WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Navy plans to provide $9.8 million for Operations and Maintenance funding for a repair and modernization project at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery, Maine. Specifically, the project will include repairs to the pump well on one of PNSY’s dry docks, electrical system repairs, and repairs to the fire protection system. “The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), along with Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), has introduced bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize a critical tax provision for improving access to affordable housing and spurring private investment in developments that support small businesses and construction jobs nationwide. The Improving the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rate Act would reauthorize the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congressman Bruce Poliquin announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will award the Skowhegan Fire Department $57,300 as part of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG). “With a recent brush fire warning issued for Maine, we must make sure our firefighters are equipped with the proper protective and safety gear they need,” said Senators Collins,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today introduced The Free Market Energy Act of 2015, major legislation that will help foster individual energy independence, encourage innovation in cutting-edge energy technologies, create jobs, and bolster national security by moving America’s electricity system into the future. “Whether it’s solar panels on the roof or battery storage in the basement,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Budget Committee and Budget Conference Committee, released the following statement after the Senate approved the conference committee report by a vote of 51 to 48: “Our nation’s fiscal challenges require a serious approach to budgeting, but unfortunately, this isn’t it. This budget would only hurt Maine families and our nation’s economy,” Senator King said. “By focusing solely... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today congratulated Caitlin Peterson of Portland for receiving the 2015 Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Year Award from the American Network of Community Options and Resources. This prestigious award is given annually to an outstanding individual in each state to recognize the work of direct support professionals across our nation who support people with intellectual, developmental, and other... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the President’s nomination of General Joseph Dunford to be the next Chairman and General Paul Selva to be the next Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: “Our country, along with our allies and partners abroad, face serious threats that require serious leadership," Senator King said. “I believe General... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has amended a major disaster declaration for the state of Maine to include Sagadahoc County. Sagadahoc will now be eligible for disaster assistance to support emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities in response to the blizzard and flooding that occurred on January 26-28, 2015. Collins, King,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King congratulated Meghan Charest of Falmouth and Kevin Ayotte of Madawaska for being named the top youth volunteers in Maine for 2015 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Senators Collins and King met with the two winners to recognize and thank them for their work in their communities and their contributions to the state of Maine. “Meghan and Kevin have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to their communities,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King congratulated the Loyal Biscuit Co., a small business in Maine, on their selection as the State Small Business Award Winner of 2015. This award, a part of U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 52nd National Small Business Week (May 4-8), highlights the impact and accomplishments of American small businesses. “Innovative small businesses across our state and country are critical engines of economic growth... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter today, U.S. Senators Angus King, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Susan Collins urged the Department of Energy to ensure that proposals to export U.S. natural gas benefit the state. “If an export project attempts to pull natural gas north along the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline, then such a project may not be in the public interest unless it benefits the consumers of the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today in response to the Department of Transportation issuing tougher safety regulations governing the transport of oil and ethanol by rail: “Communities all across the country – from Maine to West Virginia to California – have experienced the destruction wreaked by the derailment of rail cars and the outdated regulations governing them,” Senator King said. “No one ought to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) announced the membership of the Former Governors Caucus for the 114th Congress. The caucus, which will be chaired by King, Shaheen, and Rounds, is a coalition of lawmakers who want to use their experience as former state executives to work together in pursuit of practical and pragmatic solutions to the nation’s problems. “Nothing can get done in the Senate without... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the urging of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Department of Energy has announced that it will revise Weatherization Assistance Program guidelines (WAP) to make it easier for people in Maine to use funding provided through the program to transition to more fuel-efficient units. In February, Senator King sent a letter urging the change. “If Mainers want to transition to more efficient heating units, they should find a partner in the federal government... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded $640,000 in federal disaster relief funding to the Maine Department of Marine Resources to help struggling fishermen in Maine. The funding, which is the second of three allocations, is part of a larger, previously announced $32.8 million in assistance. “Over the past few years, Maine’s fishermen have been hit hard by depleted... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Congressman Bruce Poliquin, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, expressing concern that the Department of Commerce’s current investigation of unfair Canadian subsidies in the supercalendered paper market is overly limited in scope and could negatively affect businesses in Maine. The trade case, which was initiated by the U.S. Coalition for Fair Paper Imports and includes Madison Paper... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In remarks delivered on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, spoke out against any effort to undercut the ongoing negotiations among the United States and its P5+1 partners to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. “I think Iran is a dangerous country in terms of exporting terrorism. We see it throughout the region. There’s only one thing worse than an Iran that is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today in response to an announcement by the National Football League (NFL) that it has voluntarily relinquished its status as a tax-exempt organization: “The NFL’s decision to end its tax-exempt status is a touchdown for the American people,” Senator King said. “It’s common-sense that the league office of a successful multi-billion dollar sports organization should not enjoy... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) pressed Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz to use his department as a “federal quarterback” to help coordinate federal and state efforts to expand natural gas pipeline throughout New England. “This is an infrastructure problem and it’s absolutely urgent for our region. We went into natural gas in a big way, as you know, starting in about the year... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the National Park Service, in partnership with the Maritime Administration, has awarded two Maine organizations nearly $250,000 in National Maritime Heritage grants for projects that teach about and preserve sites and objects related to our nation’s maritime history. The Wood Island Life Saving Station Association in Kittery will receive $200,000 to repair and preserve the Wood Island Life Saving... Continue Reading »
