BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 22, 2026
In Maine, the ocean isn’t just beautiful scenery — it’s where we work, where we raise families, and where our history is anchored. It’s the lobster boat heading out before dawn and the clammer watching the flats. From Kittery to Eastport, the Gulf of Maine shapes our economy and our way of life. That’s why I was glad to see Congress overwhelmingly pass a bipartisan funding package this month that avoids the worst of the president’s proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). But this budget only gets us through September. As Congress turns to the next budget, it should continue to keep NOAA strong. NOAA is an evidence-driven agency with real-world impact that helps people make good decisions in the face of uncertainty. ~ Tom Allen, former Maine congressman