url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-gets-language-spending-bill-restore-pre-k-funding,Pingree gets language in spending bill to restore pre-K funding,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Pingree visiting a pre-k program in Old Orchard that has benefited from federal funding Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, was able to get $250 million in funding for pre-K programs restored to a government spending bill passed by the House this morning. The funding means over 1,500 Maine students will be able take advantage of new and expanded pre-school programs around the state. ""Early childhood education is one of the smartest investments we can make, and without this funding tens of thousands of families around the country would not have access to a preschool program,"" Pingree said. ""The evidence is clear: pre-K programs allow kids to start school on an even footing with their peers, and lead to better outcomes over the long term. It's good for students and good for communities."" House and Senate leaders had cut funding for a U.S. Department of Education grant to expand preschool programs in school districts in which at least 50% of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch. Maine is one of 18 states to receive the funding$14 million over four yearsbut has only received the first two installments of that funding. The proposed cuts threatened communities that had started or expanded programs. Pingree, who this fall visited a school in Old Orchard Beach that would have been affected, led an effort in the House to restore the funding. Over 60 of her colleagues signed on to her bipartisan push to put the funding back in the bill that passed the House today. School districts can use the funding to either expand existing preschool programs from half to full days or add classrooms and teachers to provide services for more students. The grant also supports infrastructure development at the state level to ensure that programs are meeting a high standard of quality. The funding was contained in the omnibus spending bill that passed the House this morning and is headed to the Senate. Pingree voted for the bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-gets-provisions-support-veterans-spending-bill,Pingree gets provisions to support veterans in spending bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was able to insert provisions into a spending bill that is working its way through Congress that will improve healthcare for veterans and do more to focus on the problems of homelessness and suicide among vets. Pingree added language that will require the Veterans Administration (VA) to provide gender-appropriate prosthetics. She says she has heard from veterans who say that prosthetics are often designed to fit men but don't fit women correctly. ""We've heard stories of doctors sanding down prosthetics that were made for men to make them fit women veterans,"" Pingree said. ""These women who have served our country deserve better, and I want to make sure the VA starts providing prosthetics that are designed for them."" Pingree, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, was also able to insert language into the spending bill passed by the House today that requires the VA to increase efforts to find and address the causes of homelessness among female veterans. ""Even though female veterans are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, there are some big gaps in the way we address that issue,"" Pingree said. ""There is a disconnect between the scale of the problem and how much attention the VA pays to it. The VA needs to do a better job getting services and help to female vets before they end up on the street. And for those who are already homelessin particular vets who are single moms with small childrenwe need to do a better job creating programs that provide them safe shelter and help them get back into a home."" Pingree also added a provision to the bill that pushes the VA to increase partnerships with universities, like the University of Maine, to do more research into traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and suicide among veterans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-votes-bill-keep-government-operating,Pingree votes for bill to keep government operating,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted this morning for a spending bill that will keep the government operating for the remainder of the fiscal year (through September 30, 2016). The bill includes provisions Pingree inserted to improve health care for veterans and restore funding to an important pre-K program. The bill also contains important provisions affecting agriculture, taxes, clean energy, health care, the environment and defense. Some of the provisions in the bill Pingree voted for include: Education The bill restores $250 million in funding for pre-K. Pingree led the fight to have this money put back in the bill and it means over 1,500 Maine students will be able take advantage of new and expanded preschool programs around the state. Veterans Pingree inserted language that will require the Veterans Administration to provide gender-appropriate prosthetics. She says she has heard from veterans who say that prosthetics are often designed to fit men but don't fit women correctly. Pingree was also able to insert language into the spending bill passed by the House today that requires the VA to increase efforts to find and address the causes of homelessness among female veterans. Food and farming GMO salmon cannot be sold in U.S. until FDA comes up with mandatory labeling framework. For the first time in years, the bill does not include a GIPSA rider. Those riders blocked enforcement of GIPSA, a law that is supposed to protect contract chicken farmers who have been punished by big companies for speaking out. Comedian John Oliver highlighted the issue on his TV show earlier this year. Chicken processed in China will be banned in school meals. Since 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allowed the import of processed poultry products to the United States from China. Increased funding for programs that promote and support local and sustainable agriculture, including the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), Sustainable Ag Research and Education (SARE), Food Safety Outreach Program to help small farmers comply with food safety regulations, Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and FDAs Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (CARB) program. Tax breaks Creates a permanent enhanced tax break for businesses, including farms, who donate excess food to food banks and homeless shelters. This tax break was included in Pingree's Food Recovery Act legislation that she introduced earlier this month. Suspends the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) for 2017, which will result in a reduction in health insurance premiums. Extends the wind Production Tax Credit and the solar Investment Tax Credit for five years. Extending the solar Investment Tax Credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs in 2017 alone. It is also estimated that the wind industry will grow to over 100,000 jobs over four years with the renewed wind tax credit. Health care Creates a $5 million research program for tick borne disease, and includes language directing the CDC to increase efforts on Lyme disease, including improving diagnostics and researching long-term complications. Greater federal investment in surveillance and treatment of opioid abuse, including heroin, and the removal of a provision that would have prohibited any funding for syringe exchange programs. An increase of $2 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health. Environment Includes provisions that reauthorize the vital Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which Republicans allowed to expire on September 30, for three years. The LWCF is one of our countrys most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs. Over the last 50 years, it has conserved national parks and forests, farms and ranches, fish and wildlife refuges, trails, and state and local parks. Increases funding for NOAA to study ocean acidification. Bill includes $10 million for a program that coordinates research, monitoring, around the impacts of ocean acidification to marine species. Regional Coastal Resilience Grants. This bill doubles funding to $10 million for the program that helps build the resilience of coastal communities to climate change, including sea level rise and extreme weather. Defense $1 billion for a DDG-LPD ""ship swap"" with Bath Iron Works. This funding will help pay for a new DDG51 destroyer to be built at BIW.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-votes-tax-breaks-working-families-small-businesses-clean-energy,"Pingree votes for tax breaks for working families, small businesses, clean energy projects",2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today voted for a bill that extends tax breaks for working families, innovative companies developing clean energy and new technology and small businesses. The bill passed the House and now goes to the Senate. ""Big corporations and wealthy individuals have gotten most of the benefit from the economic recovery and it's time that working families and small businesses get a bigger piece of the pie,"" Pingree said. ""These tax cuts help out families trying to make ends meet and pay for child care, they help small businesses that want to expand and grow and they provide a predictable, long-term tax break for the clean energy companies that have created good paying jobs in Maine and around the country. "" The bill that Pingree voted for today renews dozens of tax breaks that had expired at the end of 2014, and makes the renewals retroactive to January 1 of this year, so taxpayers can claim the deductions when they file their taxes in a few months. In addition to extending those tax cuts, the bill makes permanent the Earned Income Tax Credit for working families and the childcare tax credit.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-provision-touted-pingree-reduce-food-waste-passes-house,Tax provision touted by Pingree to reduce food waste passes House,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"A tax break that Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says will reduce food waste passed the House today as part of a larger package of tax provisions. The provision creates a permanent, ""enhanced"" tax deduction for grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers who donate excess food to organizations like food banks and soup kitchens. The provision, which is part of Pingree's Food Recovery Act, was originally introduced in a bill written by Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY). ""This tax break makes it easier and more worthwhile for businesses, including farms, to donate excess food to a food bank,"" Pingree said. ""It will mean less food going to landfills and more food going to feed people struggling with hunger."" An enhanced tax deduction means the taxpayer gets credit for the full value of the food plus an additional deduction to compensate for the expense and labor of donating the product. The provision also increases the maximum tax deduction from 10% to 15% of taxable income. An estimated 40% of food produced every year in the United States is wasted while nearly 50 million people struggle with hunger. Pingree says if food waste is reduced by just 15% and good quality, wholesome food is redirected to people in need, the number of hungry Americans could be cut in half. Earlier this month, Pingree introduced the Food Recovery Act, a comprehensive package of legislative proposals aimed at reducing wasted.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-joins-effort-ban-assault-weapons-high-capacity-magazines,"Pingree joins effort to ban assault weapons, high capacity magazines",2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today joined Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) and other colleagues to introduce the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015 and prohibit the sale, transfer, production, and importation of new military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. ""Assault weapons and high-capacity magazines are the weapon of choice for mass shooters in the United States. We cannot continue to stand by as these weapons of war are bought and sold freely,"" Pingree said. ""I'm proud to be an sponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015. This bill will save lives and reduce the toll of gun violence in our country."" The Assault Weapons Ban of 2015 will prohibit the sale, transfer, production, and importation of: Semi-automatic rifles and handguns with a military-style feature that can accept a detachable magazine; Semi-automatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds; Semi-automatic shotguns with a military-style feature; Any ammunition feeding device that can hold more than 10 rounds; And 157 specifically-named and listed firearms. The bill also sets new standards to prevent ""default proceeds""the standard that allows firearms dealers to complete a sale if a buyer's background check is not completed within three days. Under the proposed law, the background check period will be extended to 14 days for the sale or transfer of an existing assault weapon. If it is determined that a gun was sold to a prohibited individual, the FBI will be required to notify federal, state, and local law enforcement so the weapon can be retrieved as quickly as possible and the buyer can be held accountable for violating federal law. Cicilline, the bill's author, pointed to the use of assault weapons in mass shootings around the country. ""More than half of all mass shooters who killed four or more people used an assault weapon. That's because the sole purpose of an assault weapon is to inflict as much damage as possible in as short an amount of time as possible, Cicilline said. ""This bill is an important first step that will restore some sanity to the way we treat guns in the United States."" Assault weapons were used in attacks last month in San Bernardino and Colorado Springs. Shooters also used them to commit mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado, and a community college in Roseburg, Oregon. When an assault weapon or a high-capacity magazine is used in a shooting, the number of victims who are killed increases by 63%.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/grant-opportunities/200-million-loans-available-renewable-energy-and-efficiency-projects,$200 million in loans available for renewable energy and efficiency projects,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"---USDA RD PRESS RELEASE--- BANGOR, Dec. 15, 2015 USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel has announced that the agency is now accepting applications from rural small businesses and agricultural producers to compete for $200 million in guaranteed loan funds available to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Maines rural communities. Funds are being made available through Rural Developments Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, ""This funding opportunity represents substantial potential for rural Maine businesses and agricultural producers to make long-term investments in renewable energy systems and energy-efficiency improvements through a local lender using USDA Rural Developments REAP guaranteed loan program. This collaboration can help our businesses significantly reduce operating costs, decrease Maines independence on foreign oil, and ultimately demonstrate their positive environmental values to their customers and community."" USDA Rural Development has approximately $200 million available through the REAP guaranteed loan program for fiscal year 2016. Loan purposes include financing renewable energy systems such as biomass fueled anaerobic digesters and biodiesel production, solar, wind, geothermal, etc., and making energy efficiency improvements such as efficient lighting conversions, motor upgrades, building envelope improvements, HVAC upgrades and more. REAP is a program driven by the lender who will request the USDA Rural Development loan guarantee, and if approved, make and service the loan. Benefits to our lenders include providing them with a tool that helps to expand their portfolio in rural areas, enabling them to increase earnings through participation in the secondary market, and allowing them to make loans above their lending limits. Agricultural producers and rural small businesses benefit from available credit, favorable rates and terms, and energy and cost savings. Guaranteed loans are available for up to 75% of the total eligible project cost, and loan amounts can range from $5,000 to $25 million. The REAP loan guarantee requires that 25 percent of project costs come from other funding sources such as business equity or other borrowed funds, which could include a USDA Rural Development Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan. REAP loan guarantees range from 85% for loans of $600,000 and less to 60% for loans of more than $10 million. A recipient of Guaranteed Loan funding in Maine is Exeter Agri-Energy. Exeter Agri-Energy utilized a USDA Rural Development REAP Guaranteed Loan along with $500,000 in REAP Grant funds to install an anaerobic digester at Stonyvale Farm, a third generation Maine dairy farm. The energy offset by the system through savings on electricity, heat, and cattle bedding was estimated to be $250,000 annually. Applications are currently being accepted. For more information on how to apply, interested rural Maine businesses, agricultural producers, and lenders may contact Brian Wilson at 990-9168 or by email,or visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency/me. USDA Rural Development has Area Offices located in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston, and Scarborough, as well as a State Office, located in Bangor. There are 58 employees working to deliver the agencys Housing, Business, and Community Programs, which are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, and farmers, and improve the quality of life in rural Maine. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/me.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-welcomes-new-ground-beef-rules-she-had-pushed,Pingree welcomes new ground beef rules that she had pushed for,2015-12-14,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today welcomed new federal rules that require grocery stores to keep track of the sources of ground beef and said the regulations will help track food-borne illnesses like the antibiotic-resistant salmonella outbreak linked to Hannaford Supermarkets in 2011. Pingree had pushed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to toughen up requirements for retailers to keep careful records of the sources of meat used to produce ground beef in their butcher shops. ""I'm glad USDA has issued these rules that will make it mandatory for retailers to keep track of where the beef they are grinding is coming fromthis is something we have been pushing hard for and I'm glad regulators have agreed it's necessary. As we learned the hard way, the voluntary guidelines that have been in place were just not sufficient when contaminated ground beef ended up in the grocery store."" Pingree, who sits on the committee that oversees the USDA's budget, had asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack pushing for better record keeping to allow quick tracing of food-born illnesses related to tainted ground beef. Pingree said while the record keeping will help find the source of illnesses from ground beef, the increased use of antibiotics in animal feed continues to put consumers at risk for antibiotic-resistant infections. ""The particular strain of Salmonella found in the 2011 outbreak was drug resistant, something we are seeing more and more often,"" Pingree said. ""The use of human antibiotics in animal feed has become more and more common and it's leading to new strains of infections that no longer respond to the antibiotics we have. It's a pretty scary problem."" The Salmonella linked to the outbreak four years ago was multi-drug resistant. Although the infections traced to the ground beef responded to some drugs, a number of antibiotics normally used to treat Salmonella proved ineffective with that strain. The incidence of drug resistant infections in farm animals has been on the increase since large-scale cattle, hog and chicken growers started adding antibiotics to feed. The antibiotics help ward off some of the disease that comes when animals are packed into tighter quarters and fed lower quality feed. But when antibiotics are given to animals on a daily basis, it doesn't take long for new, drug-resistant forms of the disease to emerge. Pingree is a sponsor of a bill banning the use of antibiotics in animal feed unless they are medically necessary and has pushed federal officials to limit their use.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/shaws-supermarket-chief-tells-pingree-company-will-reconsider-food,Shaw's Supermarket chief tells Pingree that company will reconsider food donation policy,2015-12-12,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said that the president of Shaw's Supermarkets told her that the company would revisit their policy on donating perishable food to groups that work to feed hungry families. Jim Rice, head of the Shaw's chain, told Pingree that the company is committed to helping local hunger organizations and would reexamine a decision made two years ago to stop a program that sent food that near its expiration dateto soup kitchens and food pantries. Earlier in the week, Pingree had contacted the company about its decision to stop donating food. ""I really appreciate the company taking another look at this policy,"" Pingree said. ""I know Shaw's is committed to the communities they operate in and they already do help hunger organizations in a number of other ways. But I hope they can also find a way to expand that commitment further by donating perishable food to soup kitchens and food pantries."" In a phone call Friday night, Rice also told Pingree that any Shaw's stores that still had arrangements to donate food to local organizationslike ones in Brunswick and Bangorwould be allowed to continue those programs. ""I know there were a few stores that have continued to donate perishable food and Shaw's made a commitment to grandfather those arrangements,"" Pingree said. ""They promised not to pull the plug on donations to feeding programs in Brunswick and Bangor while they reexamine the policy."" An estimated 40% of food produced every year in the United States is wasted, meanwhile nearly 50 million people struggle with hunger. Pingree says if food waste is reduced by just 15% and good quality, wholesome food is redirected to people in need, the number of hungry Americans could be cut in half. This week, Pingree introduced the Food Recovery Act, a comprehensive package of legislative proposals aimed at reducing wasted food and promoting food recovery in America. At a press conference at the Portland Food Co-op on Monday, Pingree was joined by representatives from organizations fighting hunger in Maine and food retailers who had committed to sending excess food to those organizations.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-and-poliquin-introduce-bill-make-it-easier-maine-urchin-dealers,Pingree and Poliquin introduce bill to make it easier for Maine urchin dealers to export,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin introduced a bill today that will make it easier for seafood dealers to export urchins outside of the United States. Recently, federal officials started requiring inspections of urchins entering and leaving the United States. Currently processors buy urchins harvested in Maine and Canada and process them here in Maine. Urchins from Canada are inspected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when coming into the state. After they are processed, all urchins regardless of where they were caughtare again inspected before being exported. Almost all processed urchins are sold to markets in Asia. ""The inspection process of getting this highly perishable seafood out of the country has been very difficult for urchin dealers,"" Pingree said. ""Sometimes the urchins end up sitting in a hot warehouse for days waiting for an inspection and this has resulted in the loss of a very valuable product. There is an exemption in place already for shellfish and I think it should be extended to include urchins."" The urchin industry employs more than 600 hardworking and dedicated Mainers, said Poliquin. This legislation will root out overly burdensome and unnecessary regulations by the federal government to ensure this industry continues to thrive and help protect these Maine jobs. The exemption from inspection for shellfish dates back to the 1980s. Technically, urchins are echinoiderms instead of shellfish, but only recently did federal officials start requiring U.S. Fish and Wildlife inspections. The bill would revoke the exemption if urchins are declared endangered and does not apply to any urchins harvested illegally.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-concerned-about-shaws-decision-end-donations-food-banks,Pingree concerned about Shaw's decision to end donations to food banks,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"UPDATE: Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement after being contacted by Shaw's Supermarkets. Shaw's has told me they will reinstate the food donation program that benefits the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. That's great news for the program in Brunswick and I'm glad Shaw's reconsidered. But there are a lot of other hunger programs around the state that could benefit from donated food from Shaw's Supermarkets, and I'm looking forward to hearing from the company about why they are not reinstating donations in other locations as well. Pingree's letter to Shaw's is attached and pasted below. In the wake of recent news reports that Shaw's Supermarkets is ending the donation of surplus food to local soup kitchens and food banks, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree wrote to the president of the company today asking for an explanation. In a letter to Jim Rice, President of Shaw's and Start Markets, Pingree wrote: ""I was very disappointed this week to learn that because of corporate policy, Shaw's stores in Maine have stopped donating perishable food to organizations that are helping feed Maine families in need. The loss of these contributions has had an ongoing harmful impact on food access throughout Maine, most recently with the loss of donations to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. ""I am writing to ask you to explain the corporate policy that has reportedly led to the decision to stop donations, and the reasoning behind it. I would also like to know if this decision is likely to lead to more food ending up in landfills,"" she wrote. Shaw's had been donating perishable food near its sell-by date to numerous local organizations that help feed Maine families struggling with hunger. According to news reports, Shaw's corporate policy has brought an end to those donations. An estimated 40% of food produced every year in the United States is wasted, meanwhile nearly 50 million people struggle with hunger. Pingree says if food waste is reduced by just 15% and good quality, wholesome food is redirected to people in need, the number of hungry Americans could be cut in half. This week, Pingree introduced the Food Recovery Act, a comprehensive package of legislative proposals aimed at reducing wasted food and promoting food recovery in America. At a press conference at the Portland Food Co-op on Monday, Pingree was joined by representatives from organizations fighting hunger in Maine and food retailers who had committed to sending excess food to those organizations. Jim Rice President Shaw's & Star Markets 750 W Center St West Bridgewater, MA 02379 December 10, 2015 Dear Mr. Rice: I would like to thank you for the support that Shaw's Supermarkets has shown over the years to soup kitchens and food pantries in Maine and throughout New England. However, I was very disappointed this week to learn that because of corporate policy, Shaw's stores in Maine have stopped donating perishable food to organizations that are helping feed Maine families in need. The loss of these contributions has had an ongoing harmful impact on food access throughout Maine, most recently with the loss of donations to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. I am writing to ask you to explain the corporate policy that has reportedly led to the decision to stop donations, and the reasoning behind it. I would also like to know if this decision is likely to lead to more food ending up in landfills. While forty percent of the food produced every year in the United States goes to waste, nearly 50 million Americans are struggling with issues of hunger. Donating excess food or food near the sell-by date to soup kitchen and food pantries is one of the best ways we can reduce food waste and address hunger issues at the same time. Turning excess food into animal feed, compost or converting it to energy are all better than dumping it in a landfill, but none of them are as a good a solution as sending that food to families who don't have enough to eat. On Monday, I stood with members of the hunger community and a number of food retailers to talk about our shared goal of wasting less food. Many of those participating talked about achieving a ""zero-waste"" goal for supermarketswhere none of their food ends up in a landfill. I hope you can join us in our fight to dramatically cut food waste. Since George C. Shaw opened his first shop in Portland over 150 years ago, Shaw's has been an important part of our communities here in Maine. I look forward to seeing that tradition continue. Sincerely, Chellie Pingree Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-house-floor-pingree-calls-reform-sell-dates,"VIDEO: On House floor, Pingree calls for reform of sell-by dates",2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today, Congresswoman Pingree called for a reform in the way food is labeled with 'sell-by' dates.""Every day in kitchens across this country, someone pulls a can of soup out of the cupboard or a box of pasta off the shelf, looks at the ""best-by"" date on the package, and tries to decide whether to throw it out or not,"" Pingree said. "" Too often, perfectly good food gets thrown outcontributing to the 40% of all food that is wasted every year in this country. And much of it ends up in a landfill, where it produces methanea potent greenhouse gas. My bill has nearly two dozen proposals to reduce food waste, including a provision that would require manufacturers who do put a date on their food to include the words ""Manufacturers suggestion only."" Earlier this week Pingree introduced the Food Recovery Act (H.R. 4184)a comprehensive bill containing nearly two dozen proposals to reduce food waste, including a plan to reform the ""best by"" dates on food packages.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-introducing-landmark-legislation-aimed-reducing-food-waste,"Pingree introducing landmark legislation aimed at reducing food waste in grocery stores, restaurants, schools and farms",2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Portland, ME) At a press event at the Portland Food Co-Op, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said she will be introducing a bill today in Congress aimed at reducing the amount of food that is wasted each year in the United States. The Food Recovery Act includes nearly two dozen provisions to reduce food waste across the economy. ""Forty percent of all food produced in the United States each year is wasted,"" Pingree said. ""The Food Recovery Act takes a comprehensive approach to reducing the amount of food that ends up in landfills and at the same time reducing the number of Americans who have a hard time putting food on the table."" Pingree was joined by dozens of people representing groups and organizations from throughout Maine as she announced the bill today. Representatives from Hannaford Supermarkets, the Good Shepherd Food Bank, Portland Food Co-Op and Agri-Cycle Energy all spoke at the press conference. Pingree's bill tackles wasted food in four areas--at the consumer level, in grocery stores and restaurants, in schools and other institutions, and on the farm. At the consumer level, Pingree's bill requires any manufacturer who wants to put a date on their food to use the words ""Best if used by"" and alsoin letters just as bigthe words ""Manufacturer's suggestion only."" ""Currently there are NO federal laws regarding expiration dates,"" Pingree said. ""Manufacturers can go overboard with the dates they put on foodand it can lead to consumers and retailers throwing out perfectly good food."" ""Wasted food costs us over $160 billion a year in this country,"" Pingree said. ""That works out to about $125 a month fora family of four. We can save money and feed more Americans if we reduce the amount of food that ends up getting sent to landfills."" Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, co-founder of Food Policy Action and owner/chef of Crafted Hospitality, praised Pingree's bill. ""Wasting food is bad for the economy, bad for the environment and bad for Americans who are struggling to afford healthy food to feed their families. Congresswoman Pingree is a national leader on sustainable food and farming and Im glad shes taking on this huge issue of wasted food,"" Collichio said. Jonathan Bloom, author of American Wasteland and WastedFood.com, called Pingree's bill a roadmap to reducing wasted food. ""Today is a great day for Americans who love food and hate waste,"" Bloom said. ""In fifteen years, we may well look back on this bill as a watershed moment in the fight against food waste. "" Emily Broad Leib, Director of Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, said Pingree's bill tackles an important problem with the nation's food supply. Food waste is one of the most pressing environmental and economic issues facing our food system, yet so much of the food we waste could go to better use in our households or shared with people in need. This groundbreaking legislation offers assistance to farmers and retailers, supports food recovery organizations, and helps consumers by clarifying the senseless date labels that appear on foods. It thus achieves many of the goals our clinic has advocated over the past few years and we are thrilled to work in support of its passage,"" Broad Leib said. Speakers at the press event this morning included: John Crane, General Manager, Portland Food Co-op Kristen Miale, President, Good Shepherd Food Bank George Parmenter, Manager of Sustainability, Hannaford Supermarkets Dan Bell, General Manager of Agri-Cycle Energy",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-pingree-nominates-23-maine-students-united-states-servic-1,Congresswoman Pingree nominates 23 Maine students to United States Service Academies,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has announced her office's nominees to the United States Service Academiesthe U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. This group of students represents some of Maine's best and brightest. They have all demonstrated exceptional leadership, high academic standards, and a passion for helping others, said Pingree. Whatever happens from here, they should all be proud of themselves. We are lucky that they have chosen to offer their talents in service to the country, and it's an honor to nominate them. The nominees were interviewed by a panel of six on their academic record, test scores, leadership ability, involvement in extra-curricular activities, and exemplified commitment to serving their country. Pingree nominated several students to more than one academy. United States Naval Academy Emma Begin, Chelsea, Hall-Dale High School Hayden Eilinger, Hollis Center, Bonny Eagle High School Gail Johnson, Portland, Waynflete Eric Kousky, Brunswick, University of San Diego, Brunswick High School (prior) Thanakrit Manjai, Windham, Naval Academy Preparatory School, Windham High School (prior) Jenna Petrovic, Winslow, Winslow High School Lukas Pushor, Portland, Falmouth High School David Stansfield, Berwick, Noble High School Chris Tomascak, Portland, New Mexico MilItary Institute, Portland High School (prior) Jackson Vail, Waldoboro, Medomak Valley High School United States Military Academy Emma Begin, Chelsea, Hall-Dale High School Jacob Connors, Kennebunk, Norwich University, Kennebunk High School (prior) Martin Dioli, Yarmouth, Salisbury School Elaine Dudley, North Waterboro, Massabesic High School Taylor Perkins, Gorham, Gorham High School Kyle Rosado, Freeport, Freeport High School Abby Runnells, Saco, Thornton Academy High School Jackson Vail, Waldoboro, Medomak Valley High School Cody Veilleux, Waterville, Waterville High School United States Air Force Academy Luke Arsenault, Manchester, Kents Hill School Emma Begin, Chelsea, Hall-Dale High School Sean Bowers, Scarborough, Scarborough High School Matt Claar, Falmouth, Falmouth High School Martin Dioli, Yarmouth, Salisbury School Cody Hart, Lebanon, Noble High School Kyle Rosado, Freeport, Freeport High School Abby Runnells, Saco, Thornton Academy High School United States Merchant Marine Academy Gail Johnson, Portland, Waynflete Matthew McCarty, Gorham, Gorham High School Cooper Siepert, Cape Elizabeth, Cape Elizabeth High School Chris Tomascak, Portland, New Mexico MilItary Institute, Portland High School (prior)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/biw-line-get-contract-build-additional-destroyer,BIW in line to get contract to build additional destroyer,2015-12-05,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Bath Iron Works is in line to get an agreement to build another DDG 51 destroyer, in addition to the five that the yard already has contracted with the Navy for. The contract for the extra ship is triggered by a 2002 agreement with the Navy that gives BIW another DDG 51 if the Huntington Ingalls Shipyard in Mississippi is awarded a contract to build an amphibious attack ship. The Navy announced yesterday that they had agreed to build that amphibious ship in Mississippi and would honor the swap with BIW. ""The DDG-51s have been real workhorses for the Navy and building more of them at BIW is a smart investment,"" Pingree said. ""Bath is building high quality ships incredibly efficiently, and it makes sense to keep that highly skilled workforce fully employed. I've pushed for the Navy to honor this swap agreement and I'm glad they intend to do so."" Congress would still have to come up with funding to build another DDG-51 in Bath. Pingree, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has been pushing to make funding available to finance the swap agreement and build the extra destroyer at BIW.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/combat-roles-will-be-open-women,Combat roles will be open to women,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement after Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that the Pentagon will open all combat roles in the military to women. ""The Pentagon has made the right decision in opening every job in the military to women. Women have already served bravely and capably while wearing the uniform of the American military in some of the most dangerous spots on earth. They have proven themselves over and over again, and it's high time we stopped banning them from key jobs and opportunities in the Armed Forces.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-votes-reauthorization-elementary-and-secondary-education-act,Pingree votes for reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today voted in support of conference legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The legislation overturns many elements of the last reauthorization, known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which was passed in 2001. For years, I have heard from teachers, parents, and students about their frustrations with No Child Left Behind. Im pleased that we could finally reauthorize this key piece of legislation and make needed changes to federal policies that havent been working for our schools, said Pingree. The Every Student Succeeds Act gives states and school districts more flexibility while maintaining the necessary guardrails to ensure that all children have equal access to a high-quality education. It also takes steps to reduce redundant and unnecessary testing, and emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded education that will prepare our kids to be creative and engaged thinkers. I look forward to seeing the bill passed by the Senate and signed by the President so our educators can stop worrying about shifting federal priorities and instead focus all their attention where it should be--students.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-shootings-san-bernardino-california,"Statement on shootings in San Bernardino, California",2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement on the shootings today in San Bernardino, California ""My thoughts are with the people of San Bernardino as they deal with the aftermath of this brutal attack. Once again we find ourselves mourning innocent victims of gun violence, yet Congress continues to refuse to act on even the most common-sense reforms to address this epidemic of mass shootings.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-applauds-climate-change-talks-paris,Pingree applauds climate change talks in Paris,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today applauded the meeting of world leaders in Paris this week to negotiate a global strategy for addressing climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Its powerful to see so many world leaders come together to acknowledge the harsh reality of climate change and commit to addressing it. I especially appreciate President Obamas leadership in taking steps to cut our greenhouse gas emissions while building our economy through clean energy, said Pingree. Whether its rising sea levels, ocean acidification, or declining fisheries, were already seeing the effects of climate change in Maine. I hope that the conversations in Paris yield effective and comprehensive actions to head off even worse impacts here and around the world. While talks in Paris go on, the House is set to vote this week on legislation that would overturn the EPAs Clean Power Plan, which cuts emissions from power plants, the countrys largest source of greenhouse gases. As countries across the world come together to fight climate change, America must also do its part, said Pingree. This legislation would not only undercut our leadership, but create serious harm to ourselves and future generations. Pingree is a vice-chair of the House Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/world-aids-day-2015,World AIDS Day 2015 statement,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"As we mark World AIDS Day today, I join many in Maine and around the world in recommitting ourselves to ending this terrible disease. There are reasons to be hopeful. The expansion of antiretroviral drugs has helped save millions of lives and kept millions more from becoming infected. But we must do more. We must continue to support those living with HIV and AIDS, make sure they get the treatment they need, and promote testing and prevention in the U.S. and abroad. For the lives weve lost and the lives we can save, I will continue advocating for these efforts in Congress. --Congresswoman Chellie Pingree",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-welcomes-epa-decision-withdraw-approval-toxic-weedkiller,Pingree welcomes EPA decision to withdraw approval of toxic weedkiller,2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today applauded the EPAs decision to withdraw its approval of Dow Chemicals Enlist Duo, a toxic cocktail of herbicides glyphosate and 2,4-D. This productand the GMO crops developed to go along with ithas raised a number of alarm bells. From the onset, Ive had grave concerns that it would increase the amount of carcinogenic herbicides sprayed on our food, lead to ever-stronger superweeds, and eliminate habitat for species like the Monarch butterfly, said Pingree. Im relieved that the EPA has revoked its initial approval, citing new information that shows its harmful impact on non-target species. I will keep pushing the EPA to keep this product off the shelves for good. Pingree has been a leading voice in opposing Enlist Duo as well as GMO corn and soybeans that were developed to withstand it. During the EPAs initial review of the product in 2014, Pingree led a letter to the agency signed by 49 of her colleagues in opposition to its approval. The approval of Roundup Ready GMO crops in the 1990s increased herbicide use by 527 million pounds between 1996 and 2011. Such widespread overuse of herbicides has led to chemical-resistant superweeds that are posing ever-increasing challenges to farmers. When Enlist Duo inevitably leads to its own resistant weeds, Im sure the chemical industry will have an answermore toxic chemicals and GMO plants, said Pingree. Its a frightening, self-perpetuating cycle that needs to be stopped.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-statement-colorado-shooting,Pingree statement on Colorado shooting,2015-11-28,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement in response to the shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado yesterday. ""The events in Colorado are another vicious and violent attack on women's healthcare. My thoughts are with the families of the innocent victims and the police officers killed and injured while protecting them. ""The only person responsible for these attacks is the shooter who entered that clinic. But the recent smear campaign and systematic political attacks on Planned Parenthood have created an environment that could encourage deranged individuals to carry out violent attacks like the one that happened yesterday.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-says-ocean-renewable-power-company-will-receive-225-million,Pingree says Ocean Renewable Power Company will receive $2.25 million federal grant,2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today announced that Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) has won a $2,248,223 grant from the Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The investment will allow the company to develop ways to lower the costs of deploying, retrieving, and anchoring their tidal and river power turbines, making them more commercially competitive. It's been very exciting to watch ORPC develop innovative technology to generate sustainable, clean power from tides and riversall while creating and saving over a hundred jobs in 14 Maine counties, said Pingree. As ORPC takes its technology to new markets, this federal investment will help them fine-tune their products so they are better able to compete with other power sources. I'm pleased that I had the opportunity to talk to Secretary Moniz about this great company and am glad that they were chosen for this significant award. Pingree recently met with Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to tout ORPC's work. The grant for ORPC is one of 41 awards totaling $125 million to pursue novel approaches to energy innovation while combating climate change and moving toward a low-carbon economy. Below is a description from ARPA-E on the award. Ocean Renewable Power Company, Portland, ME ($2,248,223) - Deployment and Retrieval System for Cross-flow Hydrokinetic Turbines Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) will develop an innovative deployment and retrieval capability that will significantly reduce costs for cross-flow design marine hydrokinetic systems, in which a turbine generates power from tides and/or rivers. The turbine blades will employ active pitch control to allow for thrust generation in deployment/retrieval mode and higher efficiency in power generation mode. If successful, this project could reduce the cost of the installation process in which ORPC's turbine could be placed in the water near shore, self-propel to the deployment location, and hold itself in place on the seafloor through redirected downward thrust.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-continues-support-national-monument-or-park-maine-s-north-woods,Pingree continues to support National Monument or Park in Maines North Woods,2015-11-23,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today voiced her continued support for designating land in Maines North Woods donated by Elliotsville Plantation Inc. (EPI) as a National Monument or National Park. A National Monument or Park in the North Woods would bring much-needed economic development to Northern Maine as it faces major economic challenges, said Pingree. I continue to believe a monument or park would greatly benefit the state by bringing in thousands of visitors and creating hundreds of jobs for the region. And several polls also now show that most people across the state support the project."" Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Bruce Poliquin today sent a letter to President Obama outlining their conditions for a national monument designation. For years, Maines entire Congressional delegation has engaged in conversations with EPI about its wish to donate this land as a park, and weve heard from many people on both sides of the issue, said Pingree. Im encouraged that the conversation has gone to the next level by outlining a possible roadmap to a monument designation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-invites-maine-high-school-students-participate-congressional-app,Pingree invites Maine high school students to participate in Congressional App Challenge,2015-11-23,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today invited high school students in Maines 1st District to participate in the Congressional App Challenge. Students have until January 15, 2016, to develop and submit their apps, which will be judged by a panel of experts convened by the Maine Technology Institute. I applaud how Maine schools are using STEM education to prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow. This competition is an exciting opportunity to put those skills to the test while learning how to develop the smartphone apps we use every day, said Pingree. I hope students give it a shotI cant wait to see what they come up with. My thanks to the Maine Technology Institute for their help in connecting Maines tech community with the competition. Students must live or attend a high school in Maines 1st District to be eligible for the competition. They can participate as individuals or in a team of up to four. In addition to the app, students must also submit a 3-4 minute video explaining their app and how it works. The deadline for submissions is midnight on Friday, January 15, 2016. A winner for Pingrees District will be announced in February. The apps can cover any topic. They will be judged on 1) the creativity and originality of the app idea; 2) user experience and design of the ideas implementation; and 3) quality of coding and programming. Information about the competitionincluding links to coding resources and submission instructionscan be found on Pingrees website, www.pingree.house.gov/appchallenge. This is the second year Congressional offices around the country are participating in the challenge, which is coordinated by the Internet Education Foundation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/editorials/how-cutting-food-waste-can-help-address-hunger,How cutting food waste can help address hunger,2015-11-23,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following piece was sent to area newspapers in November 2015. Here are two figures that dont add up: 40 percent of the food produced in the United States gets thrown out while nearly 50 million Americans cant reliably access enough food to meet their nutrition needs. As so many people go hungry, wasted food represents a serious concern and an exciting opportunity. If we diverted just 15 percent of the food that currently goes to landfills, we could cut the number of food insecure Americans in half. Food waste occurs at all levels of the supply chain. On farms, a surprising amount of food is left to rot in fields because of cosmetic blemishes or price changes that make it unprofitable to harvest and transport. Grocery stores overstock produce that isnt bought. And consumers throw out food that has passed its Best by date, but is still fine to eat. All of this adds up and its bad for the economy, environment, and families. The waste represents $162 billion of lost money annuallytranslating to about $1,560 for a family of four. The 133 billion pounds of food a year that ends up in landfills emit high amounts of methane, a gas that is 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in contributing to climate change. Much of that food is safe to eat. Im preparing to introduce comprehensive legislation in Congress to get more food to the people who need it while cutting down on waste. We can do so by making key investments in our food system, providing more incentives for donating food, and providing clearer information for consumers. Heres just some of the steps my bill will take: Reforming Best by and Use by datesMany consumers believe they have to throw out food after these dates, which are determined by manufacturers. But often, food is still safe to eat long after those dates have gone by. My legislation would make sure these dates are noted as recommendations, rather than requirements. Raising awareness about the effects of food wasteBy educating the public about the negative consequences of food waste, they can make more informed choices and save money. Learning more about this issue has certainly changed some of the decisions Ive made in how I purchase, use, and discard food. Incentivizing food donationsWe can provide better financial incentives to encourage farms, retailers, and institutions to donate food to organizations that help feed the hungry. This could include farms allowing people to glean un-harvested crops from fields or institutions and retailers bringing unsold prepared food to a homeless shelter. Investing in our food infrastructureBy expanding the scope of existing federal grants and loan programs, we can make needed investment in things like food storage, municipal composting, and waste-to-energy projects. Im proud to say that Maine is already taking steps to address the joint problems of food waste and hunger. We have organizations and individuals who are working hard to provide food assistance to Maine families; some retailers are moving toward zero waste; and companies are scaling up operations to repurpose food for compost and energy. But this is a national problem that shouldnt be left to them alone. The federal government needs to do its part by supporting these kinds of efforts so more food across the country can get to the dinner table rather than the landfill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-pingree-hanna-lead-bipartisan-push-restore-federal-funding-pre,"Reps. Pingree, Hanna lead bipartisan push to restore federal funding for pre-school programs",2015-11-20,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Earlier this year, Congresswoman Pingree visited a preschool in Old Orchard Beach that has been able to expand its programming and enrollment with support from a federal program she is fighting to restore funding for. In a bipartisan letter, Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Richard Hanna (R-New York), and 61 of their Republican and Democratic colleagues urged the leadership of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to restore funding for the federal Preschool Development Grant program. Funding has been eliminated in recent drafts of the House and Senate appropriations bills. Early childhood education benefits children for years afterward, but its just too expensive for many families, said Pingree. This grant program is critical in helping states and local communities offer high-quality preschool education to more students who may not be able to access it otherwise. Ive had the chance to visit classrooms that are supported by this program and parents rave that its made a big difference for their children. I hope funding will be restored so even more students can benefit. I fully support restoring this critical funding for our youngest learners, Hanna said. Early childhood education helps make our nation become more competitive and ensures that each child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. One in four children starts their life in poverty. Through education, we can ensure their lives do not end in poverty. Preschool Development Grants provide funds to build and expand public preschool programs in high-need communitiesit extends enrollment to children in families whose incomes are too high for Head Start but would not likely be able to afford private preschools. The grants are matched with funds on the state and local level. Currently, 18 states are using the grants to give 33,000 four-year-olds access to programs that make use of evidence-based curricula and practices. An additional 60,000 children are expected to be served during the third and fourth year of the grant, but will miss out if funding is eliminated. Research shows that every dollar spent on evidence-based prekindergarten provides a $7 to $10 return on investment by reductions in remedial education, juvenile delinquency, and teen pregnancy, and increases in workforce readiness. FY16_Omnibus_Preschool_Development_Grants.pdf",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lawmakers-blast-fda-approval-genetically-engineered-salmon-and-decision,Lawmakers blast FDA approval of genetically-engineered salmon and decision not to require labeling,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DCCongresswoman Chellie Pingree joined other lawmakers today in blasting announcements from the FDA approving weak GMO-labeling measures that deny consumers the right to know how the food they purchase for their families is produced. The FDA also approved the application for AquAdvantage salmon, the first genetically-engineered animal sanctioned for human consumption. The agency also determined that manufacturers of AquAdvantage salmon will not be required to label the salmon as genetically-engineered. Despite polling demonstrating that 90 percent of Americans support requiring mandatory GMO labeling, the FDA moved forward with a decision to finalize the existing policy which does not adequately inform consumers of the content of the food they buy. The policy allows manufacturers to voluntarily label their products as containing ingredients from genetically-engineered sources rather than requiring companies to disclose genetically-engineered ingredients. The group of lawmakers, which includes Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02), Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-5), Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), are ardent supporters of GMO labeling and providing consumers the right to know what's in their food. The legislators are all co-sponsors of Congressman DeFazio's bill, the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, legislation that would require mandatory labeling of genetically-engineered foods, including genetically-engineered salmon. ""I'm deeply disturbed to see FDA take this unprecedented action approving genetically modified salmon, which could open the floodgates to allowing other GMO animals in the marketplace. And as if genetically engineering animals wasn't bad enough, consumers will be denied the right to know whether or not their salmon is GMO. At a time when consumers are demanding to know more about what's in their food, FDA is caving to industry pressure and taking a dramatic and dangerous step in the opposite direction,"" said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. The FDA's decisions are irresponsible at best, said Congressman Peter DeFazio. The decision to allow the sale of genetically-modified salmon threatens the Pacific Northwest's endangered salmon stocks and jeopardizes a major industry in our region. To make matters worse, despite widespread support for GMO labeling, the FDA would not require mandatory GMO labeling for these Franken-Fish, denying consumers the right to know if they are purchasing genetically-engineered salmon raised in fish farms. I will do all that I can to reverse this wrong-headed decision and protect the Pacific Northwest's world-class salmon industry. I am deeply concerned with FDA's decision to approve AquaBounty's application. This is not just approving a new ingredient concocted in a lab: by approving GE salmon, the FDA is allowing the release of a new hybrid animal that could pose a danger to our wild salmon populations, damage the ecosystems they live in, and undermine our domestic commercial fisheries, said Co-Chair of the Congressional Wild Salmon Caucus, Congressman Jared Huffman. Consumers rightly support domestic and sustainable wild salmon fisheries, and this product will create confusion. It has no place in our waters or on America's dinner plates. I will continue to work with my colleagues and industry stakeholderslike Whole Foods and Trader Joeswho have already come out opposed to GE salmon, to halt this hazardous action by FDA. Today, the FDA made the short-sighted decision to approve genetically-engineered salmon, putting wild salmon, our fishing families, and the health of American families at risk, said Congressman Mike Thompson. Not only did the FDA approve GE salmon, but also made labeling of GE salmon products voluntary, undermining consumer choice and confidence. Americans have a right to know what is on their dinner plates. Until rigorous scientific studies are completed and the health and safety of American families and future of imperiled wild salmon populations can be assured, these fish shouldn't be in our waters or stores. Consumers deserve to know what they are putting into their bodies and feeding to their children. Over 90 percent of Americans want to know whether the food they buy contains GMOs. FDA's draft guidance for voluntary labeling of food from genetically modified salmon and its final guidance for voluntary labeling of food from plants are not an effective solution and leave consumers in the dark. I urge the agency to do more, said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/voting-no-bill-blocking-syrian-and-iraqi-refugees,Voting no on bill blocking Syrian and Iraqi refugees,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement today after voting against legislation to halt the admission of Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the U.S. America has long led the world in providing refuge for people fleeing persecution and violence. Now is not the time to end that legacy. We should not shut the door on Syrian and Iraqi refugees who are fleeing from ISIS's brutality and terrorismthe same kind of acts that we mourn in France. To do so only emboldens ISIS and the hate it represents. As our country fights terrorism, it is absolutely critical that we take all steps necessary to protect the safety of the American people at home. That is why the United States has developed the lengthiest and most robust process in the world to screen the security risk of refugeesa process that can take up to three years, involves multiple checks and the coordination of several agencies. I support steps to strengthen this processsuch as devoting more resources to performing these checksbut this legislation does not do that, nor does it make our country safer. Its intention is to shut down refugee resettlement through years of delay and redundancy. In the meantime, the children, widows and other victims of terrorism who are looking to the United States for refugeas millions have before themwill continue to needlessly suffer.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-gets-perfect-score-national-food-policy-group,Pingree gets perfect score from national food policy group,2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree got a perfect score of 100 on Food Policy Action's National Food Scorecard. The comprehensive, non-partisan analysis rates Members of Congress for their votes on food, farming and fisheries related policies. Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio said Pingree has become a national leader on food policy. ""Chellie Pingree is a rock star in the food movement,"" Colicchio said. ""On issues like local food, child nutrition, sustainable farming and labeling of GMO products, she has become a champion in Congress for reforming our food policies. And now with the legislation she is about to introduce to reduce wasted food, she has once again shown that she is still working to make healthy, affordable food available to all Americans."" Colicchio announced the scorecard at a press conference in New York this morning. Last month Pingree announced that she is introducing a comprehensive bill this fall that aims to reduce wasted foods in schools, restaurants and grocery stores and help farmers and consumers waste less as well. Food Policy Action scored Members of Congress on votes on five bills in the Senate and ten in the House on issues ranging from reforming fishing policy, trade policy and labeling of food with GMO ingredients. Pingree said Food Policy Action is holding elected officials accountable for their votes on issues that affect food and farming. ""These are issues that Americans care about and that affect them every day,"" Pingree said. ""A lot of elected officials haven't caught on to how important these policies are to families who are trying to put safe, healthy, affordable food on the table. But Food Policy Action and Tom Colicchio get it, and they are making sure that Members of Congress understand how important these votes are. I'm glad they are out there doing this important work."" The full scorecard is here: http://foodpolicyaction.org/scorecard/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/demanding-vote-military-action-syria,Demanding vote on military action in Syria,2015-11-06,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"In a bipartisan letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and 34 of her colleagues demanded a debate and vote on the use of U.S. military forces in Syria. ""What started out as non-lethal aid escalated into airstrikes and now we have boots on the ground in Syria. We should have had a debate and vote on military involvement long ago. I dont think we should get involved in another war in the Middle East but that's exactly the direction we could be headed in if we don't have an open and public debate,"" Pingree said. In their letter, the 35 House members asked Speaker Ryan to schedule and debate an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Syria as quickly as possible. The Obama Administration has argued that a 2001 AUMF authorizing military action in the war against terror is sufficient, but Pingree and others have argued it doesn't cover escalating military involvement in Syria. In their letter, the 35 lawmakers wrote: ""We do not share the same policy prescriptions for U.S. military engagement in the region, but we do share the belief that it is past time for the Congress to fulfill its obligations under the Constitution and vote on an AUMF that clearly delineates the authority and limits, if any, on U.S. military engagement in Iraq, Syria and the surrounding region. ""Congress can no longer ask our brave service men and women to continue to serve in harms way while we fail in carrying out our constitutional responsibility in the area of war and peace. As long as the House fails to assert its constitutional prerogatives and authority, the Administration may continue to expand the mission and level of engagement of U.S. Armed Forces throughout the region. We strongly urge you, Mr. Speaker, to bring an AUMF to the floor of the House as quickly as possible."" Full text of the letter is attached. The letter was also signed by Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), John Lewis (D-Ga.), Justin Amash (R-MI), Michael Burgess (R-TX), David Cicilline (D-RI), John Conyers (D-MI), Joe Crowley (D-NY), John Abney Culberson (R-TX), Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), John Garamendi (D-CA), Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Richard L. Hanna (R-NY), Joe Kennedy (D-MA), Daniel Kildee (D-MI), Ral R. Labrador (R-ID), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Mick Mulvaney (R-SC), Beto ORourke (D-TX), Bill Posey (R-FL), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Mark Sanford (R-SC), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Ted S. Yoho (R-FL), and Ryan K. Zinke (R-MT).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/keeping-national-guard-engineering-battalion-maine-right-decision,Keeping National Guard engineering battalion in Maine the right decision,2015-11-06,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said the decision by the National Guard Bureau to keep the 133rd Engineer Battalion in Maine was the right thing to do. ""Maine has a long relationship with the 133rd and they have served the people of Maine well in times of peace and in times of war. I've been opposed to swapping them for a combat battalion from another state and am glad the National Guard Bureau has agreed that it's a bad idea.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-obama-rejects-keystonexl-pipeline-proposal,President Obama rejects KeystoneXL pipeline proposal,2015-11-06,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement after President Obama announced he was rejecting the Keystone pipeline proposal. Pingree has been a long-term opponent of the project, and first contacted the Obama Administration in the summer of 2010 to voice her opposition. ""The Keystone pipeline was a bad idea from the beginning. It would have been bad for the environment and bad for the country's long-term energy security. Instead of investing in dirty tar-sands oil that will create massive amounts of greenhouse gas pollution, we should be developing new sources of clean energy that create good paying jobs right here in this country,"" Pingree said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/citing-failing-bridges-and-roads-maine-pingree-votes-bill-renew-nations,"Citing failing bridges and roads in Maine, Pingree votes for bill to renew nation's transportation policies",2015-11-05,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted today for a six-year reauthorization of the nation's transportation policy. The bill authorizes programs that provide for construction and repair of roads, bridges and public transportation projects. ""We just learned last week that 15% of the bridges in Maine are in need of significant repair, and we could use a little more help from the federal government in making the necessary repairs,"" Pingree said. ""But you don't need a report to tell you that roads and bridges in Maine need workall you have to do is drive down the road. This bill doesn't go as far as I'd like it to, but it does allow for some long-term planning for transportation projects, which we haven't had for some time now."" A recent report found 15% of bridges in Maine are structurally deficient. ""Tens of thousands of people drive over bridges every day that are in need of work. If you go through Stroudwater in Portland, Route 1 in Freeport, Route 9 in Kennebunk or Main Street in Yarmouth, you're probably driving over a bridge that has some significant issues. We need more federal investment address these issues,"" Pingree said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-release-pacific-trade-deal-text,Statement on release of Pacific trade deal text,2015-11-05,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said the text of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade deal released today confirms that it would be a bad deal for Maine and the country. ""The TPP would undermine basic safety standards for imported food, medicines and even toys,"" Pingree said. ""And it would be a lousy deal for American manufacturers, putting them in direct competition with countries where workers are paid 65 cents an hour."" The trade agreement has been negotiated in secret, and Pingree and her colleagues protested and asked President Obama to release the full text. That text was released this morning. ""We saw what happened to manufacturing jobs in Maine after NAFTA, and this deal looks like NAFTA on steroids,"" Pingree said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-statement-election-paul-ryan-speaker-us-house,Pingree statement on the election of Paul Ryan as Speaker of the U.S. House,2015-10-29,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement after Congressman Paul Ryan was elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives this morning. ""I want to congratulate Speaker Ryan and wish him the best as he takes on a very important job. The bipartisan votes on the budget and Export Import Bank this week show that Congress can get things done. I hope Speaker Ryan follows those examples and lets Democrats and Republicans work together and not cave in to the extreme elements of his party who don't want to pass anything that has Democratic support.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-2-year-budget,House passes 2-year budget,2015-10-28,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement after voting for a two-year federal budget agreement. The deal passed the U.S. House this afternoon on a bipartisan vote. ""This deal addresses a number of important issueslike Medicare premiums, Social Security disability benefits and the arbitrary sequester cutsand it passed with strong bipartisan support. It's much better for the economy and working families if we can come to these kind of bipartisan agreements instead of facing a manufactured fiscal crisis every few months.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-pingree-votes-reopen-export-import-bank,Congresswoman Pingree votes to reopen Export Import Bank,2015-10-27,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted tonight to reopen the Export Import Bank after its authorization to operate expired this summer. Congressional leaders had blocked any attempt to pass a bill to reauthorize the Bank until Pingree and her colleagues signed a discharge petition forcing a vote. ""It's outrageous that it took this long and required a petition by Members of Congress to reopen the Export Import Bank,"" Pingree said. ""Jobs in Maine and across the country depend on this bank, and shutting down the bank put small business at a competitive disadvantage when they try to export their products around the world. It's disappointing that reauthorizing the Bank got caught up in Tea Party politics and it took this long to even allow a vote on it."" The U.S. Export-Import Bank helps manufacturers sell U.S.-made goods overseas. The Bank has supported $266 million in exports from Maine since 2007 and over the last twenty years has returned $7 billion to U.S. taxpayers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-pingree-and-poliquin-says-maine-rural-businesses-get-17-million,"Reps. Pingree and Poliquin says Maine rural businesses to get $1.7 million for efficiency, clean energy projects",2015-10-26,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin said today that 14 small businesses in rural Maine will be getting $1.7 million in USDA funding to invest in efficiency and clean energy projects. The grants, through the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), fund projects like solar panels, anaerobic digesters to create electricity from waste, and thermal conversion systems. ""Energy can be one of the biggest expenses for small businesses, and this kind of investment can go a long way toward bringing down those costs over the long term,"" Pingree said. ""Maine's rural and agricultural sector is a big part of the state's economy and grants like these can help preserve and create jobs in our communities."" ""Im pleased to see the United States Department of Agriculture is making such a strong commitment to Maines rural businesses and agricultural producers,"" said Poliquin. ""This grant will provide our rural businesses and agricultural producers with the resources they need to invest in renewable energy technology that will help lower the cost of energy and allow our businesses to grow creating more jobs."" USDA Rural Development Maine State Director Virginia Manuel said, This significant investment in renewable energy and energy efficient systems for fourteen rural Maine businesses will not only help them greatly reduce operating costs and increase sustainability, but will have an important environmental impact on our state through reducing carbon emissions. The full list of grants is below: Athens Energy, LLC$56,520, Bangor Athens Energy, LLC- $500,000, Bangor Janel Inc. DBA Camp Tapawingo- $29,000, Sweden Justice Farm, Inc.- $8,565, Gorham LaBrie Farms, LLC- $49,500, Saint Agatha Maine Beer Company, LLC- $49,273, Freeport Gilles M. Michaud- $106,862, Caswell North Branch, LLC- $5,048, Monroe Planson International Corporation- $27,222, New Gloucester Ricker Hill Orchards- $22,261, Turner Smiths Farm, LLC- $227,681, Westfield Sparkys Apiaries, Inc.- $1,867, Hope The Wildwood Corporation- $59,301, Bridgton VGBLADS, LLC Brunswick, $500,000 William M. Lowe, Inc.-$19,950",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/vote-reopen-export-import-bank-clears-major-hurdle-tonight,Vote to reopen Export Import Bank clears major hurdle tonight,2015-10-26,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Update: The House passed the bill on October 27. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said a vote to reopen the Export Import Bank (ExIm) is certain in the next few days, now that a procedural hurdle has been cleared in the U.S. House. Tonight the House voted to accept a discharge petitiona petition signed by more than half the House Members to force a vote on a bill to reopen the Export Import Bank, which closed after Congress refused to reauthorize it this summer. ""The Export Import Bank supports American manufacturing jobs, and shutting it down means shutting down exports for some companies. We've heard from businesses in Maine and across the country that simply can't send their products to other countries without a guarantee from ExIm,"" Pingree said. ""The delay in reauthorizing the bank is inexcusable and I'm glad we have taken a big step toward putting them back in business."" Pingree and her colleagues signed the discharge petition earlier this month, and tonight's vote accepting the petition means that House leaders will have to allow a vote on reopening the bank, as early as this week.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-pingree-introduce-bill-reduce-food-waste,Congresswoman Pingree to introduce bill to reduce food waste,2015-10-21,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Comprehensive legislation attacks food waste in schools, restaurants, stores and farms Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that she will be introducing comprehensive legislation this fall to attack the problem of wasted food. ""About 40% of the food in the U.S. is wasted. That costs us money, is bad for the environment, and means people are going hungry when perfectly good food is ending up in a landfill,"" Pingree said. Pingree says she will be introducing a bill that will address wasted food at four levels in stores and restaurants, in institutions like schools, at the consumer level, and on the farm. At the consumer level, Pingree says one of the provisions of the bill will seek to reform the way ""sell by"" or ""best by"" dates are used on products. ""A lot of people mistakenly think there is some sort of government standard for best by dates and that you have to throw out food once the date has passed,"" Pingree said. ""The truth is that its the manufacturer who comes up with those dates and much of the time the food is perfectly safe to eat well after the date has passed."" Video from Congresswoman Pingree's announcement at the NYT Food for Tomorrow ConferencePingree says one provision she is considering is a requirement that manufacturers print a disclaimer below the sell-by date, stating that it's only a recommendation and the food can still be safe to eat after that date. Pingree's bill would also contain provisions to: fund ad campaigns to educate consumers about food waste, tax credits to make it easier for farmers and retailers to donate ""ugly"" or non-standard products, and reforms of procurement policies for school lunch programs to help them buy those kinds of fruits and vegetables. Fifty million Americans are food insecure, and Pingree says reducing food waste could make a big difference to them. ""If we reduce food waste by just 15%, we would be able to adequately feed 25 million hungry Americans,"" Pingree said. In 2011, Pingree introduced the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Acta comprehensive bill to make local food more accessible. The bill contained several dozen provisions and most of those proposals were later incorporated into the Farm Bill, passed by Congress and signed by the President last year. Pingree announced the bill today at the New York Times' Food for Tomorrow conference in Pocantico, NY.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-pingree-disappointed-lack-social-security-benefit-increase,Congresswoman Pingree disappointed by lack of Social Security benefit increase,2015-10-15,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree expressed disappointment today at the Social Security Administrations announcement that there would be no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) next year, meaning that beneficiaries will not see an increase in benefits. ""Ask any senior in Maine and they will tell you that their cost of living has gone up,"" Pingree said. ""They know that the cost of food and prescription drugs keeps going up, and for anyone who depends on Social Security to get by, it's becoming harder and harder to make ends meet."" ""I'm going to keep pushing for a COLA formula that better reflects their financial reality. The current model may depict whats going on for urban workers, but certainly not for Maine seniors,"" Pingree said. The Social Security Administration currently uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to determine annually whether benefits should increase (by law, they cannot decrease). Throughout her time in Congress, Pingree has sponsored multiple pieces of legislation to instead use the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which more accurately depicts costs for seniors. Under the CPI-E, beneficiaries would have seen an increase next year. Seniors enrolled in Medicare Part B have their premiums deducted from their Social Security checks, but because of the ""hold harmless"" provision in the law, they will not see a reduction in their monthly checks even if those premiums are increased.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/urging-feds-block-cuts-methadone-treatment-payments,Urging feds to block cuts to methadone treatment payments,2015-10-13,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is urging the federal government to block a cut in payments for methadone treatment being implemented by Maine's Department of Health and Human Services. The cuts to Medicaid reimbursement rates put Maine at or near the bottom of the list nationally for methadone treatment rates and has contributed to decreased access to treatment for those suffering from addiction. State officials asked for permission to lower the rates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2012, but that requestcalled a State Plan Amendmenthas not been granted. Despite that, state officials have reduced the weekly Medicaid (MaineCare) reimbursement rate from $80 a week to $70 and then $60. Since then, one clinic has announced its intention to close, citing the extraordinarily low reimbursement rates, another refuses to accept any MaineCare patients, and the remaining clinics struggle with higher caseloads, new limits on treatment, and low rates for providing care. In her letter to CMS, Pingree wrote: Despite clear evidence of a growing and critical problem, access to treatment options in Maine is declining. Maine has opted not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and that has left a significant number of Mainers uninsured and unable to afford treatment... In 2010 there was a rate reduction in weekly MaineCare reimbursement for methadone treatment from $80 per week to $70 per week.That rate was further reduced to $60 in 2012 a 25% cut in just two years. This may indeed be the lowest rate for outpatient methadone treatment in the county. In her letter, Pingree cited the rapidly increasing rates of opioid abuse in Maine100 overdose deaths in 2014 and 63 in the first half of 2015 alone.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/signing-petition-require-vote-export-import-bank,Signing petition to require vote on Export-Import Bank,2015-10-09,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined a successful effort to force House leaders to allow a vote on a bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank (ExIm). Since a majority of all House members signed what's known as a discharge petition, the bill will have to be voted on by the full House, likely later this month. ""This has dragged on way too long,"" Pingree said. ""We heard from plenty of Maine businesses this summer who said that letting the bank expire would lead to job losses, and that's exactly what has happened. It's ridiculous that we haven't even been allowed to vote on a bill and that we had to resort to signing a petition to force House leadership to bring it up. There is a lot of bipartisan support for the Export-Import Bank and I'm pretty confident it will pass."" The discharge petition was signed by the necessary 218 House Members today and will now force a vote on HR 597the bill reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank. Last month, GE announced that failure to reauthorize ExIm would cause them to move work that supports 80 jobs in Maine to a facility in France. The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) helps manufacturers sell U.S.-made goods overseas. The Bank has supported $266 million in exports from Maine since 2007 and over the last twenty years has returned $7 billion to U.S. taxpayers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/speaking-house-floor-and-participaing-moment-silence-house-floor-today,Speaking on House floor and participaing in moment of silence on House floor today to honor El Faro crew,2015-10-09,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and her colleagues held a moment of silence on the House Floor today to honor the crew of the El Faro. Pingree and 9 other Members of Congress from states that had crew aboard the ship stood in silence in the well of the U.S. House of Representatives today. Afterwards, Pingree spoke on the House floor to recognize the crew. The text of her remarks is below. Mr. Speaker, It's with great sadness that I am here today to honor the memory of the crew of El Faro, lost in a hurricane in the Bahamas last week. Four people from my state of Maine were aboard the El Faro: Michael Holland of North Wilton, Dylan Meklin of Rockland, Danielle Randolph of Rockland, and the captaina man of great experience--Mike Davidson of Windham. In Maine we have a strong connection to those who make their living on the water and we know the risks they take every time they go to sea. But in no way does that make a tragedy like this any less painful. It is difficult for me to know what thefamilies of the crew are going through, and have been going throughbut they are in my thoughts and the thoughts of everyone in our state. I want to thank the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force for their around-the-clock efforts during what were often dangerous conditions. And although I wish the results had been different, we owe those men and women a debt of gratitude for risking their lives to try and find the crew of El Faro.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-statement-coast-guard-decision-suspend-active-search-el-faro,Pingree statement on Coast Guard decision to suspend active search for El Faro survivors,2015-10-07,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement after the United States Coast Guard announced that they are suspending the activesearch for survivors of the El Faro. This is very sad day for the State of Maine. We have a strong connection to those who make their living on the water and we know the risks they take every time they go to sea. But in no way does that make a tragedy like this any less painful. It is difficult for me to know what the families of the crew are going through, and have been going through, over the last few days. But they are in my thoughts and the thoughts of everyone in our state. I want to thank the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force for their around-the-clock efforts during what were often dangerous conditions. And although I wish the results had been different, we owe those men and women a debt of gratitude for risking their lives to try and find the crew of El Faro.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-search-crew-el-faro,Statement on search for crew of El Faro,2015-10-05,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement on the search for the missing cargo vessel El Faro. ""The news that the El Faro has likely sunk is sad, but I'm glad the Coast Guard hasn't given up the search for survivors. Almost everyone in Maine knows someone who works on the water and knows the risks that involves. Our thoughts are with the brave men and women who go to sea and the Coast Guard and military personnel who have risked their own lives to conduct the search. We have been getting regular briefings from the Coast Guard and will continue to follow this situation closely.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-cargo-vessel-missing-bahamas,Statement on cargo vessel missing in Bahamas,2015-10-03,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement on the search for the El Faro, a cargo ship missing in the Bahamas. ""I've been briefed by the Coast Guard this afternoon, and I amconfident that with the help of the Air Force and Navy, they are doing everything they can to locate the El Faro. I know this is a very difficult time for the families of the crew and my thoughts are with them as they wait for news.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/over-700000-grants-coming-maine-thanks-funding-congresswoman-chellie,"Over $700,000 in grants coming to Maine thanks to funding Congresswoman Chellie Pingree inserted into Farm Bill",2015-10-02,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Seven Maine organizations are receiving over $700,000 in federal investments to promote the local food economy thanks to funding Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was able to insert in the Farm Bill that passed Congress in2014. ""Every dollar we put into the local food economy stays in our community and generates jobs and income for the people who live here. Building the farm economy is good for families who want to put fresh food on the table, good for farmers who want to grow their businesses and good for the environment by reducing the pollution that comes from transporting food thousands of miles,"" Pingree said. The grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are parts of programs to support farmers markets, local food producers and helpSNAP (food stamp) recipients take better advantage of fresh food at farmersmarkets. The funding, which was part of Pingree's Local Farms Food and Jobs Act, was eventually incorporated into the 2014 Farm Bill, which Congress passed and President Obama signed. ""Maine is making great progress in growing our local farm economy,"" Pingree said. ""The number of farmers markets in the state continues to increase, the number ofyoung farmers is growing rapidly and organic farming is growing faster in Maine than in any other state in the country. We have some great momentum and we need to keep it going by making these kind of investments."" Among the grants Pingree announced today are $100,000 to help Cultivating Community in Portland launch a mobile food market, $250,000 to help make it easier for SNAP beneficiaries to use farmers markets and $50,000 tohelp finance upgrades to cold storage equipment for the Gardiner Food Co-op. The full list of grants in Maine includes: Maine Federation of Farmers Markets received $99,000 to ""Increase domestic consumer consumption of locally sourced foods by developing an educational campaign to inform the public about the multiple benefits provided by farmers markets, and facilitating the annual MaineFarmers Market Snapshot Week, that will keep local foods and local farmers in the spotlight. "" Cultivating Community received $99,614 for ""Leveraging a Food Hub and Launching a Mobile Market toDevelop a Value Chain Benefitting Local Producers and Low-Income Consumers in Maine"".This project will increase the scale and operations of the recipients food hub while launching a mobile food market. Forq LLC received $100,000 for the establishment of the FORQ Food Lab in Portland, Maine. This project will launch Maine's first private, membership-based kitchen incubator. The organization will enroll entrepreneurs to scale-up home enterprises to full-time operations and find markets for raw, underutilized food. Cumberland County received $25,000 for the Lakes Region Food System Planning Project.This project will produce a food system plan that will examine 15 existing rural food economies, the present state of local agriculture, and current initiatives at the local level. The organization will identify the highest potential opportunities for increasing local food sales. Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission received $25,000 for an Initiative to Explore the Feasibility of a York County Food Hub.This organization will conduct a feasibility study to determine the need for a potential food hub and local food marketing plan. Blue Sky Produce received $51,630 for a Wild Blueberry Shipping Hub. This project establishes a shipping hub to provide aggregation, storage, and distribution services for small and mid-scale wild blueberry growers. Other regional food producers will also use the hub to store and ship their products. Gardiner Food Co-op received $53,955 for ""Cooling it: A modernized and customized refrigeration systemas the focal point for increasing sales of local foods at the Gardiner Food Co-op. "" This project will upgrade existing co-op equipment to new, energy efficient, remote refrigeration units. Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets received $249,677 for ""Building a SNAP Support System for Maine Farmers Markets."" The Maine Federation of Farmers Markets will use funds to provide training for market managersand farmers on EBT, provide support and technical assistance for local farmers markets, produce and utilize SNAP-Farmers Market communication tools, update EBT training manual, implement a branding campaign in conjunction with FINI, and develop and train market liaisons.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-vote-keep-government-operating,Statement on vote to keep government operating,2015-09-30,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement after voting for a short-term spending bill to keep the government operating through December 11. The bill passed the House and Senate today and now goes to President Obama for his signature. ""It's hard to call a stopgap spending bill a victory, but I'm glad Republicans were not successful in shutting down the government over Planned Parenthood funding. There is a lot lacking in this short-term bill, like reauthorization for the Export-Import Bank, but it avoids a government shutdown and all the damage to the economy that would cause.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-poliquin-announce-federal-investment-rural-small-businesses,"Pingree, Poliquin announce federal investment in rural small businesses",2015-09-30,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin announced $275,000 in federal grants for four Maine organizations to help grow the rural and agricultural economy in Maine. The grants will provide job training, low cost loans and improve distribution for agricultural products. ""The agriculture economy has tremendous potential for growth, creating good jobs right here in Maine,"" Pingree said. ""Investing in the local economy and local food is a good way to create economic growth in rural communities."" ""While traveling throughout Maine, it has been great to see, first-hand, the potential job growth local farms, such as Backyard Tomatoes in Madison, can provide for our communities,"" Poliquin said. ""These grants will help provide more resources for our rural communities to provide more jobs for Mainers and create a better business climate."" The grants, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are targeted at starting or expanding rural small businesses. The grants include: Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association (MOFGA) - $98,950. Rural Development funds will be used to assist with organic grower business consultation services, organic farming workshops and professional training, and third-party loans for non-production purposes from an organic farmers' revolving loan fund. The project has the potential to create 50 jobs. Kennebec Valley Council of Governments - $89,000. Rural Development funds will be used to assist with expanding the Maine Grains oat project. The project will consist of acquiring and installing oat-dehulling and related equipment and mechanical work, along with testing, package design, web consultation for online marketing, and project management. The project has the potential to create 21 jobs. Northern Maine Development Commission - $62,050. Rural Development funds will be used to help develop marketing strategies and improve distribution channels throughout the Great Region Diversified Agricultural Community of Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties. The project has the potential to create 38 jobs. Aroostook Aspiration Initiative - $25,000. Rural Development funds will be used to assist with expanding the Internship Hub of Aroostook program. The project will conduct leadership training for prospective adult, rural entrepreneurs and managers, while establishing and developing rural learning programs that provide job training instruction related to potential employment and job advancement for adult students. The project has the potential over the next three years to create 75 jobs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-poliquin-say-provision-they-pushed-fund-destroyer-included,"Pingree, Poliquin say provision they pushed for to fund destroyer included in defense bill",2015-09-30,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"The U.S.S. Michael Murphy, an Arleigh Burke destroyer built at Bath Iron Works. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin say a major defense bill contains funding the two pushed for that could result in the construction of a new destroyer at Bath Iron Works. The version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) agreed to by House and Senate negotiators this week includes a provision to provide $400 million in initial funding for construction of an additional Arleigh Burke class destroyer. Pingree and Poliquin had pushed negotiators to include the funding. In 2002 the Navy, BIW and Northrup Grumman signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would award a contract for construction of an additional DDG-51 destroyer to BIW if the Huntington Ingalls Shipyard in Mississippi was awarded a deal to build an additional amphibious transport ship (LPD-17) for the Marine Corps. After Pentagon officials indicated they wanted to build the new amphibious ship, Pingree and Poliquin both argued that the 2002 agreement was still ineffect and should trigger additional construction at BIW. ""This is good news for BIW,"" Pingree said. ""The 2002 deal clearly means that Bath should get another ship if Huntington Ingalls gets a contract for a new LPD. And putting the funding for another ship in the NDAA is an important step in the right direction."" The hard-working men and women of Bath Iron Works make the most advanced naval ships the world has ever seen, said Poliquin. I'm pleased to see this important funding was included in the final version of the NDAA as it is terrific news for BIW and the State of Maine. In April, Pingree and Poliquin wrote to the House Armed Services Committee on this issue, urging them to authorize and fund the new destroyer. The NDAA is expected to be voted on in the House later this week.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-criticizes-congressional-planned-parenthood-hearing-held-today,Pingree criticizes Congressional Planned Parenthood hearing held today,2015-09-29,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said a Congressional hearing held on Capitol Hill today was designed to intimidate Planned Parenthood and providers of women's healthcare. ""Every day women in America are harassed for seeking legal medical care and today Republicans in Congress took that to another level by holding a hearing that was designed to intimidate the largest provider of women's healthcare in America,"" Pingree said. ""That hearing was a witch-hunt orchestrated by people who want to make abortion illegal by attacking Planned Parenthood and threatening to end its funding."" The hearing was convened by Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and included testimony from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood. ""Cecile Richards didn't back down and stood up for the high quality healthcare that Planned Parenthood provides to 2.7 million women. It was disappointing to see my colleagues badger and attack her,"" Pingree said. ""The attacks were baseless and without merit and intended to intimidate Ms. Richards and Planned Parenthood. It didn't work and Republican leaders behind these attacks should be ashamed.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-address-pope-francis-joint-session-congress,Statement on the address of Pope Francis to a Joint Session of Congress,2015-09-24,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement on the address of Pope Francis to a Joint Session of Congress this morning. When the Pope spoke today to the men and women of Congress he had their rapt attention and spoke to an engaged and attentive audience. And although his address was in front of Congress, he was really talking directly to the American people. He spoke to the working men and women of America, who struggle every day to make a living and provide for their families. He spoke to seniors, to the young and to the most vulnerable members of our society. His message was one of love, peace and justice. He called on us to accept and embrace new immigrants as they seek a better life for their families in America. And he challenged us, as Americans and Members of Congress, to rise above divisiveness and conflict. His speech was inspirational and encouraging and I hope we all take it to heart. Former Governor and Congressman Joe Brennan was Pingree's guest in the House chamber. Pingree also held a lottery for 50 tickets to watch the address from giant screens on the lawn of the Capitol, and over 600 Mainers entered. Former Maine State Senator Anne Rand joined Pingree at the White House for the official ceremony welcoming Pope Francis to Washington yesterday. Text of the Pope's speech is below Mr. Vice-President, Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members of Congress, Dear Friends, I am most grateful for your invitation to address this Joint Session of Congress in ""the land of the free and the home of the brave."" I would like to think that the reason for this is that I too am a son of this great continent, from which we have all received so much and toward which we share a common responsibility. Each son or daughter of a given country has a mission, a personal and social responsibility. Your own responsibility as members of Congress is to enable this country, by your legislative activity, to grow as a nation. You are the face of its people, their representatives. You are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good, for this is the chief aim of all politics. A political society endures when it seeks, as a vocation, to satisfy common needs by stimulating the growth of all its members, especially those in situations of greater vulnerability or risk. Legislative activity is always based on care for the people. To this you have been invited, called and convened by those who elected you. Yours is a work which makes me reflect in two ways on the figure of Moses. On the one hand, the patriarch and lawgiver of the people of Israel symbolizes the need of peoples to keep alive their sense of unity by means of just legislation. On the other, the figure of Moses leads us directly to God and thus to the transcendent dignity of the human being. Moses provides us with a good synthesis of your work: you are asked to protect, by means of the law, the image and likeness fashioned by God on every human face. Today I would like not only to address you, but through you the entire people of the United States. Here, together with their representatives, I would like to take this opportunity to dialogue with the many thousands of men and women who strive each day to do an honest day's work, to bring home their daily bread, to save money and one step at a time to build a better life for their families. These are men and women who are not concerned simply with paying their taxes, but in their own quiet way sustain the life of society. They generate solidarity by their actions, and they create organizations which offer a helping hand to those most in need. I would also like to enter into dialogue with the many elderly persons who are a storehouse of wisdom forged by experience, and who seek in many ways, especially through volunteer work, to share their stories and their insights. I know that many of them are retired, but still active; they keep working to build up this land. I also want to dialogue with all those young people who are working to realize their great and noble aspirations, who are not led astray by facile proposals, and who face difficult situations, often as a result of immaturity on the part of many adults. I wish to dialogue with all of you, and I would like to do so through the historical memory of your people. My visit takes place at a time when men and women of good will are marking the anniversaries of several great Americans. The complexities of history and the reality of human weakness notwithstanding, these men and women, for all their many differences and limitations, were able by hard work and self-sacrifice some at the cost of their lives to build a better future. They shaped fundamental values which will endure forever in the spirit of the American people. A people with this spirit can live through many crises, tensions and conflicts, while always finding the resources to move forward, and to do so with dignity. These men and women offer us a way of seeing and interpreting reality. In honoring their memory, we are inspired, even amid conflicts, and in the here and now of each day, to draw upon our deepest cultural reserves. I would like to mention four of these Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton. This year marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the guardian of liberty, who labored tirelessly that ""this nation, under God, (might) have a new birth of freedom"". Building a future of freedom requires love of the common good and cooperation in a spirit of subsidiarity and solidarity. All of us are quite aware of, and deeply worried by, the disturbing social and political situation of the world today. Our world is increasingly a place of violent conflict, hatred and brutal atrocities, committed even in the name of God and of religion. We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind. A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms. But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners. The contemporary world, with its open wounds which affect so many of our brothers and sisters, demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps. We know that in the attempt to be freed of the enemy without, we can be tempted to feed the enemy within. To imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place. That is something which you, as a people, reject. Our response must instead be one of hope and healing, of peace and justice. We are asked to summon the courage and the intelligence to resolve today's many geopolitical and economic crises. Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples. We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good. The challenges facing us today call for a renewal of that spirit of cooperation, which has accomplished so much good throughout the history of the United States. The complexity, the gravity and the urgency of these challenges demand that we pool our resources and talents, and resolve to support one another, with respect for our differences and our convictions of conscience. In this land, the various religious denominations have greatly contributed to building and strengthening society. It is important that today, as in the past, the voice of faith continue to be heard, for it is a voice of fraternity and love, which tries to bring out the best in each person and in each society. Such cooperation is a powerful resource in the battle to eliminate new global forms of slavery, born of grave injustices which can be overcome only through new policies and new forms of social consensus. Here I think of the political history of the United States, where democracy is deeply rooted in the mind of the American people. All political activity must serve and promote the good of the human person and be based on respect for his or her dignity. ""We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."" If politics must truly be at the service of the human person, it follows that it cannot be a slave to the economy and finance. Politics is, instead, an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one the greatest common good: that of a community which sacrifices particular interests in order to share, in justice and peace, its goods, its interests, its social life. I do not underestimate the difficulty that this involves, but I encourage you in this effort. Here too I think of the march which Martin Luther King led from Selma to Montgomery fifty years ago as part of the campaign to fulfill his ""dream"" of full civil and political rights for African Americans. That dream continues to inspire us all. I am happy that America continues to be, for many, a land of ""dreams."" Dreams which lead to action, to participation, to commitment. Dreams which awaken what is deepest and truest in the life of a people. In recent centuries, millions of people came to this land to pursue their dream of building a future in freedom. We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners. I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants. Tragically, the rights of those who were here long before us were not always respected. For those peoples and their nations, from the heart of American democracy, I wish to reaffirm my highest esteem and appreciation. Those first contacts were often turbulent and violent, but it is difficult to judge the past by the criteria of the present. Nonetheless, when the stranger in our midst appeals to us, we must not repeat the sins and the errors of the past. We must resolve now to live as nobly and as justly as possible, as we educate new generations not to turn their back on our ""neighbors"" and everything around us. Building a nation calls us to recognize that we must constantly relate to others, rejecting a mind-set of hostility in order to adopt one of reciprocal subsidiarity, in a constant effort to do our best. I am confident that we can do this. Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions. On this continent, too, thousands of persons are led to travel north in search of a better life for themselves and for their loved ones, in search of greater opportunities. Is this not what we want for our own children? We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation. To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal. We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the Golden Rule: ""Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."" This Rule points us in a clear direction. Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us. The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development. This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty. I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes. Recently my brother bishops here in the United States renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty. Not only do I support them, but I also offer encouragement to all those who are convinced that a just and necessary punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation. In these times when social concerns are so important, I cannot fail to mention the Servant of God Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker Movement. Her social activism, her passion for justice and for the cause of the oppressed, were inspired by the Gospel, her faith, and the example of the saints. How much progress has been made in this area in so many parts of the world! How much has been done in these first years of the third millennium to raise people out of extreme poverty! I know that you share my conviction that much more still needs to be done, and that in times of crisis and economic hardship a spirit of global solidarity must not be lost. At the same time I would encourage you to keep in mind all those people around us who are trapped in a cycle of poverty. They too need to be given hope. The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes. I know that many Americans today, as in the past, are working to deal with this problem. It goes without saying that part of this great effort is the creation and distribution of wealth. The right use of natural resources, the proper application of technology and the harnessing of the spirit of enterprise are essential elements of an economy which seeks to be modern, inclusive and sustainable. ""Business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving the world. It can be a fruitful source of prosperity for the area in which it operates, especially if it sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common good."" This common good also includes the earth, a central theme of the encyclical which I recently wrote in order to ""enter into dialogue with all people about our common home."" ""We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all."" In Laudato Si', I call for a courageous and responsible effort to ""redirect our steps,"" and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity. I am convinced that we can make a difference and I have no doubt that the United States and this Congress have an important role to play. Now is the time for courageous actions and strategies, aimed at implementing a ""culture of care"" and ""an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature."" ""We have the freedom needed to limit and direct technology""; ""to devise intelligent ways of... developing and limiting our power""; and to put technology ""at the service of another type of progress, one which is healthier, more human, more social, more integral."" In this regard, I am confident that America's outstanding academic and research institutions can make a vital contribution in the years ahead. A century ago, at the beginning of the Great War, which Pope Benedict XV termed a ""pointless slaughter"", another notable American was born: the Cistercian monk Thomas Merton. He remains a source of spiritual inspiration and a guide for many people. In his autobiography he wrote: ""I came into the world. Free by nature, in the image of God, I was nevertheless the prisoner of my own violence and my own selfishness, in the image of the world into which I was born. That world was the picture of Hell, full of men like myself, loving God, and yet hating him; born to love him, living instead in fear of hopeless self-contradictory hungers"". Merton was above all a man of prayer, a thinker who challenged the certitudes of his time and opened new horizons for souls and for the Church. He was also a man of dialogue, a promoter of peace between peoples and religions. From this perspective of dialogue, I would like to recognize the efforts made in recent months to help overcome historic differences linked to painful episodes of the past. It is my duty to build bridges and to help all men and women, in any way possible, to do the same. When countries which have been at odds resume the path of dialogue a dialogue which may have been interrupted for the most legitimate of reasons new opportunities open up for all. This has required, and requires, courage and daring, which is not the same as irresponsibility. A good political leader is one who, with the interests of all in mind, seizes the moment in a spirit of openness and pragmatism. A good political leader always opts to initiate processes rather than possessing spaces. Being at the service of dialogue and peace also means being truly determined to minimize and, in the long term, to end the many armed conflicts throughout our world. Here we have to ask ourselves: Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade. Three sons and a daughter of this land, four individuals and four dreams: Lincoln, liberty; Martin Luther King, liberty in plurality and non-exclusion; Dorothy Day, social justice and the rights of persons; and Thomas Merton, the capacity for dialogue and openness to God. Four representatives of the American people. I will end my visit to your country in Philadelphia, where I will take part in the World Meeting of Families. It is my wish that throughout my visit the family should be a recurrent theme. How essential the family has been to the building of this country! And how worthy it remains of our support and encouragement! Yet I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without. Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the importance and, above all, the richness and the beauty of family life. In particular, I would like to call attention to those family members who are the most vulnerable, the young. For many of them, a future filled with countless possibilities beckons, yet so many others seem disoriented and aimless, trapped in a hopeless maze of violence, abuse and despair. Their problems are our problems. We cannot avoid them. We need to face them together, to talk about them and to seek effective solutions rather than getting bogged down in discussions. At the risk of oversimplifying, we might say that we live in a culture which pressures young people not to start a family, because they lack possibilities for the future. Yet this same culture presents others with so many options that they too are dissuaded from starting a family. A nation can be considered great when it defends liberty as Lincoln did, when it fosters a culture which enables people to ""dream"" of full rights for all their brothers and sisters, as Martin Luther King sought to do; when it strives for justice and the cause of the oppressed, as Dorothy Day did by her tireless work, the fruit of a faith which becomes dialogue and sows peace in the contemplative style of Thomas Merton. In these remarks I have sought to present some of the richness of your cultural heritage, of the spirit of the American people. It is my desire that this spirit continue to develop and grow, so that as many young people as possible can inherit and dwell in a land which has inspired so many people to dream. God bless America! Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/pope-francis-speech-to-congress-transcript-text-video-214016#ixzz3mfjqf3e8",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-says-government-shutdown-threatens-food-stamps-230000-mainers,"Pingree says government shutdown threatens food stamps for 230,000 Mainers",2015-09-22,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said if Congress fails to pass a spending bill by the end of this month and forces a government shutdown, 45 million people, including 230,000 in Maine, could lose their SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) on October 1st. ""A politically motivated government shutdown would be a real hardship for thousands of Maine families, veterans and seniors who depend on food stamps to help make ends meet each month,"" Pingree said. ""It's shameful that some Congressional Republicans are trying to use their opposition to Planned Parenthood to force a government shutdown at the expense of families struggling to put food on the table."" During the last government shutdown, Recovery Act funding was able to keep the food stamp program running, but that funding has run out and now the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will not have enough funding to cover the cost of food stamps in October and may be forced to shut down the program on October 1st. Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and sits on the subcommittee that provides funding for USDA.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/former-governor-joe-brennan-watch-popes-address-congress-guest,Former Governor Joe Brennan to watch Pope's address to Congress as guest of Congresswoman Pingree,2015-09-21,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has invited former Governor and Congressman Joe Brennan to join her in the U. S. House of Representatives for the historic address from Pope Francis this week. Brennan will sit in the gallery of the House during the Pope's speech. ""Joe has served our state as Attorney General, as Governor and in Congress,"" Pingree said. ""Not to mention the fact that he has 16 years of Catholic school under his belt. I'm thrilled that he will be in the House Chamber during the Pope's address."" Pingree also held a lottery for 50 tickets to watch the address from giant screens on the lawn of the Capitol, and over 600 Mainers entered. Pingree also invited former State Senator Anne Rand to join her at the White House for the official ceremony welcoming Pope Francis to Washington on Wednesday. ""The Pope's commitment to social justice, economic equality and protecting our climate are values I share and I'm excited that he will be in Washington totalk about those values with my colleagues in Congress,"" Pingree said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-joins-brief-asking-federal-court-uphold-net-neutrality-rules,Pingree joins brief asking federal court to uphold net neutrality rules,2015-09-21,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree weighed in this week on a case in federal court that could jeopardize new rules designed to protect a free and open Internet. Pingree and 28 other Members of Congress signed an Amicus Brief with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to support the Obama Administration's rules that guarantee net neutrality. ""Without net neutrality the big telecom companies can slow down or speed up certain sites based on who is paying them for faster access,"" Pingree said. ""We need to preserve these rules to stop them from acting as gatekeepers of your content."" The FCC declared Internet service providers (ISPs) to be public utilities like telephone companies, and issue regulations that prevent themfrom discriminating against or favoring certain sites. Since then, big telecom companies went to federal court to try and overturn those rules.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-fights-attempts-defund-planned-parenthood,Pingree fights attempts to defund Planned Parenthood,2015-09-18,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"In a strongly worded speech on the House Floor today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree stood up for Planned Parenthood and criticized attempts to defund the organization and put them out of business. ""Let's be clear about who is really behind the attempts to defund Planned Parenthood: radical anti-abortion groups who want to shut down Planned Parenthood and deny women access to safe and legal abortion. These are groups who want to deny women the right to make private, personal medical decisions. And in the process they want to take away their access to birth control, family planning services and even basic health care,"" Pingree said on the House floor. Pingree voted against a bill today pushed by Republican leaders that would end funding for Planned Parenthood. She also opposing a separate piece of legislation aimed to intimidate doctors and make it more difficult for women to access safe, legal abortionservices. Both bills passed, largely along party lines. The full text of Pingree's remarks are below: Mr. Speaker, defunding Planned Parenthood would have a real, profound, negativeimpact on the 10,000 people in Maine who get health care from Planned Parenthood every year, many of whom have no other access to care. Planned Parenthood provides basic health care like cancer screenings, vaccinations,wellness exams and STD testing. Basic care that will mean the difference between health and sickness.prosperity and povertyor even life and death, for women in my state. But let's be clear about who is really behind the attempts to defund Planned Parenthood: radical anti-abortion groups who want to shut down Planned Parenthood and deny women access to safe and legal abortion. These are groups who want to deny women the right to make private, personal medical decisions. And in the process they want to take away their access to birth control, family planning services and even basic health care. And they have orchestrated a false, misleading smear campaign to try and accomplish their goal. I urge you to vote no and stand up for women's right to make their own decisions about health care and protect their access to basic medical services.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-representatives-pingree-and-massie-reintroduce-milk-freedom,U.S. Representatives Pingree and Massie Reintroduce Milk Freedom Legislation,2015-09-18,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Representatives Chellie Pingree (DME) and Thomas Massie (RKY), and a bipartisan coalition of 16 other lawmakers have reintroduced legislation to improve consumer food choices and to protect local farmers from federal interference. The two billsthe Milk Freedom of Act of 2015 (H.R. 3563) and the Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2015 (H.R. 3564)are the newest in a series of ""food and farm freedom"" initiatives the two have championed this year, following the Industrial Hemp Act of 2015 (H.R. 525) and the PRIME Act (H.R. 3187). ""These bills would make it easier for families to buy wholesome milk directly from farmers by reversing the criminalization of dairy farmers who offer raw milk,"" said Rep. Massie. ""The federal government should not punish farmers for providing customers the foods they want, and states should be free to set their own laws regulating food safety."" ""A lot of people want to buy fresh, unpasteurized milk and regulations shouldn't get between them and a farmer who wants to sell it,"" said Rep. Pingree. ""It just doesn't make sense to spend money cracking down on small, local farmers who are producing natural, raw milk and I think the enforcement of raw milk regulations has been overzealous and needs to be reined in."" ""Raw milk is the only food banned in interstate commerce,"" said Pete Kennedy, President of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. ""Congratulations to Representatives Massie and Pingree for starting the process of repealing a regulation that thousands of otherwise law abiding citizens violate every week in this country."" Raw milk is fresh milk that has not been pasteurized, and may contain beneficial nutrients that have not been eliminated by the pasteurization process. Although Congress has never passed legislation banning raw milk, the federal Food and Drug Administration has used their regulatory authority to prosecute farmers for selling raw milk. The Milk Freedom Act of 2015 would provide relief to local farmers, small producers, and others who have been harassed, fined, and in some cases even prosecuted for the ""crime"" of distributing unpasteurized milk. This bill would prohibit the federal government from interfering with the interstate traffic of raw milk products. Likewise, the Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2015 would prevent the federal government from interfering with trade of unpasteurized, natural milk or milk products between states where distribution or sale of such products is already legal. No provision of either bill wouldpreempt or otherwise interfere with any state law. Massie concluded, ""Today, many people are paying more attention to the food they eat, what it contains, and how it is processed. Raw milk, which has been with us for thousands of years, is making a comeback among these discerningconsumers. Personal choices as basic as 'what we feed our families' should not be limited by the federal government.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-announces-100000-help-disabled-maine-veterans-participate,"Pingree announces $100,000 to help disabled Maine veterans participate in adaptive sports",2015-09-16,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced that two organizations in Mainethe New England Nordic Ski Association and Pineland Farmswould receive over $100,000 in grants to help disabled veteransparticipate in adaptive sports. Disabled veterans who made incredible sacrifices serving our country deserve the chance to get outside and be active just like otherMainers, said Pingree. Participating in things like skiing, fly fishing, and archery offers these veterans many physical and emotional benefits while being a great way to enjoy what Maine has to offer. I applaud these groups for working to accommodate these veterans needs and am excited that this funding will help them connect more veterans with great recreational opportunities. With offices in New Gloucester, the New EnglandNordic Ski Association is receiving a $50,000 grant to offer adaptive Nordic skiing, biathlon, fly fishing, archery, and kayaking programs throughout New England. Pineland Farms in New Gloucester is receiving a$51,009 grant to provide adaptive programs in basketball, tennis, Nordic skiing, snow shoeing, fly fishing, archery and disc golf in Maine and New Hampshire. The VA awarded 86 grants across the country to serve an estimated 10,000 veterans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-says-failure-reauthorize-export-import-bank-leading-directly,Pingree says failure to reauthorize Export Import Bank leading directly to loss of work in Maine,2015-09-15,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said that GE has decided to move work out of Maine and three other states because Congress has failed to reauthorize the agency that provides financing for U.S. companies exporting products overseas.General Electric announced today they are moving 500 jobs from facilities in Maine, Texas, New York and South Carolina to France, Hungary, and China because of the failure of Congress to reauthorize Ex-Im. Work that would support 80 jobs at the GE plant in Bangor that manufactures key components for power turbines will be moved to a GE facility in France. ""There is a direct connection between the loss of this work in Maine and the failure by Congress to reauthorize Ex-Im,"" Pingree said. ""GE doesn't want to move this work overseas, but the customers for their power turbines require that an export credit agency provide financing. Since the U.S. can't do that right now and France can, the jobs and the work are going to France."" Authorization for Ex-Im expired this summer, and Congressional Republicans have blocked a bill to reauthorize the bank. Pingree has signed a ""discharge petition"" that would force a vote on the bill, but so far not enough of her colleagues have joined her to bring the measure to the floor. ""I've heard firsthand from Maine businesses about how the Ex-Im Bank has made it possible to export their goods to other countries. But it's gotten caught up in Tea Party politics in Congress and now Maine workers are paying the price. There is a lot of bipartisan support to keep Ex-Im operating, but Republican leaders won't let it even come up for a vote. It's really outrageous,"" Pingree said. The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) helps manufacturers sell U.S.-made goods overseas. The Bank has supported $266 million in exports from Maine since 2007 and over the last twenty years hasreturned $7 billion to U.S. taxpayers. ""We need to get the Ex-Im Bank back up and running,"" Pingree said. ""The longer this work is done overseas, the harder it will be to bring it back to Maine.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-says-former-brunswick-naval-air-station-get-11-million,Pingree says former Brunswick Naval Air Station to get $1.1 million to rehabilitate building,2015-09-14,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said this afternoon that the former Brunswick Naval Air Station will be getting $1.1 million to help renovate and redevelop a hangar for use by aerospace companies. Brunswick is a great example of how a former military base can be redeveloped to create jobs and economic opportunity for a community. This is truly an investment that will pay off many times over, Pingree said. It's exciting to see this hangar renovated so it can support the growing aerospace industry in Maine. It helps create and preserve the good paying jobs that we need in our state. The approximately 50,000-square-foot building was previously used as a maintenance hangar at the naval base. Work under the grant includes installing new heating systems and ADA accessibility improvements. The Brunswick Executive Airport will receive the grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/preble-street-get-17-million-serve-veteran-homeless-population,Preble Street to get $1.7 million to serve veteran homeless population,2015-09-14,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Preble Street in Portland is getting a $1.7 million grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help serve homeless veterans in Maine. ""It's shameful that so many men and women who served our country end up homeless,"" Pingree said. ""There are a lot of causes for homelessness, but for veterans the reality of repeated combat deployments and then the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life sometimes results in veterans finding themselves on the streets or in jeopardy of becoming homeless. Preble Street has done a great job in tackling this problem and this funding is going to helpthem continue to do that work statewide."" Preble Street first started a program for homeless veterans four years ago, and two years ago expanded it statewide. The VA funding will allow Preble Street to continue Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families (SSVF), a program to combat veteran homelessness. Preble Street works with veterans who already are homeless, as well as intervening with those who are most at risk at becoming homeless. The program provides a wide variety of services, from temporary financial assistance to coordinating services that can help veterans get off the street and into permanent housing.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/preble-street-get-17-million-serve-veteran-homeless-population-0,Preble Street to get $1.7 million to serve veteran homeless population,2015-09-14,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Preble Street in Portland is getting a $1.7 million grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help serve homeless veterans in Maine. ""It's shameful that so many men and women who served our country end up homeless,"" Pingree said. ""There are a lot of causes for homelessness, but for veterans the reality of repeated combat deployments and then the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life sometimes results in veterans finding themselves on the streets or in jeopardy of becoming homeless. Preble Street has done a great job in tackling this problem and this funding is going to helpthem continue to do that work statewide."" Preble Street first started a program for homeless veterans four years ago, and two years ago expanded it statewide. The VA funding will allow Preble Street to continue Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families (SSVF), a program to combat veteran homelessness. Preble Street works with veterans who already are homeless, as well as intervening with those who are most at risk at becoming homeless. The program provides a wide variety of services, from temporary financial assistance to coordinating services that can help veterans get off the street and into permanent housing.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/feds-roll-out-new-food-safety-rules-after-pingree-opposed-initial,Feds roll out new food safety rules after Pingree opposed initial proposal,2015-09-11,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Yesterday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released new food safety rules that primarily impact food manufacturers. A separate set of rules that will have a bigger impact on farms is due out next month. These rules are part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). ""I'm still looking over the details of these rules but one big change from what the FDA had original proposed is in what is considered a farm,"" Pingree said. ""Originally, a farmer who boxes up apples or mixes together salad greens could have beenconsidered a food processor. And that food processor label would have subjected family farmers to unnecessarily harsh regulations. We fought for changes to the rules to make them reflect the realities of actual farms and we won."" The FSMA rules announced yesterday represent a ""do-over"" for the FDA, after an initial set of proposed rules were challenged by Pingree, farmers and activists around the country. In 2013, Pingree helped organize a meeting in Augusta with top FDA officials in which over 150 people turned out to express their frustration with the first set of proposed rules. In the wake of that hearing, the FDA agreed to withdraw their original proposals and rework the rules to better recognize the needs of smaller producers. ""The rules governing things like irrigation and the use of compost on farms are very important and we still haven't seen the final version of those,"" Pingree said. ""So far, the FDA has shown they will listen to the concerns of smaller farmers and producers and I hope that's reflected in those rules when they come out next month.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-votes-support-nuclear-deal-iran,Pingree votes to support nuclear deal with Iran,2015-09-11,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted today to support a deal to keep Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Republican leaders had introduced numerous bills with the hope of stopping the agreement, negotiated between Iran, the United States and five other countries. ""We need peace and security in the Middle East, not another war. This agreement is our best hope at peace and keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of the Iranians. The alternatives are to do nothing and remain in the dark about what Iran is doing or get involved in armed conflict. It's far better that we embrace this plan and work with the other countries who are part of it to make sure Iran complies and doesn't develop nuclear weapons,"" Pingree said. Pingree voted for a resolution approving of the deal and against a separate bill that would have prevented President Obama from lifting sanctions on Iran, as the nuclear agreement requires, until 2017.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/continuing-support-iran-nuclear-deal,Continuing support for Iran nuclear deal,2015-09-10,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted against a partisan resolution today that seeks to delay the Iran nuclear deal. The last-minute measure introduced by Republicans this week claims that the Iran nuclear accord isn't valid because of separate agreements negotiated by Iran with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). ""This is a cynical and misleading resolution that has very little to do with what we were supposed to be voting on. The support for the international agreement to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon has been steadily gaining support, and I guess the Republicans figured out they didn't have the votes to block it so now they are trying to muddy the waters with misleading and false claims,"" Pingree said. The resolution that Pingree opposed today claimed that the President was supposed to send Congress the details of an agreement betweenIran and the IAEA, arguing that the agreement is somehow part of the Iran nuclear deal. In fact, the IAEA has similar, confidential arrangements with 180 countries and they are not part of the historic agreement negotiated between Iran and the international community. ""The negotiations have produced the best opportunity we've had in a long time to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of the Iranians, and I continue to support it and will continue to oppose these disingenuousattempts to block its implementation,"" Pingree said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-announces-over-1-million-federal-drug-free-communities-support,Pingree announces over $1 million in federal Drug-Free Communities Support grants for Southern and Midcoast Maine,2015-09-10,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that 9 community coalitions across Southern and Midcoast Maine would receive a total of $1.1 million in grant funding through the federal Drug-Free Communities Support Program. The recipients are located in Biddeford, Brunswick, Damariscotta, Freeport, Portland, Rockport, Sanford, Windham, and Westbrook. The heartbreaking rise in heroin overdoses and deaths in Maine and across the country makes these kind of prevention funds even more important. We should be doing everything we can to keep kids from going down the path of drug abuse before things get out of control, said Pingree. I'm very proud of how Maine communities are working together to prevent substance abuse by young Mainers, and am glad that so many will receive federal funding to support those efforts. Funds are awarded by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Recipients will use the funds for a range of efforts, including educating parents, increasing enforcement of underage drinking laws, increasing public awareness of the risks of substance abuse, and enlisting educators in youth substance abuse prevention. More details and contact information for recipients is available upon request. New grants Access Health, Brunswick ($125,000)serving Sagadahoc County, Brunswick and Harpswell. Cumberland County Government Casco Bay Create Awareness Now, Portland ($125,000)serving Freeport, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Cumberland, North Yarmouth, Gray, New Gloucester, and Pownal. Healthy Lincoln County ($125,000)serving Lincoln County. Be the Influence Coalition, Windham-Raymond ($125,000)serving Windham and Raymond. Project Alliance, Biddeford ($125,000)serving Arundel, Biddeford, Buxton, Dayton, Hollis, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach and Saco. Sanford Strong Coalition, Sanford ($125,000)serving Sanford and Springvale. Continuing grants Communities Promoting Health Coalition, Portland ($125,000) Westbrook Communities that Care, Westbrook ($125,000) Five Town Communities That Care, Rockport ($100,000)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-backed-bill-address-problem-infants-struggling-drug-withdrawal,Pingree-backed bill to address problem of infants struggling with drug withdrawal passes U.S. House,2015-09-09,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"A bill backed by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree that would begin to develop a national strategy for addressing the problem of babies who sufferdrug withdrawal symptoms as soon as they are born passed the U.S. House tonight. The number of infants who start life with drugs in their system is rising quickly in Maine, increasing by 500% between 2005 and 2012. In 2012, 779 babies were born in Maine who had to be weaned off some sort of opioid. ""It's hard to think of anything more tragic than the image of a newborn struggling with the symptoms of withdrawal. Sadly, as the number of adults addicted to drugs increase, so does the number of babies who start out life having to be weaned off drugs,"" Pingree said. ""It's a big problem in Maine and around the country, and it's time we started to develop a national strategy to address it."" Pingree is a co-sponsor of the Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015 (H.R. 1462), which would require federal experts at agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy for tracking the number of cases and creating recommendations for prevention and treatment. The bill passed the House unanimously tonight. ""This is a really tragic problem and the first step is to get a better handle on how widespread it is and come up with the best ways to treat these infants in their first few years of life,"" Pingree said. ""That's been lacking at the national level and this bill addresses the problem.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-statement-death-former-maine-senate-president-beverly-daggett,Pingree statement on death of former Maine Senate President Beverly Daggett,2015-09-06,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement on the death of former Maine Senate President Beverly Dagget of Augusta, who Pingree served with in the Maine Legislature. ""Bev was a wonderful colleague and I admired her ability to work across the aisle. She was key to developing a bipartisan power sharing arrangement when the Senate was evenly divided. As the first woman President of the Senate she broke down barriers and served as in inspiration to women and girls across the state. And Bev was deeply committed to the community she lived inin addition to being a State Senator from Augusta, she served on the school board, she was a county commissioner and was always ready to volunteer to help out. She made Maine a better place we will miss her. My thoughts are with her husband Tom and her children during this sad time.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congratulating-stephen-king-earning-white-house-recognition,Congratulating Stephen King on earning White House recognition,2015-09-04,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement today to congratulate Maine author Stephen King on earning a National Medal for the Arts from the White House. Receiving advance notice from Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Jane Chu, Pingree was able to give King the good news during a recent phone call. All of us in Maine recognize Stephen King as one of our state's greatest treasures, so it's exciting to see him receive one of the nation's highest honors for the arts. He certainly deserves it. The depth of his imagination truly knows no bounds, nor his ability to capture human nature amid the strangest and most horrifying circumstances. Just as special is his way of weaving our state's character, beauty, and atmosphere into his tales. He is a masterful storyteller and a great MainerI wish him the very best as he receives this prestigious honor.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-death-leon-gorman,Statement on death of Leon Gorman,2015-09-03,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement on news that former L.L. Bean President and Chairman Leon Gorman had passed away at the age of 80. Over his lifetime, Leon Gorman benefited the people of our state in so many ways. Under his leadership, L.L. Bean saw incredible growth, which raised the profile of Maine internationally and created thousand of good-paying jobs. He was a truly generous member of the community as well. He not only supported many worthy causes with his philanthropy, but also frequently volunteered at places like Preble Street without thought of publicity or recognition. Down-to-earth, compassionate, and an incredibly hard worker, Leon loved Maine and it showed in his generosity and commitment to our state. We will miss him and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Lisa, and their family.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-announces-457000-federal-grants-three-maine-fire-departments,"Pingree announces $457,000 in federal grants for three Maine fire departments",2015-09-02,2015,2015-09,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that three Maine fire departmentsin Bath, Buxton, and Westport Islandwill receive a total of $456,989 in funding through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant program to replace outdated and failing safety equipment. Every day, Maine firefighters put their lives on the line to protect public safety, but too many have to do so with failing protective gear that can be decades old. Many communities simply can't afford to replace it, said Pingree. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is critical in helping departments get the gear they need to protect firefighter and public safety when local budgets fall short. I'm so glad these three departments will receive funding. Each has an incredible need for new equipment and these funds will help them do their critical jobs more safely and effectively. Bath Fire Department will receive $163,810 for fire hose and breathing apparatus. Buxton Fire Department will receive $238,435 to replace sets of breathing apparatus that are approaching 40 years old. Westport Island Volunteer Fire Department will receive $54,744 for firefighter turnout gear, a washer to clean contaminated gear, and an air refill stationcurrently, they must take air cylinders to a neighboring town to be refilled, which can take them out of service for a day or more.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-introduce-legislation-help-asylum-seekers-apply-work-more,Pingree to introduce legislation to help asylum seekers apply for work more quickly,2015-08-31,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"At a meeting today in Portland to discuss immigration issues with a coalition of Maine mayors, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced her plans to introduce federal legislation that would reduce the amount of time asylum seekers must wait to apply for a work permit. The bill will mirror legislation Angus King introduced in the U.S. Senate. What I heard today from these mayors is that the asylum seekers coming to their communities have opened up many opportunitiesfrom increasing diversity to strengthening the labor forcebut also a number of challenges, said Pingree. One of the biggest is that asylum seekers must wait six months before they are eligible to work. My legislation would sharply reduce that period, so they can more quickly support their families and add their skills to Maine's workforce. Under a federal law passed in 1996, asylum seekers aren't eligible to work for 180 days after they apply for asylum (they can apply for the work authorization after 150 days). In that time, they have few means to support themselves. Pingree's bill would allow asylum seekers to apply for a work authorization immediately and be eligible to work after 30 days. She plans to introduce the legislation once the House is back in session after Labor Day. Held at Portland City Hall, the meeting with the Mayors' Coalition on Jobs and Economic today was attended by four Maine mayorsPortland Mayor Michael Brennan, Westbrook Mayor Colleen Hilton, Saco Mayor Don Pilon, and Augusta Mayor David Rollins. Also in attendance were staff of Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Christopher Hall, Maine Equal Justice Partners Executive Director Robyn Merrill, and Representative Drew Gattine of Westbrook, House Chair of the Legislature's Committee on Health and Human Services. The meeting touched on a number of issues, including the work waiting period; the long backlog asylum seekers face in getting decisions on their applications; federal programs to help communities provide English skills to new immigrants; and challenges in credentialing that keep highly educated and skilled immigrants from getting work in fields they are qualified for. The mayors also said that the new Mainers present an economic opportunity for their communities, because they are highly educated and actively want to work. Easing this transition for asylum seekers and Maine communities is a complicated problem, but I think there are commonsense changes we can make on the federal level to helpthings like making sure there are the staffing resources needed to reach quicker decisions on asylum applications, giving our communities adequate assistance for educating and training new populations, and clearing up bureaucratic hurdles like the work waiting period, said Pingree. I applaud the Maine mayors I met with today who have embraced these people in their communities and are working hard with limited resources to offer support. I valued hearing their feedback and look forward to working with them on this critical issue.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-participates-roundtable-discuss-heroin-use-maine,Pingree participates in roundtable to discuss heroin use in Maine,2015-08-25,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined Senator Angus King and Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli to discuss the growing problem of heroin addiction in Maine. The roundtable discussion included people in recovery, families dealing with addiction issues, health care providers, law enforcement officials, first responders, and other local leaders. The meeting took place at Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems in Brewer. ""The stories we heard today were heartbreaking and tragic,"" Pingree said. ""We heard from families, from treatment providers and from law enforcement officials and many of them told us the same story--about the lack of access to treatment for Maine people addicted to heroin and prescription drugs."" ""We heard lots of stories of people who want to get off drugs but can't get the help they need. We heard from one man who said he intentionally overdosed just so he could get into a hospital to get treatment. And we heard of others who have asked to have their probation repealed so they would be sent back to jail to get treatment,"" she said. Pingree pointed to mandatory sentences and the loss of access to services that comes with drug convictions. ""The criminalization of addiction puts individuals on a downward spiral that makes it harder for people to get off drugs and stay in recovery. If they don't have a place to live or adequate food, it's a lot harder to get off drugs,"" Pingree said. ""We shouldn't yank the safety net out from under people just because they are addicted to drugs."" ""Clearly the system is broken and we have a lot to do to fix it. Getting all these individuals and organizations together today was an important step in addressing this growing crisis, and Senator King provided a great public service by convening this meeting,"" she said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-joins-top-usda-official-tour-innovative-lunch-plate-plant,Pingree joins a top USDA official for tour of innovative lunch plate plant in Waterville,2015-08-24,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined USDA Under Secretary for Food and Nutrition Services Kevin Concannon today for atour of the Huhtamaki Plant in Waterville, which has recently received an order to produce compostable lunch plates for an alliance of schools that serve nearly 3 million students a day. It was very exciting to see the plantwhich has produced paper plates for over a hundred yearstransformed to make these innovative compostable plates. The contract the company was awarded by six of the nation's largest school districts to help them replace Styrofoam plates is an incredible opportunity for the area, said Pingree. It's fantastic news for the plant's 550 Maine workers, and it's a testament to the move toward serving more sustainable food in our schools. These plates will not only serve healthy food to our students, but help grow the local economy too. Opened in 1903, the Waterville plant historically manufactured molded fiber Chinet plates. Now operated by Finnish company Huhtamaki, the plant is producing plates that are compostable and made from recycled materials. Round with dividers and a space in the center to hold a milk carton, the design is meant to reflect plates students typically see at home. This spring, the Waterville factory won a bid to produce plates for the Urban School Food Alliance. Made up of six of thelargest school districts in the countryNew York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, and Dallasthe alliance has pooled their collective purchasing power to make significant changes to school lunch. The schools serve 2.8 million students every school day (469 million meals a year) and procure more than $550 million in food and supplies annually. The coalition aims to use their joint purchasing power and influence to drive down nationwide costs, while setting higher standards for the quality of food served in schools. Concannon oversees the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which administers the National School Lunch Program, among many others. He is a native of Portland. I was very pleased to join Under Secretary Concannon, a Mainer himself, for the tour. He has shown an incredible commitment to ensuring students and families have access to quality food and has been a big supporter of the farm-to-school movement as well, said Pingree. As Congress prepares to debate the Child Nutrition Reauthorization which determines policy around school meals, WIC, and moreit was a great opportunity to get his perspective on what we should focus on and share the stories of Mainers who are trying to make sure their kids get the best meals they can. Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculturewhich oversees funding for the USDAand has lead efforts in Congress to help schools serve healthy food from local family farms.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-pingree-announces-support-iran-nuclear-deal,Congresswoman Pingree announces support for Iran nuclear deal,2015-08-20,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement today, announcing that she plans to vote in support of an international agreement to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. I commend President Obama and Secretary Kerry for reaching such a strong deal with Iran that is backed by key members of the international community. This agreement makes it extremely unlikely that Iran would try to develop a nuclear weapon or that it could even make an attempt without us finding out early on. Not only would there be close inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities, but of all links in its supply chain. And, as far as incentives go, Iran would have much more to lose than to gain by breaking the agreement. The alternatives to this deal simply aren't acceptableeither continuing to stay in the dark about what Iran is doing or going down the road to potential military action. This plan represents the best way forward.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-statement-layoffs-verso-paper-androscoggin-mill-jay,Pingree statement on layoffs at Verso Paper Androscoggin Mill in Jay,2015-08-20,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement on news that a portion of Verso Paper's Androscoggin Mill in Jay would be closed, laying off 300 employees. This is terrible news, especially in light of other recent mill closings across the state. I'm heartbroken for these workers and their families, and will do everything I can to make sure they have the resources they need to get through this difficult time. While a number of factors have contributed to the decline of Maine's papermaking industry and the loss of jobs over the years, I believe federal trade policies have certainly played a role. As Congress considers future deals, we should be giving a lot of weight to consequences like this and their impacts on American workers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-pingree-applauds-federal-money-address-heroin-crisis,Congresswoman Pingree applauds federal money to address heroin crisis,2015-08-17,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree applauded an announcement from the Office of National Drug Control Policy that $2.5 million would be used to fund a unique initiative among 15 states, including Maine, to address the recent rise in heroin overdoses and deaths. An additional $265,000 will be awarded to the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) to advance a range of drug-use prevention initiatives. I'm extremely concerned with the rapid rise of heroin overdoses and deaths that have overwhelmed communities in Maine and New England in recent months. It's a complicated and heartbreaking problem that knows no bounds when it comes to state lines or the distinctions between public safety and public health, said Pingree. It's clear that our response must also transcend these boundaries. I commend the White House for seeing that a new approach is needed to confront the crisis quickly and effectively, with close coordination across multiple states and between law enforcement officers and public health officials. I'm eager to see what kind of impact this new initiative will have in Maine. The $2.5 million will fund the Heroin Response Strategy, a partnership among five regional HIDTA programsAppalachia, New England, Philadelphia/Camden, New York/New Jersey, and Washington/Baltimore. Each HIDTA will use funds to hire two regional coordinators, one with a public health focus and the other with a public safety focus, who will oversee a heroin response team. The public health coordinator will track regional reporting of overdose information and distribute that information in real time to local health authorities to ensure that the highest-risk areas are prepared with the resources they need to save lives. The public safety coordinator will distribute intelligence from the region to relevant law enforcement authorities with a focus on disrupting the heroin supply. Resources will also be developed to help prepare rural areas and municipalities inexperienced in heroin cases by increasing awareness about heroin and opiate addiction, prevention and treatment resources, and best practices for reporting lead information from overdose responses. Each HIDTA will also host two conferences annually to foster collaboration across state lines and between professionals in the fields of public health and public safety.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-pingree-participates-maine-tick-field-survey-today,Congresswoman Pingree participates in Maine tick field survey today,2015-08-17,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Pingree picks ticks off a survey flag with Maine Medical Center Research Institute researcherChuck Lubelczyk Today Congresswoman Chellie Pingree participated in a tick field survey at Crescent Beach State Park in Cape Elizabeth with researchers from the Maine Medical Center Research Institute Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory. The visit was part of her ongoing efforts to support Maine in addressing the rise in Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Over the last 10 years in Maine, ticks have gone from an occasional nuisance to a constant worry. Last year had the highest number of Lyme disease cases in Maine on record and other tick-borne diseases have been on the rise as well, said Pingree. To help the public limit their risk, it's critical that we closely monitor where ticks are abundant and what they're carrying. I'm glad I got to see to see that important work in action today with the great folks at the Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory. For the survey, Pingree helped researchers drag pieces of fabric over bushes and leafy debris alongside a frequently used trail at the park. In just a short time, Pingree collected several larval deer ticks, about the size of grains of salt. The results of these kinds of surveys help the lab determine trends in tick populations throughout the year as well as year to year. The specimens collected today will also be tested for Powassan virus, a dangerous diseases carried by deer ticks. I knew deer ticks could be small, but these were absolutely tiny. They were very hard to see even on white fabric with the help of an experienced scientist, so you know they would be incredibly difficult to spot on your clothes or a child, said Pingree. It showed me that we have to be increasingly vigilant in limiting our risk and exposure when we spend time outdoors, but that the overall problem goes beyond what we can do as individuals. We need to take the proper steps to address it as a whole, from managing tick populations to responding quickly to disease outbreaks. Pingree has helped lead efforts in Congress to make Lyme and other tick-borne diseases a higher federal priority. Through her role on the House Appropriations Committee, Pingree has worked successfully to pass increased research funding on Lyme disease, as well as legislative language that pushes relevant federal agencies to bring more attention to the disease. She has also requested more funding for tick management through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, asked the FDA to support the development of more accurate Lyme disease tests, and urged that the patient perspective be included in the development of new guidelines for treatment. Addressing the recent rise in ticks and the diseases they carry is a very complicated issue that will take the work of many partners. But I think the federal government has an important role to play and could definitely be doing more, especially in the area of funding for research and monitoring, said Pingree. I'm proud that I've been able to make some gains in this area and it's definitely encouraged me to keep fighting.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-pingree-announces-federal-funding-open-new-community,Congresswoman Pingree announces federal funding to open new community health center in South Portland,2015-08-14,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that the Portland Community Health Center will receive a federal Affordable Care Act grant to open a new community health center in South Portland. The New Access Point Community Health Center grantadministered by the Department of Health and Human Serviceswill provide $355,848 for start-up costs and $650,000 annually for the next two years. This is fantastic news for the area. The nation's network of health centers is critical to providing quality health care to 1 in every 14 Americans. I'm thrilled that we will now have one to serve the South Portland community, said Pingree. I applaud Portland Community Health Center and its partners in identifying the need for these services in South Portland and winning this competitive funding. This community health center will make a huge difference for Mainers who are struggling to afford carea number that has increased because of the state's refusal to expand access to Medicaid. An exact location for the South Portland Community Health Center has not been determined, but plans call for it to be in South Portland's Redbank/Brick Hill area. South Portlandhas an estimated 17,000 low-income individuals and families. As housing costs have become more expensive in Portland, South Portland has seen this number increase, as well as growing refugee, immigrant, and homeless populations. Through partnerships with the South Portland Housing Authority and South Portland Public Schools, the center hopes to effectively reach these target groups. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop model programs and services for the people of South Portland that promote good health and wellness for all, said Portland Community Health Center CEO Leslie Clark. We look forward to working closely with patients and organizations in South Portland to create a vibrant new center, which will open in December. The new center will have a focus on primary and preventive care, chronic disease management, mental health and substance abuse. At the end of the two-year-grantafter which it can reapply for continued federal fundingthe center expects to have provided over 4,500 patient visits. The announcement comes during National Health Center Week, as health centers across the country celebrate the 50th anniversary of the federal program. Portland Community Health Center opened its first center in Portland in 2009 with assistance from the same New Access Point federal grant. In all, this Affordable Care Act program has helped create more than 700 new health center sites across the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-push-pingree-va-clears-way-firefighters-receive-bonus-pay-going,"After push from Pingree, VA clears way for firefighters to receive bonus pay going forward",2015-08-13,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"In response to a letter Congresswoman Pingree sent in June, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said today that they have found a solution to technical issues that have prevented firefighters at its facilities from receiving agreed-on premium pay for Saturday work. However, the agency said it is still months away from calculating over 10 years of retroactive premium pay it owes the firefighters. It's been a year since the VA reached an agreement on providing a Saturday premium to the firefighters who protect its facilities, but these hardworking men and women have yet to receive a cent of it, said Pingree. I'm glad those firefighters will finally be able to receive their full pay going forward. In 2014, the VA reached an agreement to give firefighters premium pay for Saturday work (1.25x their normal hourly rate), but technical issues with its payroll software have kept the extra amount from going into firefighters' paychecks. The VA also has not awarded 10 years of back premium pay that it agreed to provide. Pingree got involved after learning that little was being done to reach a solution. Today's letter said that the VA has found a solution for distributing Saturday pay earned in future periods, but that it doesn't expect to calculate and award the retroactive payments until June of 2016. The VA's timeline for calculating and awarding 10 years of back pay is completely unacceptable, said Pingree. I heard a lot of technical excuses on why it will take another year. What I plan on telling them is that these firefighters have already been denied their earned compensation for far too longstop making excuses and just get it done. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)which represents the firefighterscommended Pingree for her efforts. AFGE applauds Congresswoman Pingree for her persistent efforts to secure fair compensation for VA firefighters and we urge the Department to act as quickly as possible to ensure that these dedicated VA employees receive back premium pay in a timely manner, the organization said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-president-s-clean-power-plan,Statement on Presidents Clean Power Plan,2015-08-03,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement today on President Obama's Clean Power Plan, which sets significant targets for reducing carbon emissions from the nation's power plants. I applaud President Obama for taking bold action to address climate change. Maine communities are already dealing with the effects of climate change and carbon emissions, including rising sea levels, more extreme weather, and ocean acidification. By reducing these emissions at their greatest sourcepower plantswe can not only head off future impacts and protect public health, but drive toward utilizing clean energy sources. With sources like offshore wind and tidal power already being developed in Maine, it would be a huge opportunity for the state's economy and workforce.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-continues-congressional-trip-europe,Pingree continues Congressional trip to Europe,2015-08-01,2015,2015-08,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree continued a Congressional trip to Italy and Ukraine this weekend, where she received briefings today at the Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC) and at the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR), home of the Sixth Fleet. Admiral Mark Ferguson, Commander, JFC, and Commander, NAVEUR, led a briefing on international security cooperation with NATO partners. Italian Lieutenant General Leonardo Di Marco, JFC Chief of Staff, also participated in the session. Vice Admiral James Foggo, Commander, Sixth Fleet, led an update on a range regional of maritime operations. (Photo of Pingree with delegation before briefing of the Allied Joint Forces Command Naples attached.) ""It is good to be able to hear first hand about the ongoing security concerns the United States faces in Europe and Africa, especially in Eastern Europe. This was an excellent opportunity to get an up-to-the-minute briefing before our visit to Ukraine,"" Pingree said. ""And I never pass up the opportunity to personally thank the men and women in uniform who are helping keep us safe."" In Italy, Pingree met with Ertharin Cousin, head of the UnitedNations World Food Programme. Last year, Fortune and Food & Wine Magazines published a list of the ""Most Influential Women in Food and Drink""Cousin was number one on that list and Pingree was number two. (Photo of Pingree and Cousin attached.) The official Congressional trip is being led by House MinorityLeader Nancy Pelosi and also includes Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Anna Eshoo of California, Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, David Cicilline of RhodeIsland and Marc Veasey of Texas.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/feds-investing-nearly-200000-maine-explore-high-end-sashimi-market-maine,"Feds investing nearly $200,000 in Maine to explore high-end sashimi market for Maine fishermen",2015-07-31,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is giving the Gulf of Maine Research Institute a $192,000 federal grant to work on the development of high-end sashimi-grade markets for Maine seafood. ""High quality, fresh caught seafood can be extremely valuable if it's sold to sushi restaurants, but Maine seafood hasn't had as big a presence in that market as it could,"" Pingree said. ""A little investment in developing those relationships between Maine fishermen and sushi chefs could pay off in a significant way."" The grant from NOAA is to support the establishment of a market for sashimi-grade seafood products sourced from local fishermen. The supplychain for high-end value-added seafood will be identified in order to connect sushi chefs and other high-end seafood marketers with local fishermen to discover opportunities for locally harvested seafood. Training will also be provided to fishermen about sashimi-grade handling of seafood products.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-joins-congressional-leaders-and-colleagues-trip-ukraine-italy,"Pingree joins Congressional leaders and colleagues on trip to Ukraine, Italy",2015-07-31,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has joined a Congressional delegation on a trip to Ukraine to meet with top government officials and to Italy to meet with American military leaders. ""This is a good opportunity to talk to top European leaders face-to-face about how we can work together to support peace, cooperation and economic growth in the region,"" Pingree said. ""We will also get a chance to meet with America's top military leaders on the ground in Europe and, I hope, meet a few Maine service members who are stationed there."" The trip is being led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and also includes Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Anna Eshoo of California, Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Marc Veasey of Texas. The delegation will meet with government officials in Rome andreceive briefings in Naples at the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Headquarters and the Allied Joint Forces Command Headquarters. They will also visit the Milan Expo 2015, where they will tour the USA Pavilion, American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet. The delegation will then travel to Ukraine to meet with leaders in Kyiv to discuss key political andeconomic reforms and to affirm American support for the people of Ukraine.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sponsoring-bill-help-farm-school-programs,Sponsoring bill to help farm to school programs,2015-07-31,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has signed on to an effort to increase funding for important farm to school programs. The bill would triple funding for an already successful USDA program that puts more local food in schools and helps schools support food-based educational programs like school gardens, cooking classes and farm field trips. ""Maine is already doing a great job on this front,"" Pingree said. ""Over 40% of schools have a garden and over 80% are buying some local food. But the demand is much higher than the available funding, and with a little help these programs could expand."" Pingree is cosponsoring the H.R. 1061 Farm to School Act of 2015, which was introduced by Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Marcia Fudge (D-OH). Some of the provisions of the bill include: Increasing annual mandatory funding from $5 million to $15 million to better meet the high demand and need for this funding; Fully including preschools, summer food service program sites and after school programs for farm to school funding Improve program participation from beginning, veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. ""Getting local food into schools is a win for everyone. Kids get fresh, healthy meals and our local farm economies get a boost, which keeps more money and jobs in our local communities,"" Pingree said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mike-michaud-be-nominated-department-labor-post,Mike Michaud to be nominated to Department of Labor post,2015-07-30,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement today after it was announced that President Obama would nominate former Maine Congressman Mike Michaud to be U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training. This important post is an absolutely perfect fit for Mike. Throughout his time in the Maine Legislature and Congress, I saw him fight tirelessly for both workers and veterans. His experience as the top Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and his longtime work on labor issues, including being a union member for 30 years, will serve him well in this key position. I hope the Senate moves quickly on his confirmation so he can help our veterans get to work.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mike-michaud-nominated-department-labor-post,Mike Michaud nominated to Department of Labor post,2015-07-30,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement today after it was announced that President Obama would nominate former Maine Congressman Mike Michaud to be U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training. This important post is an absolutely perfect fit for Mike. Throughout his time in the Maine Legislature and Congress, I saw him fight tirelessly for both workers and veterans. His experience as the top Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and his longtime work on labor issues, including being a union member for 30 years, will serve him well in this key position. I hope the Senate moves quickly on his confirmation so he can help our veterans get to work.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-introduces-bipartisan-bill-make-it-easier-schools-cook-and-serve,Pingree introduces bipartisan bill to make it easier for schools to cook and serve fresh food,2015-07-30,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree introduced a bipartisan bill today to help schools in Maine and around the country modernize and expand their kitchens. The bill would provide funding for schools that want to buy kitchen equipment and provide training on how to cook fresh meals from scratch. A national survey found that 88 percent of school districts need at least one piece of new kitchen equipment and 55 percent require infrastructure changes. ""Everyone I've met who works at a school lunch program wants to provide the best, freshest, healthiest meal possible for the students they serve. But they don't always have the equipment and facilities they need to do that. This bill will help give them the tools they need to cook fresh meals from scratch. School kitchens need more cutting boards and refrigerators and fewer microwaves and can openers,"" Pingree said. The bill, called the School Food Modernization Act, was introduced today by Pingree and Representatives Lou Barletta (R-PA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), and GT Thompson (R-PA). It would make permanent a temporary program that was created by the American Recovery Act that provides funding for schools to buy equipment to upgrade or modernize their kitchens. It also would provide training and technical assistance to school food service directors on how to cook from scratch and incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into meals. Under the temporary program that Pingree's bill would make permanent, Maine schools won tens of thousands of dollars in grants to upgrade their cooking facilities. RSU 13 in the Rockland area was awarded $14,000 for a new walk-in freezer and the Lake Region School District got $6,000 for new ovens. Food service staff often cite a lack of fridges, ovens, knives, and cutting boards--and an overabundance of deep-fat fryers and microwaves--as barriers to meeting newnutritional standards for meals. Pingree's bill would help school systems address these problems.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/houses-passes-congresswoman-pingree-s-ruth-moore-act-2015,Houses passes Congresswoman Pingrees Ruth Moore Act of 2015,2015-07-27,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree applauded tonight's unanimous House passage of H.R. 1607the Ruth Moore Act of 2015a bill she introduced earlier this year to make it easier for veterans who were sexually assaulted during their service to receive disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since starting to work on this issue, not a day goes by that I don't hear from another veteran who has struggled to get the benefits they need and deserve. These veterans face multiple injusticesthe first in the sexual assaults they suffered during their service and the second in the many roadblocks they face in receiving benefits, said Pingree. Tonight's vote is a crucial step in holding the VA accountable and pushing them to make needed changes to help these veterans. Pingree first introduced the Ruth Moore Act in 2013. The bill was passed in the House, but was not voted on in theSenate. The bill is named after Ruth Moore, a veteran from Maine who was raped twice after enlisting in the Navy at age 18. Moore reported the attacks, but the attacker was never charged or disciplined. Moore was labeled as suffering from mental illness and discharged from the Navy. She then fought for over twenty years before she was finally awarded the veterans benefits she deserved. Last year, the VA acknowledged making a ""clear and unmistakable error"" in denying her veterans benefits in 1993 and agreed to pay her back benefits owed to her. Ruth's story is horrific, and there are many more out there just like hers. Despite the Department of Defense stepping up prevention efforts, 19,000 men and women were sexually assaulted in the military last year. Only a quarter of cases were reported and a recent survey found that over 60 percent of those who did report sexual assault or harassment faced retaliation, said Pingree. The VA needs to acknowledge this reality by lowering the evidentiary roadblocks MST survivors face in applying for benefits. Passage of this bill pushes them in that direction and I will continue fighting until the agency makes those changes. As amended by the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, the legislation the House passed tonight would require the VA to report annually on a number of aspects concerning MST claims, including how many it received, how many were denied, the most common reasons for denial, and how long they took to process. It also includes a Sense of Congress that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should update and improve the regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to military sexual trauma. For more information on Pingree's efforts to support survivors of military sexual trauma, go to www.pingree.house.gov/mst.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/standing-against-attempts-block-labeling-gmo-food,VIDEO: Standing up against attempts to block labeling of GMO food,2015-07-23,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree stood up today for the right of consumers to know what is in their food, as she opposed a bill that blocks labels disclosing GMO ingredients in food products. Nearly 90% of Americans say they support such labels and they are mandatory in 64 other countries around the world. ""This comes down to a very simple proposition: Do consumers have a right to know what is in the food they buy and feed to their family?"" Pingree said. The bill, H.R. 1599, (dubbed the ""DARK Act"") would make it illegal for states to pass laws requiring GMO labeling and would block laws that have already been passed from being enforced. Maine was the second state in the country to pass a GMO labeling law, which takes effect if five other states in the region also adopt similar legislation. ""I know the opponents of labeling think that consumers might be ""frightened"" by GMO ingredients,"" Pingree said on the House floor. ""Do we really think consumers are too dumb to handle this information? Do we really think 90% of Americans are wrong to want GMO products labeled?"" Pingree's amendment would have struck the dangerous parts of the billeffectively blocking the DARK Act from taking effectwhile keeping the provision that requires USDA to create a voluntary non-GMO certification program and label. The Republican-controlled House rejected Pingree's amendment and passed theoverall bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/introducing-amendment-block-dark-act,Introducing amendment to block DARK Act,2015-07-22,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Pingree with fellow members of Congress and Ben and Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield (right) speaking out against the DARK Act at a May press conference Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has introduced an amendments to strike parts of a controversial bill that would limit the ability of states like Maine to require labeling of GMO ingredients in food. What has become known as the DARK Act would overturn laws in Maine and other states relating to GMO ingredients and GMO crops. ""This is really an anti-consumer, anti-right-to-know bill that would prevent families from making intelligent choices about whether or not they want to buy food with GMO ingredients,"" Pingree said. ""It takes choices away from consumers and rights away from states and Congress should reject it."" The bill, H.R. 1599, would make it illegal for states to pass laws requiring GMO labeling and would block laws that have already been passed from being enforced. Maine was the second state in the country to pass a GMO labeling law, which takes effect if five other states in the region also adopt similar legislation. Pingree's amendment strikes the dangerous parts of the billeffectively blocking the DARK Act from taking effectwhile keeping the provision that requires USDA to create a non-GMO certification program and label. ""The DARK Act is just what Big Food and Monsanto want,"" Pingree said. ""But nine out of ten consumers say they support GMO labeling, so it sure isn't what the public wants. GMO crops lead to the increased use of herbicides like Roundup and that's something a lot of consumers don't want to support."" The House is expected to take up Pingree's amendment and the full bill tomorrow.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-statement-deal-limit-iranian-nuclear-program,Pingree statement on deal to limit Iranian nuclear program,2015-07-14,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement about an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program that was announced today in Vienna. ""The best way to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program is through a comprehensive, international agreement like this one. We will get a chance to talk about the details in the days ahead, but I hope my colleagues in Congress don't let partisan politics stand in the way of approving what could be a historic deal to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-hires-wounded-warrior-maine-office,Pingree hires Wounded Warrior for Maine office,2015-07-13,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Disabled veteran Robert McCann of Windham will help constituents with veterans issues through a 2-year Congressional fellowship program McCann on patrol in Marjah, Afghanistan, in 2011, using a high-frequency metal detector to search for IEDs. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has selected Robert McCanna former Marine from Windhamto work in her Portland office through the Congressional Wounded Warrior Program. This 2-year, full-time, paid fellowship is available for veterans who have served since 9/11 and have a 30% or more service-connected disability rating. McCann is a combat veteran who served three tours of duty and, since returning home, has worked extensively to help and support other veterans. In working with Maine veteranswhich has always been a top priority for meit helps to have someone who's served in uniform. With three tours of duty, Rob certainly has been there' and brings a number of other skills and experiences that will help him serve my constituents well, Pingree said. He has shown incredible dedication to helping veterans access the resources they need. I think he will be a great advocate for veterans in my District and their families. As a Marine, McCann was an Infantry Company Team Leader, responsible for a 15-person team. Between 2009 and 2012, he served two tours of duty in Marjah, Afghanistan, and a third deployment on the Iraq-Syria border of Jordan. In 2012, he founded an organization to raise funds in tribute to fallen veteran PFC Kyle Joseph Coutu. Since then, he has also worked as a veterans case manager for Preble Street Veteran Housing Services, has helped homeless veterans reintegrate into civilian life as an advocate for Veterans Inc., and serves on the board of the Maine Military Community Network. In the Congressional office, McCann will perform outreach to the veterans community; assist veterans, service members, and their families who have issues with federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs; and inform Pingree's work on legislation that deals with veterans and military issues. I'm privileged to have the opportunity to work with Congresswoman Pingree and her staff. She has been a great advocate for Maine veteranson an individual and policy levelso I'm excited to be a part of those efforts, said McCann. As a Marine and veteran, I've seen the kind of challenges that many service members and veterans face, especially in dealing with a disability. It's been very rewarding to apply my experiences to help other veterans, and I look forward to continuing that for the Congresswoman's constituents.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/applauding-passage-21st-century-cures-act,Applauding passage of 21st Century Cures Act,2015-07-10,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today praised the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, a bill that would modernize and streamline the medical innovation process with the goal of accelerating the discovery of treatments for thousands of diseases that currently have no cure. Today is an important milestone for the many people in Maine and across the country who are battling incurable diseases. For years, I have met constituents with cancer, muscular dystrophy, ALS, and other devastating illnesses who are anxiously awaiting medical breakthroughs, said Pingree. The 21st Century Cures Act offers them and others new hope by providing the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration with increased resources to discover and evaluate treatments more quickly. While I am thrilled to see this truly bipartisan effort pass on the House floor with new funding, there is still more to be done. I continue to hope that Republican leadership makes it a priority to undo harmful sequestration cuts that have kept NIH and FDA from working at full capacity. The legislation, H.R. 6, also includes the text of a bill introduced by Representative Chris Gibson of New York that would create a federal workgroup on tick-borne illnesses to include patients and patient advocates. The bill also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a strategic plan that specifically addresses the long-term impacts of Lyme Disease. Pingree is a member of the Lyme Disease Caucus, and has cosponsored similar legislation to create a tick-borne disease advisory committee. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in Maine and across the northeast United States, but there is still a great deal we don't know about themparticularly why some people continue to have debilitating symptoms even after being treated with antibiotics, said Pingree. The creation of this workgroup is an important first step in bringing more federal attention and resources to addressing the problem, and I hope my colleagues in the Senate will include it when they pass their own version of a 21st Century Cures bill.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-calls-late-night-amendment-bring-confederate-flag-back-national,"Pingree calls late night amendment to bring Confederate flag back to national parks ""shameful""",2015-07-09,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree had harsh words for a late-night Republican amendment adopted by voice vote that appears to allow the sale of Confederate flags in national parks. ""It was shameful and shocking that House Republicans suddenly snuck in this amendment to allow the Confederate flag to be sold in our country's national parks,"" Pingree said. ""The flag has become a symbol of racism and divisiveness and does not belong in gift shops run by the Park Service."" Last night, while Pingree and a few of her colleagues were concluding debate on the Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill, Republican Congressman Ken Calvert of California suddenly interrupted his own speech and offered a provision thatwould roll back previously passed amendments prohibiting the sale or display of Confederate flags in national parks. Calvert spoke for less than ten seconds on the proposal and offered no explanation. Calvert's amendment was adopted by a voice vote but Pingree and her colleagues demanded a second, recorded vote, which will take place today. ""It's outrageous that this week, as the South Carolina Legislature is moving quickly to remove the Confederate flag from their capitol, the US House is voting to put the flag back in national parks around the country,"" Pingree said. Last month, National Park Service Director John Jarvis asked that sales of Confederate flags be stopped at Park gift shops, and earlier this week three amendments to the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill reinforced that directive. ""Those amendments we passed earlier this week had broad bipartisan support and passed without a single word of opposition from Republicans,"" Pingree said. ""But then late at night they tried to sneak through something that undoes all of that.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/agriculture-bill-contains-priorities-pushed-congresswoman-chellie,Agriculture bill contains priorities pushed by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree passes House committee,2015-07-08,2015,2015-07,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"The House Appropriations Committee passed an agriculture spending bill that contained a number of priorities that Congresswoman Chellie Pingree fought for. Among them include protection for chicken farmers, an issue thatgained national attention after TV comedian John Oliver took up the cause. The bill also includes a ban on serving chicken from China in school meals and includes funding for a number of programs that aid local and organic farmers that were championed by Pingree. ""There is certainly plenty in this bill that I'm not happy with,"" Pingree said. ""Like an attack on school lunches or drastic cuts in funding to crucial programs like WIC. But I'm glad we were able to get someimportant policies in the bill and funding for key programs that help local and organic farmers."" Over the last few years, Pingree has joined her colleague to fight for the rights ofcontract chicken farmers who have been punished by big chicken processors like Tyson and Perdue for speaking out. In 2008, Congress passed legislation providing protection from retaliation under USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) but each year language has been inserted into the Agriculture Appropriations bill blocking enforcement of those protections. Pingree and her colleague, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur ofOhio, have fought these provisions. After John Oliver highlighted thefight on his HBO show, public attention led Republicans to not include those provisions in this year's bill. Other key provisions Pingree supported included: Language asking USDA to ensure that the needs of the organic farming sector are met through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, USDA'sflagship competitive grants research program. Language to promote classical (non-GMO) seed breeding research. $60 million in funding for research on combating antibiotic resistant bacteria. Funding at or near Pingree's requested levels for the Food Safety Outreach Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, and Rural Housing Programs. Pingree ultimately opposed passage of the bill because it rolled back progress on nutrition standards in school lunches, dangerously underfunded the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, exempts e-cigarettes and other tobacco products from full FDA review, and contained no funding whatsoever for key programs like the Potato Research Special Grant, Food and Ag Service Learning Program, High Energy Cost Grants, and Healthy Food Financing Initiatives.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-chellie-pingree-statement-supreme-court-decision,Congresswoman Chellie Pingree statement on Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage,2015-06-26,2015,2015-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that marriage is a constitutional right for same-sex couples. ""This is a beautiful day for millions of loving, committed couples across the country. In dozens of states there are couples that share homes, raise children and remain committed to each other through good times and bad, but have been denied the basic right of getting married to each other. Today that changed and same sex couples in every state will have the same rights they enjoy in Maine and the other states that have legalized same-sex marriage.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/supreme-court-decision-aca-preserves-health-care-coverage-60000-maine,"Supreme Court decision on ACA preserves health care coverage for 60,000 in Maine and millions across the country",2015-06-25,2015,2015-06,Democrat,House,ME,Chellie Pingree,P000597,pingree.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said that the U.S. Supreme Court today made the right decision in upholding a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). ""I'm glad the Supreme Court did the right thing and protected health care coverage for millions of Americans,"" Pingree said. ""This is a case they should never have taken up. Opponents were trying to take a few words out of context to undermine the entire law. When the ACA was being written and passed, everybody Republicans, Democrats, and the Congressional Budget Office alike agreed that the subsidies would be available in all states. Only later did opponents change their mind."" Pingree said the ACA is working for millions of Americans. ""There are over 16 million people today who have health care coverage that didn't before we passed the ACA,"" Pingree said. ""Seniors are paying less for prescription drugs, over 100 million individuals with pre-existing conditions don't have to worry about losing their coverage and the vast majority of people getting their insurance through the marketplaces are paying about $100 a month."" Pingree said the subsidies that the Supreme Court let stand today are essential to making the ACA work. ""Health care is affordable because of the subsidies that bring the cost of coverage down to something most families can handle,"" she said. ""If the Supreme Court had thrown out the subsidies that would have meant 60,000 people in Maine and millions more across the country would have suddenly been facing insurance premiums that would be almost impossible to afford."" Pingree also called on opponents of the law to stop trying to undermine health care coverage for millions of American families. ""We've debated this for years, it's been passed by Congress, signed by the President and twice the Supreme Court has upheld the law,"" Pingree said. ""Millions of Americans have health care coverage because of it but just last week Republican leaders in Congress passed what amounts to their 60th attempt toroll back or repeal the law. It's time to stop trying to take away health care for Americans and focus on figuring out how to make the law better.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z