Latest news with #Pingree
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
House panel votes to name Kennedy Center opera house for Melania Trump
Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, opposed the change and alleged it's part of giving Trump power to run the Kennedy Center "with very little oversight" from Congress. More: Trump names a new head of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in DC: himself "The Republicans snuck in, I think, something that is slightly divisive, which is renaming one section of the Kennedy Center after a family member of this administration," Pingree said. The committee voted 33-25 to adopt the name change as part of a larger amendment. The full House and the Senate would still have to vote on the proposal approved by the Appropriations Committee as part of the spending bill for the interior, environment and other agencies. But the move reflected support from Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress. The theater would be named the "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House" if the legislations becomes law. Lawmakers have already agreed to spend $256.7 million on improvements to the Kennedy Center by 2029, as part of President Donald Trump's legislative priorities. The House subcommittee was voting on $37.2 million in routine annual funding for the center for the year starting Oct. 1. "The Republicans have now given the president six times the normal amount of money to run the Kennedy Center, carte blanche over who will be on the board, and how different parts of the Kennedy Center - or perhaps the whole Kennedy Center itself- will be named," Pingree said. Trump dismissed much of the Kennedy Center's board after he took office and designated himself chairman. He criticized drag performances and said after the cancelation of one theatre engagement that he "never liked 'Hamilton' very much." "We'll make it great again," Trump said during a tour in March. "I'm very disappointed when I look around. The bottom line: It has tremendous potential."
USA Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Lawmakers vote to name Kennedy Center opera house after Melania Trump
The vote came after Congress previously designated $256 million for improvements to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. WASHINGTON – House Republicans were singing from the same sheet music as the Trump administration July 22 when a key panel voted to name the Kennedy Center opera house after first lady Melania Trump. "This designation is an excellent way to recognize her support and commitment to promoting the arts," said Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, who shepherded the Appropriations Committee's spending bill that funds John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, opposed the change and alleged it's part of giving Trump power to run the Kennedy Center "with very little oversight" from Congress. More: Trump names a new head of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in DC: himself "The Republicans snuck in, I think, something that is slightly divisive, which is renaming one section of the Kennedy Center after a family member of this administration,' Pingree said. The committee voted 33-25 to adopt the name change as part of a larger amendment. The full House and the Senate would still have to vote on the proposal approved by the Appropriations Committee as part of the spending bill for the interior, environment and other agencies. But the move reflected support from Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress. The theater would be named the "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House" if the legislations becomes law. Lawmakers have already agreed to spend $256.7 million on improvements to the Kennedy Center by 2029, as part of President Donald Trump's legislative priorities. The House subcommittee was voting on $37.2 million in routine annual funding for the center for the year starting Oct. 1. "The Republicans have now given the president six times the normal amount of money to run the Kennedy Center, carte blanche over who will be on the board, and how different parts of the Kennedy Center − or perhaps the whole Kennedy Center itself− will be named," Pingree said. Trump dismissed much of the Kennedy Center's board after he took office and designated himself chairman. He criticized drag performances and said after the cancelation of one theatre engagement that he "never liked 'Hamilton' very much." "We'll make it great again," Trump said during a tour in March. "I'm very disappointed when I look around. The bottom line: It has tremendous potential."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maine's members of Congress split on Trump deploying National Guard, Marines to protests
Demonstrators protest outside a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) Maine's congressional delegation have varying stances on President Donald Trump deploying the National Guard and Marines to quell protests over the administration's workplace immigration raids in Los Angeles. Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree called the move an abuse of power. Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King said it doesn't appear justified. Maine's other Democratic representative, Jared Golden, and Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins did not condemn the deployment of troops. Collins called it an appropriate use of the National Guard, but not the Marines or other active duty military personnel. 'The National Guard often responds to domestic emergencies and is well-trained to do so,' Collins said in a statement. 'The Marines should only be involved in domestic disturbances in the most extreme emergencies.' The legality of the deployment is currently being debated in court. This is the first time a president has activated a state's National Guard since 1965 without a request from a governor — something Gov. Janet Mills and other Democratic governors condemned in a joint statement. California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued Trump over the deployment, arguing it is a violation of state sovereignty. Meanwhile, Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn that he endorsed the idea of White House border czar Tom Homan arresting Newsom. Trump later deployed Marines on Monday. The city's police chief has warned that without coordination the Marines' arrival could cause operational challenges and stated that local law enforcement remain confident in their ability to handle large-scale demonstrations. Pingree offered the most pointed critique, saying what's happening in California should alarm everyone. 'The President is manufacturing a crisis to deliberately inflame tensions in one of America's largest cities,' Pingree said in a statement to Maine Morning Star. 'It's a flagrant abuse of power, egregious federal overreach, and a chilling attempt to turn our military into a political weapon.' Pingree also put a price tag on the action, estimating that the mobilization has already cost taxpayers $134 million. Further, the representative condemned the sweeps being carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 'The people of Los Angeles are seeing their neighbors being swept up in unprecedented ICE raids, meant to fill quotas rather than make our communities safer,' Pingree said. 'These aren't violent criminals. They're workers waiting for jobs and families going home from church, who are suddenly being detained and deported without a shred of due process.' King stopped short of labeling the deployment as overreach but said that he does not believe the preconditions of the underlying statute Trump cited in justifying his federalization of the National Guard, 10 U.S.C. 12406, have been met. These include an invasion or threat of invasion, rebellion or danger of rebellion and that the president is unable to execute the law with regular forces. 'There has been no evidence of any invasion or rebellion,' King said. 'And while a protest could have some impermissible violent actions, it does not constitute a rebellion. Equally important, the history of the use of these provisions has been very rare, and almost always, at the request [of] the governor of the state. To send in the National Guard over the objection of the governor of the state is almost unheard of and certainly doesn't appear justified in this case.' King also made a point to state that he does not 'in any way condone violence or property damage by the people who are protesting,' but believes the response should be proportional and the use of military personnel should be a last resort. Collins and Golden focused on the protesters in comments about what's happening in Los Angeles. While Trump and his allies have called the protesters 'insurrectionists,' officials in California have called Trump's response an overreaction to mostly peaceful demonstrations. Spokesperson Mario Moretto pointed to Golden's comments on social media in response to a request about his stance, in which the representative wrote, 'I encourage demonstrators to exercise their rights peacefully and lawfully, and my expectation is that members of the armed services on the ground will support local law enforcement with the discipline and professionalism that is the bedrock of our military community.' While not stating whether he supports the deployment of the National Guard or Marines, Golden, who served in the Marine Corps, said he rejects Trump's strategy of 'they spit, we hit,' referring to the president's comment threatening protestors of physical harm if they spit on police or troops. Meanwhile Collins shared in a statement to Maine Morning Star, 'Violence, threats, and the destruction of property are not acceptable forms of protest.' Collins added that she believes it's important for federal, state, and local leaders to coordinate their response to the demonstrations. 'Our law enforcement personnel who are on the ground dealing with this dangerous situation need clear direction and support,' Collins said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hannah Pingree announces run for Maine governor
Jun. 10—Hannah Pingree is running for governor, adding her name to a list of well-known candidates battling it for the Democratic nomination in 2026. Pingree made her formal announcement Tuesday morning and is kicking off her campaign with a rally in Rockland and then hold additional events in Lewiston, Biddeford and Portland. "I am running for Governor to bring Maine people together to do the hard things that none of us can do by ourselves," Pingree said in the written announcement. "As a state, we face real challenges—but I also know we have real opportunities. I believe in Maine, and I believe in Mainers. I'm ready to travel the state to listen, to learn, and to talk about how we can build a strong future for Maine." Pingree said her campaign will focus on expanding access to affordable housing and health care, addressing the rising cost of living and building strong communities. She said she is "committed to growing the economy, creating good-paying jobs in every region and strengthening Maine's workforce for the future," as well as protecting working waterfronts, farms and forests from the impacts of climate change. Pingree, a former speaker of the Maine House, joins a slate of well-known Democrats looking to replace Gov. Janet Mills, who cannot seek reelection because of term limits. Other declared Democrats include former Senate President Troy Jackson, of Allagash, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, of Manchester, and renewable energy entrepreneur Angus King III. Pingree is the daughter of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, and King is the son of U.S. Sen. Angus King an independent. Pingree formerly served as the director of the Governor's Office of Policy and Innovation, where she helped coordinate cross-agency initiatives for climate change, housing, children and aging. Pingree resigned last month, fueling speculation that she would seek the Democratic nomination for the 2026 governor's race. "Gov. Mills has given me a tremendous opportunity to work on issues that are important to Maine," Pingree said at the time. "Housing, climate, economic recovery. I am leaving the administration. I am exploring how to continue to focus on the future." Prior to joining the Mills administration, the 48-year-old North Haven resident served four terms in the Maine House of Representatives, including stints as the speaker and majority leader. She also helped run a family farm and inn. Republicans also will have a number of choices in their party's June 2026 gubernatorial primary. Bobby Charles, a Leeds resident and lawyer who served under President George W. Bush, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in April. State Sen. James Libby, R-Standish, declared last month. Other candidates who have filed campaign paperwork with the state are: Republicans David Jones, of Falmouth; Steven Shepherd, of Bangor; Robert Wessels, of South Paris; and Ken Capron, of Portland; Democrat Kenneth Pinette, of South Portland; and Alexander Murchison, an unenrolled candidate from Dover-Foxcroft. Democrats have held a trifecta since Mills took office in 2019, maintaining majorities in both the House and Senate. But the party is facing historic headwinds in 2026. Since the 1950s, Mainers have not elected a candidate from the same political party as a departing governor — a trend that began after Maine had five consecutive Republican governors from 1937 through 1955. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hannah Pingree officially launches bid for governor
Hannah Pingree is running for governor in the 2026 Democratic primary. (Official headshot) Hannah Pingree officially launched her campaign for governor after months of speculation about the candidacy of the former Mills administration official and speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. Pingree, the daughter of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, will join at least three other Democratic candidates facing off in the gubernatorial primary next June, including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson and Angus King III, the son of independent U.S. Sen. Angus King. She kicked off the campaign with several planned stops around the state on Tuesday, starting with a rally in Rockland, scheduled meetings with local leaders in Lewiston and Biddeford before capping off the day with a celebration in Portland. Pingree left her role as head of Gov. Janet Mills' Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, also known as GOPIF, which she held since 2019. The office was created to recommend policy solutions for some of the state's biggest issues including climate change, housing, workforce development, the opioid crisis and more. Under Pingree's leadership, GOPIF helped advance legislation that created the Maine Climate Council to support the state in meeting its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals while investing in local infrastructure. Pingree served as co-chair of the council, which authored the state's climate action plan that outlines strategies for electrifying transportation and home heating, among other initiatives. When Pingree stepped down from that role, Mills said in a statement, 'She and her team … have exceeded my expectations at every step, and I look forward to watching her do great things for Maine in the years to come.' In her campaign announcement, Pingree said her vision for Maine's future was 'rooted in economic opportunity, climate resilience, affordable housing and health care, and strong, connected communities.' Before working in the Mills administration, Pingree served four terms in the Maine Legislature including two years as speaker of the state House of Representatives. In a poll released last week by Pan Atlantic Research, Pingree came in third among likely Democratic voters, with 20% percent of respondents saying they would likely support her, and another 39% saying they would consider supporting the congresswoman's daughter, though at the time she had not yet officially announced a run. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
