Veterans Issues

Legislative efforts by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) to help veterans blindsided by debt to the Department of Veterans Affairs cleared a major hurdle last night, passing the House within a broader piece of veterans legislation, S. 2248. The bill now goes on to the Senate, where it is likely to pass as the result of a pre-negotiated deal between the House and Senate veterans… Read more »

On October 12, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree held a roundtable with a group of post-9/11 veterans to hear about the experiences of those who have recently made the transition back to civilian life and how we can better support them. The event was held a soon-to-open veteran-owned brewery in Freeport.  Brewery owner and Marine Corps veterans Brad Nadeau hopes to… Read more »

Congresswoman Pingree attending Cabin in the Woods ribbon cutting at VA Togus campus with Rep. Bruce Poliquin on September 21. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) today congratulated VA Togus today on its latest hospital rating, receiving 5 out of 5 stars in a Department of Veterans Affairs report that categorized the score as a “Great Improvement” over the previous… Read more »

Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree announced that the University of Southern Maine’s Veterans Upward Bound program has been awarded $275,155 from the U.S. Department of Education.  “USM’s Veterans Upward Bound program is the only one of its kind in the State of Maine, and one of two such programs in New… Read more »

PORTLAND, MAINE – Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced that Omar Andrews, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, will join her Portland office through a two-year Wounded Warrior Fellowship. Andrews will act as a Constituent Services Representative focused on meeting the unique needs of veterans and service members throughout Maine’s First… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement in recognition of the upcoming Memorial Day.  “As the first unofficial day of summer, it can be easy for Memorial Day to slip by without recognizing the holiday’s true meaning. But we should not miss the opportunity to honor the generations of men and women who gave their lives in service to our home,… Read more »

Interested veterans should go to https://www.usajobs.gov/ and search “Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program” for more information and how to apply. Read more »

“I am extremely concerned by the circumstances around the abrupt firing of VA Secretary David Shulkin and his contention that the agency is under political pressure to privatize its services. While the VA has long had its issues, there are clear processes for Congress and the public to hold it accountable. Weakening this oversight in any way—while turning it into a money-maker for corporations—could lead to dire consequences for our veterans who deserve the best possible treatment. ..." Read more »

The offices of a large group of bipartisan Representatives today hosted a discussion on programs in the Farm Bill that support farmer veterans and reduce veterans' food insecurity. The Veterans in the Farm Bill Congressional Briefing included a panel of federal agency representatives working on these issues and a panel that highlighted opportunities to expand this work in the Farm… Read more »

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin today applauded the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announcement that it will fund three new positions in Maine to better serve the needs of justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health, or substance abuse issues. The funding will support a Veterans… Read more »