WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the following statement after opposing the advancement of a bill that would place burdensome requirements on local law enforcement as they work to safeguard communities: “State and local police departments know how to best protect and keep safe the communities they serve. The federal government should be a partner when it comes to that – not... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today applauded an announcement that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded $6.5 million in grant funding to Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) to support climate change education in Maine and across the country. “Providing students with innovative educational opportunities is crucial to engaging our nation’s students with STEM fields,” said Senator Collins. “GMRI... Continue Reading »
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a founding co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus and a member of both the Senate Armed Services and Energy and Natural Resources Committees, this morning participated in an Arctic Circle Assembly Plenary Session in which he continued his push for increased U.S. leadership in the Arctic. In his remarks, Senator King also spoke to the various security, environmental, economic, and social issues that make the region a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that Lewiston non-profit New Beginnings, which works to improve the lives of homeless youth and families in crisis, has been awarded $179,367 in grant funding through the Administration for Children and Families (ACYF). The funds will be used to support their emergency shelter. This funding was awarded through the ACYF’s Family and Youth Services Bureau. ACYF is a subsidiary of the United States Department... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $709,713 to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and $999,120 to the University of Maine to support ongoing efforts to support producers of organic agricultural products throughout the state of Maine and the northeast region. “Maine’s thriving local food movement is driven in part by an encouraging wave of young... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – In a letter today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and a bipartisan group of his colleagues called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to take immediate, overdue action to fully implement and enforce the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). “We are writing to urge you to take immediate action to implement and enforce the MHPAEA. It has now been over 7 years since MHPAEA was passed and... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) toured the Portland Vet Center with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Interim Regional Manager Steven Reeves. During the tour, Senator King and Mr. Reeves met with veterans and Dr. Clifford Trott, the team leader for both the Portland and Lewiston Vet Centers, to discuss the services provided at each facility and the current staffing challenges. Senator King urged Director Reeves to continue to work to fill staffing vacancies... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, released the following statement today in response to President Obama’s announcement that he will maintain current troop levels in Afghanistan: “The President has made a difficult decision, but it is the right one,” Senator King said. “Over the past few years, with the assistance... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced today that the National Park Service has awarded funding to 10 organizations and municipalities throughout the state of Maine. This funding is provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a partnership program that provides matching funds to states and local communities for conservation of parks and open space “The LWCF is... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – In an effort to help millions of low-income families and seniors on fixed incomes afford their energy bills this coming winter, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with a bipartisan group of 40 of his colleagues, led by Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), to call on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to quickly release as much federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) heating aid as possible. “LIHEAP is the main... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), along with Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Al Franken (D-Min.), today introduced legislation designed to help students manage costs by making high quality textbooks easily accessible to students, professors and the public for free. This bill, the Affordable College Textbook Act, would create a competitive grant program to support the creation and use of open college textbooks – which are available under an open license,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following last week’s tragedy at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today renewed his push to enact common-sense gun safety legislation and take action to reform the mental health system in an effort to curb gun violence in America. “We’re here today because of one more incident in a depressingly familiar series of mass shootings. All over the country this is happening in a repetitive way, and it’s... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following an announcement by the U.S. Coast Guard that it will suspend the search for survivors of the El Faro at sunset today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement: “I am deeply saddened that no survivors have been found. Like everyone in Maine, my thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and loved ones of the El Faro’s crew members. My heart goes out... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the U.S. Senate today passed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill includes provisions authored by Senator King that increase authorizations for the construction of DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers, which are built at Bath Iron Works, and that improve the Small Business Administration’s HUBZone program, which helps revitalize former military bases like the former Brunswick Naval Air... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.—United States 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 has awarded Community Concepts Inc. in Lewiston $793,800 in grant funding to help 30 very-low and low-income families construct their own homes in rural areas across Maine. Through the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program, this funding will help families, through... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $1.35 million in grant funding to the Maine Math and Science Alliance (MMSA) to develop an online learning community that explores the impact of weather and climate along the coast. “The Maine Math and Science Alliance continues to build on innovative science and technology opportunities around the state, and this project will empower students,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $499,440 to the National Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE) Community College Consortium for Health and Safety Training Program in South Portland. “Investment in health training and occupational safety is crucial to successfully removing and containing hazardous waste across our state,” said Senators... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Congressman Bruce Poliquin, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez urging him to approve the recently-filed petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) to assist the 195 displaced workers who are expected to lose their jobs following Expera’s announcement that it will close its Old Town mill due to foreign competition in the paper industry. “Given the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the following statement on the ongoing search for the missing crew members of the cargo ship El Faro, four of whom are reportedly from Maine: “My heart goes out to the crew members of the El Faro and their families and loved ones during this difficult time,” Senator King said. “My office has been in touch with the U.S. Coast Guard for additional information and will continue to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today delivered remarks at the UNITE to Face Addiction Rally held on the National Mall, where he highlighted the importance of raising the profile of addiction in America and underscored how those who have faced addiction are critical to helping fight it today. “Addiction is often a battle that's waged alone, in the recesses of our minds and in the shadows of society. It's difficult and it's painful, but today, we... Continue Reading »
