the Opera House after Melania Trump. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z