Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
Democrat · ME · 18 bills sponsored
To provide for a limitation on the obligation of funds for certain immigration enforcement purposes until a report on the use of databases by immigration officers is submitted.
# Summary of HR 7743 **What the Bill Would Do** HR 7743 would pause federal spending on certain immigration enforcement activities until the government submits a report explaining how immigration officers use databases in their work. Essentially, the bill creates a financial hold—preventing money from being spent on these enforcement purposes—until Congress receives this transparency report about database usage practices. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects immigration enforcement agencies and operations. It would require a detailed report on how immigration officers access and use various databases during enforcement activities, though the specific details about which databases or enforcement activities are limited aren't provided in the bill summary. This affects both the agencies conducting immigration enforcement and potentially the broader immigration system. **Current Status** HR 7743 was introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process. No further action has been taken at this time.
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to return identification documents to individuals upon their release from custody, and for other purposes.
# Summary of HR 7708 **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to return identification documents to people when they are released from immigration custody. Currently, there are no clear federal requirements ensuring that individuals get back their IDs—such as passports, driver's licenses, or travel documents—after being detained by immigration authorities. The bill aims to fill this gap by making it a requirement. **Who It Affects and Why It Matters** The bill primarily affects immigrants who are detained by immigration authorities and then released. It also affects Homeland Security operations and procedures. Supporters argue that returning IDs promptly is important so people can access services, travel, and rebuild their lives after release. The bill's exact scope—whether it covers all types of identification or specific documents—isn't detailed in the title alone. **Current Status** HR 7708 is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine.
Produce Prescriptions for Veterans Act
# Produce Prescriptions for Veterans Act (HR 7267) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Produce Prescriptions for Veterans Act would allow healthcare providers in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prescribe fresh produce and other healthy foods to eligible veterans as part of their medical treatment. This would be a formal prescription program, similar to how doctors currently prescribe medications, but focused on nutritional health instead. Veterans could redeem these "produce prescriptions" at farmers markets, grocery stores, or other food retailers to obtain fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome foods at no cost. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects veterans enrolled in VA healthcare and the healthcare providers who serve them. By authorizing food as a medical prescription, the program aims to help prevent or manage chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity through better nutrition. The VA would need to establish guidelines for the program, determine which veterans qualify, and work with food retailers to make the prescriptions redeemable. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act
# Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act (HR 6476) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill aims to provide financial relief to farmers whose land or operations have been contaminated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as "forever chemicals." These are synthetic chemicals found in various industrial and consumer products that persist in the environment and can accumulate in soil and water. The bill would help affected farmers deal with the costs and consequences of PFAS contamination on their property. **Who It Affects** The primary beneficiaries would be farmers and agricultural operations dealing with PFAS contamination on their land. This could result from various sources, including irrigation with contaminated water, use of biosolids (treated sewage) as fertilizer, or proximity to industrial sites. The bill may also indirectly affect consumers and food safety, since contaminated agricultural land raises concerns about food supply. **Current Status** As of now, the bill is in committee and has not been voted on by the full House. It was introduced by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and remains in the early stages of the legislative process, meaning it has not yet advanced to a floor vote.
Food Date Labeling Act of 2025
# Food Date Labeling Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Food Date Labeling Act of 2025 would standardize how food manufacturers label expiration and freshness dates on products. Currently, there's no federal standard for date labels, so different companies use different formats ("sell by," "best by," "use by," etc.), which confuses consumers about food safety and causes unnecessary food waste. This bill would establish clearer, uniform labeling requirements across the food industry. **Who It Affects** This legislation would primarily affect food manufacturers and producers, who would need to comply with new federal labeling standards. Consumers would benefit from clearer, more consistent date labels that help them understand when food is safe to eat versus when quality may decline. Retailers and grocery stores would also need to adjust to the new labeling system. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. Further details about specific provisions aren't available in the summary provided.
Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act
# Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would create a new tax credit for property owners and businesses located on working waterfronts—areas where commercial fishing, maritime, and waterfront industries operate. The tax credit would help offset costs associated with protecting these properties from natural disasters like storms, flooding, and sea-level rise. If passed, the legislation would allow eligible waterfront businesses and property owners to claim a tax reduction when they invest in disaster mitigation measures such as flood barriers, seawalls, or resilient infrastructure improvements. **Who It Affects and Key Details** The bill primarily targets commercial fishing communities, maritime workers, and waterfront business owners—industries that are vulnerable to coastal disasters and climate impacts. By making disaster preparation more affordable through tax incentives, the legislation aims to help these economically important communities protect their livelihoods and infrastructure. The specific details about credit amounts, eligible improvements, and eligibility requirements would be defined in the final bill language. **Current Status** As of now, HR 4861 remains in committee and has not advanced to a floor vote. The bill was introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), whose district includes significant coastal and fishing communities.
To establish a Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers, and for other purposes.
# HR 4303 Summary **What the Bill Does:** HR 4303 would create a new government position called a "Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers." This envoy would serve as a dedicated official focused on issues affecting people who work for humanitarian organizations—groups that provide aid in disaster areas, conflict zones, and developing countries. The bill appears designed to give humanitarian workers a stronger voice within the U.S. government and potentially improve protections or support for them. **Who It Affects:** The bill would primarily affect humanitarian aid workers operating domestically and internationally, as well as the organizations that employ them. It could also impact government agencies that coordinate foreign aid and international relief efforts. The position would likely coordinate across multiple federal departments to address challenges these workers face. **Current Status:** HR 4303 was introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) in the 119th Congress. The bill is currently in committee, meaning it's under review and has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. No additional details about specific provisions are publicly available at this stage.
The Organic Dairy Data Collection Act
# Summary of the Organic Dairy Data Collection Act (HR 4110) **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to collect and analyze detailed information about the organic dairy industry. Specifically, it would direct the USDA to gather data on organic dairy farm operations, production volumes, pricing, costs, and economic conditions across the country. The goal is to create a comprehensive picture of how the organic dairy sector operates and functions economically. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects organic dairy farmers and producers, as well as consumers of organic dairy products. By collecting this data, the legislation aims to provide better market information that could help policymakers, farmers, and industry stakeholders make more informed decisions. The USDA would be responsible for compiling and potentially publishing this information, making it available for research and policy analysis. **Current Status** As of now, HR 4110 is in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Representative Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine.
Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025
# Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025 – Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025 is a proposal to address ocean acidification, which occurs when the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and becomes more acidic. This process harms marine life, particularly shellfish, fish larvae, and coral. The bill would direct federal resources and research toward understanding and mitigating ocean acidification's effects, with a focus on protecting coastal communities and the fishing industries they depend on. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily impacts coastal communities, commercial and recreational fishers, shellfish harvesters, and the seafood industry. It would also affect marine ecosystems and wildlife. The legislation is sponsored by Representative Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, a state heavily dependent on fishing and seafood industries vulnerable to ocean acidification. **Current Status** As of now, the bill is in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
ICELAND Act
# ICELAND Act Summary I don't have access to the specific details of HR 3221 (the ICELAND Act) in my training data, so I can't provide an accurate summary of what this bill would do, who it affects, or its key provisions. The congressional information shows it's currently in committee and sponsored by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), but without the bill's actual text or description, I can't tell you whether it relates to the country Iceland, an acronym for a policy area, or something else entirely. **To get accurate information about this bill, I'd recommend:** - Visiting Congress.gov and searching for "HR 3221" - Checking Rep. Pingree's official website - Looking at summaries from nonpartisan sources like the Congressional Research Service This will give you the authoritative details on the bill's purpose, provisions, and current legislative status.
Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025
# Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025 (HR 3076) - Summary **What It Does:** This bill aims to help small and mid-sized meat and poultry processing businesses operate more efficiently. It would have the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) create a searchable database of scientific studies to help smaller facilities meet food safety standards. The bill also increases federal financial support for state inspection programs (from 50% to 65%) and a program that lets state-inspected facilities sell across state lines (from 60% to 80%). **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily targets small processing facilities with 10-500 employees and very small operations with fewer than 10 employees or less than $2.5 million in annual sales. It would also affect states that oversee meat and poultry inspection, farmers and producers who use these facilities, and consumers who buy locally-processed products. **Current Status:** The bill, introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. No partisan opposition has been noted, suggesting potential bipartisan support for helping local food processing operations.
Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025
# Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a comprehensive plan aimed at making American agriculture carbon-neutral by 2040. The USDA would need to regularly update this plan and report annually on progress. The legislation expands existing USDA programs focused on research, education, conservation, and renewable energy—redirecting them to emphasize climate-friendly farming practices. **Key Provisions and Who It Affects:** The bill targets several agricultural practices to reduce emissions, including improving soil health, protecting farmland and grasslands, and reducing methane emissions from livestock operations. It would expand programs like AgSTAR (which helps reduce methane from animal waste) and support renewable energy projects in rural areas. This affects farmers, ranchers, agricultural researchers, and rural communities, while also potentially influencing food production and agricultural practices nationwide. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill has not passed.
Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025
# Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 (HR 3048) **What the Bill Would Do** The Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 aims to support economic development and innovation in coastal communities. While specific provisions aren't detailed in the available information, bills with this title typically focus on creating opportunities for regions dependent on ocean resources—such as fishing communities, maritime industries, and coastal businesses—through grants, research funding, or workforce development programs. **Who It Affects** This bill would primarily affect coastal communities and states, particularly those reliant on fishing, maritime trade, and ocean-based industries. It could also impact ocean research institutions, small businesses in coastal areas, and workers in marine-related fields. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. The bill remains in the early stages of the legislative process. *Note: For complete details on specific provisions, funding amounts, and program requirements, you would need to review the full bill text on Congress.gov.*
Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act of 2025
# Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 (HR 2518) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill aims to improve access to credit and financing for commercial fishing businesses and related operations. It would establish or enhance credit programs to help fishing industry participants—such as boat owners, processors, and fishing cooperatives—obtain loans and financial support more easily. The legislation addresses challenges fishing businesses face in securing traditional bank financing due to the industry's seasonal nature, weather-related risks, and market volatility. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily benefits commercial fishermen, fishing vessel owners, seafood processors, and fishing cooperatives. It could also indirectly affect coastal communities that depend on fishing economies, as improved access to credit may help sustain local fishing operations and related jobs. **Current Status:** As of now, HR 2518 is in committee review (the early legislative stage) and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, a state with a significant fishing industry.
NO TIME TO Waste Act
# NO TIME TO Waste Act Summary The NO TIME TO Waste Act (HR 2883) is a bill that would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to lead a coordinated federal effort to reduce food loss and waste in America. The bill distinguishes between "food loss"—food that spoils or is lost during production, storage, processing, or distribution—and "food waste"—food that reaches stores or consumers but goes unconsumed. If passed, the USDA would work alongside the Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency to implement these efforts, establish a dedicated Office of Food Loss and Waste, and create grant programs to help states and local communities collect data and develop solutions. The bill affects a broad range of stakeholders, including farmers, food processors, retailers, restaurants, schools, and consumers, as well as state and local governments. Key provisions include establishing new federal coordination mechanisms, creating grants to support data collection and reduction programs at the state and local level, and providing education initiatives. The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was sponsored by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine).
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025
# Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 (HR 2576) **What it does:** This bill would strengthen VA support and benefits for veterans who experienced military sexual trauma (MST)—including sexual assault, battery, or harassment during military service. It modifies how the VA evaluates claims from veterans seeking compensation for mental health conditions (like PTSD) resulting from MST. The bill requires the VA to consider three types of evidence: professional mental health diagnoses, medical proof linking current symptoms to the trauma, and corroborating evidence that the MST actually occurred. **Who it affects:** Veterans diagnosed with mental health conditions tied to military sexual trauma would be the primary beneficiaries. The bill also affects VA staff and procedures, as it establishes new requirements for how the agency must process these claims. **Key provision:** A significant protection in the bill is that the VA cannot deny a veteran's MST-related mental health claim without first informing the veteran that non-military evidence (like civilian medical records or witness statements) can support their case. This aims to prevent automatic denials and ensure veterans have opportunities to provide alternative proof beyond military documentation. **Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act of 2025
# Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill aims to protect and support America's fishing communities and coastal economies. It would establish oversight and funding mechanisms to monitor marine resources and ensure that waterfront industries—particularly commercial fishing—remain economically viable. The legislation focuses on environmental assessment and research to balance resource management with the needs of fishing communities and coastal workers. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects commercial fishermen, fishing industry workers, coastal communities, and state and local governments that depend on marine resources. Environmental agencies and federal fisheries management bodies would also be involved in implementing the bill's requirements. **Key Provisions:** While specific details require reviewing the full text, the bill appears to include: establishing advisory bodies to coordinate between fishing communities and regulators, requiring environmental monitoring and research on marine resources, directing funding to support coastal economies, and providing congressional oversight of federal waterfront policies. The focus seems to be ensuring that conservation efforts don't unnecessarily harm working waterfronts. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full House. It was sponsored by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a representative from a state heavily dependent on fishing industries.
Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act
# Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act - Plain Language Summary **What the bill does:** This bill changes how the U.S. government classifies water-resistant clothing for tariff purposes. Currently, water-resistant garments must achieve their water-resistance through rubber or plastic coatings. The bill would remove this requirement, allowing manufacturers to use other methods—potentially including alternatives to PFAS chemicals (a group of persistent chemicals used in many water-resistant treatments). **Who it affects and why it matters:** The bill primarily affects clothing manufacturers and importers, as well as consumers who buy water-resistant clothing. PFAS chemicals are used in many water-resistant fabrics but have raised health and environmental concerns because they persist in the environment and can accumulate in human bodies. By allowing non-PFAS methods to meet water-resistant standards, the bill aims to encourage manufacturers to develop and use safer alternatives while still producing effective water-resistant clothing. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. It has not yet passed into law.