Jobs and Economic Development

Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliqiuin were joined by a number of their colleagues to push the Department of Defense to streamline the approval process for American-made athletic footwear for U.S. military personnel. At issue is testing of athletic shoes provided to recruits at basic training and procured under the Berry Amendment, a regulation that requires that clothing and… Read more »

"The middle class issues the President talked about, like paychecks, jobs and college expenses, are the issues that working families struggle with on a daily basis. Paid sick leave, making college more affordable and closing loopholes for wealthy taxpayers should be issues that everyone can get behind." Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted against a bill today that would ram through permitting of the controversial Keystone pipeline, bypassing the approval process that is already underway. "I don't think the Keystone pipeline is in the national interest because it would create very few American jobs and do little to address our energy needs," Pingree said. "But this bill doesn't even… Read more »

Congresswoman Pingree visits striking Fairpoint workers in October 2014. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree welcomed the news that a federal mediator would supervise negotiations between Fairpoint Communications and unions representing 1,700 striking workers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The two sides will meet Sunday in Washington, DC. "This strike has gone on far too long and has… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said tonight that Bath Iron Works has won a $21 million deal to extend its work on construction of DDG 51 destroyers. Bath Iron Works is the lead designer of the current run of DDG 51s and the contract will allow them to provide engineering and support work for the "follow" shipyard—the Ingalls Shipyard in Pascogoula, Mississippi. "This is a great… Read more »

Town of Unity wins competitive 'Local Foods, Local Places' assistance Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said this week that the Town of Unity has been selected as one of just 26 communities from around the country to participate in a federal initiative called Local Foods, Local Places. The town will receive expert technical advice to help develop and highlight the local agricultural… Read more »

Says last-minute deal "is no way to pass sensible tax policy" Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted to retroactively extend a number of important tax breaks through the end of 2014. The provisions had expired at the end of last year, and without action by Congress families and small businesses would have lost important tax deductions and credits. "Families and businesses are going to… Read more »

Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree issued the following statements on the labor dispute between North Carolina-based Fairpoint Communications and thousands of northern New England workers. Congresswoman Pingree speaks at a rally for Fairpoint workers on strike. "This company made an investment they couldn't afford and now they are trying to take it out on the… Read more »

Celebrity Summit to pick up 1,600 live lobsters in Portland today Chellie with John Ready, owner of lobster wholesaler Ready Seafood, in 2012 Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said cruise ships are continuing to buy thousands of pounds of live Maine lobster when they visit Maine. Celebrity Cruises has ordered 1,600 11Ž2 pound lobsters for delivery today to the 2,000-passenger… Read more »

Michaud & Pingree Praise $2.5 Million Grant to Kennebec Valley Community College U.S. Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree are praising a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield. The investment is part of DOL’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative, and will go… Read more »