Despite being one of the richest countries in the world, more than 45 million Americans live in poverty. A startling number of Americans live in deep poverty, defined as living on less than $10,000 per year for a family of three. What’s worse, some of the very programs that are supposed to pull children and their families out of poverty are failing. These troubling trends are why Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan recently unveiled a broad anti-poverty agenda that proposes... Continue Reading »
Each Memorial Day, we gather together in Maine and across the United States to remember those sons and daughters who fell in the service of our Nation, and to remind ourselves of the eternal debt we owe them. The tradition of gathering to lay flowers and wreaths at the resting places of fallen servicemembers began over 150 years ago during the Civil War – a period when our unity as a Nation was most tested. Since that time of great discord, this tradition has remained a unifying ritual to... Continue Reading »
It simply defies all common-sense that families who lose a loved one or that a person who becomes permanently disabled would be forced to reach into their pocket and pay the IRS taxes on student loans that have already been forgiven as the result of such a life-changing event. But not only is that current law, it’s also the exact situation that hundreds of thousands of people across the country find themselves in today – including a family in Maine who first made me aware of this... Continue Reading »
From Portland to Presque Isle, airports large and small across Maine and around the country help connect us and propel our economy forward. And with critical airport funding set to lapse this summer, the Senate recently took a responsible and much-needed step towards extending that support while making air travel safer and more convenient in the process. Without action from Congress, funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to expire in July. Given that the FAA is tasked with... Continue Reading »
Our nation’s veterans deserve easy and convenient access to high-quality health care – and that’s exactly what the Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) program helps deliver for veterans in Aroostook County. And when a program works so well, it only makes sense to continue it. That’s why Senator Susan Collins and I have been hard at work trying to extend the program beyond this summer, when it is currently set to expire. The ARCH program has been operating at Cary... Continue Reading »
I strongly believe the Senate has a Constitutional obligation to consider nominations to the Supreme Court, and that is a responsibility I take very seriously. As part of my effort to fulfill that duty, I met with the President’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, in my office on Wednesday, April 13th. The meeting with Judge Garland lasted about an hour, and we had a very thoughtful and productive discussion that helped me better understand his judicial philosophy and his temperament.... Continue Reading »
The creative minds in Maine’s local beer industry, known as craft brewers, continue to build on what is an already thriving part of our state economy. Through their hard work and innovation, these businesses are creating jobs, driving economic development, and attracting beer enthusiasts from around the world to visit Maine. The recent New England Craft Brew Summit in Portland was a landmark moment in the growth of small breweries in our state and across New England, and I was lucky... Continue Reading »
When I was sworn into the United States Senate, I pledged to uphold the principles of the Constitution and to serve the citizens of our great country to the best of my ability. I am reminded of this profound responsibility every day whether I’m in the Capitol or visiting with people from around Maine. One of the most important functions of our government, as the Constitution outlines, is to protect its citizens. In fact, the Framers were clear in the country’s founding document that... Continue Reading »
Over the last year, there have been approximately 200 deaths from drug overdoses here in Maine. This is an eightfold increase in the last 3 years. Another startling statistic from the last year is that of the 12,000 babies born in our state, more than 950 were addicted to a substance. That is almost 1 in 12 Maine babies. All these statistics are troubling, and they reinforce the need for action. But when I went to the Senate floor to discuss the drug epidemic recently, I didn’t want to... Continue Reading »
Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin shared it, the Beatles sang about it, and we all rely on it each and every day. I’m talking, of course, about friendship. The power of friendship can make all the difference as we navigate life, and just last week, I was lucky enough to witness a wonderful example of friendship between two young Mainers at STRIVE in South Portland. STRIVE is an impressive and inspiring organization that helps young adults with disabilities here in our state to develop the... Continue Reading »
Our veterans have put everything on the line for this country, and they deserve to be recognized for their service and sacrifice. One such veteran is Joseph G. Hoerth of Westport Island, who earned several medals for his service in the Army during World War II but, for various reasons, never received them. That changed earlier in January, when I had the honor of presenting him the Bronze Star Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge during a ceremony in my Augusta office.... Continue Reading »
Each January, we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the greatest and most influential figures in American history. A scholar, activist, and minister, Dr. King personified love and unity in the face of entrenched hate and institutional discrimination. His message of nonviolent protest forced us as a country to recognize our imperfect past and mobilized the masses across America to join the push for equality and justice. As a college sophomore in the summer of 1963, I... Continue Reading »
As President Barack Obama delivered his final State of the Union Address, one of Maine’s best was in the gallery of the House of Representatives to hear the speech firsthand. Retired Major General Earl Adams, who led the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management during much of my tenure as Governor, joined me as my State of the Union guest on January 12th. General Adams has done so much for Maine, and I thought this would be a fitting way to honor his service to our... Continue Reading »
I returned to Washington this week after an eventful month of work in Maine that provided some great insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. And while it’s always difficult to leave home, I arrived back in our nation’s capital last week reinvigorated by the common-sense thinking that I encountered so often during my visits across Maine. That same common-sense will guide me as I work on several issues that will have a substantial impact on our state and the... Continue Reading »
For the 55th year in a row, Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is sweeping and important legislation that sets our nation’s military priorities, authorizes funding for the Department of Defense, and, among many other things, provides for the pay and benefits earned by members of the military and their family. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I worked on the bill closely with my colleagues and am proud to say that it... Continue Reading »
“We are asked to summon the courage and the intelligence to resolve today’s many geopolitical and economic crises. Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples. We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common... Continue Reading »
On June 17th, America suffered a terrible tragedy - nine kind, decent, and devout Americans were taken from us while attending a Bible study at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. They were religious leaders, parents, grandparents, daughters, and sons. While we cannot understand this tragic event, we will not soon forget it.As we struggle to confront this senseless act of violence, we have drawn strength from one another by coming together - as communities, as states, and, most... Continue Reading »
With World Refugee Day on Saturday, June 20th, I would like to highlight an organization that is making a difference in Maine by helping young people – particularly young refugees from Somalia, Sudan, and other African countries – to expand their horizons. As the roots of our refugee and immigrant population continue to grow stronger in Maine – and in the process, strengthen our communities – a group called Tree Street Youth is helping to nurture that growth, one student... Continue Reading »
Earlier this spring, the U.S. Capitol was flooded by a sea of purple shirts. These thousands of visitors arrived from every corner of the country to raise awareness about the far-reaching effects of Alzheimer’s disease. A group of those advocates from Maine stopped by my office to discuss the need to support continued funding and research. I was struck by their stories, their dedication to finding a cure, and their love and compassion for the patients and family members who care for... Continue Reading »
Memorial Day has come and gone, once again reminding us of the debt of gratitude we owe to those who laid down their lives for this country. We owe the same debt to the veterans still here today – we must stand up for them just as they stood up for us. Part of that commitment means providing our veterans with access to quality healthcare, and in rural states like Maine, that task can be a difficult one. Although under the Choice Act Congress was able to pass major reforms to the... Continue Reading »
