A Democratic lawmaker is pushing back on President Biden’s pompous White House celebration, where 200 live lobsters will be served for guests Thursday during a State Dinner with Emmanuel Macron, French President
Rep. Jared Golden, D. Maine, called on Biden to meet with lobstermen his administration is currently “regulating out of business” the night before the dinner.
“If the Biden White HouseYou can choose to purchase 200 Maine lobsters as a special dinner option. [Biden]Golden stated in a tweet that he should also meet with Maine lobstermen whom his administration is currently regulating out,”
The red, white, and blue-themed dinner with Macron, France’s first lady Brigitte Macron, and others will be the first state visit Biden has allowed at the White House since 2021 as other events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Golden’s tweet is his latest call on Biden to uphold his promises to protect Maine’s lobster industry,This is especially true in the face of a new dispute between whale conservationists.
In October, the Maine lawmaker issued a statement. Biden broke his promiseMaine lobstermen
“In 2020, while running for president, Biden pledged ‘I will work to protect the livelihood and safety of the fishing community’ in reference to lobstermen. Golden stated that Biden has not taken a single step to fulfill his pledge.
“You cannot espouse being a president for working people while simultaneously overseeing the destruction of an entire blue-collar fishery and its community’s heritage and way of life,” he added. “I implore you to recognize and oppose these proposed right whale conservation measures and to meet with Maine’s congressional delegation as well as leaders of the lobster community to find common sense solutions to ensure that Maine’s lobster and fishing industries and the right whales will survive for generations.”
Conservationists are currently engaged in a lobster debate. This is prompted by reports that Maine’s lobster industry poses a risk to rare whales. These whales can get caught up in fishing gear. These concerns led to Seafood Watch and the Marine Stewardship Council pulling their endorsements of lobster.
WASHINGTON, DC November 30, 2022: White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison present the dishes on the menu during the media preview of the state dinner for the President of France in the State Dining Room of the White House on Wednesday November 30, 2022.
(Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images
They said that the most serious threat to a native species of whale is being caught in gear.
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Last month Whole FoodsThese environmentalist concerns led to the announcement that it would cease carrying Maine lobsters in hundreds of its stores across the country.
Maine’s politicians including Governor Golden. Janet Mills and Sens. Susan Collins, Angus King, and Rep. Chellie Peingree condemned the decision.
“We are disappointed by Whole Foods’ decision and deeply frustrated that the Marine Stewardship Council’s suspension of the lobster industry’s certificate of sustainability continues to harm the livelihoods of hardworking men and women up and down Maine’s coast,” the statement reads.
PORTLAND, ME – JULY 22: A lobster with a normal appearance was caught alongside a bright orange lobster while fishing in deepwater canyons of the Gulf of Maine. This lobster was caught Wednesday, July 22, 2015, with Brian Skillings, his steersman.
(Gabe Souza/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
Prior to the controversy, Maine’s lobster industry saw a boom of success in 2021, when the Department of Marine Resources announced its lobster harvest was the most valuable in its history.
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Commissioner Patrick Keliher, Maine Department of Marine Resources, stated that “the extraordinary value earned by Maine lobster harvesters last year is a clear reflection of consumer confidence in the Maine brand and the people it represents,”
He stated, “Last years was one for books and it deserves to be celebrated.” However, there are many challenges ahead and it is vital that fishermen stay involved in management discussions to ensure that this stock remains resilient for future generations.
DMR stated that the 2021 harvest had a 75% value increase over the 2020 harvest.
The day before the White House dinner First Lady Jill BidenThe meal was described as an “expression of friendship and welcome” [and]A way to connect using a language that transcends words.
She stated, “We are so pleased to welcome them into the White House and as the first couple from our oldest ally France,”
Biden stated, “As each meal comes to the table so does its meaning,” “The inspiration for this dinner came from the common colors of our flags (red, white, and blue) and our shared values of liberty, democracy, equality, and fellowship.”
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“These forms the foundation on which is enduring friendship was constructed,” she added. From the images on the pavilion walls to our chandeliers, the dishes and displays on tables are celebrations of the many ties which bind our nation together.
She said that the meal also included a cheese course, including Roe River Blue which was awarded a World Cheese Award in 2019.
WASHINGTON DC, NOVEMBER 30- A place setting at White House on November 30, 2022 in Washington DC.
(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Cris Comerford, White House Executive Chef, and Susie Morrison, White House Executive Pastry chef, prepared the White House meal.
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Golden was recently re-elected in a crucial contest against Bruce Poliquin, a former Republican Rep. He also beat Republican Dale Crafts and was elected in 2020 by former Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin. In 2018, he defeated Poliquin.
Yael Halton, Fox News, contributed to this report.
