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Rep. Craig Leads Legislation to Prevent Companies from Using Tariffs as Cover for Price Gouging Consumers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig introduced legislation with Reps. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) to prohibit companies from using President Trump’s reckless tariffs as cover for price gouging consumers.

The No GOUGE Act would create a ban on selling a tariffed good at an unreasonably high price during the five-year period following the announcement or implementation of a tariff or tariff rate change. “Unreasonably high price” is defined as a price increase greater than the costs directly generated by the tariff. The ban would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the legislation would enable state Attorneys General to sue business that violate the ban in state or district court.

Rep. Craig’s legislation includes an exemption for small businesses earning less than $100 million annually in gross revenue.

“Minnesotans are already struggling with the sky-high cost of living, so while the President launches us headfirst into a global trade war, we have to work proactively to put guardrails in place that protect consumers from exorbitant price-hikes,” said Rep. Craig. “I’m proud to be introducing this legislation alongside my colleagues to prevent large companies from taking advantage of the Administration’s reckless trade policies to price gouge Minnesotans.”

Rep. Craig has been outspoken about the impacts of tariffs on small business owners, family farmers and everyday Minnesotans. As the top Democrat on the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Craig has publicly opposed imposing tariffs on our country’s biggest trading partners and engaging in a global trade war, citing the potential for increased prices for producers and consumers alike.

The legislation is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, commonly known as the United Steelworkers (USW), International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), American Economic Liberties Project and Groundwork Collaborative.

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Rep. Craig Reintroduces Legislation to Prevent Discrimination in America’s Adoption and Foster Care Systems

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02) and Danny K. Davis (IL-07) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced legislation to prevent discrimination in America’s adoption and foster care systems and ensure that all children in the foster care system have the opportunity to end up in a loving home. The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act would also improve services to LGBTQ+ and religious minority youth by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and marital status against families and youth in taxpayer-funded child welfare services.

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act is named after the late Congressman and civil rights hero John Lewis, an adoptive parent who worked alongside Representative Craig to champion this bill in the 116th Congress.

Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Gwen Moore (WI-04) are also cosponsors of the legislation.

“As an LGBTQ+ adoptive parent and a mother who had to fight in court to adopt my son, I have witnessed firsthand the widespread discrimination in our country’s adoption and foster care systems,” said Rep. Craig. “No state should allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ foster children or adoptive parents who can provide a safe and loving home. I’m proud to help carry on the late John Lewis’ legacy through this critical legislation we crafted together to ensure that LGBTQ+ adoptive parents and children are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

The bill is endorsed by Family Equality, the Human Rights Campaign, FosterClub, Lambda Legal, PFLAG, True Colors United and others. 

“Children enter the child welfare system through no fault of their own, and our communities have a shared responsibility to ensure they are cared for with dignity and fairness,” said Darra Gordon, CEO, Family Equality. “This bill is a vital, practical step toward ending discriminatory barriers that prevent thousands of children from finding the safe, loving, and permanent homes they deserve. We thank Rep. Davis and Sen. Gillibrand for their leadership and urge Congress to act swiftly.”

“Every child deserves a safe, loving, and affirming home. But too often, LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges in the foster care system,” said David Stacy,Vice President of Government Affairs, the Human Rights Campaign. “When youth enter foster care, the State has a responsibility to place them with families that will support them—not exclude them because of who they are or who their caregivers are. That’s why we support the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which ensures that agencies receiving federal funds cannot discriminate based on religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

“LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit children, parents, kin, and families have the right to be free from discrimination and harm while involved with the child welfare system and to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Currey Cook, Senior Counsel, Lambda Legal and Project Director, Youth in Out-of-Home Care. “The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act is an important step forward to ensure those rights are clear and explicit so children and families can expect and receive fair treatment by a system that too often harms rather than helps.”

“Having grown up and aged out of the foster care system, I know firsthand why this legislation is vital to reducing the number of children who linger in care without a place to call home. Too many children still lack foster families and end up in group homes or residential centers simply because there is nowhere else to place them,” said Schylar Baber, a foster care alum. “I was part of what is now called the generation that waits—removed at age six, denied adoption at age twelve because the prospective parent was an unmarried male, and told I was ‘unadoptable.’ Instead of permanency, I endured years of instability and trauma caused by outdated policies and discrimination. Love eventually prevailed when I was adopted at age 25 by the same person who had been denied years earlier, but that was six years of a home I should never have been denied. We must remove barriers that exclude viable families, because every child deserves permanency, stability, and love.”

Representative Craig was the first LGBTQ+ mother in Congress and serves as a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. She is an original cosponsor of the Equality Act. You can learn more about her own adoption struggle here.

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Reps. Craig, McBath, Landsman, Horsford, Schrier Introduce Bill to Cap Price of Insulin at $35 Per Month

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, during Diabetes Awareness Month, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Kim Schrier (WA-08) introduced the Affordable Insulin Now Act to help Americans with private insurance afford insulin.

The bill would extend the $35 insulin cap for seniors on Medicare that was passed into law through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to all Americans with private insurance.

“For years, pharmaceutical companies have raked in record profits by price gouging consumers – forcing everyday Minnesotans to make the impossible choice between picking up lifesaving prescriptions and putting food on the table,” said Rep. Craig. “We have seen over time that the pressure we’ve put on Big Pharma is working, and this bill is the next step in our fight to make insulin affordable for every American who needs it.”

“No person should be forced to skip or ration medication because they cannot afford it,” said Rep. McBath. “With health care affordability concerns more relevant than ever, we must work with urgency to address some of the most common medical expenses that strain American household budgets. I am grateful to my colleagues for our continued work to drive down the cost of insulin for all who need it.”

“Insulin is a lifesaving medication, but every day in this country people are forced to make drastic financial decisions just to afford it,” said Rep. Landsman. “Americans deserve affordable healthcare, and we have to finish the job of capping insulin costs, so no one has to struggle to survive.”

“High insulin prices can cost someone their life,” said Rep. Horsford. “I’m proud to partner with Representatives Craig, Landsman, McBath, and Schrier to make sure this critical medication is accessible and affordable to all who need it. State lawmakers in Nevada passed a bill ensuring affordable insulin prices earlier this summer, and the bill we’re introducing today will expand that effort nationally. As tens of millions of Americans stand to lose health care coverage from Republican ‘Big Beautiful’ bill cuts and their refusal to extend health care tax credits, there has never been a more important time to pass the Affordable Insulin Now Act into law.”

“As a doctor and someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for over four decades, I have seen how the price of insulin has skyrocketed over the years and know firsthand the pressure that these price hikes have put on patients,” said Rep. Schrier, M.D. “Unaffordable insulin has even forced some to ration or go completely without the medication their lives depend on, with deadly consequences. I was proud to work with my colleagues to cap the cost of insulin for those on Medicare, and I am thrilled to continue our work to lower the price of this lifesaving medication for millions more.”

The bill is also endorsed by Protect Our Care, the American Diabetes Association, Social Security Works and Breakthrough T1D. 

“No one should go bankrupt buying the insulin that keeps them alive,” said Protect Our Care Director of Policy Programs Vaishu Jawahar. “By capping what privately insured Americans pay out-of-pocket for insulin, the Affordable Insulin Now Act extends a critical lifeline to diabetics and their families. While Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress continue driving up drug costs and padding drug company profits, this legislation will save lives and make health care more affordable for everyday Americans.”

“The ADA supports the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would limit out-of-pocket cost for insulin at $35 a month for individuals with private health insurance,” said Catherine Ferguson, Vice President for Federal Advocacy, the American Diabetes Association. “This bill is a critical step to ensure people with diabetes who need insulin to live can afford it.”

“No one should suffer, go bankrupt, or die because big pharma billionaires are price gouging the insulin they need to survive,” said Alex Lawson, Executive Director, Social Security Works. “This bill is a critical step towards ensuring that insulin is affordable and protecting Americans from the criminally high prices that pharmaceutical companies charge.”

Since entering Congress, Rep. Craig has been a leader in the fight to lower prescription drug prices with a specific focus on insulin. In 2022, the provision of Rep. Craig’s bill that capped insulin copays at $35/month for Medicare recipients was signed into law as part of the IRA.

Last Congress, Rep. Craig also introduced the Emergency Access to Insulin Act to help Americans without health insurance afford insulin. This bill would expand emergency insulin access, lower costs for those without health insurance and take additional steps to hold drug companies accountable for price gouging Americans.

During IRA negotiations, Rep. Craig stood with House progressives, refusing to support the bill until it included provisions to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. She is also cosponsor of the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, which would expand Medicare drug price negotiation to lower the price of additional prescription drugs.

You can read the text of the bill here.

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Golden, Maine fishermen push trade commission for fair fishing rules in Gray Zone

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

Push for updated rules comes as commission weighs recommendations for USMCA negotiations

WASHINGTON — Ahead of two Maine fishermen’s testimonies to the International Trade Commission (ITC) today, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) submitted a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer calling for fairer fishing rules between Maine and Canadian fishermen in the Gray Zone — a 277 square-mile area of ocean near Machias Seal Island that is fished by both countries and remains one of America’s only contested maritime borders. 

The push comes as the ITC gathers stakeholder input from across industries to inform the White House and Congress on potential changes needed to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The trade deal, set to expire in 2036, requires the countries to explore a potential 16-year extension to preserve the arrangement until 2052. This review is mandated for July 2026. Golden voted against the USMCA in 2019, and is pushing for more parity between American and Canadian fishing regulations in the Gray Zone as a condition of any extension.

“The United States government should do everything in its power to ensure that our fishermen are not at a competitive disadvantage and deprived of economic opportunity,” Golden wrote in his letter to Greer. “Maine’s seafood harvesters have been awaiting a resolution to the Gray Zone for too long and at great consequence to their safety, their businesses, and the natural resources they depend on.” 

Golden has previously written to President Trump about the steeper regulations Maine fishermen face compared to their Canadian competitors in the Gray Zone. Some of these rule disparities include the lack of a maximum size limit for catchable lobster for Canadians; Canada’s refusal to follow Mainers’ practice of marking egg-bearing females as off-limits; the American-only requirement to use expensive, weaker fishing gear to prevent right-whale entanglements; and a months-longer season for scallop harvesting for Canadians.

Golden submitted his letter along with testimony from Virginia Olsen and Dustin Delano, two Maine harvesters who serve as the Political Director of the Maine Lobstering Union (MLU) and Chief Strategist of Policy and Operations for the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA), respectively. 

Olsen and Swan’s Island fisherman and NEFSA board member Jason Joyce spoke today before the ITC, regarding the ways Canada’s less sustainable harvesting practices have harmed the fishery and Maine’s working waterfront.

“American fishermen have sacrificed more than most people will ever understand. They’ve rebuilt stocks, innovated gear, protected habitat, and carried the weight of conservation on their backs….” Joyce told the commission. “…We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for fair rules, equal competition, and respect for the sacrifices American fishermen have made to protect this shared ocean. The Gray Zone can no longer remain a gray area.”

“The MLU believes that a bilateral committee is needed to discuss the ongoing issues between both countries about the Gray Zone, conservation, seasons, and enforcement …” Olsen said. “… I feel we need to bridge the gap between what harvesters are seeing daily on the water to the observations by scientists. Until we do, the lack of trust will continue.”

The ITC is an independent, nonpartisan federal government agency. The commission oversees a wide range of trade-related mandates and provides analysis of international trade issues to the president and Congress. The ITC is led by a group of commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to nine-year terms.

Golden, who serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, has fought fiercely on behalf of Maine’s fishing industry throughout his career. Last year he was the only representative from New England to join the effort to overturn a U.S.-only increase to the minimum catchable size of lobster. He also helped pass a six-year pause on new lobster gear regulations in 2022 — a moratorium he submitted legislative language to extend in July. He has submitted bipartisan legislation, the Northern Fisheries Heritage Protection Act, which would prohibit commercial offshore wind energy development in the critical, highly productive Maine fishing grounds of Lobster Management Area 1.

Golden’s full letter can be found here, and is included below in full:

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The Honorable Jamieson Greer

United States Trade Representative

Office of the United States Trade Representative

600 17th Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20230

 

RE: Request for Public Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Relating to the Operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada

Dear Ambassador Greer:

The Office of Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) submits the following public comment on behalf of various constituents in the Maine lobster industry: Virginia Olsen, the political director of the Maine Lobstering Union, and Dustin Delano, Chief Strategist of Policy and Operations for the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA). These leaders in the Maine lobstering community view the potential renewal of the United States – Mexico –  Canada Agreement (USMCA) as an appropriate venue to implement co-management fisheries practices with Canada around the Gray Zone, a 277 square mile maritime area in the Bay of Fundy over which both the United States and Canada claim sovereignty. Doing so would strengthen the economic well being of American fishermen by both preserving the sustainability of integral Gulf of Maine fish stocks, while also ensuring that they are not at a competitive disadvantage compared to their Canadian counterparts.

The Gray Zone has been claimed by both the United States and Canada since the Revolutionary War. For centuries, the lobstermen and fishermen of Downeast Maine have relied on this marine area to harvest lobster, scallops, and halibut, often competing with the Canadians who utilize these same fishing grounds. Frustratingly, while the long-term viability of these stocks are essential to the economic success of both American and Canadian harvesters, it is our fishermen and lobstermen who are required to adhere to the highest standards of conservation. Maine lobstermen abide by a maximum size limit for harvesting lobster and Halibut; Canadian lobstermen do not. Maine lobstermen mark the tails of egg-bearing females with a v-notch and toss them back so they can spawn; Canadian lobstermen do not. Maine fishermen use less durable gear with weak links to reduce lethal entanglements with endangered North Atlantic right whales; Canadian lobstermen do not.

Past attempts to resolve this territorial dispute to support the competitiveness of U.S. fishermen have been ineffective. A 2023 U.S. Department of State Report written for Congress titled “Progress Toward an Agreement with Canadian Officials Addressing Territorial Disputes and Collecting Fisheries Management Measures in the Gulf of Maine” incorrectly states: 

“The status quo benefits the United States by keeping the Gray Zone aligned with the more favorable measures applicable to the broader U.S. lobster management area within which it sits. Current cooperation has proved effective in managing the area. Negotiations to resolve the dispute would require significant dedicated resources. In the absence of a resolution of the territorial dispute, an agreement to resolve differing fisheries management measures in the Gray Zone could impact U.S. claims to sovereignty by creating regulations that differ from those applicable to the broader Gulf of Maine jurisdiction in which the Gray Zone lies.”

In reality, as management currently exists, there is no cooperation in managing this area.

This report – and past U.S. federal government assessments of the Gray Zone – are misleading, and the fishermen I represent have told me repeatedly that the current regulatory framework in the area does not benefit American fishermen; it hurts them.            

The implementation of a co-management practice in a renewed USMCA would address this harmful, unfair regulatory disparity. That is why the renewal of the USMCA provides a reasonable forum to discuss and potentially implement a co-management agreement, which should include Canadian and American fishermen working together to determine and follow the same regulations. 

The United States government should do everything in its power to ensure that our fishermen are not at a competitive disadvantage and deprived of economic opportunity. Maine’s seafood harvesters have been awaiting a resolution to the Gray Zone for too long and at great consequence to their safety, their businesses, and the natural resources they depend on. 

These constituents are prepared to provide testimony at the International Trade Commission on November 17th on the merits of a co-management practice in a renewed USMCA agreement.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

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Maine Delegation introduces bill to support farmers affected by PFAS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — In a bipartisan, bicameral effort to provide vital assistance to farmers affected by toxic “forever chemicals,” also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) reintroduced the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act. The legislation would authorize grants for states to provide financial assistance to affected farmers, expand monitoring and testing, remediate PFAS, or even help farmers relocate. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Congressman Jared Golden (D-Maine) are original cosponsors of the legislation.

PFAS are man-made chemicals that are used in industry and consumer products and can lead to serious health effects, including cancer, reproductive and developmental harms, and weakened immune systems. In Maine, there have been more than 30,000 records of PFAS at close to 250 sites across the state. Maine farmers have had their livelihoods disrupted due to PFAS contamination, which originated in sludge that was spread as fertilizer by farmers who were told by the government that it was safe to use.

“USDA must provide support to our nation’s farmers, who through no fault of their own are at risk of losing their livelihoods,” said Senator Collins. “In the past, the federal government’s response has failed to keep pace with this growing problem. Our bipartisan legislation would direct USDA to help by providing financial assistance and expanding PFAS monitoring and testing where it is needed most.”

“The PFAS crisis isn’t some theoretical or distant problem. It’s here, it’s growing, and it’s putting real pressure on farmers in Maine and across the country,” said Pingree, a longtime farmer and senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. “For farmers already navigating thin margins, discovering ‘forever chemicals’ on their land can mean lost income, unusable land, and questions about the safety of their crops and livestock. They deserve federal support that matches the scale of the crisis. Our Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act creates a dedicated USDA program to test for contamination, compensate affected farmers, and advance the research and remediation strategies we need to protect our food supply and rural economies. This bill is a critical step in giving farmers the tools to safeguard their operations while federal and state agencies work to fully confront PFAS.”

“Maine’s hardworking farmers are losing crops, land, and their livelihoods to ‘forever chemicals’ at an alarming rate,” said Senator King. “The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act is a crucial step towards creating a federal safety net that provides impacted farms with financial relief. The monitoring, testing, and remediation provisions would be a gamechanger in our work to protect Maine’s agricultural communities from PFAS contamination. The state of Maine has been on the forefront of these efforts, but additional federal investments are vitally needed. I hope this bipartisan, bicameral legislation receives broad support across Congress to protect the future of Maine farming.”

“As awareness of PFAS contamination has increased, Maine farmers have borne heavy costs to protect consumers from harmful chemicals,” Golden said. “The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act will provide local farmers with the support they need to keep their lights on while continuing to mitigate risk and protect the public from a health issue that isn’t farmers’ fault.”

Specifically, the funds authorized by the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act could be used for a variety of purposes at the state level, including: 

  • Providing financial assistance to affected farmers;

  • Building capacity for PFAS testing for soil or water sources;

  • Monitoring blood for individuals to make informed decisions about their health;

  • Upgrading or purchasing equipment to ensure a farm remains profitable during or after known PFAS contamination;

  • Developing alternative production systems or remediation strategies;

  • Developing educational programs for farmers experiencing PFAS contamination; and

  • Researching soil and water remediation systems, and the viability of those systems for farms

The bill would also create a task force at USDA charged with identifying other USDA programs to which PFAS contamination should be added as an eligible activity.  This would help bring even more resources to farmers through existing programs.  Additionally, the task force would provide technical assistance to states to help them coordinate their responses effectively.

“Maine farmers, residents and policymakers are leading the country on tackling PFAS contamination in our food and water,” said Sarah Alexander, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). “Maine has created essential policies to help farmers who have suffered consequences of forever chemicals through no fault of their own. Senator Collins’ and Congresswoman Pingree’s bill signals a critical opportunity for the federal government to coordinate a response so that farmers across the country will have the support they need to address PFAS contamination.”

 “PFAS contamination of agricultural land is a nationwide challenge that has been met with an inconsistent patchwork of policy and program responses to date. What is needed in response to the challenge of PFAS contamination of agricultural land is dependable and comprehensive support so that farm families, the agricultural sector, and our food system are not in jeopardy. This bill seeks to do just that. Maine Farmland Trust is grateful for the introduction of the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act and the strong federal safety net of support that it would provide.  Maine farmers stand with farmers nationwide who deserve comprehensive support and solutions,” said Shelley Megquier, Policy and Research Director of Maine Farmland Trust.

“American Farmland Trust (AFT) applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan Farmers Hit with PFAS Act,” said Tim Fink, Vice President of Policy for AFT. “The discovery of PFAS contamination can be devastating for farms, farmers, and their families – all through no fault of their own. However, the experience of the Maine relief program has shown that with the right financial and technical support, most farms can return safely to operation. It’s time that this essential financial, technical, healthcare, and research support be available to impacted farmers across the nation.”

“PFAS contamination poses a significant threat to our farms, wildlife, and food,” said Rebecca Meuninck, Ph.D., Great Lakes regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation. “Farmers are being put out of business because they unknowingly spread biosolids containing PFAS on their land or had their water contaminated from neighboring military or industrial sites. The reintroduction of this legislation is a big step forward in supporting farmers and ensuring their resilience against the impacts of PFAS.”

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Golden, bipartisan group of lawmakers push for faster release of LIHEAP funds

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

Letter to HHS Secretary RFK Jr. calls for department to release funds as soon as Sunday

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) led a bipartisan group of 44 lawmakers calling on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to distribute Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds to states by November 30, 2025. 

States typically receive their LIHEAP allocations in early November following the beginning of the fiscal year in October. However, the recent government shutdown delayed disbursement of these critical funds that help roughly 6 million Americans — including 45,000 Mainers — heat their homes.

“We appreciate the agency’s notification that LIHEAP funds should be received by LIHEAP recipients by the end of the month, especially as parts of the country begin to experience colder weather and temperatures below freezing,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is vital that LIHEAP funds are delivered as quickly as possible to the nearly six million households that rely on this assistance.”

They continued, “Given that the heating season has already started in many parts of the country, we agree that there is no time to waste… The risk is especially great for households that rely on home heating oil or propane to warm their homes. While many states include moratoriums on utility shutoffs during winter months, they cannot require independent heating oil or propane suppliers to continue deliveries without payment before or upon delivery.”

Golden has pushed back against Secretary Kennedy repeatedly this year for his management of LIHEAP, particularly regarding his decision to fire the program’s entire staff this spring. He helped lead a letter with more than 80 colleagues calling for the protection of LIHEAP and the rehiring of the staff who manage it. 

In light of concerns about LIHEAP’s ability to operate without dedicated staff, the lawmakers wrote, “If disbursement is expected to be delayed past November 30, 2025, as indicated by the agency, we request that HHS immediately distribute an initial, upfront portion of LIHEAP funds to all states to allow households to receive benefits as soon as possible, followed by the disbursement of remaining funds no later than December 10.”

Golden has successfully led several efforts to increase Mainers’ access to heating assistance throughout his time in Congress. He helped secure $6.1 billion for LIHEAP for fiscal year 2023, and worked with the rest of Maine’s Congressional Delegation to win an additional $38 million for Mainers in fiscal year 2024 — including $1.4 million for Maine’s tribes.

The full letter can be found here, and is included below in full:

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Dear Secretary Kennedy,

As the federal government resumes the administration of essential programs, we write to you regarding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). We appreciate the agency’s notification that LIHEAP funds should be received by LIHEAP recipients by the end of the month, especially as parts of the country begin to experience colder weather and temperatures below freezing. It is vital that LIHEAP funds are delivered as quickly as possible to the nearly six million households that rely on this assistance. 

As you know, states typically receive their LIHEAP allocations in early November following the beginning of the fiscal year in October. This four-week delay between appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and disbursement to states is usually attributed to the amount of time it takes HHS to calculate each state’s apportionment of LIHEAP funding. Given that the heating season has already started in many parts of the country, we agree that there is no time to waste. If the HHS does not marshal all available resources to get LIHEAP funds out the door, it risks putting households across the U.S. in jeopardy of not receiving heating assistance in time. 

The risk is especially great for households that rely on home heating oil or propane to warm their homes. While many states include moratoriums on utility shutoffs during winter months, they cannot require independent heating oil or propane suppliers to continue deliveries without payment before or upon delivery. 

In the agency’s notification to LIHEAP Grant recipients and stakeholders, HHS noted that the Office of Community Services’ (OCS) would use special authority to release the funds. Should the agency require additional action from Congress to ensure these funds are disbursed expeditiously, we request that you notify us without delay. 

Additionally, we request that HHS take the following actions: 

  1. Continue to carry out all necessary steps to accelerate the typical four-week timeline for LIHEAP disbursement. 
  2. Tap additional staff as needed to ensure that funds are disbursed rapidly.
  3. Maintain regular contact with LIHEAP recipients about expected timelines for release of funds and any estimated delays as soon as possible. 
  4. If disbursement is expected to be delayed past November 30, 2025, as indicated by the agency, we request that HHS immediately distribute an initial, upfront portion of LIHEAP funds to all states to allow households to receive benefits as soon as possible, followed by the disbursement of remaining funds no later than December 10. 

We continue to have serious concerns about the LIHEAP program’s capacity to operate effectively without dedicated staff. We urge you to ensure that necessary personnel and resources are in place to support LIHEAP’s continued success. 

We urge you to do everything possible to distribute LIHEAP funds to states and families without delay. With home heating costs expected to rise faster than inflation this winter , families should not have to choose between staying warm and other essential items like food, medication, or rent. We appreciate your attention on this urgent matter and stand ready to support the agency in assisting the American people.

Sincerely,

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Golden’s bipartisan permitting reform bill passes House Natural Resources Committee

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today celebrated the House Natural Resources Committee’s passage of his bipartisan Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, which he first introduced with Republican Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) in July. 

The bill, which would modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to accelerate federal approval of energy development and other construction projects, was approved with bipartisan support by a vote of 25-18.

“America’s broken permitting system is delaying investments in the basics we need — energy, transportation and housing. These delays keep costs high and hold back America’s economy,” Golden said. “Both parties have agreed on this problem for years, and today’s support from the Committee gives me hope that Congress is finally ready to take the win. I’m grateful to Chairman Westerman for his commitment to earning bipartisan support for our bill, and I’m ready to get this passed on the House floor.”

In an effort to create certainty for all forms of energy production, Golden also submitted an amendment that would block the executive branch from revoking energy permits after approval. Both Presidents Trump and Biden have embraced this tactic to block projects they disapprove of — even if the projects are in the final stages of completion. His amendment passed the Committee unanimously.

Before the vote, the City of Bangor submitted a letter of support to the Committee, describing how many of the bill’s provisions would benefit airport operations around the country, including at Bangor International Airport (BGR):

“These reforms would directly support airports such as BGR by enabling timely progress on projects ranging from traditional safety-and capacity-driven infrastructure to energy-resilience initiatives such as our planned on-airport solar farm,” wrote Airport Director Jose Saavedra, C.M. “Streamlining NEPA requirements, while preserving necessary environmental protections, will help ensure that airports can advance essential improvements that support safe operations, economic competitiveness, and the aviation needs of the communities we serve.”

Golden has previously spoken at length about the need to fix America’s broken permitting system, including during the bill’s initial hearing in September. 

Full text of the legislation can be found here, and an analysis of the bill — as well as a recent history of permitting reform — from the Bipartisan Policy Center can be found here. 

BACKGROUND:

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a procedural statute that established parameters for assessing the environmental impacts of all major federal actions and created the Council on Environmental Quality. The procedural requirements in NEPA apply to all major federal actions, including but not limited to the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, highways, ports, irrigation systems, forest management, transmission lines, energy projects, broadband and water infrastructure.

While well-intentioned, NEPA has evolved into a cumbersome and lengthy process that has increased costs and permitting timelines. Additionally, NEPA has become a tool used by special interest groups to block critical infrastructure across the country, as it is currently the most litigated environmental statute.

This litigation is most often initiated not by communities or individuals, but by national NGOs. According to the Breakthrough Institute, NGOs filed more than 70 percent of all lawsuits filed under NEPA in recent years. 

According to the report, litigants lose their challenges 80 percent of the time. But what they lost in court, they made up for in delays; Litigation under NEPA added an average of four years to a project’s timeline. These kinds of delays can kill a project even when the litigation against it fails.

The SPEED Act will modernize NEPA to help streamline the permitting process and return the law to its intended purpose. The bill will shorten permitting timelines and reduce the frequency of frivolous litigation. This legislation will simplify the analysis required in NEPA documents, thereby easing the burden on agencies. The bill will also clarify when NEPA is triggered by clarifying the definition of “Major Federal Action.” Lastly, the bill will establish judicial review limitations for NEPA claims, including a 150-day deadline for filing claims, a new standard of review and the elimination of procedural moves that stop projects from moving forward.

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Golden votes to release Epstein files

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted today for H.R. 4405, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would require the Department of Justice to publicly release all unclassified materials from its investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. The bill passed the House by a vote of 427-1. 

Today’s vote was forced by a discharge petition signed by Golden and a majority of the House after months of resistance from President Trump and House Republican leaders.

“These files should obviously be released. And it never should have been this hard,” Golden said.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandates the Department of Justice to publish a searchable, downloadable compilation of all its files on Epstein within 30 days. Within 15 days, the Department must report to Congress on any information redacted to protect victims’ personal information and active federal investigations.

Golden has long called for the release of the Epstein files as a means of transparency and accountability. He praised a subpoena against the Department of Justice by a House Oversight subcommittee this summer, and later reiterated the need for a public release while questioning the Trump Administration’s resistance to doing so. 

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Welcoming the Arkansas National Guard to Washington D.C.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

As we reflect on this year, I’d like to take a moment to recognize our Arkansas National Guard and the exceptional discipline and dedication they have brought to their service not only for the Natural State, but nationwide. 

When tragedy struck central Texas this summer, our Arkansas Guard answered the call of duty, providing integral service to the communities that were facing devastating loss and infrastructure challenges. The help they were able to provide in a dark chapter for the state of Texas was undoubtedly a lifeline of hope that was desperately needed, and I was incredibly proud to see the true Arkansas spirit represented so well by our Arkansas National Guard.

We saw our own share of devastation this year as winter weather and spring storms brought destruction to communities across the Natural State. Once again, the Arkansas National Guard answered the call of duty, bringing their exceptional training and skill where and when it was needed most.

The Arkansas National Guard’s 142nd Field Artillery Brigade touched down in Washington D.C. this week as they will be conducting patrols and providing support for local law enforcement in designated areas. I look forward to personally connecting with some of the Natural State’s finest men and women in the coming days while they are here to thank them for their service.

On December 13, the National Guard will celebrate 389 years of service. You may be wondering how that math works out, as our own nation is only 250 years old. Before our Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, the National Guard has had a presence in our country since the colonial days of 1636, playing a consistent role in the story of our nation’s founding and the defending of our freedom. 

Before the adoption of its official name, the National Guard acted as our colonial militia founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. These founding fathers were at first a great concern for the colonists who feared tyrannical rule and abuses of military power. However, George Washington argued strongly for the need of a “well-organized Militia; upon a Plan that will pervade all the States, and introduce similarity in their Establishment Maneuvers, Exercise and Arms.”

Thus, the 1792 Militia Act was enacted, opening the door to centuries of men, and now women, to be divided into divisions, brigades, battalions, and companies as they serve their communities in the National Guard.

I’m grateful each day for the men and women who put on the uniform to serve their country, sacrificing the comfort and safety of their own personal lives to go where they are called to protect our communities and provide help when tragedy strikes. Regardless of their circumstances, these Guardsmen and women stay the course, remain steadfast, and do their duty to serve their country.

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A Nation Built on Thankfulness

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

As we celebrate a holiday centered on our gratitude and thankfulness for all the blessings we have been given, we must also reflect on our nation’s history and the significance behind Thanksgiving Day.

Most often associated with the feast depicted in our history books from colonial days, we recall the first harvest shared by the pilgrims to thank God for their blessings and the abundant harvest they received during a time marked by great uncertainty. While this feast was celebrated at Plymouth colony in 1621, and loosely maintained by the generations to follow, it wouldn’t be for almost two more centuries that our nation would properly observe this day.

During the Revolutionary War, our Founding Fathers observed a day of thanksgiving that took on a whole new meaning. After the British army surrendered to the Americans at the Battle of Saratoga, General George Washington agreed to the Continental Congress’ suggestion of observing a national day of thanksgiving to commemorate this victory. The proclamation was signed, designating December 18, 1777, as our nation’s first Thanksgiving Day.

It wasn’t until the Civil War era, however, that Thanksgiving Day was regularly observed, when President Abraham Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in 1863. For 162 years, our nation has set aside this day as a day of thankfulness.

May we continue to be thankful for the blessings we have been given: our nation’s farmers who are responsible for providing food for our tables, our teachers who pour into and shape the minds of future leaders, and our troops who defend the freedoms we are so blessed to have.

When we take a moment to reflect on all that we have been given, my hope is that we will be reminded of how blessed our nation truly is. And that we will never forget the generations who have come before us to secure these gifts, urging us to press forward and do the same for future generations. I am certainly thankful for the opportunity to serve the Fourth District of Arkansas, and I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.