BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released a video message wishing the people of Maine a happy holiday season. The video is available HERE and the full transcript of his remarks is below: “No matter what holiday tradition you follow – and for my family it’s both Christmas and Hanukkah – this is the season for joy, celebration, and reflection. It’s a time to come together with family and friends to show each other that we care, rejoice in... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today praised the President’s signing of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, which ushers into law a provision he fought for that requires the Department of Defense to consider athletic footwear subject to the Berry Amendment by providing initial entry service members with American-made athletic shoes upon arrival at basic training. The provision, which will be implemented over the course of the next two years, will support... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Navy is awarding Cianbro Corp. of Pittsfield a $26,969,000 contract for construction and dock repairs 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 in its important mission,” said Senators Collins and... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released a letter that he and several of his colleagues recently sent to President-elect Donald Trump expressing their desire to work with his new Administration on bringing down the cost of prescription drugs for Maine people. “It is undeniable that more and more families are struggling to access medications, and in many cases, are forced to choose between paying for prescription drugs and other necessities, like food and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congressman Bruce Poliquin applauded today’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding a $6 million grant to a Maine partnership led by the Nature Conservancy that will help private forestland owners reduce the impacts that flooding has on road networks and restore more than 250 miles of fish habitat in northern and eastern Maine. Senators Collins and King and Congressman... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that President Obama is expected to sign into law soon bipartisan legislation they cosponsored that will help support small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies across Maine. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act, which will be signed into law as part of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, will expand and improve the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program – the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works a $125,950,046 contract modification. The funding will be used to continue Integrated Planning Yard services for Arleigh Burke-class and Oliver Hazard Perry-class ships. “This funding is critical to ensuring that the highly-skilled men and women of Bath Iron Works have the necessary resources to continue manufacturing the best, most-advanced destroyers in our... Continue Reading »
SALEM TOWNSHIP, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the President has signed into law the RESPONSE Act, bipartisan legislation he cosponsored that supports first responders by making sure they have the resources and tools to handle potential hazardous incidents, including crude oil train derailments. Senator King has been working with his colleagues to equip emergency response teams with the necessary tools and resources to prepare for hazmat incidents on the rails... Continue Reading »
SALEM TOWNSHIP, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today visited with students and teachers at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington and Mt. Abram High School in Salem Township. At Mt. Blue, Senator King toured the school and spoke with students. At Mt. Abram, he spoke to the entire student body to describe his work in the U.S. Senate and also took questions. “I can’t step inside a Maine school without being impressed by our thoughtful and hardworking students,”... Continue Reading »
CARIBOU, ME – In response to an announcement that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will conduct a review of Russia’s interference in the U.S. election, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Committee, released the following statement: “I welcome the Chairman’s announcement that the Senate Intelligence Committee will pursue a thorough and expeditious review of Russia’s involvement in our election. It is unacceptable to allow a foreign... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement after the Navy announced a new fleet plan calling for a goal of 355 battle force ships. This includes an increase of 16 large surface combatant ships compared to the Navy’s current goal. These ships include the DDG-1000 and Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyers produced by Bath Iron Works. In light of the increasing capabilities of foreign adversaries, the Navy has determined that these... Continue Reading »
AUGUSTA, ME – The Social Security Administration (SSA) today released a final rule that incorporates several proposals from U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) that will better support people in Maine living with disabilities. In Maine today, an applicant for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits has to wait 13 months on average from the time they request an appeals hearing at the Portland SSA hearing office to the date that it takes place. The proposals from Senator King... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families has awarded Promise Early Education Center in Lewiston $1,227,569 to support early childhood education. “Early childhood education provides the essential building blocks for a healthy life,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Promise Early Education Center works day in and day out... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the President has signed the Northern Border Security Review Act, a bipartisan bill to assess and strengthen American security at the Northern Border, into law. Both Senators Collins and King are cosponsors of the legislation, which will help to make sure that Maine communities remain strong and safe. “It’s absolutely critical that we have a secure Northern Border, and the comprehensive review... Continue Reading »
SPRINGVALE, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) attended the annual Sanford Vet Center Holiday Luncheon in Springvale where he expressed his gratitude to veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice for the nation. The luncheon was jointly sponsored by the Sanford Vet Center and American Legion T.W. Cole Post 19, and serves hundreds of veterans and their families. “Our veterans have served and sacrificed to preserve the gift of freedom that we as... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution designating Saturday, December 17, 2016 as “Wreaths Across America Day.” “Once again, the United States Senate has recognized the wonderful message of gratitude and respect that Wreaths Across America extends to our country’s veterans,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “For twenty-five years, this Maine-led... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the Senate early this morning unanimously passed an amendment he authored that would exempt urchins exported from the United States from mandatory inspections by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials, providing important relief for an industry that employs approximately 650 people in Maine. “This is an important step forward in protecting the livelihoods of hundreds of hardworking people in Maine,” Senator... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate early this morning passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, legislation that invests in America’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and authorizes 31 critical Army Corps projects, including the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River Navigation Project. “Maine’s waters are a crucial... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement tonight after voting in favor of a Continuing Resolution to fund the government: “While I am pleased this bill finally includes long-overdue and desperately-needed funding to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic, the sad fact remains that passing one short-term bill after another is no way to govern,” Senator King said.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Bath Iron Works has been awarded a $10,965,890 order against an existing Navy basic ordering agreement related to the testing and evaluation of the USS Rafael Peralta. More specifically, the award will support planning, management, engineering services, and emergent availability and repairs. “This announcement is welcome news for the hardworking and highly-skilled men and women at Bath... Continue Reading »
