Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) applauded a trade agreement that will eliminate the European Union’s (EU) tariffs on American lobster. The agreement comes after years of retaliatory tariffs in both the EU and China have imposed severe economic challenges for Maine’s lobster industry, and follows extensive pressure fr... Read more »
Washington, D.C. — With the 60-day deadline fast approaching, today Maine’s Congressional Delegation wrote to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to immediately act on President Trump’s June 24th memorandum to provide relief funds to the lobster industry. President Trump’s memo stated “the Secretary of Agriculture shall, within 60 days of the date of this memorand... Read more »
U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden issued a joint statement in response to reports that China has decided to establish a one-year exclusion process for certain U.S. goods imported into China. Live lobster is included as one of the 696 US-origin products eligible for a tariff exemption. “We welcome the promising development for Maine’s lo... Read more »
Maine Delegation Calls on NOAA to Protect Right Whales from Ship Strikes NOAA has proposed no new restrictions to address ship strikes, but moves forward with broad new regulations on lobstermen WASHINGTON — Maine’s congressional delegation called on the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) this week to take steps to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale from ship str... Read more »
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME), Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) pressed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) over the accuracy of the data and assumptions the agency is using to craft new regulations on Maine’s lobstermen. The delegation is requesting additional information from NOAA about how the findings of a ... Read more »
Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) urged U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer to continue to prioritize a trade deal with the European Union (E.U.) that would reduce or eliminate E.U. tariffs on Maine lobster. Collins, King, and Pingree have repeatedly pressed the USTR to prioritize lobster in trade negot... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife in support of her bill, H.R. 3596, the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act. The bill would create a Working Waterfront Grant Program and establish a Working Waterfront Task Force at the Department of Commerce. Pingree’s bipartisan bill was one... 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 »
WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) reintroduced H.R. 1716 the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act, which would require federal officials to work with coastal communities in Maine and around the country to address the impacts of ocean acidification. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). "Climate change and warm... Read more »
Golden and Pingree’s legislation helps add iconic coastline to Acadia National Park, allows clammers and wormers to continue to harvest in intertidal zones around the park, and reauthorizes the Acadia National Park Commission. Read more »