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In a letter, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today formally requested that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Inspector General Phyllis Fong investigate the suppression of valuable climate research conducted by the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), a division of USDA. Yesterday, Politico reported that only two ARS studies related to climate change have been publicized s... Read More »

Following a request for study made by Congresswomen Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) in October 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) today issued a report with recommendations on how the federal government can expand its efforts to reduce food waste. Pingree praised the GAO report titled “Food Loss and Waste: Building on Existing Federal Efforts Could Help to Achiev... Read More »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced the House Appropriations Committee has released an emergency supplemental spending package, which includes $60 million to support communities, like Portland, Maine, which have “experienced a significant influx of” asylum seekers. The legislation provides $4.5 billion in emergency spending to address the humanitarian crisis at the border, with... Read More »

In a hearing for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Congresswoman Pingree spoke in support of her bill, H.R. 1092, The Servicemember and Veterans’ Empowerment and Support Act. Pingree’s bill would improve resources and care for survivors of military sexual trauma (MST). “Women and men who have experienced military sexual trauma cont... Read More »

On World Refugee Day, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) spoke on the U.S. House Floor in recognition of Kifah Abdulla, a Mainer originally from Baghdad, Iraq, and a refugee. Abdulla is a published poet, performer, Arabic teacher, and activist who often speaks of the eight years he spent as a prisoner of war for his political dissent. To watch Pingree’s floor speech recognizing Mr. Abdulla an... Read More »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) today heralded the investment of $156,000 in USDA Rural Development funds being granted to Maine businesses. The Rural Energy for America (REAP) program assists with renewable energy development and supports Maine’s rural small businesses. 12 grants were awarded in Maine; 7 in the 1st Congressional District. “Small businesses are the cornerstone of our rural c... Read More »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) today sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) concerning food contamination by chemical substances in our food supply, and to ask the GAO to review the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oversight of indirect food additives. “Packaging and other materials that food contacts contain spec... Read More »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s plan to relocate hundreds of USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) staff to the Kansas City area: “I am appalled with the Trump administration’s decision to force hundreds of Washington-based USDA research staffers to uproot their live... Read More »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today introduced HR.3220, the Kids Eat Local Act, a bipartisan bill to support local and regional food systems and encourage healthy meal choices among school-aged children. The bill is cosponsored by Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) and Congressman Josh Harder (D-Calif.) “Our children deserve healthy, nutritious lunches that are made with ingredients f... Read More »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement regarding the recent influx of asylum-seekers to Portland: "Most of the migrants who have arrived in Portland these past few days have had long, harrowing journeys from conflict-torn countries. These families choose to leave their homes for a reason and are seeking refuge here for the opportunity of a better life. For them, ... Read More »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) today joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) in introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation that elevates the prevention of, and response to, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence as a priority in U.S. foreign policy. Despite progress in raising the profile of the sexual and gender-based v... Read More »

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) today advanced an increase in the number of H-2B visas through an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill. The amendment would give DHS the authority to add up to 63,000 additional visas in FY2020—essentially doubling the number of H-2B visas available next year to seasonal businesses in Maine and other employ... Read More »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) spoke on the House floor in recognition of Charles Norman Shay, a Mainer, Penobscot tribal elder, and D-Day Veteran who helped to liberate France and protect Europe from Nazi control in World War II. The 94-year old Mr. Shay returned to Normandy, France this week for the 75thanniversary of D-Day, where, at age 19, he stormed Omaha Beach in the first wave. To... Read More »

Today Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01)’s bipartisan legislation to support coastal communities grappling with climate change-related ocean acidification unanimously passed the House of Representatives. Pingree’s bill, HR. 1716, the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act, would direct federal officials to work with state and local experts to study ocean acidity and deliver a public report... Read More »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award 14 grantees in Maine a total of $6 million in EPA Brownfields assessment funding and technical assistance. These funds help clean up and redevelop polluted sites around the state, including abandoned industrial and commercial properties like old mills. “As Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommitte... Read More »