WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as the Senate finished its third week of session without taking a vote on further coronavirus relief, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement:“Today, the Senate is adjourning after three weeks of session – and during that time, we’ve held over twenty votes on the floor, not a single one relating to the largest public health and economic threat we’ve faced in the last century: the coronavirus pandemic. Zero votes on legislation that could... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, a bipartisan bill that would make necessary changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The legislation would adjust PPP rules which have prevented some businesses from fully utilizing the funds to address the severe economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Most significantly, the legislation would extend loans over a longer period of time... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine has received a total of $1,928,995 to support COVID-19 testing efforts at 39 rural health clinics throughout the state. The funding was awarded through the Paycheck Protection Program & Health Care Enhancement Act that was signed into law on April 24, 2020. This legislation, which Senators Collins and King supported, included $52.7 million for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and $4.7... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Farming Support to States Act, a bipartisan bill to provide states access to immediate, flexible funding to aid in responding to urgent and emerging issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in America’s agriculture economy and food supply chain.The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe impacts across America’s agricultural economy, and there is limited time to act in order to avert the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, joined a bipartisan, bicameral group effort to encrypt phone calls between the House of Representatives and the Senate to protect communications against foreign surveillance. Specifically, the members asked the U.S. Senate Sergeant of Arms, and the Chief Administrative Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives for a plan to... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine has received a total of $1,928,995 to support COVID-19 testing efforts at 39 rural health clinics throughout the state. The funding was awarded through the Paycheck Protection Program & Health Care Enhancement Act that was signed into law on April 24, 2020. This legislation, which Senators Collins and King supported, included $52.7 million for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and $4.7... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 39 of his colleagues in introducing a resolution that encourages U.S. engagement with the international community on the coronavirus response. To date, the Administration has failed to participate in global summits on vaccines and therapeutics. The King-backed resolution is part of Senator King’s continued push to assert U.S. leadership in global health, including collaborating and coordinating with that only with concerted global... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce the Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act. The legislation would create a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration (SSA) for identity theft issues, cutting red tape and making it easier for victims to resolve their cases.“Criminals will stop at nothing to steal Americans’ hard-earned money. As... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) hosted a tele-town hall and took questions from Maine people on the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. During the event, Senator King emphasized the importance of supporting America’s public health by establishing a strong testing and contact tracing system, highlighted the need to bring the virus under control in order to facilitate vital economic activity, advocated for broadband infrastructure for Maine and... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, calling on him to adjust the temporary tariff deferral process for U.S. companies that are experiencing economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 19, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order providing the Treasury Department with emergency authority to extend deadlines for payment of certain duties, taxes, and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of 27 colleagues in urging Senate leadership to include funding for America’s schools, educators, and students in the next round of coronavirus relief funding. In a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators highlighted the impact of the coronavirus crisis on education budgets and emphasized the importance of supporting public education through... Continue Reading »
Today, Governor Janet Mills and U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden convened a Zoom conference call to discuss the State’s response to COVID-19 and the Congressional Delegation’s work in Congress to support the State’s efforts.The Governor and Congressional Delegation specifically discussed the need for Federal aid to State and local governments. The conference call follows a recent letter from Governor Mills to the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) participated in a video conference with the 16 educators who are being honored as Maine’s 2020 County Teachers of the Year. During the call, Senator King congratulated the teachers for their commitment to educating Maine’s young people – particularly as the coronavirus pandemic has created unforeseen challenges for them, forcing students and teachers to adapt to distance learning technologies.“Maine’s 2020 County Teachers of the Year... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) participated in a teleconference with Portland Buy Local to take questions from business leaders on the tools available to help the state’s business community in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Portland Buy Local Executive Director Mary Alice Scott moderated the conversation, and 120 Portland small business owners participated. “The economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic are hitting small businesses hard, and we need to... Continue Reading »
Washington. D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the University of New England (UNE) will receive a total of $186,080 to increase telehealth capabilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding was awarded through the CARES Act, which Senators Collins and King voted for.“Maine has the nation’s oldest population by median age, which presents unique challenges during the ongoing public health crisis. In addition, many of Maine’s seniors reside in... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in raising concerns that deceased individuals are receiving economic impact payments as part of the CARES Act. In a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig and Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Andrew Saul, the lawmakers asked each department to take immediate action to prevent further improper economic... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King helped to lead a national effort to honor police officers, sheriffs, and other law enforcement officers in Maine and throughout the country for serving our communities with valor, dignity, and integrity. Senators Collins and King joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing the week of May 10 through May 16 as National Police Week, which passed unanimously. The resolution lists all... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the coronavirus crisis continues to inflict negative impacts on Americans’ mental health, yesterday the Senate unanimously passed legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) that would designate 9-8-8 as the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis line are each 10-digits, creating an additional barrier to Americans in crisis seeking support. “The... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) participated in a video call with New England Council (NEC) President and CEO James Brett and 150 NEC members. During the call, Senator King provided updates on federal coronavirus response efforts, took questions from the members, and discussed priorities that he would like to see in future coronavirus relief legislation, such as: substantial and additional aid to help state and local governments endure the economic impacts of the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 12 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking transparency and information regarding the distribution process for the coronavirus therapeutic remdesivir. In their letter, King and his colleagues cited significant concerns raised by hospitals, health providers, patients, and medical societies regarding the opaque process under which the federal government is determining... Continue Reading »
