Veterans Issues

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree introduced legislation today to fix a loophole in the Post 9-11 GI Bill that has prevented some injured Reservists—including at least one from Maine—from getting the full benefits they have earned.   “Thousands of Guardsmen and Reservists from Maine and across the country have served our country overseas and many were injured. The… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was able to insert provisions into a spending bill that is working its way through Congress that will improve healthcare for veterans and do more to focus on the problems of homelessness and suicide among vets.   Pingree added language that will require the Veterans Administration (VA) to provide gender-appropriate prosthetics.  She says she has… Read more »

Congresswoman Pingree's 2015 Veterans Day message As we celebrate Veterans Day this year, it is an honor to express my appreciation for the men and women in Maine and around the country who have served in uniform.  It gives me great pride to represent a state with such a rich tradition of military service.  With more veterans per capita than nearly every other state,… Read more »

The following is a column submitted to local area newspapers in September 2015. Two years ago, the newest member of my staff, Rob McCann, stood outside the Portland Career Center on a cold gray morning.  He had recently been discharged from the Marines after serving three tours in Afghanistan and Jordan—participating in nearly 150 combat missions and over 60 firefights.… Read more »

Today Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced that two organizations in Maine—the New England Nordic Ski Association and Pineland Farms—would receive over $100,000 in grants to help disabled veteransparticipate in adaptive sports.    “Disabled veterans who made incredible sacrifices serving our country deserve the chance to get outside and be active just like… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Preble Street in Portland is getting a $1.7 million grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help serve homeless veterans in Maine.  "It's shameful that so many men and women who served our country end up homeless," Pingree said. "There are a lot of causes for homelessness, but for veterans the reality of repeated combat… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Preble Street in Portland is getting a $1.7 million grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help serve homeless veterans in Maine.  "It's shameful that so many men and women who served our country end up homeless," Pingree said. "There are a lot of causes for homelessness, but for veterans the reality of repeated combat… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement today after it was announced that President Obama would nominate former Maine Congressman Mike Michaud to be U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training.  “This important post is an absolutely perfect fit for Mike.  Throughout his time in the Maine Legislature and… Read more »

Disabled veteran Robert McCann of Windham will help constituents with veterans issues through a 2-year Congressional fellowship program McCann on patrol in Marjah, Afghanistan, in 2011, using a high-frequency metal detector to search for IEDs. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has selected Robert McCann—a former Marine from Windham—to work in her Portland office through the… Read more »

VA Inspector General Report can be found here. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree issued the following statement about a VA Inspector General's report on mental health services at VA Togus.  Pingree was briefed this morning by the VA officials who conducted the investigation.  I am deeply disappointed withsome of the findings of this investigation. Timely mental health care is… Read more »