Jobs and Economic Development

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… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today voiced her continued support for designating land in Maine’s 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.… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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.… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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. Read more »