Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Sworn in For Fourteenth Term in U.S. House of Representatives 01/06/15

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was sworn in for a fourth term in the U.S. House today, representing Maine's First Congressional District.

"Serving the people of Maine is the greatest honor of my life and I'm grateful to be able to get back to work fighting for the issues they care about in Washington," Pingree said. "Congress has become more and more partisan, but I plan to continue to look for ways to get things done that benefit Maine families and Maine'seconomy."

Although serving in the Democratic minority in the House over the last two terms, Pingree has been able to push through policies that benefitveterans, Maine consumers, farmers and fishermen.

Pingree wrote the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act, which included dozens of provisions that benefitted local farmers and made local food moreaccessible for consumers. The bill enjoyed wide bipartisan support and most of the provisions in it were eventually included in the Farm Bill, which passed the House and Senate and was signed by President Obama.

Pingree has also been a strong advocate of benefits for veterans, especially veterans who are survivors of sexual assault while serving our country. She wrote the Ruth Moore Act, which makes it easier for those veterans to get the benefits they deserve. The bill passed the House unanimously in the last Congress.

Congresswoman Pingree, who lives on the island of North Haven, has fought for the interests of Maine fishermen. As more and more cruise ships began to call on Maine ports, she wrote to the CEOs of the major cruise ship companies, asking them to buy Maine lobster while in port. Last summer, cruise ships bought thousands of pounds of fresh, locally caught Maine lobster for their passengers.

Pingree is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which approves spending for government programs.

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