Democratic lawmaker slams Biden for fancy lobster dinner while ‘regulating’ fishermen
Misty Severi
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President Joe Biden has been taken to task by a Democratic lawmaker for his plans to serve 200 lobsters in tonight’s state dinner with France’s Emmanuel Macron – while his administration is regulating the lobster industry out of business.
Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) urged Biden ahead of Thursday’s dinner to meet with some of the state’s fishermen because Maine’s lobster community faces backlash from whale conservationists.
HERE’S WHAT’S ON THE MENU FOR BIDEN’S FIRST STATE DINNER WITH FRANCE’S MACRON
“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,” Golden tweeted Wednesday.
https://twitter.com/RepGolden/status/1598108342396026880
Biden has not fulfilled any campaign promises to protect Maine’s lobster industry, Golden noted in October, claiming the president’s inaction was hypocritical when he claims to speak for blue-collar workers while deserting fishermen.
“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. He has yet to take a single action to make good on that pledge,” Golden said. “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.”
Conservationists claim that Maine’s lobster industry poses a threat to the native endangered whales because they could get caught in the fishing gear. The allegation caused the Marine Stewardship Council and Seafood Watch to pull support for the lobster industry, and Whole Foods announced it would stop carrying lobsters at hundreds of its stores last month.
“We are disappointed by Whole Foods’ decision,” a statement from Maine’s politicians stated. “[We are] 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.”
Thursday night’s lobster is one of the main dishes of Biden’s first state dinner at the White House. The state dinner is the highlight of Macron’s three-day trip to the United States. The meal also includes a cheese course, caviar, potatoes, orange chiffon cake, and creme fraiche ice cream for dessert.
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The state visit is expected to highlight the long-standing ties between the U.S. and France, and the dinner includes red, white, and blue decorations, which represent the colors of both countries.
