WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is introducing bipartisan legislation to support physicians and preserve their ability to care for Medicare patients. The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act would modernize the Medicare’s Physician Fee Schedule (MFPS) – how much medical professionals are reimbursed for providing care – and preserve patient access to care by adjusting payments to cover more of the actual cost of delivering medical services.As reported by the American Medical... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is cosponsoring legislation to protect against the use of federal troops or armed federal agents at polling places. The Protect Our Polls Act would require congressional approval prior to any deployment of armed federal law enforcement or uniformed military personnel at polling stations across the country.Existing federal law explicitly prohibits the federal government from sending federal troops or law enforcement to polling places with only a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME) are calling on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to quickly clarify federal guidance that is threatening Maine emergency medical service (EMS) agencies with new costs. In a letter to DEA Administrator Terrance Cole, the lawmakers explained that uncertainty surrounding the DEA's implementation of a 2017 law has led several Maine hospital... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King is introducing legislation to help people in rural Maine communities maintain reliable access to mental health care. The Compacts, Access, and Responsible Expansion (CARE) for Mental Health Professionals Act would incentivize interstate medical health provider networks with federally funded grant opportunities. Interstate networks allow providers to practice across state lines while avoiding duplicative registration processes, thus reaching more rural... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is introducing legislation to protect elections from interference and tampering – from both outside actors and unconstitutional orders from the federal government. The Stop Harassment and Intimidation in Elections through Legal Defenses (SHIELD) Our Elections Act would authorize state attorneys general and individual voters to bring civil actions against those who violate federal laws protecting elections, extend the statute of limitations for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is urging the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to withdraw a proposed rule that would significantly expand political control over how federal agencies award grants and cooperative agreements. In a letter to OMB Director Russ Vought with several of his colleagues, the senators warn the proposal could undermine scientific research, weaken American competitiveness, and jeopardize funding for critical projects in communities across... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is leading dozens of his Senate colleagues in calling for stronger accountability measures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the thirty-nine Senators urge DHS to fulfill its previous commitments to deploy and expand the usage of body-worn cameras, strengthen officer identification requirements, and review enforcement protocols. The measures... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during a key hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) questioned the potential lead Intelligence official on his ability to resist political pressure. In his exchange with Office ofDirector of National Intelligence (ODNI) nominee Jay Clayton, King stressed the importance of analytical integrity and the obligation of intelligence officials to provide objective, fact-based assessments free from political... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) pressed several Pentagon nominees on the total cost of the ongoing conflict in Iran, expressing frustration that neither Congress nor the American people have received a clear accounting of the financial burden of military operations. More specifically, Senator King questioned Department of Defense Comptroller nominee Jules W. Hurst III, who could not provide an updated... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME) are calling for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel in Biddeford. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, the delegation requested an independent review of the incident to ensure a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today requested that the Department of Justice (DOJ) collaborate with Maine state and local law enforcement as authorities investigate yesterday’s fatal shooting in Biddeford involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. In a letter to Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Senators emphasized that coordination among law enforcement agencies is essential to ensuring a thorough and impartial... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) spoke to the Maine press corps and share remarks on the reported shooting in Biddeford by a member of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Opening Remarks Senator King: “About 20 minutes ago, I talked to Secretary Markwayne Mullen of the Department of Homeland Security about the incident in Biddeford. Here's what I learned, and here's what I conveyed to him. The individual who has been killed is a male in his 20s. That's all I know... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), Co-Chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, is urging the U.S. Coast Guard to select Maine as the homeport for one of its new Arctic Security Cutters. In a letter to U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday, King highlighted Maine's unique advantages as the Coast Guard evaluates homeports for the next generation of icebreakers. Arctic Security Cutters will anchor a modernized icebreaker fleet built for the most demanding conditions, ensuring... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on Independence Day, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) released the following statement to commemorate America’s 250th birthday: “Each Fourth of July, Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate with barbecues, parades, and fireworks. But beneath those traditions lies one of the most remarkable moments in human history. When the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, it introduced a revolutionary idea: that government derives its power from the consent... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) are introducing legislation to make childcare more affordable and accessible for working families. The Right Start Child Care and Education Act would strengthen the childcare workforce by creating a new federal tax credit for childcare professionals with college degrees. This would help childcare providers recruit and retain qualified educators while expanding access to high-quality, affordable... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is cosponsoring legislation to strengthen the fundamental right to vote for all American citizens. The Right to Vote Act would establish the first-ever statutory right to vote in federal elections, protecting citizens from state and federal laws that attempt to restrict or limit voter access. Notably, the bill would also allow American citizens to sue states for any policy that unduly restricts ballot access. Over the last several years, states... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), member of the Senate Veterans’Affairs Committee (SVAC), is opposing potential cuts to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits for disabled veterans who suffer from sleep apnea and tinnitus, as proposed by a draft VA rule and the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. In a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, King and several of his colleagues condemn the proposed reductions to benefits for veterans suffering from sleep apnea and tinnitus,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is joining dozens of his Senate colleagues in raising concerns overan unconstitutional executive order that would restrict mail-in voting. In a letter to the Postmaster General and Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Senators demand that USPS follow existing federal law instead of an executive order signed by President Trump that would direct the USPS to create and maintain “Mail-in Absentee Participations Lists.”... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is celebrating Congressional passage of bipartisan housing legislation. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will increase the nation's housing supply, reduce barriers to development, and help more Americans achieve homeownership. The bill passed the U.S. Senate by a resounding 85-5 vote before passing the House of Representatives—it now heads to the President’s desk for signature. "From families trying to buy their first home, to workers trying... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is joining a Senate Resolution that reaffirms U.S. commitments to protect and assist millions of refugees and displaced persons globally. The World Refugee Day Resolution honors World Refugee Day and highlights ongoing global refugee and displacement crises. “World Refugee Day,” annually celebrated on June 20, is an international day designated by the United Nations to recognize refugees around the globe and celebrate the strength and courage of... Continue Reading »
