WASHIGNTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted $300,000 in federal funding for the Dexter Regional Airport in Dexter, Maine. “Maine’s airports serve as critical links between our communities and help to propel economic development throughout our state. This crucial funding will provide Dexter Regional airport... Continue Reading »
IQALUIT, CANADA – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a founding member of the Senate Arctic Caucus, attended the 2015 Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in Iqaluit, Canada where the United States formally assumed its two-year tenure as Chair of the Arctic Council. Chairmanship of the Council presents the United States with the opportunity to demonstrate greater leadership within the region. “The Arctic is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today after voting to confirm Loretta Lynch as the next Attorney General of the United States: “With her extensive experience as a U.S. Attorney, Loretta Lynch is eminently qualified to serve as our country’s next Attorney General,” Senator King said. “I am pleased that the Senate was finally able to confirm her nomination and I welcome her as our nation’s top law... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King praised yesterday’s unanimous passage of the Steve Gleason Act of 2015, which will help support patients diagnosed with diseases like Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to live more independent lives by making speech generating devices (SGDs) more accessible. Senators Collins and King are both original cosponsors of the legislation, which is named in honor of former professional football player Steve Gleason, who was... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the announcement today that two hostages, including an American citizen, were killed by a U.S. counterterrorism operation in January, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement: “I am deeply saddened by today’s announcement and my thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of Mr. Weinstein and Mr. Lo Porto,” Senator King said. “As a member of the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Senate Climate Action Task Force, today reintroduced legislation that would encourage the research and development of renewable energy generated through waves, currents, ocean tides, and free-flowing water in lakes and rivers, known as marine and hydrokinetic power. “Our natural resources can also be our greatest assets,” Senator King said. “By... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) underscored the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in preserving lands across the country for use by future generations and called on the Senate to reauthorize and fully fund the program. “This is one of the most farsighted – in fact, visionary – statutes passed in the last one hundred years,” Senator King said. “These are... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urging the agency to consider the state of Maine’s request for disaster assistance to assist Sagadahoc County in the wake of the blizzard and flooding that occurred in late January. A disaster declaration would trigger the award of federal funds to help clean up and repair damage done by the extreme winter weather... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congressman Bruce Poliquin announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency will award the Holden Fire and Rescue Department $27,858 as part of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG). “Maine is home to many tight-knit communities that rely on our brave and selfless firefighters in times of danger,” said Senators Collins, and King, and Congressman Poliquin... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Angus King announced today that Maine has been granted more than $150,000 to address veterans’ homelessness in Portland and Augusta Maine. As part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, this funding will go towards targeted vouchers that offer permanent supportive... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter today, U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Senator Susan Collins asked the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service (NPS) to develop technology that would allow for the electronic purchase of National Park passes and urged them to create a pilot program to test the technology at Maine’s Acadia National Park. “Today, it is possible to buy almost anything on a smart phone;... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During his opening statement at the first meeting of the Budget Conference Committee today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) urged his colleagues to pursue a more balanced approach to the nation’s budget that relieves sequestration and continues important investments in national security, education, and infrastructure: “We cannot continue to just ignore this problem…so the question is how do we deal with it,” Senator King said. “There are... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award three Economic Development District Planning grants to Maine organizations totaling $210,000. The Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, and Northern Maine Development Corporation each will receive $70,000 to help create an economic development planning framework, process, and strategy to support... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King applauded Brunswick-based startup Bitzy Baby and its owners, Whitney and Seabren Reeves, for being named one of fifteen finalists in a national competition held by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for entrepreneurs that develop products and services in order to enhance the lives of women and their families. “Maine startups and small businesses are constantly innovating and helping to propel our economy... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter yesterday, Senators Susan Collins, Angus King and Congressman Bruce Poliquin urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to consider Maine’s request to add Washington County to the disaster declared last month in Cumberland, York and Androscoggin counties. A disaster declaration would trigger the award of federal funds to help clean up and repair damage done by the extreme winter weather earlier this year. In the letter, Senators... Continue Reading »
NEWCASTLE, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), along with Head of School David Sturdevant and others, formally opened the school’s Cable-Burns Applied Technology and Engineering Center and a Residence Hall today during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. During the event, Senator King spoke about the importance of cultivating hands-on, 21st century approaches to learning that will prepare students for success in today’s global economy. “The Cable-Burns Center and new Residence... Continue Reading »
NEWCASTLE, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King announced today that he and a group of bipartisan colleagues have reintroduced the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act. This legislation would remove burdensome restrictions from individuals looking to invest in startups, allowing those startups to get the capital needed to grow their business and create jobs. “Through startups, our entrepreneurs and innovators push the envelope and build on bold ideas, helping propel our economy... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a push by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee today unanimously passed an education bill that includes a pilot program he and other lawmakers, including Senator Susan Collins, advocated for granting states greater flexibility related to federal testing requirements. “This education bill is a victory for teachers and school leaders across America who want nothing more than the federal government... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he will serve on the Conference Committee tasked with finalizing the Fiscal Year 2016 Congressional Budget. Senator King was appointed to the position along with the rest of the Senate Budget Committee. The Conference Committee, which consists of 30 Senate and House lawmakers, will reconcile the differences between the two budgets passed by both chambers earlier this year to create the final Congressional... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement today after voting in favor of the motion to proceed to a conference on the budget with the U.S. House of Representatives: “While I do not support the Senate budget, I do support making this institution work,” Senator King said. “If there’s a silver-lining, it’s that the Senate budget includes an amendment I cosponsored that paves the... Continue Reading »
