Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to set standards on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in bottled water, to ensure bottled water products are safe for drinking. PFAS are pervasive and persistent chemicals that accumulate in people’s bodies over time, and exposure to these chemicals has been linked to cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility,... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) commemorated Memorial Day by releasing a video on his social media channels honoring the sacrifice of America’s fallen servicemembers. In his video, which can be viewed HERE, Senator King notes that Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, and recognizes our nation’s veterans and families who have lost loved ones in defense of the United States. “Memorial Day is just what it sounds like. It’s a day of memorial; of remembrance; of looking... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the May edition of Senator King’s monthly podcast. This episode highlights the challenges that state and local governments faced during the coronavirus pandemic while maintaining vital services to care for Americans, and the much-needed assistance that came their way through Congress’ passage of the American Rescue Plan – which Senator King voted for. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) joins Senator King in the first... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME) expressed their opposition to the inclusion of only one DDG-51 Flight III destroyer in President Joe Biden’s budget request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, and committed to advocating for increased procurement of the destroyers. At least two DDG-51s were previously projected under the current multiyear procurement contract between the Navy and the two... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Energy and Natural Resource Committee (ENR), announced that he has introduced the Battery and Critical Mineral Recycling Act of 2021, bipartisan legislation which would incentivize the recycling of single use and rechargeable batteries, to get more use from existing materials and reduce waste, creating a circular economy for batteries. These batteries contain valuable mineral resources that are needed to meet the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King issued the following statement after the majority of Senate Republicans voted to block bipartisan legislation that would create a bipartisan commission that would examine the facts surrounding the Capitol insurrection of January 6th:“On January 6th, the world watched as those who sought to interfere with and invalidate our electoral process attacked the U.S. Capitol, leaving law enforcement officers dead and injured in the wake of their... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, today pressed top Defense Department and nuclear security nominees on cybersecurity and deterrence strategies in their departments – specifically emphasizing the importance of “pentesting” (penetration testing) their systems. Today’s first exchange between Senator King and Frank Rose, nominee to be Principal Deputy Administrator National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), came... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) are introducing legislation to provide additional funding to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) so it has the necessary resources to take on high-income tax evaders. The Stop Corporations and High Earners from Avoiding Taxes and Enforce the Rules Strictly (Stop CHEATERS) Act aims to reverse trends that have undermined the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, today convened a hearing to examine the current state of the National Park System -- focusing on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on National Park Service (NPS) operations, staff, visitation and facilities. During today’s hearing, Senator King emphasized the value of National Parks to the American public, highlighted the potential for record park visitorship this summer season,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, questioned John Hill, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy about his views on the evolution of strategic deterrence polices as applied to space. During his questioning period, Senator King emphasized the importance of protecting U.S. assets in space, such as satellites, and altering deterrence calculus of foreign adversaries. SENATOR KING:... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined 14 Senate colleagues to introduce the Electrifying America’s Future Resolution. The resolution aims to advance the vision of widespread electrification of appliances and machines in American homes and businesses, and outlines the ways that widespread electrification will address climate change, put millions of Americans to work, and advance an equitable economy and strong... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C.— May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and June is LGBTQ Pride Month, and Maine’s congressional delegation is the first in the country to come together in an effort to raise awareness of the particular challenges facing LGBTQ youth.In a public service announcement web video released by the Trevor Project, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden highlight the fact that suicide is the second leading cause of death... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, today stressed the urgency of cyberpreparedness with Frank Kendall, nominee to be Secretary of the Air Force. During his questioning of Mr. Kendall, Senator King emphasized the danger of a future cyberattack, and highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in the nation’s nuclear arsenal – a key focus of Senator King’s Chairmanship of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, with jurisdiction over... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has received a total of $1,901,817 to support cancer prevention programs across the state. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Center for Chronic Diseases Prevention and Health Promotion.“Cancer is a terrible disease that has taken a heavy toll on families across our state. Cancer prevention and... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 19 Senate colleagues in urging President Biden to provide stronger federal assistance to reduce deductibles and out-of-pocket health care expenses for American families. In addition, the Senators asked for support for a long-term investment in premium assistance and closing the Medicaid coverage gap for low-income families in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C.—Following a push spearheaded by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a joint rule today making available an additional 22,000 H-2B visas that will help small businesses fill seasonal job openings. Qualifying employers can begin applying on May 25. These visas will supplement the previous supply of 33,000 H-2B visas for the... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 12 Senate colleagues in urging the Biden administration to work with states, tribes, and territories in prioritizing young people in the foster care system, who have been especially impacted by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. In a letter to the Administration for Children and Families at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the senators outlined the range of challenges faced by young people in foster care in the... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME– U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) has joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues to introduce the Life Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment (LifeBOAT) Act, which would establish a small stewardship fee paid by drug manufacturers to provide and expand access to substance use treatment. In 2020, over 90,000 Americans died from drug related overdoses, including more than 500 in Maine; both numbers represent new records for the highest year of overdose deaths ever recorded.“Last... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON — Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced the award of $30 million to the City of Lewiston today through the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant program. The members of Congress sent a letter of support for the funding to the Department of Housing and Urban Development earlier this year.The $30 million grant will go towards implementing Lewiston’s collaborative plan for its “Tree Streets” neighborhood. The high-density area has an aging housing... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) is joining Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to reintroduce the Preventive Health Savings Act, which would direct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to more accurately research the cost-savings that come from preventive health care. The bipartisan legislation also would allow congressional leaders of relevant committees to request an analysis of preventive measures extending beyond the... Continue Reading »
