WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined eight of his Senate colleagues to raise concerns surfacing in reports that insured individuals are receiving unexpected bills for diagnostic coronavirus testing. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act, both signed into law earlier this year, require health insurance plans to cover costs associated with coronavirus testing in order to maximize the nation’s effort to identify individuals carrying the virus and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues in calling for enforcement action to address practices of pharmaceutical companies that threaten to undermine the 340B Drug Pricing Program during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In their letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, the Senators urge the administration to take immediate enforcement action to halt these tactics and ensure... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON — Cyberspace Solarium Commission co-chairs Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Commissioners Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) and Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) renewed their call for strong cyber leadership in the White House – a sentiment reinforced today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report 20-629, entitled: “Cybersecurity: Clarity of Leadership Urgently Needed to Fully Implement the National Strategy.” The GAO report includes a... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that $1,412,525 has been awarded to support the growth and revitalization of industries in Kennebec and Cumberland counties that have suffered financial harm as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding was awarded through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) CARES Act Recovery Assistance Program.“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many industries throughout Maine, including bioscience,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement on the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a giant. A brilliant jurist, who spent her life making our country a fairer, more equitable place for all its citizens. Her unparalleled mind, her unbending backbone, and her unfailing determination were formidable, making her not only one of the nation’s foremost legal minds but also a cultural icon who inspired... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and 41 of his Senate colleagues today called on the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general to expeditiously investigate a whistleblower complaint alleging forced hysterectomies at the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Ocilla, Georgia.“Forced sterilizations infringe on reproductive rights and autonomy,” the senators wrote. “To understand whether such violations may have been committed against immigrants in our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) announced they have introduced the Social-Emotional Learning for Families (SELF) Act to provide additional resources to support the mental health and safety of children and improve educational outcomes for students. Specifically under the legislation, the Department of Education would establish a competitive grant program to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of successful teacher... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke from the Senate floor to urge action on coronavirus relief, including much-needed support to state and local governments across the nation. As need for government services rises and tax revenues fall, state and local governments face severe budget shortfalls which, if left unaddressed, will have harmful economic consequences including additional layoffs, reduced aid for citizens in need, and tax hikes when American household... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON — In support of the blueberry industry and its workers across the state of Maine, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-01) and Jared Golden (ME-02) in writing to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) — Ambassador Robert Lighthizer — to urge additional trade protections for Maine’s wild blueberry producers and frozen blueberry processors.The delegation called on Lighthizer to ensure Maine wild blueberry growers aren’t being... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that two Maine school districts have been awarded a total of $703,982 to enhance and further integrate local school violence prevention efforts between school administrators and law enforcement, train law enforcement officers to prevent student violence, install deterrent measures, purchase and install technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency, and other measures. This funding... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the Senate Commerce Committee’s unanimous passage of the Visit America Act. The bipartisan legislation, which he introduced in June with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), would set a visitation goal of 116 million annual international travelers to the United States by 2028, formally authorize the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, and create a high-ranking position within the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to officially recognize September as “National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month''. The Senators’ resolution comes as the coronavirus pandemic has fueled isolation and anxiety levels among Americans struggling with substance use disorders, and complicated their usual access to lifesaving treatment programs and support systems. Nationwide, it is estimated that... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, advocated for committee passage of the Gold Star Families Park Pass Act, legislation introduced by Senator King which would allow free access to America’s National Parks and federal recreation sites for families of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty while serving in the military. Senator King’s push came during a hearing of the Senate... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, pressed Mark Christie and Allison Clements, nominees to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), on the security of natural gas pipelines, especially in the New England region. During Senator King’s questioning at an Energy and Natural Resources hearing, he underscored the importance of pipeline security in the New England region, and emphasized that any security... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined his colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calling on the agency to commit to full transparency in the COVID-19 vaccine review process amidst mounting political pressure to approve a vaccine before Election Day. The lawmakers expressed concern that the Trump Administration has placed political expediency over the research and testing process, and the senators urged the FDA to ensure transparency... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his cosponsorship of the Broadband Reform and Investment to Drive Growth in the Economy (BRIDGE) Act of 2020 to deploy affordable, “future-proof” broadband networks nationwide. The legislation, introduced by Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), would provide $30 billion in flexible funding to states and $1 billion to tribal governments to competitively award funding to connect unserved and underserved communities, with an emphasis... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the York County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $111,603 to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program.“As we combat the COVID-19 pandemic, communities across Maine continue to rely on local law enforcement to help keep them safe,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in calling on the seven largest internet service providers (ISPs) to help limit the economic and social disruption caused by COVID-19 and better ensure that learners of all ages are able to meaningfully participate in their education. In a letter sent to the CEOs of AT&T, CenturyLink, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, T-Mobile, and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) connected with the Maine Arts Commission and members of Maine’s performing arts community to discuss the state of the arts industry as they face short-term economic challenges and long-term uncertainty due to the global pandemic. During the call, Senator King emphasized his strong support of arts institutions, which are vital engines of our Nation’s economy and culture. Senator King also highlighted his support for legislation to... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King cosponsored a bipartisan and bicameral resolution that recognizes September 11 as a national day of service and encourages the American public to engage in a charitable service of their choosing on or around 9/11.“Nineteen years have passed, but the memory of September 11, 2001, remains as vivid as if it were yesterday. On this solemn anniversary, we join all Americans in remembering each of the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day –... Continue Reading »
