WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide the unemployed with the information, skills, and relationships they need to get back to work. The On-the-Job Training Act provides critical improvements to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program to help the workers collecting UI benefits return to the workforce more quickly. The bill would give states the flexibility to connect their UI programs to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded the Maine International Trade Center and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development a grant in the amount of $812,823 to support the development of the “Invest in Maine” program, which aims to attract foreign investment in the fields of renewable energy, aerospace, food production, and life sciences to Maine. “This grant... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King today announced that the Bangor Fire Department will receive a federal grant in the amount of $498,532 through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and Dover-Foxcroft Fire & Rescue will receive $63,431 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The funding will be used in Bangor to help fill four firefighter vacancies created by attrition and in Dover-Foxcroft to help purchase firefighter... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) continued his long-standing support for small businesses in Maine and around the country by announcing his co-sponsorship of legislation that would encourage women’s business ownership and give women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) more opportunities to win federal contracts. The Women’s Small Business Procurement Parity Act (S.2481), introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), would provide tools available under... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced five Northern Border Regional Commission grants to the State of Maine totaling more than $1.2 million. The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) helps address the community and economic development needs of distressed portions of the Northern Forest region. “These grants represent significant investments in these communities,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. ... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives from two of the nation’s leading credit union associations and the American Bankers Association expressed support for Senator King’s RELIEVE Act during testimony today in front of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Linda McFadden of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU), Dennis Pierce of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), and Jeff Plagge of the American Bankers Association (ABA) all... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) introduced legislation to reform federal student loan repayment programs. Current graduates face a maze of federal student loan repayment programs from which to choose that often leave students confused about which program best fits their needs. In addition, years of ad hoc changes and expansions have done little to ensure taxpayers are likewise best served. The Repay Act, which mirrors a discussion... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and U.S. Senator Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Town of Brunswick a grant in the amount of $1,521,270 for improvements at the Brunswick Executive Airport, and the City of Waterville a grant in the amount of $4,326,300 for improvements at the Waterville Robert Lafleur Airport. “Airports across... Continue Reading »
WINDSOR, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with thousands of motorcycle-riding Mainers for the United Bikers of Maine 33rd Annual Toy Run. King, an avid biker, rode from the Augusta Civic Center to the Windsor Fair in support of the annual event in which participating riders carry unwrapped toys that are donated to less fortunate children during the holiday season. King then spoke to the crowd following the event. “The Toy Run is a great example of generosity, and... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke to student leaders from across the northeast as part of Unum’s “Leading the Future Day” at the company’s headquarters in Portland. In his remarks, King, who formerly taught a course on leadership at Bowdoin College, discussed his perspective on the topic as well as the leadership abilities of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. King also later took questions from the students. “It was a pleasure joining... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting an explanation for recent policy changes impacting millions of Americans living with neurological and degenerative disabilities. They released the following statement on these changes, which limit patient access to speech generating devices (SGDs). “Americans rely on these innovative... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – As part of his ongoing effort to keep the people of Maine informed of his work in Washington, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) recapped this week’s events in the nation’s capital: The threat posed by ISIS in Iraq and Syria, which continues to command significant attention in Washington. His disappointment in the Senate’s failure to move forward with a constitutional amendment to allow Congress to regulate and limit the raising and spending of money for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and U.S. Senator Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the City of Presque Isle a grant in the amount of $2,982,515 for improvements at the Northern Maine Regional Airport. “Given Maine’s large geographic area and dispersed population, air travel is a critical connecting force that helps to link communities... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today after the Senate voted down S.J. Res 19., a proposed Constitutional amendment, which he cosponsored, that would regulate and limit the raising and spending of money for federal political campaigns: “While I am disappointed today’s vote failed, I will continue to look for ways forward on campaign finance reform – particularly on the issue of disclosure, which the Supreme Court... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, released the following statement tonight following President Obama’s remarks outlining his strategy to combat ISIS: “Tonight, the President laid out the outline of a comprehensive plan to eliminate ISIS, a dangerous terrorist organization that threatens our partners in the region and Europe, the people of Iraq and Syria, and Americans – both here at... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In advance of a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Hearing next week on the state of small banks in the United States, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) today urged Committee Chairman, Senator Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), and Ranking Member, Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), to provide relief to America’s community banks struggling under the weight of shortsighted regulations. King and Fischer are authors of the RELIEVE Act,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as organizations and leading tech businesses across the country rally support for stronger net neutrality rules during a national day of action, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) urged the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in a letter to implement “strong and unambiguous” rules that will guarantee open and equal access to the Internet for everyone. “Like water or electricity, the Internet is a staple of our lives and our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King this evening attended the “Taste of Maine” reception hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. The event, held in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room, attracted several Senators from other states including New York, Hawaii, Montana, Indiana, and Tennessee, as well Mainers living in Washington. Some of the items served tonight included Maine's world-famous products, like lobster,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After visiting a number of Maine businesses that rely on the financial backing provided by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he has cosponsored legislation to reauthorize the bank for an additional five years. The Ex-Im Bank, which will cease operations if Congress does not renew its charter by the end of this month, is the nation’s official export credit agency and a key export tool... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award $25 million in grant funding to the Maine Department of Transportation to replace the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge connecting Kittery, ME and Portsmouth, NH. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx notified Senator Collins of the Transportation Investment Generation Economic Recovery (TIGER) VI funding during a phone call today. Senator Collins, the... Continue Reading »
