WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led a bipartisan group of Senators, including U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), on a letter urging the U.S. Department of Justice to protect craft brewers across America from potentially unfair and illegal trade practices on the part of larger beer companies. In the letter, which was sent to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the senators express concern about the possibility of larger... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved a bipartisan bill that would expand outdoor recreation opportunities for sportsmen in Maine and across America. The Sportsmen’s Act of 2015, which Senator King cosponsored, would prioritize recreation on federal lands and promote cooperation with state and local governments. Additionally, the bill would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to consider strict enforcement measures and increase transparency for the recently announced Connect America Fund funding. The FCC announced more than $1.5 billion in annual funding as part of the second phase of the Connect America Fund to expand and support broadband service in rural areas. “We believe strict... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today the Auburn School District will receive $45,000 in grant funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School program. “This important investment will help to increase the availability of local food products on the menus of schools across the Auburn school district,” the Senators said in a joint statement. “In Maine, we are lucky enough to have a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will award $9,985,000 in federal loans to three initiatives in Maine to support rural health and public safety. Downeast Horizons of Ellsworth, Down East Community Hospital of Machias, and Orono-based Independence Advocates of Maine will each receive a loan through the USDA Community Facilities Program to improve their operations. “We welcome these... Continue Reading »
UNITY, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement this evening in response to the attacks in Paris: “My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Paris tonight as the details of these tragic events continue to unfold. These acts of violence are an unconscionable assault on freedom and liberty, and America stands ready to assist our French friends and allies as they work to bring this situation to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King sent a letter this week to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) urging the agency to reconsider proposed Rule 30e-3, which would eliminate the current requirement that mutual fund information be delivered to investors in paper form. The new rule, if implemented, would make electronic delivery the default delivery method unless otherwise selected, a move Senators Collins and King say could negatively affect Maine people... Continue Reading »
AUGUSTA, ME – During a disability and employment roundtable discussion this morning, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced five new proposals that would improve federal policy and increase employment opportunities for Mainers with disabilities. The proposals come at a time when Maine faces a significant decline in the size of its workforce and a forecast that the state may be unable to supply new workers to meet its needs in the coming decades. At the same time, nearly 70 percent of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today congratulated The Telling Room, a writing center in Portland that helps children and young adults develop and build on their storytelling skills, on winning a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from the White House. The award recognizes outstanding after-school and out-of-school programs that are transforming the lives of young people. Senators Collins and King will meet representatives from The Telling Room... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to help provide as much assistance as possible to households struggling to afford their winter heating bills, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) led a bipartisan letter, signed by Senator Angus King (I-ME), to increase the amount of available federal heating assistance for low-income families and seniors in the final appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2016. In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – In honor of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released a video message and the following statement: “On this Veterans Day, it is my privilege to recognize and thank all the men and women who have served in our armed forces for their unwavering commitment to our country. These selfless patriots, and their dedicated families, embody the very best of America, and today we acknowledge not only what they have accomplished, but also what they have... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved much-needed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for displaced employees at Verso Paper, Eastland Shoe, and Kelly-Smith Printing & Paper. “This announcement is welcome news for these hardworking men and women in Maine. TAA plays an essential role in helping Americans across our country who, through no fault of their own, have lost their jobs as a result... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the prescription drug abuse epidemic continues to have devastating effects on individuals, families and communities across America, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and a group of his colleagues sent a letter to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) Director Thomas Frieden applauding the agency’s newly released Draft Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing. In the letter, Senator King and his colleagues expressed optimism that the new guidelines will... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the Senate has passed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 91-3. The legislation includes a $250 million authorization secured by Senator King for a DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer that could be built at Bath Iron Works. It also includes a provision authored in part by Senator King that would improve the HUBZone program to better stimulate economic activity at former military... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate National Guard Caucus, and Angus King, a member of the Senates Armed Services Committee, announced this afternoon that the 133rd Engineer Battalion will remain based in Brunswick, Maine. “I am so pleased to learn that the Army National Guard 133rd Engineer Battalion will stay in Maine. This is the right decision for the great state of Maine and for our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Angus King (I-Maine), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today expressed frustration with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) plan for the Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) program in a report delivered to Congress to consolidate all non-VA provider programs. “The ARCH program has made a real difference for our veterans in Maine and across our country. I remember one of our veterans telling me about breaking his... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced more than $2.7 million in grant funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Water and Waste Disposal grant program for the communities of Brewer, Oxford, and Wilton. Brewer will receive a $400,000 grant along with a $1,500,000 loan for sewer system improvements. Oxford will receive a $999,000 grant and a $3,601,000 loan for its new waste water treatment facility and collection... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he has hired Maine-native Morgan Cashwell as a Legislative Assistant in his Washington, D.C. office. Morgan will serve as Senator King’s principal advisor on energy and environment-related issues and will staff him for his work on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “With her firsthand knowledge of Maine and her wealth of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that, at his request, leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committee have preserved a $250 million authorization in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act for an additional DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer that could be built at Bath Iron Works. “I am very encouraged that we were able to maintain this critical authorization, which... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded two Housing Preservation Grants to Penquis Community Action Program Inc. (Penquis CAP) and Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) to support housing rehabilitation projects in Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Knox, and Waldo Counties. “This... Continue Reading »
