Golden, Young’s Bipartisan Bill to Protect Maine Fishermen Headed for House Floor

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jared Golden's (ME-02) bipartisan bill to help keep fishermen and lobstermen safe on the job overwhelmingly passed through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today. The bill, introduced with Republican Congressman Don Young (AK-At Large), will now head to the House floor.

"Fishermen and lobstermen have one of the most dangerous jobs in America," said Golden. "The FISH SAFE act helps local organizations offer programs that ensure fishermen can do their jobs safely and return to their families at the end of each day. This bill passed with strong, unanimous bipartisan support today, paving the way for passage in the House and strong showing in the Senate."

The Funding Instruction for Safety, Health and Security Avoids Fishing Emergencies Act, or FISH SAFE Act, supports Maine fishermen by increasing federal investments in grants that fund fishing safety training and research programming. This funding was reduced in 2018, leaving some fishermen unable to afford the higher costs of these critical programs. Golden and Young's bill restores the funding to its previous levels and reauthorizes the programs through 2021.

The Maine Coast Fisheries Association, the Maine Lobstermen's Association, and the IAMAW Maine Lobstering Union Local 207 have all expressed their support for the bill.

If you'd like to learn more about the FISH SAFE Act:

You can read Congressman Golden's previous release here.

You can read the text of the bill here.