Chellie Pingree Congress Quotations

We need to make Net Neutrality the law. We need to elect a Congress that will make it a priority to keep this important principal intact - and insure equal and open access to the Internet for all.

As president of Common Cause, I joined a coalition of groups ranging from the Christian Coalition to Consumers Union, and we went to Congress with over a million signatures asking that Net Neutrality be made law.

The need to do something about global warming is obvious. And it's also pretty clear that the public understands the need for change and is ready to embrace it. What is missing is political will in Congress to stand up to the powerful energy companies and their well-paid lobbyists.

It would make an enormous difference. It's a much higher hurdle to cross if everyone knows who you are talking to -- especially if there is a big vote in Congress the next day.

Congress has proven beyond any doubt that it is not up to the task of policing the conduct of its own members. That's why we need strong, independent enforcement of the ethics rules by an outside commission.

Everyone agrees that it is good for members of Congress to get out in the world.

In Maine, we are fortunate to have a Clean Elections system that allows legislators to turn down corporate special interest money. At the national level, Congress should follow Maine's example by empowering the voices of small donors.

The Ethics Committee has been inoperative for essentially all of this Congress and shows no signs of addressing numerous matters that have been and are before the committee.