President Joe Biden signed the Democrats’ historic climate, health care and tax policy bill into law on Tuesday, and it immediately became a flashpoint in Maine’s most contested congressional race.

What You Need To Know

  • President Joe Biden signed the Democrats’ historic climate, health care and tax policy bill into law on Tuesday,called Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and it immediately became a flashpoint in Maine’s most contested congressional race

  • Maine Rep. Jared Golden, a moderate Democrat, faces a tough rematch against former GOP Rep. Bruce Poliquin, the lawmaker he narrowly unseated four years ago

  • Oppossing political parties argue different points of IRA with one side saying it helps lower the prescription drug prices and the othering side arguing its harmful impact on the economy 

  • On November 8, both Pingree and Golden will be up for re-election in Maine

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, voted for the package last week. He emphasized how it would shrink the national deficit, reduce the cost of health care, end “the tax avoidance of billion-dollar multinational corporations” and, according to Democrats, bring down the cost of energy. Golden called the measure, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, “common-sense legislation.”

Golden voted against the initial version of the legislation, when it was much larger and it was known as Biden’s Build Back Better plan. Golden said the Inflation Reduction Act gained his support because it is “targeted both in its scope and in its design.”

He faces a tough rematch against former Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, whom he narrowly unseated four years ago. Both the Maine Republican Party and Poliquin are criticizing Golden’s support of the legislation.

“If you're wondering who to vote for in the fall, just know that Jared Golden and the other Democrats in Maine's congressional delegation will continue to side with the Democrats who have wrecked our economy,” said Jason Savage, executive director of the Maine GOP.

“Jared Golden has demonstrated that he is beholden to Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party. The Inflation Reduction Act will only make inflation worse,” Poliquin said in a statement. “Working Mainers, seniors on fixed incomes, and thousands of struggling Mainers will continue to pay for Jared Golden’s spending bill. We need change in Congress now to bring some common sense back to Washington.” 

All but one member of Maine’s congressional delegation voted for the legislation. The lone “nay” vote came from the only Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. Independent Sen. Angus King did vote in favor of the legislation contributing to its narrow 51 to 50 passage in the Senate. 

“The Inflation Reduction Act is a major step to address growing daily expenses and bring both immediate and long-term inflation relief to Maine people. This historic legislation will cut costs, create jobs, and curb climate change while reducing the federal deficit,” King said in an interview with Spectrum following the Senate vote on the bill.

Rep. Chellie Pingree voted for the legislation. She says she is especially supportive of provisions that will allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. 

“I have been pursuing Medicare drug price negotiation for decades. As a state senator, I led bus trips to Canada to help Maine seniors access lifesaving medication that was too expensive in the US – and drug costs have only skyrocketed since then. That’s why the Inflation Reduction Act’s provision allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices after two decades is so monumental,” Pingree said. 

On November 8, both Pingree and Golden will be up for re-election. Sen. Angus King’s current Senate term doesn’t end until 2025. Collins’ term is not up until 2026.