America COMPETES Act Passes, Includes Support for Working Waterfronts with Pingree Amendment
Aimed at enhancing U.S. competitiveness with China, the America COMPETES Act of 2022 invests in the fight against climate change, strengthens our supply chain, and reinvigorates the economy
WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today voted with the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act of 2022, legislation to enhance U.S. competitiveness with China by strengthening America’s supply chain and reinvigorating the economy. H.R. 4521 includes a historic investment to surge production of American-made semiconductors, tackles supply chain vulnerabilities to make more goods in America, turbocharges America’s scientific research and technological leadership, and strengthens America’s economic and national security at home and abroad. With Pingree’s bipartisan Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act amendment, the America COMPETES Act will also help preserve America’s working waterfronts and coastal communities as they grapple with the climate crisis, as well as support America’s water-dependent businesses, protecting jobs and related commercial activities.
“The America COMPETES Act makes much needed, historic investments that will reassert America as the global leader in innovation and competitiveness, and I was proud to help pass it today. By including my amendment to ensure working waterfronts survive into the future, the America COMPETES Act will more comprehensively boost our economies at home and abroad for decades to come,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “From Maine to Alaska, our coastal communities are facing immense challenges due to heavy development pressures while also navigating the ever-present effects of climate change. It’s clear that water-dependent businesses need our help to preserve access to the working waterfronts that make their livelihoods possible and keep our coastal economies thriving.”
More than 30,000 Mainers rely on water-related industries for their livelihoods. Yet, despite Maine having more than 5,000 miles of shoreline, just 20 miles of working waterfronts remain in the state. Pingree’s amendment offers much needed support to states and municipalities seeking to preserve these invaluable spaces, while also making sure that they remain relevant for contemporary and future activities.
Pingree has long advocated for federal resources to help Maine communities preserve and expand shoreline access and infrastructure for water-dependent industries such as fishing, boat building, and aquaculture. She first introduced legislation to protect working waterfronts in the 111th Congress. The legislation was passed in the by the House 116th Congress but did not receive a vote in the Senate. Pingree and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-Va.) reintroduced the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act in May 2021.
In addition to sponsoring the amendment on working waterfronts, Pingree is the cosponsor of several other amendments that were included in the America COMPETES Act:
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici’s (D-Ore.) amendment to reauthorize the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act
Rep. Bonamici’s amendment to create an Interagency Working Group on Blue Carbon
Rep. Angie Craig’s (D-Minn.) amendment to evaluate the stability of the agriculture and food system supply chain
