WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement this evening after voting to advance the USA Freedom Act: “With vital counterterrorism tools set to expire this evening, I will not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. While I continue to have some concerns about the USA Freedom Act, I believe the bill includes important reforms that better protect Americans’ privacy and reauthorizes key... Continue Reading »
WESTBROOK, ME – As the Environmental Protection Agency continues to implement its Clean Power plan without any definitive guidance for the treatment of biomass, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today visited Sappi North America in Westbrook, a biomass-utilizing pulp and paper producer that employs more than 300 people, to highlight legislation he recently introduced that would protect the renewable energy resource and the thousands of jobs it supports across Maine. “The... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that a total of $2,350,000 in federal funding has been awarded for the assessment and cleanup of Brownfield sites in Maine. The federal grants awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will assist local communities as they work to redevelop these contaminated sites in order to promote environmental integrity and future economic investment. “For years, the Brownfields Program has helped... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King announced today that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award the Maine Department of Transportation $992,687 in funding to support the construction of the Interstate 95 Trafton Road Interchange in Waterville. This funding will also support the realignment of an adjacent roadway to provide unobstructed access to... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced today that he and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have introduced the Energy Storage Promotion and Deployment Act, legislation that would establish an energy storage portfolio standard for electric utility companies. A utility may meet the standard with any combination of technologies and ownership, including storage located at homes or businesses. The bill would set... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will award the Bar Harbor, Danforth and Jefferson Fire Departments $345,912 as part of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG). “As Maine experiences brush fires across the state, we must make certain that our brave firefighters have the protective equipment they... Continue Reading »
CUMBERLAND, ME – At the new campus of what will soon be one of the most energy efficient schools in the country, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today highlighted how his legislation – the Free Market Energy Act of 2015 – will support people across Maine and the nation as they strive to achieve energy independence. “People across the country should have the right to make their own energy choices without having to jump through hoops or face the possibility of being... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in honor of Memorial Day to recognize those who have given their lives in service to our nation. Senator King today also marched in the annual Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade, delivering remarks at two observance ceremonies along the route and helping lay a wreath at another on the Frank J. Woods Bridge that connects the two towns. “Throughout our history, Americans have joined together to... Continue Reading »
LEWISTON, ME – At Veterans Inc. today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) renewed his commitment to ending veteran homelessness and working to support veterans of recent conflicts as they transition back into civilian life. Senator King, who last year supported a major overhaul of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, today toured Veterans Inc.’s new facility in Lewiston, which provides housing and support services to homeless veterans, where he talked with staff and held a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after the Senate early this morning passed a short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund: “By not fixing this problem once and for all, we’re shifting debt onto future generations who are going to have to reach into their pockets to fix what we refused to. And what’s more, we’re holding our country back. We’re stifling job creation, hampering economic growth, and putting... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the United States Senate considers the future of expiring amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement supporting a compromise to reform the government’s bulk call detail records program while ensuring the Intelligence Community has access to the tools it needs to fight terrorism: “Over the last two years, I have studied... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after voting against legislation that would grant Trade Promotion Authority to the President: “I can’t justify supporting a process that, in effect, would approve a major trade deal that has substantial stakes for Maine when we haven't even seen it,” Senator King said. “And I have serious concerns that the Trans Pacific Partnership will put Maine companies – and their workers... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Access to Community Care for Veterans Act of 2015, legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, passed the United States Senate today by unanimous consent. This legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand eligibility of the Choice Program to cover veterans who reside more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility that offers the specific care they need. The bill must now be considered... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has selected the University of Maine to receive $250,000 in funding for The Mentoring and Advanced Preparation for Maine’s Early Intervention Scholars (MAPME) program. This program will help Maine’s increase the number of highly qualified personnel prepared to meet the needs of young children and their families, particularly those with a high need. “Early... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King wrote to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senators James Inhofe (R-OK) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), to request that the transportation reauthorization bill include investment in innovative technologies that will address “our rapidly aging transportation infrastructure.” In their letter, the Senators underscored that “in 2013, 11 percent, or 66,405, of our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that he has signed onto legislation that would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to convene a panel of citizens to recommend a woman whose likeness would be featured on a new twenty dollar bill. Senator King released the following statement: “From Maine’s own Margaret Chase Smith to Frances Perkins, Eleanor Roosevelt, Harriet Tubman and many, many others, the United States has a long and proud history of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today in response to an announcement by the University of Southern Maine (USM) that Glenn Cummings will serve as the institution’s next President: “Glenn is the right person at the right time to lead the University of Southern Maine,” Senator King said. “From the Maine legislature, to the U.S. Department of Education, to the University of Maine at Augusta, Glenn has demonstrated an... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that three Federally Qualified Health Centers in Aroostook County – Fish River Rural Health, Katahdin Valley Health Center, and Pines Health Services – will share a $100,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. This federal funding will support the centers’ collaborative efforts to deliver joint services and lower healthcare costs in Northern Maine. “Rural health centers across... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today sent a letter to the Co-Chairs of the Broadband Opportunity Council – Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – urging them to coordinate with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to analyze how various programs are promoting broadband deployment and adoption in rural America. The resulting report, due no later than August 20th, 2015, would examine the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) underscored the importance of streamlining the overly-burdensome permitting process for hydroelectric dams, which is holding back states like Maine from taking greater advantage of hydropower. “Any permitting program that takes seven to ten years and costs $50 to $100 million isn’t a permitting program. It’s an annuity for lawyers and... Continue Reading »
