Photo / Courtesy Office of U.S .Rep. Chellie Pingree
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District.
Updated: May 24, 2023
Pingree named to newly established agriculture, nutrition task force
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District, a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, has been named to the newly established Task Force on Agriculture and Nutrition.
The body was formed to combat House Republican attacks on essential programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Meals on Wheels.
“It’s unthinkable that as millions of Americans — many of whom are children — go hungry, Republicans are threatening to strip away essential programs that help put food on the table. She was appointed to the new task force by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, according to a May 22 announcement.
Calling the new task force “an important line of defense,” Pingree said she’s honored to serve alongside fellow Democrats “to support farmers and fight hunger.”
Pingree will serve on the task force alongside U.S. Reps. Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Josh Harder (D-Calif.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.).
"From crop insurance to commodities and trade, agriculture policy forms an important pillar of our economy," House Minority Leader Jeffries said. "We must ensure that our farmers have the resources needed to thrive in the 21st century. The members appointed come from nearly every corner of our nation and bring a wide range of experience on both agriculture and nutrition issues.”
Pingree, who was an organic farmer long before going into politics, has used her time on Capitol Hill to strengthen local and regional food systems, support farmers and help more people access locally grown food.
The 68-year-old Pingree has also made fighting to protect food programs like SNAP a priority in the upcoming Farm Bill.
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