WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today in a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) questioned U.S. leaders and experts in the nuclear energy field about the lack of conversation around nuclear waste management solutions. Senator King reiterated his support of using nuclear as a type of carbon-free power, but highlighted the United States’ more than 70 year waste build-up as fundamental problem which needs to be addressed. “Has the word ‘waste’ been... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) cosponsored bipartisan legislation to provide financial relief to certain civilian federal employees who have to relocate for work. The Relocation Expense Parity Act will ensure that all federal employees who qualify to have their moving costs reimbursed by the government are also repaid for the taxes owed on relocation reimbursements – a longstanding fiscal policy that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated. “It’s an old saying,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that Maine has received $2,862,247 in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency responsible for AmeriCorps and other national service programs. These grants will support 249 AmeriCorps members serving the following Maine organizations: LearningWorks, Maine Conservation Corps, Healthy Acadia, and the University of Southern Maine (USM)’s Maine... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $717,102 to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to enhance existing services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and sex trafficking provided by the Maliseet Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Center. “Survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence should have access to every resource available to ensure... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined a bipartisan group of 27 Senators in sending a letter urging the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies to continue to fund the National Sea Grant College Program – at a minimum – at its current funding level of $80 million. The letter follows the Administration’s proposed elimination of funding for the Sea Grant Program in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget.“We... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a group of 27 senators in calling for $400 million of federal funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the only federal employment program dedicated to helping older Americans return to the workforce. In 2018, almost 60,000 older Americans with significant barriers to employment trained at community employers and earned paychecks through the Senior Community Service... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced his support for the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation that would ensure legal cannabis businesses can access the same banking services utilized by all other legal businesses. The bill would solve a key logistical and public safety problem in states like Maine that recently have legalized medicinal or recreational cannabis.Currently, many cannabis businesses operating under state laws... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C.— U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie joined U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, and Governor Janet Mills at a groundbreaking ceremony for Maine Veterans’ Homes’ new, state-of-the-art, $91 million veterans home in Augusta today. The planned 179,000+ square foot facility will feature 138 private rooms for veterans and eligible family members, employ nearly 250 people, and be the first true... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, MAINE – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement in response to today’s release of the Mueller report:“The lengthy document released today by the Justice Department is further proof that Special Counsel Mueller and his team conducted a serious, thorough, and thoughtful investigation into the events surrounding foreign interference in the 2016 election. While I intend to carefully review these extensive... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today visited with community service advocates, non-profit leaders, and volunteers at the University of Southern Maine (USM) Lewiston-Auburn Campus to discuss how civic engagement and volunteerism can strengthen Maine’s communities. Along with Senator King, the meeting was hosted by the Maine Commission for Community Service, which works to inspire volunteerism in Maine and foster involved, responsible citizens.“From helping out at the local soup... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that five Maine tribes – the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Penobscot Indian Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township and the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Pleasant Point Reservation – are receiving $4,257,104 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG). “Affordable housing is key to creating and... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today met with tax professionals, advocates, and clients to discuss ways to help low-income Maine people navigate the complexities of tax season. The meeting comes on tax day, and follows an intensive effort by Senator King to help ease the burden many people across Maine are feeling as the consequences of the new tax law take effect. During the meeting, Senator King signed a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging it to reverse cuts... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King this week joined a group of his Senate colleagues to introduce the Digital Equity Act of 2019, legislation aimed at closing the growing digital divide in communities across the country. The bill creates two new $125 million grant programs targeted toward a diverse array of projects at the state and local level that promote “digital equity” – and work towards providing equal access to information technology and educational materials for communities across... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) today renewed efforts to protect Medicare benefits by re-introducing the Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act. The bipartisan bill would reverse an unintended policy of the Affordable Care Act that is currently denying millions of seniors and people with disabilities the full measure of their Medicare Advantage benefits.“Medicare Advantage is a tried and true program that gives Maine... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) met with members of the Maine Hospital Association (MHA) in Washington, D.C., to discuss possible solutions to several issues hospitals throughout Maine are facing.Click HERE for a high-resolution photo In attendance included leadership from Cary Medical Center, Central Maine Healthcare, MaineGeneral Medical Center, Mount Desert Island Hospital, New England Rehab Hospital of Portland, Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today in an Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) laid out six challenges and solutions to combating climate change and explored clean energy innovation strategies. Panelists included: Mr. Robert Bryce, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, Ms. Sarah Ladislaw, Director and Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Energy and National Security Program; Dr. Arun Majumdar, Co-Director, Precourt... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) questioned military leaders on why the creation of a Space Force is the right approach to managing national efforts in space. Senator King’s questioning came during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee that featured Acting Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan; Commander of the United States Strategic Command, General John E. Hyten; Secretary of the Air Force, Heather A. Wilson; and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced Domenic’s Law, legislation which would allow a parent whose child develops a total and permanent disability to qualify for student loan forgiveness. This legislation was originally part of the Senators’ Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act which would both amend the Higher Education Act to provide student loan discharges to parents who take out loans for their children and also change... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today introduced the Restoring Access to Medication Act, bipartisan legislation that allows Americans to use the funds in their health care accounts to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) medications.“It’s just common sense – over the counter medications should not require a prescription from a primary care provider,” Senator King said. “But under current law, many Americans cannot access the funding they have set aside... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Five days before Tax Day, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a group of 44 Senators to introduce the Working Families Tax Relief Act. The legislation would cut taxes for workers and families by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). EITC and CTC are two of the most effective tools in the existing tax code to help low-income Americans and working families. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the legislation would... Continue Reading »
