Alarming as Dudek's behavior was, let's not lose sight of the real villains in this story: Elon Musk and DOGE.
Their reckless approach to "efficiency" has resulted in chaos, delays, and fear for seniors and families who depend on these benefits—not to mention potentially catastrophic data breaches.

Congress Member Profile|U.S. Representative|Democrat|Maine District 1
Chellie Pingree
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Voting Record — 550
Yes40%
No55%
Present1%
Not Voting5%
Party align98%
Cross-party1%
SoupScore
District Map
Congressional District 1
U.S. Census Bureau boundary data.
Social & Web
External Resources

Chellie Pingree
U.S. RepresentativeDemocratMaine District 1
SoupScore
Chellie's ATmosphere Activity
20 recent posts · 22 sponsored · 161 cosponsored
Recent ATmosphere posts, sponsorships, and cosponsorships.
The idea that former Acting Commissioner Dudek was playing some kind of 4-D political chess—indulging Trump's desire to punish Maine on the one hand, while using language in an email he somehow knew would result in Maine’s Social Security contracts being reinstated—seems far-fetched to me.
The Commerce, Justice, and Science bill Republicans jammed through Appropriations yesterday includes horrendous cuts to NOAA—including the National Weather Service.
Maine’s fishermen depend on reliable data from these agencies. Republicans just made their lives—and livelihoods—so much harder.
No matter how much time passes, the memories of that awful day will never fade—especially for the loved ones of the 2,977 people who lost their lives.
Today, we mourn and reflect.
We hold them—and those who loved them—close to our hearts.
We honor them.
We remember—and promise to never forget.
Political violence has no place in our country. Not now, not ever.
I’m horrified by this attack, and truly hope Charlie makes a full recovery.
College campuses should be places where dialogue, debate, and mutual respect are upheld. This kind of violence must be condemned in the strongest terms.
The other day, Trump said this:
“Much lesser things, that take place in the home, they call crime... If a man has a little fight with the wife they say, ‘This was a crime, see?’”
To minimize domestic violence like this is disgusting.
Slashing resources for victims? That’s even worse. (2/2)
The CJS bill we’re marking up today is another disaster. I’ll explain how they’re dismantling climate science later.
But the cuts to Violence Against Women Act grants are especially enraging—especially considering ~50% of Maine’s homicides are tied to domestic violence.
This is a new low. (1/2)
Don’t get me wrong, Netflix and Hulu have some great shows.
But those subscriptions add up fast.
What makes PBS special is it’s free—for *everyone*. Regardless of where you live.
Republicans stopped my amendment to restore funding to PBS and NPR. I'll never stop fighting for these vital services.
Suicide prevention isn’t just about helping in moments of crisis. It’s about recognizing warning signs, promoting treatment + recovery, and building support networks.
If you or a loved one need help, call or text 988.
There's no reason too big—or small—to reach out.
Together, we can save lives.
The recent cuts to the CDC have been devastating.
This Republican Labor-HHS bill will make things even worse, leaving Maine more vulnerable to disease outbreaks (like the rise in HIV cases in Bangor)—and less prepared to deal with them.
Seriously, what the hell are Republicans thinking?
There are *so* many awful things in the Republican Labor-HHS bill, from slashing $15 million in Title 1 funds for Maine to cutting vital disease research.
It’s gonna be a long day.
Democrats will fight this at every turn—and offer our own amendments (I have one to restore funding to NPR + PBS).
Frances Perkins believed that no party could undo Social Security without destroying our democracy.
My Democratic colleagues and I will fight tooth and nail to ensure Trump and Republicans never get their wish of dismantling and privatizing this transformative program.
This past Sunday, I attended a celebration for Social Security’s 90th birthday at the Frances Perkins Center in Newcastle.
It was a fantastic turnout, and a wonderful tribute to the iconic Mainer who made SS possible—and improved the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans in the process.
Naturalization ceremonies are truly special events. I can’t imagine anything more American for a new citizen to do than registering to vote.
That’s exactly why Trump wants to stop it—and why he’ll do anything he can to suppress voter turnout.
The right to vote should *never* be a partisan issue.
Trump is doing everything he can to rig the midterms (and the next presidential election)—trying to stop mail-in ballots, demanding that red states gerrymander their maps.
Now, he’s directing USCIS to stop voting groups from registering new citizens at naturalization ceremonies.
It's disgusting.
As one farmer said, “We’re feeling pretty kicked around right now.”
Trump and Russ Vought think the Constitution doesn’t apply to them.
This will impact farmers in blue *and* red states. Democrats are fighting to protect Congress’s power of the purse. We need Republicans to join us in that fight.
For nearly 40 years, the SARE program has helped farmers across the country develop new methods and keep their farms going (and growing). It's been a game-changer for many Mainers.
Once again, Trump’s USDA is illegally withholding money already approved by Congress ($48 million worth, this time).
Outsourcing our history to right-wing, for-profit companies like Prager U is a recipe for distortion—and the subjugation of marginalized voices.
We cannot let that happen.
Are you a teacher who uses Smithsonian materials in the classroom? We want to hear from you.
(PingreePress@mail.house.gov)
The Smithsonian is more than a collection of museums. It’s a treasure trove of knowledge—one that schools rely on.
Trump’s propaganda campaign is already having a chilling effect.
This teacher summed it up perfectly:
“We don’t want partisan history. We want history produced by real historians.”
The arts are more than a creative force. They’re an economic driver.
That’s why it’s so important that we fight back against Trump’s assault on the NEA, NEH, Smithsonian, and America’s creative diversity.
Huge thanks to the artists and organizers who made this such a special, galvanizing night.
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Voting History550 total votesExpandCollapse
Voting History
550 total votes
Recent roll calls with party-majority context so it is easier to scan how this member tends to vote.
| Date | Bill | Question | Position | Party Maj | Align? | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-18 | H.R. 4776 (119th) | Approve amendment | NO | NO | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-18 | H.R. 4776 (119th) | Approve amendment | NO | NO | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-17 | H.R. 3492 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-17 | H.R. 3492 (119th) | Send back to committee | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-17 | H.R. 6703 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-17 | H.R. 6703 (119th) | Send back to committee | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-17 | H.R. 3616 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-17 | H. Con. Res. 64 (119th) | Approve resolution | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-17 | H. Con. Res. 61 (119th) | Approve resolution | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-17 | H. Res. 953 (119th) | Approve resolution | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-17 | H. Res. 953 (119th) | End debate now | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-16 | H.R. 3632 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-16 | H.R. 3632 (119th) | Send back to committee | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-16 | H.R. 4371 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-16 | H.R. 4371 (119th) | Send back to committee | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-16 | H. Res. 951 (119th) | Approve resolution | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-16 | H. Res. 951 (119th) | End debate now | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-16 | H.R. 3187 (119th) | Fast-track passage | YES | YES | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-15 | S. 284 (119th) | Fast-track passage | YES | YES | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-12 | H.R. 3668 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-12 | H.R. 3668 (119th) | Send back to committee | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-11 | H.R. 2550 (119th) | Final passage | YES | YES | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-11 | H. Res. 432 (119th) | Approve resolution | YES | YES | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-11 | H.R. 3898 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-11 | H.R. 3898 (119th) | Send back to committee | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-11 | H.R. 3383 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-11 | H.R. 3383 (119th) | Approve amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-11 | H.R. 3383 (119th) | Approve amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-11 | H.R. 3383 (119th) | Approve amendment | NO | NO | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-11 | H.R. 3638 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-11 | H.R. 3628 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-11 | H. Res. 939 (119th) | Kill the motion | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-10 | H. Res. 432 (119th) | Motion to Discharge | YES | YES | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-10 | S. 1071 (119th) | Final passage | YES | YES | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-10 | S. 1071 (119th) | Motion to Commit | YES | YES | ✓ | Failed |
| 2025-12-10 | H. Res. 936 (119th) | Approve resolution | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-10 | H. Res. 936 (119th) | End debate now | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-10 | H.R. 1676 (119th) | Fast-track passage | NOT_VOTING | YES | — | Passed |
| 2025-12-09 | S. 356 (119th) | Fast-track passage | NOT_VOTING | YES | — | Passed |
| 2025-12-04 | H.R. 1049 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-04 | H.R. 1069 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-03 | H.R. 1005 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-03 | H.R. 4305 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-03 | H.R. 2965 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-02 | H. Res. 916 (119th) | Approve resolution | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-02 | H. Res. 916 (119th) | End debate now | NO | NO | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-02 | H.R. 4423 (119th) | Fast-track passage | YES | YES | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-12-01 | H.R. 5348 (119th) | Fast-track passage | YES | YES | ✓ | Passed |
| 2025-11-20 | H.R. 3109 (119th) | Final passage | NOT_VOTING | NO | — | Passed |
| 2025-11-20 | H. Res. 893 (119th) | Motion to Refer | YES | YES | ✓ | Passed |
Alignment stats consider only votes where a clear yes/no majority existed for the legislator's party. Cross-party marks divergence where the vote matched the opposite party majority. ↔ indicates cross-party divergence.