Press Releases

Maine First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is sounding the alarm over illegal plans by Elon Musk’s rogue “agency” to gut grant funding for the National Park Service. Many of the grants, including two in Maine, targeted by DOGE for elimination aimed to support Tribes and protect public lands from the impacts of climate change. Pingree, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the National Park Service, released the following statement: 

“DOGE has no constitutional power, no codified mission, and absolutely no authority to rescind funding already approved by Congress. That this rogue and unaccountable ‘agency’ can target $26 million in grant funding from the National Park Service for elimination—money that would’ve been used to support Tribes and Indigenous history and help protect public lands from the effects of climate change—is as enraging as it is outrageous. 

“Two of the grants on the Administration’s chopping block are for Maine-based projects that aimed to amplify Indigenous voices—and highlight the critical role these communities have played in drawing attention to the impacts of climate change in our state. 

“Both of these initiatives, along with nearly 100 other programs across the country, are now in jeopardy. All because this Administration and Elon Musk believe they have the unchecked authority to cut or claw back any program that doesn’t adhere to their extreme MAGA agenda. 

“My Democratic colleagues and I will do everything in our power to fight back against these illegal and indiscriminate cuts and ensure that this Congressionally-appropriated funding is delivered to the communities it was meant to serve.

“Next week, when Secretary Burgum testifies before the Appropriations Committee, I expect him to explain why this Administration believes it has the right to ignore Congressional intent and undermine decades of bipartisan conservation efforts.”

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