Veterans Issues

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), along with Representatives David McKinley (R-WV), Brian Higgins (D-NY) and Kathleen Rice (D-NY) today introduced H.R. 4807, the bipartisan Cold War Service Medal Act. The legislation would recognize veterans who served in the Cold War with medals for their distinguished service. Cold War veterans do not currently have a service medal, unlike… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congressman Charlie Crist (D-Florida) have secured an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requiring the Secretary of Defense to account for sea level rise projections and future flood risk when creating climate resiliency guidelines at military facilities. Their amendment comes as a direct response to last month’s… 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… 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… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In a hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) questioned Assistant Secretary McMahon, who is responsible for overseeing the Department of Defense’s (DoD) environmental policies, about news reports that the Defense Department was seeking a weaker clean-up standard for PFAS toxic chemical… Read more »

Lawmakers request VA provide data on new Veterans Community Care Program in letter; Underscore importance of VA role as primary care provider Read more »

Last August, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a report which found that almost half of military sexual trauma (MST) claims were not processed properly. This raised the strong possibility that MST survivors were wrongly denied benefits which they are legally entitled to.  It has been a long, slow road to change… Read more »

WASHINGTON, DC— In a hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) yesterday asked officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the housing access challenges facing our nation’s veterans. Pingree spoke of Maine’s successful long-term stayer program which supports those experiencing… Read more »

WASHINGTON, DC-- Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced today that Caroline Leal from York has accepted an offer to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  Pingree nominated Leal to the Academy in December. “Acceptance to a U.S. service academy is extremely competitive and reflects highly on a student’s scholarship, community service, and… Read more »

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to announce Maine veteran Travis Mills as one of 20 finalists for the society’s Citizens Honors Award.  “To be selected as a finalist for this national award is a great honor in itself—and a fitting one for a veteran who has inspired so many,” said Pingree. “Travis Mills’… Read more »