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 »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke in support of the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. Senator King’s comments to Secretary Zinke come after the Department of the Interior earlier this year suspended meetings of all national park advisory commissions across the country – including the Acadia Commission in Maine – while the National... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — Bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) that will help reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been signed into law. The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act will allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to dismiss bad employees and ensure appropriate due process protections for whistleblowers. “Our nation's veterans deserve access to the high-quality... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke urging him to reconsider the suspension of the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission. In their letter, the Senators expressed support for the Acadia Commission’s work to help build bridges between the park and the communities it surrounds. “The Acadia Commission, established in the 1986 Permanent Boundary Act of Acadia National Park (Acadia), is... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) led a group of senators in requesting at least $5 million in federal funding to support maple syrup producers in Maine and across the country. In a letter to Chairman John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, the Senators highlighted... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will award a total of $856,300 in grant funding to arts programs throughout Maine to encourage artistic creativity and foster innovation in Maine communities. The grants will support a wide range of programs that support public art, museums, and performances. “Maine has a long and storied tradition of gifted artists and dedicated patrons of the arts, and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today urged the leaders of a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee to increase funding to the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), a joint state-federal economic development effort that has helped some of the most economically distressed counties in Maine. In his letter to the leaders of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, Senator King asked that the Subcommittee provide $15 million in funding and recommended... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the stories of rural, working Maine people in hand, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) took to the Senate floor today to criticize the misnamed American Health Care Act (AHCA) as a bill that “could not be more tailored to harm people in Maine.” “It’s a terrible blow to millions – literally millions – of people across this country, and thousands in my state of... Continue Reading »
The Katahdin region can thrive alongside the monument — if we allow it By Angus King, Special to the BDN Posted June 13, 2017, at 12:21 p.m. “Here is your country,” President Theodore Roosevelt once told us. “Cherish these natural wonders. Cherish the natural resources. Cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage — for your children and your children’s children.” Roosevelt, the father of American conservation, knew the beauty... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) pressed Attorney General Jeff Sessions on his repeated refusal to answer questions from members of the Committee about the ongoing investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. “You testified a few minutes ago – I’m not able to invoke Executive Privilege... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – In case you missed it, in remarks delivered at Islesboro Central School's graduation ceremony yesterday, U.S. Senator Angus King offered his congratulations to the seven graduating seniors of the Class of 2017 and applauded the entire island community on their success in helping the students learn, grow, and succeed. Senator King also offered the graduating students ten pieces of advice, including be honest, take more risks, value your friends and family, always carry... Continue Reading »
BANGOR, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) delivered remarks at the Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Annual Convention in Bangor where he thanked the veterans for their service to our nation and outlined five of his top priorities for veterans in Washington. “We will only be the land of the free as long as we are the home of the brave – and you’re it,” Senator King said in his remarks. “You’re the people who were and are brave, and who... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that two Maine communities will receive a total of $1.1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to continue their work cleaning up contaminated brownfield properties. The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments in Fairfield will receive $500,000, and the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission in Saco will receive $600,000. “The Brownfields Program has helped numerous Maine... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) questioned former FBI Director James Comey about Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and the FBI’s ongoing investigation into contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign. Senator King pressed former Director Comey on whether Russia’s activity in the 2016 election is a “one-off proposition” or part of a “long-term strategy” in which... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) pressed Acting Director of the National Park Service Michael T. Reynolds on the U.S. Interior Department’s recent decision to suspend all National Park Advisory Commissions across the country, including Acadia National Park’s in Maine. In his remarks, Senator King highlighted the importance of the commission for Acadia and its surrounding communities, emphasizing that the decision to suspend it was shortsighted and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement on the death of Fryeburg Police Officer Nathan Desjardins: “We are deeply saddened to learn of Nathan’s passing,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Nathan bravely put himself in harm’s way to serve and protect the community he loved. Today, we join with the people of Maine in mourning his loss, but we will always recall with gratitude in our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration has awarded three grants totaling $210,000 to support economic development and planning for parts of rural Maine. Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, and Northern Maine Development Commission, Inc. will each receive $70,000. “Federal funding can play a pivotal role in the development of strategies to grow rural... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today grilled the top U.S. Intelligence Community officials on their repeated refusal to answer questions from members of the Senate Intelligence Committee about the ongoing investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. Time after time during the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today, the Director of National Intelligence, the Acting Director of the FBI, the Director of the National Security Agency, and the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the dedication of the Charles Shay Indian Memorial in Normandy, France today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the text of a letter he sent to the memorial’s namesake, Mr. Charles Shay, of Indian Island, Maine. “This park, overlooking Omaha Beach, is a tribute to all Native American soldiers who bravely advanced in the defense of the free world, despite grave peril and under tremendous enemy fire. The United States, and the world... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the wake of President Trump’s proposal to eliminate the National Sea Grant College Program, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today signed a letter led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) calling for the program to be funded – at a minimum – at its current funding level. In a letter to Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related... Continue Reading »
