PORTLAND, ME – As part of his ongoing effort to keep the people of Maine informed of his work in Washington, U.S. Senator Angus King recapped this week’s events in the nation’s capital. In his weekly address, Senator King discussed: The frustrating procedural issues that have stalled appropriations legislation on the Senate floor. His meetings with impressive young people from around Maine – including Connor Hoehle from Yarmouth, Kendra Sprague from Lewiston, and middle... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that local homeless assistance programs in Maine will receive federal grants totaling $1,248,116 from the Continuum of Care Program. These funds will be used to support permanent and transitional housing renewal projects in the state. The Continuum of Care Program is administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Support organizations across the state work tirelessly to address the needs... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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 the President’s announcement that the White House is sending U.S. military advisers to Iraq to help the government in Baghdad counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL): “I support the President’s decision to provide limited U.S. military support to help the Iraqi government counter... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Maine Military Authority (MMA) has officially entered into a contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) to overhaul 32 aging, dual mode (electric/diesel) articulated (DMA) buses. This $19 million contract will help sustain and grow jobs at the Limestone facility. In addition to supporting MMA's efforts with MBTA, Senators Collins and King wrote to the Administrator of the Federal... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that it will not proceed with the appeals period for preliminary flood maps covering York and Cumberland Counties until an independent, third party called a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) reviews competing methodology that towns in Maine have offered as providing more accurate flood maps. The SRP is reviewing methodology after FEMA received a data submission for Plymouth County, Massachusetts that utilized... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced the constituent outreach hours for the second two weeks in June. Constituent outreach hours are part of Senator King’s “Your Government, Your Neighborhood” initiative and offer an opportunity for area residents to meet directly with a staff representative to discuss specific problems, legislative issues, or any concerns regarding federal government agencies. No appointment is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, today attended the “Our Ocean” Conference hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department. The conference, which focuses on sustainable fishing, marine pollution and ocean acidification, is bringing together more than 350 participants from across 80 nations – including government officials, scientists and leading international institutions – to... Continue Reading »
BANGOR, ME – As part of his ongoing effort to keep the people of Maine informed of his work in Washington, U.S. Senator Angus King delivered an address about this week’s events in the nation’s capital. In his weekly address, Senator King discussed: The legislation passed on Wednesday to support Veterans and deal with mismanagement at the VA. The bill was negotiated by Senators John McCain and Bernie Sanders. His efforts with Republican Senator Richard Burr to improve and... Continue Reading »
York River a Good Candidate for King’s Wild and Scenic Study Bill, National Park Service Says BANGOR, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) welcomed a preliminary report released by the National Park Service that found the York River is a good candidate for a Wild and Scenic River Study. Such a study could designate the York River as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River, which could foster federal investments to protect the economic and environmental value of the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday evening, the United States Senate unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2014 Intelligence Authorization Act, which includes an amendment authored by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) based on legislation they introduced in May 2013 as S. 1035, the Targeted Strike Oversight Reform Act. The final provision was moved to the classified annex. Senators King and Rubio requested that an this unclassified summary of the provision be made... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a Resolution, introduced by Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, honoring former President, and Kennebunkport resident, George H.W. Bush on the occasion of his 90th birthday. The Resolution also honors former First Lady Barbara Bush who also celebrated a birthday this week. Text of the Senate resolution is as follows and can also be viewed by clicking here. RESOLUTION Honoring former President George H.W. Bush on the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today after the Senate passed the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014, a bipartisan agreement authored by Senators Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) that would improve veterans’ access to health care and address serious problems facing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): “Today the United States Senate joined together... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) is applauding revisions in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, which President Obama signed into law today, that modify Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules to ease compliance for farms across Maine. Specifically, the modification shields Maine farmers from having to comply with rules aimed at large-scale oil companies. The issue was raised by Maine potato farmers during a meeting with Senator King last... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will release $5,358,043 in federal funding to Maine broadband providers through the E-rate program. The funds will be used to deliver high-speed internet access to schools and libraries throughout Maine. “In today’s high-speed world, there is no commodity more valuable than information, which is why broadband connectivity is more important than ever... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Sloan Gibson requesting that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) take immediate steps to continue the Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) pilot program in fiscal year (FY) 2015. Congressional authorization of this program is set to expire at the end of September. The Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Senator Collins is a member, recently... Continue Reading »
SOUTH PORTLAND, ME – As part of his ongoing effort to keep the people of Maine informed of his work in Washington, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) sat down to discuss this week’s events in the nation’s capital. In his weekly address Senator King discussed: The proposed rules from the Environmental Protection Agency to limit carbon emissions from existing power plants. The EPA rules, which were announced on Monday, would lower emissions from power plants 30... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – In response to the May jobs report released today by the U.S. Department of Labor, which revealed that the economy added 217,000 new jobs, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement calling on Congress to foster greater economic certainty in order to support the jobs recovery: “I’m pleased today’s report reveals continued job growth and that the total number of U.S. jobs has finally returned to pre-recession levels. But I think we... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship today welcomed legislation supported by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) that would help veterans start and grow small businesses. The Veterans Entrepreneurship Act, which was introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), cosponsored by King, and considered by the Committee today during a hearing, would permanently remove fees for SBA Express Loans under $350,000 for veterans, making it easier to access... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Yarmouth Fire-Rescue Department will receive a federal grant in the amount of $38,262 from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. This competitive funding will enable the department to purchase a Thermal Imaging Camera, Gear Washer, and boots and helmets for firefighters. SAFER grants are administered by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Fire departments... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, issued the following statement today in advance of a closed briefing for all senators on the exchange for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl: “‘Leave no one behind’ isn’t a Hollywood catch phrase; it’s a fundamental American principle. I don’t know all of the facts around the Bergdahl exchange yet, but what I do know is this: last week there was a... Continue Reading »
