Madam President, I rise to share some good news from my home State of Maine. It is the story of veterans helping veterans--of three people from Maine who have positively impacted the lives of thousands of veterans in my State and have done so in a unique way. They make personalized wooden canes with a bold and intricate bald eagle head carved into the handle for any Maine veteran who wants one. I have some pictures that show a large number of the canes and a closeup. As I noted when one of these... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins announced today that they, along with a bipartisan group of their colleagues, have reintroduced legislation that would allow local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete on a level playing field with out-of-state sellers. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 would give states the option to require out-of-state businesses, such as those selling online or through catalogs, to collect sales and use taxes already owed under State law... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), today reintroduced the Regulatory Improvement Act, legislation that would create a Regulatory Improvement Commission to review outdated regulations with the goal of modifying, consolidating, or repealing regulations in order to reduce compliance costs, encourage growth and innovation, and improve competitiveness. “This Commission is a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded a total of $5,510,057 in grant funding to support operations at health care centers across the state. “In a rural state like Maine, access to local, high-quality healthcare can often be a challenge,” Senator King said. “That’s why funding like this is vitally important. By supporting the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) urged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to reverse course on a directive that could detrimentally impact Maine businesses. OSHA recently issued guidance that tightens restrictions on the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), which would retroactively disqualify Maine businesses that are currently participating in the program. “I ask the Department to seriously... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today with top Navy officials, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) expressed concern regarding the impact that sequestration would have on the country’s shipbuilding industrial base, including Bath Iron Works, and the result that would have on the quality and size of the Navy’s fleet in the future. “It strikes me that one of the issues that isn’t really talked about…is the industrial base. You... 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, underscored the importance of allowing the current negotiations between the United States and its P5+1 partners and Iran to proceed unencumbered by partisanship and to judge any potential deal on its merits: “The grave issue that faces this country and the entire world is the possibility of a regime such as that in... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In advance of the President’s announcement today that he will take executive action to improve the student loan repayment process, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-author of legislation to simplify borrower repayment options, released the following statement: “The complicated maze of loan repayment programs is confusing to students and their families, and can often result in students falling behind on their payments – or, in the worst case... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) – a program that offers critical support to workers who lose their jobs to foreign trade – scheduled to expire this coming September, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his support today for legislation that would not only extend, but also expand the vital program. Introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and cosponsored by Senator King, the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act would reauthorize the program... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today renewed his support for the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, legislation that strives to curb youth homelessness in Maine and across the country. “It’s nearly impossible to think about your future when you’re just trying to figure out if you can find a safe place to sleep,” Senator King said. “That’s not right, and it’s just one of the many stark challenges that... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) continued to underscore the growing importance of the Arctic to Maine and the United States, and emphasized the need for increased U.S. leadership in the region. “As the climate changes and the Arctic continues to open, the strategic significance of the region will only grow more important, both for Maine and for the rest of United States,” Senator King said... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today announced they are forming the United States Senate Arctic Caucus in order to spotlight this region and open up a wider conversation about the nation’s future in the region as America prepares to accede to the Chair of the Arctic Council. “As the climate changes and Arctic continues to open, the strategic significance of the region will only grow more important,” said Senator King, a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced its support for the Regulatory Improvement Act, legislation authored by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) that would create a Regulatory Improvement Commission to review outdated regulations with the goal of modifying, consolidating, or repealing regulations in order to reduce compliance costs, encourage growth and innovation, and improve competitiveness. “American businesses expend a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement today after voting to sustain the President’s veto of legislation directly approving the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline: “When it comes to the future of this country’s energy policy, the Keystone XL pipeline is looking in the wrong direction,” Senator King said. “We should support policies that will... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H) released the following statements today in response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) order last night approving Spectra Energy’s Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project. In late January, the senators urged FERC to quickly reach a decision regarding the project, which will expand natural gas pipeline capacity across the region and lower energy prices for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before a joint meeting of Congress, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement: “Prime Minister Netanyahu made a strong statement to Congress – one that demonstrated our overarching strength as strategic partners despite occasional disagreements. The United States and Israel share the same goal: preventing Iran from attaining a nuclear weapons capability. “I... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, announced his support for The Bipartisan Sportsmen Act of 2015, legislation that includes a broad array of bipartisan measures to enhance opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, reauthorize key conservation programs, improve access to public lands, and help boost the outdoor recreation economy. “Outdoor recreation is a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the recommendation of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Patrick Arnold, the Director of Operations and Business Development for the Maine Port Authority, will testify before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee during a hearing on the Arctic this coming Thursday. Senator King, a member of the committee, recommended Mr. Arnold to Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) who has the authority to call witnesses for hearings. “Climate change is quickly... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that NeighborWorks America, a public nonprofit organization established by Congress, has awarded grants to five organizations in Maine totaling $1,113,925. The funding will support efforts to revitalize and sustain Maine communities, provide affordable housing, and create and maintain local jobs. “For many low-income people in Maine, having the ability to obtain affordable housing often makes the difference... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) renewed his call for Congress to pass legislation that fully funds the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the rest of the Fiscal Year: “More than anything, last Friday’s close-call should really be a wake-up call: Congress needs to stop playing games with the DHS budget and put an end to these manufactured crises that only hurt our country and sow further distrust in this institution,” Senator King... Continue Reading »
