Politics

Dem Rep Goes After Biden For Lobster Dinner At White House As Administration Pushes For Lobster Regulations

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Henry Rodgers Chief National Correspondent
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Democratic Maine Rep. Jared Golden criticized President Joe Biden before his State Dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron where 200 live lobsters will be served, saying the White House should be meeting with Maine lobstermen who are suffering due to regulations.

Golden responded to a photo by CNN White House Correspondent Kate Bennet that showed White House chefs preparing for Biden’s Thursday night State Dinner with Macron. In a tweet, Bennet said 200 live lobsters were shipped from Maine to the White House to prep the” butter-poached lobster course” for the State Dinner.

The Democratic lawmaker responded by saying, “if the Biden White House can prioritize purchasing 200 Maine lobsters for a fancy dinner, (Biden) should also take the time to meet with the Maine lobstermen his administration is currently regulating out of business.”

The comments come as whale conservationists have said whale deaths should be attributed to Maine fishery. In late November, Whole Foods announced its plans to stop buying Maine lobsters after climate change groups downgraded the North Atlantic fishing area’s sustainability ratings for Maine lobster to “the worst rating.” Proposed federal regulations would require fewer lines in the water and lobster fishing gear that would mitigate the alleged harm done toward whales.

Golden released a statement in October, mentioning that while Biden was running for President, he pledged to protect the “livelihood and safety of the fishing community,” in regards to lobsterman. (RELATED: Whole Foods Angers Maine Gov. Janet Mills)


“He has yet to take a single action to make good on that 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,” Golden said in the statement. (RELATED: Fisherman Makes A 1-In-100 Million Catch By Reeling In ‘Cotton Candy’ Lobster Off Coast Of Maine)

“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,” he added.

The Daily Caller contacted the White House about Golden’s comments, to which they did not immediately respond.