WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ray Mabus, the Secretary of the United States Navy, called U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today to inform them that Bath Iron Works (BIW) has been awarded a multi-year procurement contract in the amount of $2.8 billion to construct four Arleigh Burke class destroyers (DDG-51’s) during the next five years, with the option to build a fifth ship. Senators Collins and King pledge to continue all efforts to secure the necessary funding to procure the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today sent a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Ray LaHood, expressing strong support for the applications of four Maine projects seeking to obtain competitive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants. Projects involving the Port of Eastport Breakwater, Howland-Penobscot River Bridge, Sarah-Mildred Long Bridge, and Downeaster train are all seeking TIGER grants in order... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – All eight members of the Maine and New Hampshire congressional delegation sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood in support of a $25 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) V grant for the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge Replacement Project. “This critical infrastructure, constructed over 70 years ago, has reached the end of its service life and is in need of a full replacement,” the delegation said. “Full... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) released the following statement today on the passing of The Honorable Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ): “I join with my colleagues in the United States Senate and with the people of New Jersey in mourning the loss of Senator Frank Lautenberg. Frank was a dedicated public servant and a gifted legislator whose willingness to cross the political divide and whose passionate leadership on environmental protection, transportation, and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Representative Mike Michaud (D-ME) today applauded an announcement from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that it will offer low-interest disaster loans to Maine residents and businesses affected by apartment fires on April 29 and May 3 in downtown Lewiston. SBA Administrator Karen Mills made the loans available in response to a letter from Governor LePage requesting disaster declarations. Both declarations cover Androscoggin... Continue Reading »
King, Michaud Ask EPA to Clarify and Finalize Rules Impacting Maine’s Paper Industry WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Angus King and Representative Mike Michaud sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency today on regulations impacting Maine’s paper industry. They requested that EPA clarify a boiler rule and amend the list of non-waste fuels, which are both issues that were brought to their attention during the University of Maine’s Paper Days. “The EPA has gone... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) today congratulated sixteen Maine hospitals for receiving an “A” grade in The Leapfrog Group’s most recent round of Hospital Safety Scores. The Leapfrog Group is an independent, national not-for-profit organization founded more than a decade ago by the nation’s leading employers and private healthcare experts. Hospitals awarded an “A” rating are those that are recognized for providing the highest... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) today applauded an announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation that Peter Vigue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Cianbro Companies, has been appointed to the newly-established National Freight Advisory Committee (NFAC). In March, Senators King and Collins sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of Mr. Vigue’s nomination, which is attached. “I could not be more pleased... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Maine Congressional delegation this week joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of New England lawmakers in calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to hold a public hearing in New England so that farmers can express concerns on proposed Food Safety Modernization Act rules. The FDA recently issued two proposed rules implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), a 2011 law revamping food safety laws to increase the safety of our food supply, which... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the China Village Fire Department will receive a $46,740 grant through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). Specifically, the funding will come through AFG’s Operations and Firefighting Safety Program, which provides funding for training, equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to department facilities. “The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is a vital source of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, along with a bipartisan group of fourteen other Senators, today sent a letter to Senators Mary Landrieu and Dan Coats, the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, expressing serious concern with the Department of Homeland Security's plan to study the feasibility of imposing a border crossing fee along the northern and southwestern borders. "For many border... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Angus King, I-Maine, yesterday introduced the Storage Technology for Renewable and Green Energy Act of 2013 (STORAGE) to encourage the development of renewable energy as a source of electricity and lower consumer costs through the deployment of energy storage technologies. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar continue to make up more of the country’s energy mix, making... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a continued effort to keep Mainers informed of his work in Washington, D.C., U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) took a moment to recap the events of this past week in the U.S. Senate. In his message, Senator King addresses: This week Senator King introduced his first two pieces of legislation: o His first piece of legislation, the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013, which recognizes and promotes the economic and environmental benefits... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – One day after the Obama Administration disclosed more information about its policy for using lethal force against terrorist targets outside the U.S. and areas of active hostilities, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), both members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today introduced the Targeted Strike Oversight Reform Act of 2013 or TSOR Act. The measure requires that an independent alternative analysis, commonly referred to as a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today introduced a bill that would address a serious loophole within the Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition process and support American jobs by requiring DOD to provide initial entry service men and women in the Armed Forces with American-made athletic shoes upon arrival at basic training. The bill, authored by Senator Collins and co-sponsored by Senator King, would require DOD to treat athletic footwear like every other... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), today held a video conference with students from Brewer High School as part of his ongoing “Capitol Class with Angus” series. During his time in Washington, Senator King hopes to join with as many Maine high schools as possible in order to answer their questions about issues facing the country and to share his experiences as Maine’s junior U.S. Senator. “It was great to connect with the students and teachers... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) today introduced legislation, cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), that would recognize and promote the economic and environmental benefits of biomass thermal energy. TheBiomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013, or BTU Act, would amend the federal tax code to incentivize biomass energy, as it already does for several other forms of renewable energy. Currently, a host of renewable energy technologies qualify for investment tax... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King sent a letter to President Obama urging him to support the domestic footwear manufacturing industry as negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) continue this week in Lima, Peru. In the letter, also signed by Senators Shaheen, Warren, Cowan, and Pryor, they request that the President exclude from TPP negotiations any consideration of eliminating or phasing out duties for sensitive products of the domestic... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), a member of the Armed Services Committee, recently cosponsored a bill introduced by Senators Murray (D-WA) and Ayotte (R-NH) that aims to reduce sexual assaults within the military, assist victims of the crime, and bring the assailants to justice. The Combating Military Sexual Assault (MSA)Act of 2013 would address a number of gaps within current law and policy and build upon the steps taken by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Congress inquires into allegations of misconduct at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) today in a letter urged Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew not to overlook the underlying issue: that 501(c)(4) organizations are being improperly utilized to circumvent campaign finance law. “I am appalled by what appears to be an improper focus on identifying conservative 501(c)(4) applications and the undue burdens placed on such... Continue Reading »
