***Note to Assignment Editors and News Directors: Click HERE to watch Senator King’s remarks and HERE to download broadcast-quality video*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today, U.S Senator Angus King (I-Maine) pressed former Senator Dan Coats, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI), to be impartial, objective and forceful in his role overseeing of the 17 intelligence agencies... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a press conference today in the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined colleagues from both the Senate and House to unveil new legislation to allow the safe importation of prescription drugs into the United States. The legislation comes at a time when in Canada and other major countries, the same medications – manufactured by the same companies in the same factories – are available for a fraction of the price compared to the United... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) led five of his colleagues, including Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), in sending a bipartisan letter calling on the Federal Communications Commission to work to avoid cuts or spending reductions to the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, which helps deliver vital health care services and telemedicine to people who live in rural areas by providing funding for broadband. The RHC Program was initially used to allow rural health care... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the February edition of his podcast, Inside Maine, which focuses on importance of Maine’s rural economy and the forest products industry. In the podcast, Senator King interviews Dana Doran, Executive Director of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, and Sean DeWitt, founder of Our Katahdin, a volunteer-driven nonprofit working to promote and expand economic development in the Katahdin region. “One of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement in response to reports suggesting that the White House enlisted Intelligence Officials and Members of Congress to counter stories about President Trump’s ties to Russia: “I am deeply troubled by these reports and intend to speak with Chairman Burr to better understand what happened. This Committee must have credibility not only with our colleagues,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) this morning spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to the nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Senator King’s remarks came in advance of an expected confirmation vote this afternoon on the nomination. In his remarks, Senator King cited Mr. Pruitt’s opposition to the fundamental mission of the EPA as one of the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This afternoon, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) met with former Governor Sonny Perdue, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of Agriculture. Senator King released the following statement after the meeting: “Governor Perdue and I had a substantive and constructive conversation this afternoon,” Senator King said. “We focused primarily on the strength and diversity of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) re-introduced legislation to eliminate a tax penalty levied on student loans forgiven for families after the death of their child and Americans who develop permanent disabilities. Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Ron Kind (D-WI) are also re-introducing a House companion bill today, and Senators Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John Hoeven (R-Neb.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Susan... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a total of $732,842 in federal funding to three Maine Health Centers. Bucksport Regional Health Center in Bucksport will receive $324,131. Maine Migrant Programs, Inc. in Augusta will receive $200,460. St. Croix Regional Family Health Center in Princeton will receive $208,251. “People across Maine rely on rural health care providers for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King joined 39 of their colleagues today in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price urging him to work with Congress to prioritize quality health care for rural states like Maine. In the letter, the Senators also emphasized the importance of rural health care providers and their critical role in rural communities. “As you take on this new leadership role at HHS, we request that you... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin applauded the affirmative determinations from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in its final phase antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of Chinese producers for selling unfairly subsidized industrial grade amorphous silica fabric (ASF) in the United States at less than fair value. The ITC voted unanimously in agreement with Auburn... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today called on the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund two additional staffing positions in Maine that will help better serve the needs of justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health, or substance abuse issues. In a letter sent today, Senator King urged VA Secretary Shulkin to fund a Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialist and a VJO Re-entry Specialist as part of the Veterans Justice Program.... 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 the acting U.S. Trade Representative Maria Pagan, regarding reports of unfair subsidies that may have been illegally offered to a company in Quebec, urging her to ensure that there are no violations in international trade rules which could harm Maine and Maine businesses. “We believe it is critical to have fair and robust trade with our friends... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced this afternoon that he will vote to confirm Dr. David Shulkin as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs later this evening. Senator King released the following statement: “Having worked directly with Dr. Shulkin in the past, I know that he has the best interests of Maine veterans at heart and is committed to improving health care services for them,” Senator King said. “I also believe he shares my view that... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that he has joined Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) to reintroduce legislation that would offer employers incentives to voluntarily provide paid family or medical leave to their employees. The legislation – the Strong Families Act – comes after President Trump has expressed a desire to extend paid leave benefits to more families across the country. ... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he will oppose the nominations of Congressman Tom Price to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services and Steven Mnuchin to serve as Secretary of the Treasury. Senator King released the following statement: “As I have for all Cabinet nominees, I closely followed Congressman Price’s confirmation hearing and extensively evaluated his record, and after doing so, I have concluded that he would not serve... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to an announcement from Sappi Fine North America that it will invest $165 million in Paper Machine No. 1 at its Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement: “Sappi’s major investment builds on the company's leadership in modernizing and investing in the critical infrastructure that will continue to help the forest industry be a significant source of good jobs in Maine. In... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today in response to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer confirming that President Trump supports allowing Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices of prescription drugs. Last month, Senator King reintroduced the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, legislation that would lower prescription drug prices for seniors by allowing Medicare to negotiate the price of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted against the nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education. Despite Senator King’s opposition, Ms. Devos was confirmed by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie breaking vote in favor. Senator King released the following statement after the vote: “After following her confirmation hearing closely and after a great deal of consideration, last month I... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he has cosponsored the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving rural communications and addressing call completion. Today, persistent dropped calls in rural communities across the country are creating major inconveniences for families, hurting businesses, and even threatening public safety. A 2012 test call project found that nearly one in five calls placed to rural... Continue Reading »
