Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded $1,122,202 to support their ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.“This investment will provide critical support to Maine’s dedicated medical professionals who are on the front lines working to keep our communities safe and healthy during this difficult time,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We will continue our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that Senator King joined a bipartisan group of 38 Senate colleagues in calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide Congress with a written plan and timeline about any potential changes to Medicare rules governing telehealth. Through coronavirus relief legislation, Congress provided HHS with the authority to waive telehealth... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in honor of the 4th of July:“This 4th of July may not have the big backyard barbeques we’re used to, but it can still be a moment for rest, respite, and reflection on both the founding values that both launched America into independence and the national ideals that have kept us strong. We are a nation borne from self-evident truths that all people have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced the Calculate PPP Forgiveness Act of 2020, which directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop a free calculator for businesses seeking to estimate their loan forgiveness amount through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The bill directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to coordinate the development of the calculator, providing additional support for small businesses that are... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 42 of his Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution emphasizing the importance of the U.S. Postal Service and urging increased funding in the next coronavirus relief package to help USPS offset losses incurred due to the pandemic. The resolution also makes clear that the USPS should not be forced to reduce its services, close post office facilities, or excessively raise rates. “The demise of USPS would limit access to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 16 of his Senate colleagues in a letter to Congressional leadership calling for additional funding for the Economic Development Administration (EDA)’s programs in future coronavirus economic recovery legislation. The EDA’s programs help drive locally organized economic development projects, develop new industries, build vital infrastructure, and enhance economic drivers like tourism and travel; in Maine, these efforts have helped... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, voted to confirm Peter Thomson to be Inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); the nomination was approved by the Committee via voice vote. Last week, at Thomson’s confirmation hearing, Senator King highlighted the urgent need for the holder of the position to be strongly independent from any interference from the Administration.“Today I voted to confirm Peter... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a group of 28 senators in a letter urging the Administration to end the seizure of tax refunds from federal student loan borrowers in default and refund any payments seized in direct violation of federal law. This seizure of tax refunds, known as a tax offset, violates a provision in the CARES Act that suspends the collection of all federally held defaulted student loans until... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that a total of nearly $250,000 has been awarded to the Cumberland County Food Security Council, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and the Maine School Administrative District 30 to support child nutrition programs for the upcoming school year. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm to School program. “Since 2013, schools and non-profits throughout the State of Maine... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) sent a letter to leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Senators: Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), urging them to fund a comprehensive program of testing, tracing, and supported isolation (TTSI). In the letter, Senator King argues that TTSI is the best path forward to stabilizing the health of communities and bolstering... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today cosponsored a resolution with 46 colleagues condemning the Trump Administration’s “downright cruel” attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act through a Supreme Court challenge effort. In the resolution, the Senators also demand the Department of Justice (DOJ) defend existing law in court and halt efforts to repeal the health care protections for millions nationwide – and 100,000 Maine people – in the middle of a public health... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the bipartisan Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), spoke on the Senate floor and urged his colleagues to consider the inclusion of vital cybersecurity amendments in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In the speech, Senator King raised the specter of America’s ongoing struggle against the coronavirus pandemic to drive home threats that a catastrophic cyberattack could pose to daily life. Senator King... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted on Monday to proceed to Senate debate on the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation includes a number of provisions proposed and advocated for by Senator King, which will support Maine jobs, bolster our national security, and boost our economy and military in the face of the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. The bill also includes a number of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after the Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law that would have left the state with only one abortion clinic. The decision was reached by a 5-4 margin, with Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the majority on the basis of precedent established in a 2016 decision, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.“Today’s news is a victory for women across the nation, and a blow to anyone who would attempt to... Continue Reading »
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Eastern Maine Development Corporation has been awarded $400,000 to support the redevelopment and revitalization of small businesses in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Hancock counties that have suffered financial harm as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding was awarded through the Economic Development Administration (EDA)’s CARES Act Recovery Assistance Program. “During this public... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $2,256,784 to Waldo Community Action Partners for Head Start and Early Head Start programs.“Affordable and quality childcare is essential to helping Maine’s children and families build a healthy and sustainable future,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We welcome this significant investment in Waldo County... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a group of 15 senators in a letter requesting answers from the Treasury Department about ongoing difficulties facing Americans who received their CARES Act stimulus payments as debit cards. In the letter the Senators highlight issues with the program, including additional fees, confusion stemming from a lack of advance warning – causing many eligible Americans to throw out the cards – and the potential use of personal information for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) led a group of eight Senators in writing to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza, urging them to readjust regulatory requirements so that seasonal employers can access the full amount of the PPP loans for which they qualify. The Senators asked the Treasury Department and the SBA to immediately issue a new rule so that seasonal small businesses across the nation can access... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after the Trump Administration asked the Supreme Court to overturn the Affordable Care Act based on the 2017 tax bill vote – threatening to force tens of millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Maine people, off of their health insurance during the global coronavirus pandemic:“Coronavirus has killed more than 120,000 Americans, transmission rates are rising in many states, and... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded a total of $974,168 to combat tobacco use among Maine youth throughout the state. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Smoking and Health (OSH).“The dramatic increase in the use of tobacco products—particularly e-cigarettes—by teens in Maine and throughout the country is threatening the... Continue Reading »
