WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a total of $1,947,230 in funding to three airports in Maine. The funding was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration. “Maine’s airports are vital parts of our transportation system that help bolster the tourism industry and support jobs across our state,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This... Continue Reading »
MACHIAS, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today visited Eastport Health Care Clinic and Down East Community Hospital in Machias where he heard concerns from doctors, health care providers, and hospital leadership over the proposed legislation currently under consideration by the Senate to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). At Eastport Health Care Clinic, Senator King sat down with the leadership of every Federally-Qualified Health Center throughout Washington County. The... Continue Reading »
EASTPORT, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in honor of the 4th of July. Senator King will celebrate the holiday by marching in the Grand Independence Day Parade in Eastport, and then he will join local officials for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly-rebuilt Eastport breakwater. Eastport is home to the largest Fourth of July festival in the state of Maine. “Today, as communities across America come together to honor our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) along with U.S. Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) today introduced the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2017, legislation that incentivizes the development of biomass as an affordable, clean, and home-grown source of energy. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.) are also original sponsors of the bill. ... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the University of Maine and Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Boothbay two grants totaling $574,650 for a joint study of a marine protozoan parasite that infects oysters. Bigelow Laboratory has received $399,908 for the project and University of Maine has received $174,742. “Maine’s ocean ecosystem helps drive our state’s economy, and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer urging immediate engagement in efforts to ensure that Maine’s lobster industry remains competitive in the wake of the provisional implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). In their letter, the Maine... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he has cosponsored the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, legislation to mitigate the challenges facing new entrants into the fishing industry and bolster recruiting with competitive grants to support new and established local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen. “Fishing is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today sent a letter to the United States Postal Office (USPS) Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan voicing concern over the USPS proposal to scale back operations at the Scarborough Distribution Center. The proposal, which could go into effect as early as this week, would move equipment from Scarborough to Nashua, New Hampshire and could result in less efficient and less timely mail delivery in southern Maine “The APBS sorts... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today the Senate Armed Services Committee, of which he is a member, has approved the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a number of provisions that he supported that will benefit Maine. “Maine has long played a vital role in protecting our nation and this legislation demonstrates that we will continue to far into the future as well,”... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) questioned foreign policy experts on the best practices to defend the United States against Russian meddling in our elections. The hearing, which focused on Russia’s active measures and information operations campaigns in Europe, provided an overview of Russia’s attempts to exert influence and interfere in other countries’ elections, particularly in Eastern Europe.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have signed onto a bipartisan letter led by Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly urging him to use the authority provided by Congress to lift the cap on seasonal H-2B visas that employers rely on to fill summer jobs. In the letter, the senators expressed their concern about reports that visas may not be approved in time for peak tourist... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Cianbro Corp. of Pittsfield will be awarded $23,098,000 from the U.S. Navy for improvements to dry dock number one at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery. “The work done at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has a direct impact on our national security, and this contract for Cianbro will help make sure that the shipyard is well-equipped to continue its important mission,” said Senators Collins and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the June edition of his podcast, Inside Maine. In this month’s podcast, Senator King interviews Carolann Ouellette, Executive Director of Maine Huts and Trails, and Lindsay Downing, owner of Mt. Chase Lodge on Shin Pond in Patten. The June edition of Inside Maine highlights Maine’s great outdoors, and the many recreational opportunities available to travelers looking to experience the Maine woods in the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in response to the Congressional Budget Office’s score of the Senate health care bill: “This score is further proof that this bill will do more harm than good,” Senator King said. “This bill will drastically increase the cost of coverage for older, working-class Maine people; put health insurance out of reach... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that he has hired Presque Isle native Jordyn Madore as a Constituent Service Representative in his Presque Isle office. In her role as a Constituent Service Representative, Madore will work with Senator King and constituents in Aroostook County to answer questions, locate resources, and address problems relating to federal government agencies. “I am thrilled to welcome Jordyn to our team,” Senator King said.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), the Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, and Angus King (I-ME), announced today that the Fryeburg and Chelsea Fire Departments have been awarded a total of $249,911 in grant funding through the latest round of grants awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The Fryeburg Fire Department will receive $230,101 for firefighter protective turnout gear, firefighter breathing apparatus, and training. The... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission will be able to resume its meetings after September 1st and can now begin communicating accordingly. The announcement follows their letter urging Secretary Zinke to take action. “We welcome this decision and are pleased that the uncertainty regarding the future of the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a video posted on his Facebook page today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) reacted to the release of the Senate’s health care bill, calling it “a really cruel bill” that will have “devastating” economic effects on Maine. “All this week we’ve been hunting around here for the Republican health care bill. This morning we found it, and I’m kind of sorry we did because it’s pretty bad,” Senator King said in his... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today pressed top officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize the protection of state and local election systems in the wake of Russia’s attempt to hack into them last year. “I would urge you to put some urgency on this. We’ve got another election coming in eighteen months, and if we are talking about systems and registration... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, in a video posted to his Facebook page this morning, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) criticized the secret, closed-door talks by a small handful of senators to write a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, saying that the Senate “can do better” for the American people. Senator King also criticized the reported substance of the bill as being terrible for Maine, hurting rural hospitals and rural communities; skyrocketing the price of... Continue Reading »
