WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the global responsibility to act on climate change, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, took to the Senate floor today to renew his call for the United States to lead in the effort to protect and preserve our environment for future generations. In his remarks, King cited the moral imperative of acting on climate change. "Some of the reaction has been that the Pope... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) introduced the Digital Learning Equity Act of 2015, major legislation that would support innovative ways to improve student access to the Internet and other digital learning resources outside of the classroom. “Every student deserves a fair shot at success, but too many students in this country aren’t getting that shot because when the school day ends so, too, does their access to the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In advance of World Refugee Day this coming Saturday, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today spoke on the Senate floor about the work done by Tree Street Youth to provide young people in the Lewiston-Auburn area with the tools, support, and confidence they need to succeed. The efforts, which benefit young members of Maine’s refugee population, help bring together students from all different backgrounds. “Tree Street Youth has proven to be a tremendous... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) led a group of six senators on a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agency to enact policies in 2016 that encourage expanded wireless broadband deployment in underserved and unserved areas of the country, increase quality and service, and improve cost competition in rural and urban areas alike. “The upcoming incentive auction can advance robust competition by... Continue Reading »
Mr. President, today I come to the Senate floor with some good news from my home State of Maine. World Refugee Day is this Saturday, and I would like to highlight an organization that sprung up spontaneously in one of our Maine cities that is really making a difference in the lives of young people, particularly young refugees from Somalia, Sudan, and other African countries, helping them to expand their own horizons. As the roots of our refugee and immigrant population continue to grow stronger... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that they have received confirmation from the U.S. Navy that it has moved all sailors out of junior enlisted barracks 191 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Today’s announcement comes after Senator Ayotte toured the barracks last month, met with sailors living there, and saw that the conditions were unfit for service... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statements today after voting in favor of an amendment, which they both cosponsored, to the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act that would prohibit the use of torture in U.S. government interrogations: “As a nation, we set out to be different, to break with a past where cruelty was routine, humanity was disposable,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today wrote to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, urging the IRS to reject a proposal currently under consideration that would close the Lewiston Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). In the letter, Senators Collins and King highlighted that “taxpayer service nationwide suffered severely in the 2014 tax filing season,” noting, “in the recently released 2014 Annual Report to Congress, National Taxpayer Advocate... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today welcomed Lucy Jakub of Blue Hill to Washington, D.C. where she will serve as a Library of Congress Junior Fellow, working in the Library’s Conservation Division. Both Senators Collins and King met with Lucy, a student at Columbia University in New York, and congratulated her on her fellowship. “Lucy is an impressive young woman who will serve as a wonderful representative for the state of Maine at the Library... Continue Reading »
BANGOR, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with people from the greater-Bangor area today to pay special tribute to Maine's Vietnam veterans. The event, the Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran Thank You Celebration, which was sponsored by the Maine Troop Greeters and held at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, provided the local community with the opportunity to honor and thank Vietnam-era veterans. Senator King delivered remarks at the event,... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a founding member and co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, released the following statement today after the U.S. State Department selected Portland to host a meeting of the Arctic Council in 2016: “This is outstanding news for Portland and for the entire state,” Senator King said. “Maine will now play a central role in the important Arctic Council conversations about how a changing environment in the High North can... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Congressman Bruce Poliquin, today announced that they have sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urging the agency to reconsider its denial of disaster assistance for Washington County in the wake of a January snowstorm that brought record snowfall in a short period of time. FEMA has previously approved such assistance for Cumberland, York, Androscoggin, and Sagadahoc counties. “Washington... Continue Reading »
FARMINGTON, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) to celebrate the social service agency’s 50th anniversary. Senator King delivered a keynote address, and in his remarks, thanked the staff, both past and current, for their half century of unwavering commitment to supporting the health and happiness of communities in western Maine. Senator King also recognized WMCA Director Fen Fowler, who is retiring after 40 years at the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement today after voting to advance cyber-security legislation: “I am disappointed that the Senate lost an opportunity to advance cyber-security legislation less than a week after one of the most significant cyber-breaches in our nation’s history. While I would have preferred that we move the cyber legislation forward separate of the National Defense... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today introduced legislation to restore trade with Cuba. The Cuba Trade Act of 2015 would grant the private sector the freedom to export U.S. goods and services to Cuba while protecting U.S. taxpayers from any risk or exposure associated with such trade. “For far too long, the Cuban people and American businesses have suffered at the hands of an antiquated trade embargo,” Senator King said.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) sent letters to the heads of two separate Senate Subcommittees urging them to help stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from conducting unnecessary inspections on Maine’s sea cucumber and sea urchin processors. “I am deeply troubled by the Service’s recent decision to inspect and collect related fees on the import and export of certain seafood – including sea urchins and sea cucumbers,” Senator... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today continued his fight to reform the flawed federal contracting process that resulted in Acadia Corp. losing its bid for a renewed concessions contract at Acadia National Park to an out-of-state contractor. Until last year, Acadia Corp. – a small, local concession provider – had, for more than eighty years, helped feed the millions of people who visited Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor every year. During an Energy and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has awarded The University of New England $33,859 in grant funding. The money will be used to support the school’s nurse anesthetist program. “The education and training opportunities offered by the University of New England provide students in the medical field with access to top-tier instructors and facilities,” said Senators Collins... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released a new letter to the Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government calling for the Senate to drop the budget gimmick in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act that relies on funding from an emergency war account to exceed the budget caps established by the Budget Control Act, and instead, lift... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King welcomed a group of 43 middle school students from Woolwich Central School to the Capitol. Collins and King met with the students in the atrium of the Hart Senate Office Building. “It was a pleasure to welcome these impressive Woolwich students to Washington today,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “The future of our state depends on an engaged and informed generation of young people,... Continue Reading »
