WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the men and women of the Maine Army National Guard for their work in preparing the nation of Montenegro to enter the National Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). “First, we all on this side of the dais, I assert, often are prone to bragging about our own states. But, in this case, I cannot fail to... Continue Reading »
WASHINTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously passed the Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development (BUILD) Act, bipartisan legislation he cosponsored that would strengthen the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields Program. The Brownfields Program assists states and local communities through grants and technical assistance as they assess, safely clean up, and reuse... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced his support for a bipartisan occupational licensing reform bill that would give state governments the tools to help initiate reforms to ensure bureaucratic requirements are not creating unnecessary barriers for those seeking to enter the workforce. The New Hope and Opportunity through the Power of Employment Act (New HOPE Act) will help states decide if they want to eliminate or reduce burdensome licensing requirements... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today on the passing of Peter Alfond: “Like so many others across Maine, I am saddened to learn of Peter’s passing,” Senator King said. “His generosity, along with his never-ending passion for helping others, has fundamentally changed our state for the better. Peter will be remembered for his kind heart, his great philanthropy, and his unwavering commitment to the people of Maine,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) has signed onto a letter led by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) urging the agency to better prevent painkillers from flooding the market by setting lower opioid production quotas for 2018. Last year, the DEA heeded Senators King’s and Durbin’s call to address America’s opioid epidemic by reducing nearly all opioid quotas by 25 percent or more. This was the first reduction of its... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a total of $3,907,601 in federal funding to two Maine Health Centers. Katahdin Valley Health Center in Patten will receive $2,736,329 and Pines Health Services in Caribou will receive $1,171,272. “People throughout our state rely on rural health providers for the essential health services that keep them happy and healthy,” Senator King... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved up to $10 million to purchase Maine wild blueberries after the Delegation requested the Department take action earlier this year. Bonus buys help protect American farmers from unexpected market conditions by purchasing surplus goods and distributing them to food banks and other... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a total of $1,947,230 in funding to three airports in Maine. The funding was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration. “Maine’s airports are vital parts of our transportation system that help bolster the tourism industry and support jobs across our state,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This... Continue Reading »
MACHIAS, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today visited Eastport Health Care Clinic and Down East Community Hospital in Machias where he heard concerns from doctors, health care providers, and hospital leadership over the proposed legislation currently under consideration by the Senate to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). At Eastport Health Care Clinic, Senator King sat down with the leadership of every Federally-Qualified Health Center throughout Washington County. The... Continue Reading »
EASTPORT, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in honor of the 4th of July. Senator King will celebrate the holiday by marching in the Grand Independence Day Parade in Eastport, and then he will join local officials for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly-rebuilt Eastport breakwater. Eastport is home to the largest Fourth of July festival in the state of Maine. “Today, as communities across America come together to honor our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) along with U.S. Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) today introduced the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2017, legislation that incentivizes the development of biomass as an affordable, clean, and home-grown source of energy. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.) are also original sponsors of the bill. ... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the University of Maine and Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Boothbay two grants totaling $574,650 for a joint study of a marine protozoan parasite that infects oysters. Bigelow Laboratory has received $399,908 for the project and University of Maine has received $174,742. “Maine’s ocean ecosystem helps drive our state’s economy, and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer urging immediate engagement in efforts to ensure that Maine’s lobster industry remains competitive in the wake of the provisional implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). In their letter, the Maine... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he has cosponsored the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, legislation to mitigate the challenges facing new entrants into the fishing industry and bolster recruiting with competitive grants to support new and established local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen. “Fishing is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today sent a letter to the United States Postal Office (USPS) Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan voicing concern over the USPS proposal to scale back operations at the Scarborough Distribution Center. The proposal, which could go into effect as early as this week, would move equipment from Scarborough to Nashua, New Hampshire and could result in less efficient and less timely mail delivery in southern Maine “The APBS sorts... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today the Senate Armed Services Committee, of which he is a member, has approved the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a number of provisions that he supported that will benefit Maine. “Maine has long played a vital role in protecting our nation and this legislation demonstrates that we will continue to far into the future as well,”... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) questioned foreign policy experts on the best practices to defend the United States against Russian meddling in our elections. The hearing, which focused on Russia’s active measures and information operations campaigns in Europe, provided an overview of Russia’s attempts to exert influence and interfere in other countries’ elections, particularly in Eastern Europe.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have signed onto a bipartisan letter led by Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly urging him to use the authority provided by Congress to lift the cap on seasonal H-2B visas that employers rely on to fill summer jobs. In the letter, the senators expressed their concern about reports that visas may not be approved in time for peak tourist... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Cianbro Corp. of Pittsfield will be awarded $23,098,000 from the U.S. Navy for improvements to dry dock number one at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery. “The work done at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has a direct impact on our national security, and this contract for Cianbro will help make sure that the shipyard is well-equipped to continue its important mission,” said Senators Collins and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the June edition of his podcast, Inside Maine. In this month’s podcast, Senator King interviews Carolann Ouellette, Executive Director of Maine Huts and Trails, and Lindsay Downing, owner of Mt. Chase Lodge on Shin Pond in Patten. The June edition of Inside Maine highlights Maine’s great outdoors, and the many recreational opportunities available to travelers looking to experience the Maine woods in the... Continue Reading »
