Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Votes in Favor of Short-Term Budget Proposal

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted in favor of a proposed temporary budget bill this afternoon and issued the following statement on her vote:

"I'm not happy with some of the cuts in this budget but voted for it because it keeps the government operating while we debate a long term solution to our budget problems. In addition, this stop gap measure will give Maine and New Hampshire an extra two weeks to make sure they don't lose funding we had previously secured for a new bridge in Kittery," Pingree said.

The previous budget bill passed by the House last month would end funding for TIGER II projects, including a $20 million grant to help replace the Memorial Bridge between Kittery and Portsmouth. However, if the funding is obligated to the states before the cuts take place Maine and New Hampshire would not lose the funding. The budget had been set to expire this Friday. If the bill that passed the House today is approved in the Senate the two states will effectively get a two-week extension to secure the funding.

The Senate is expected to vote on this measure by Friday.

Source