BOOTHBAY, MAINE – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 44 of his colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary DeVos urging her to abandon her reported plans to allow states and school districts to use federal funds to purchase firearms and firearm trainings for teachers and other school staff. The grants Secretary DeVos is considering using were created in the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and are intended to keep students safe and healthy, provide a well-rounded... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and Representative Bruce Poliquin applauded the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) final injury determination in regards to a tariff that was imposed on Canadian uncoated groundwood paper – better known as “newsprint”—that was levied by the Department of Commerce in January on behalf of a single domestic paper mill. The unanimous ruling ends import taxes once as high as 32 percent on newsprint, which... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the State of Maine a total of $23,531,000 from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program to finance community-based water infrastructure projects, such as upgrades to municipal sewage plants and public drinking water systems. “The success of our economy in Maine depends upon the protection of clean, safe waterways,” said Senators... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his support for the Music Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill which will ensure songwriters are paid fair value for their songs. The Music Modernization Act would set up a new simplified licensing entity to make it easier for digital music companies to obtain a license and play songs. The entity will also ensure songwriters are paid the royalties they are owed. The bill would also change the law to help songwriters be... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) hosted a discussion at Mercy Hospital in Portland with Maine parents and children on the impact of insurance protections for those with pre-existing conditions on Maine families. The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) protections for people with pre-existing conditions are currently being challenged in court, and the Department of Justice has announced that it does not intend to defend the law; if the protections are removed, Maine children with... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON D.C.– Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement from Senator King on the passing of U.S. Senator John McCain: “John McCain was a sailor, a Senator, and a great public servant. He was a leader in every sense of the word, the very definition of a patriot, and absolutely embodied love of country. He was irrepressible, acerbic, courageous and, often, he was a force of nature. John McCain was an American hero, and he was my mentor and friend... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, spoke on the Senate floor to highlight the detrimental public health, climate and economic impacts of the administration’s proposal to replace the Clean Power Plan (CPP). According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s own analysis, this proposal would increase carbon emissions and toxic air pollution, and would also cause more childhood asthma attacks... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Maine Office of the Attorney General will receive a total of $14,098,282 from the U.S. Department of Justice to fund local victim assistance programs and to help compensate victims for crime-related losses.“For those who have been the target of a crime, the last thing they should have to worry about is how they will afford the costs resulting from being victimized,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a group of his colleagues in a letter urging the administration not to weaken the Military Lending Act (MLA), which provides protections for servicemembers and their families from abusive financial practices. The letter comes after a New York Times report that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is “planning to suspend routine examinations of lenders for violations of the Military Lending Act, which was devised to protect... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, and Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Caucus, announced that six town fire departments, as well as the Maine Firefighting Academy in Brunswick, will receive funding from the latest round of grants to support firefighting training practices, protective gear, and technology through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. “Maine’s... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today,U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his support for the VA MedicinalCannabis Research Act of 2018, bipartisan legislation to authorize theDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) to advance scientific and medical researchinto the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabis usage by veterans withdiagnoses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain. “Our veterans have madeimmense sacrifices to protect our nation’s security. Tragically,... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Community Living (ACL) has awarded $840,000 to Healthy Living for ME, a partnership between three Area Agencies on Aging – Spectrum Generations, SeniorsPlus, and Aroostook Agency on Aging – to support chronic disease self-management education programs. “Healthy Living for ME provides Maine seniors with a... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that Winter Harbor will receive $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development to upgrade the community’s wastewater treatment system. The funds will be allocated as a $390,000 grant and a $910,000 loan. “Maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure is vital to ensuring the economic and environmental health of the community,” said Senators Collins and... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $830,000 to Rockland for repairs to the city’s commercial fish pier. “This welcome infrastructure investment is expected to help save 86 jobs in the Rockland region,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Repairing Rockland’s commercial fish pier will improve... Continue Reading »
EXETER, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King met with agricultural leaders in Exeter to discuss issues relating to the 2018 Farm Bill, precision agriculture, and efforts to innovate. Senator King visited Crane Brothers Farm, a third generation family-farm, as well as Exeter Agri-Energy EAE, a renewable energy company that produces heat, electricity, fertilizer, and cow bedding through a unique process involving plant, food, and animal waste. “From precision agriculture to cutting-edge... Continue Reading »
ORONO, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) celebrated Maine innovation and entrepreneurship at the unveiling of the newest renovations to the UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship in Orono. The renovations were funded in part by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Maine Technology Institute. The Center, known formally as the Target Technology Center, is Maine’s longest running incubator for startup businesses and provides resources, technological... Continue Reading »
LEWISTON, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) met with small business and community leaders in Lewiston to discuss their work to create jobs, spur innovation and bolster the local economy. During his day, Senator King toured Lisbon Street to visit with local business owners, and also met with leaders of Elmet Technology, the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Central Distributors. “From international businesses to local mom-and-pop shops, Maine’s... Continue Reading »
NORWAY, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) visited Roberts Farm Preserve, a conservation and recreation project of the Western Foothills Land Trust with trails fit for skiing, running or hiking. At the Preserve, Senator King met with the leaders of the Western Foothills Land Trust to discuss the farm’s partnership with the Oxford Hills School District and weekly summer events that bring surrounding communities together. “Everyone knows that there’s no place like Maine in the summer –... Continue Reading »
RUMFORD, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) met with business and community leaders in Farmington and Rumford to discuss their efforts to invest in their local communities. Senator King toured Origin Maine’s manufacturing facility in Farmington, met with new leadership at the former Catalyst Paper Mill in Rumford, and made several stops along Congress Street, where he viewed progress of a new federally funded infrastructure project to replace water and sewer... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined a bipartisan group of 47 Senators in introducing legislation to award Congressional Gold Medals to Katherine Johnson and Dr. Christine Darden and to posthumously award Congressional Gold Medals to Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. The bill serves to commend these women for their contributions to NASA’s success during the Space Race and highlight their broader impact on society, paving the way for... Continue Reading »
