Press Releases

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a new proposed rule that would pause work permit issuance for people with pending asylum applications. This change represents a sweeping erosion to employment authorization for asylum seekers. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) condemned the proposal, releasing the following statement:   The new rule… Read more »

Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces the introduction of the bipartisan No Immunity for Glyphosate Act (HR 7601). The legislation will undo the February 18 Executive Order that promotes the use of glyphosate and insulates manufacturers of the chemical from liability. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) is the co-lead on the legislation.  "If… Read more »

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) are demanding answers to their unanswered questions regarding the recent surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) activity in Maine. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons, the members of the Maine Delegation called… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today unveiled new legislation to combat the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) aggressive and invasive surveillance and intimidation of peaceful observers. The Stop ICE Intimidation Act blocks funding for expanded U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surveillance tools and staffing until the agency fully discloses how it… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Kennedy Center, released the following statement after Trump announced a multi-year closure of the Kennedy Center: President Trump’s decision to close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts underscores the profound damage he’s done to this iconic institution.… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement in response to reports that the Department of Homeland Security has ended "Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine:    I cannot independently confirm this announcement because the Department of Homeland Security has not provided my office with basic information about this operation, despite repeated requests… Read more »

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16) today introduced the Produce Prescription for Veterans Act, new legislation that would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide produce prescriptions to veterans.  These produce prescription programs would allow veterans who have… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) is calling on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to provide a full and detailed accounting of the legal basis for arrests made during her agency’s expanded immigration enforcement operation in Maine. In a letter to Noem on Thursday, Pingree expressed her outrage over the operation, which DHS has disturbingly dubbed… Read more »

On Wednesday, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement on increased immigration enforcement operations in Maine: After first granting Fox News exclusive access to federal agents on the ground in Maine, Kristi Noem’s Department of Homeland Security has finally confirmed details about their operation “Catch of the Day”—a truly heinous and… Read more »

Amid reports of increased immigration enforcement operations in Maine, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement: Over the past year, Kristi Noem’s Department of Homeland Security and its untrained, masked, and violent immigration officers have terrorized and traumatized entire communities on orders from a truly lawless and morally corrupt Administration.… Read more »