releases: https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/poliquin-helps-pass-bipartisan-farm-bill-supporting-maine-forestry
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/poliquin-helps-pass-bipartisan-farm-bill-supporting-maine-forestry | Poliquin Helps Pass Bipartisan Farm Bill, Supporting Maine Forestry Workers, Broadband Development, and Maine Farmers | 2018-12-12 | 2018 | 2018-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) helped pass major legislation in the House that will support Maine's forestry workers, rural broadband development, and Maine farmers. The final Farm Bill, which passed by a wide 369-47 margin in the U.S House of Representatives, includes key provisions of the Timber Innovation Act, legislation Congressman Poliquin cosponsored that would help spur new uses for cross-laminated timber (CLT) in tall wood building constructionbuildings of about seven stories or higher, or 85 feet and above. There have already been two separate CLT producers that have announced new projects in Maine, LignaTerra Global and SmartLam, LLC of Montana. The final bill also includes improvements to broadband delivery and a large increase in funding for broadband deployment, which is chiefly administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In September, Congressman Poliquin hosted USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue in Farmington, Maine for a roundtable focusing on access to reliable broadband in rural Maine. The final bill also allows for states like Maine to maintain their own laws and policies concerning the regulation of local foods, a win for Maine's local farmers. Congressman Poliquin has consistently voted to support states' rights to maintain their own policies on local foods. With some of the most expansive and dependable working forests in the nation, Maine is America's wood basket, said Congressman Poliquin. Generations of hardworking Mainers have made their living in this industry. I'm proud to strongly support our wood products workers and allow for continued research into technologies that will help the industry grow and prosper for our next generation. In addition, this bill will drastically increase funding for rural broadband development. When I hosted Secretary Perdue in Farmington this year, our conversations with Maine hospital workers, law enforcement officers and community leaders centered around the importance of broadband access in our rural areas. This bill will do a lot of good for our Maine communities. I'm also pleased this bill will allow Maine and other states to maintain our own policies regarding regulating our local foods. I've consistently supported giving states the ability to dictate their own policies when it comes to our local foods, and I'm pleased the final Farm Bill preserves that. I am pleased the legislation includes minor but positive improvements to the national welfare system and work training programs that will hopefully help open opportunities for adults who are able to work. At the end of the day, this is a good bill that will make a positive difference for Maine's forestry and farming workers, and I support it. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |