BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) professionals, and leaders from across the state to honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans who were inducted into the military 50 years ago in 1968. Former President Barack Obama started a 13-year commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War that runs from May 2012 to November 2025. ... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in the U.S. Capitol today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of congressional leaders from the Senate and House to honor the men and woman who served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The OSS was an intelligence agency formed during World War II and is the predecessor to the CIA. “I’m especially honored to be here... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) visited Tilson Technology Management, Inc., a veteran-owned national network deployment and technology professional services company based in Portland, to discuss Tilson’s Veteran and Guard/Reserve (VGR) Support Program and the importance of broadband infrastructure. “Our nation’s veterans made immense sacrifices to protect our nation, and deserve our gratitude, our respect, and our support,” said Senator King.... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined local veterans and veteran advocates at American Legion Post 153 in Auburn to discuss the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announcement, made last week, that it will fund three new positions in Maine to better serve the needs of justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health, or substance abuse issues. The funding will support a Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialist, a Health Care for... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Senator King (I-Maine) this week wrote to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin urging him to protect homeless veterans and ensure veteran homeless programs are fully funded. The letter follows reports that the VA planned to reallocate funding previously appropriated for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive housing (HUD-VASH) veteran housing voucher program to the VA’s General Purpose... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin today applauded the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announcement that it will fund three new positions in Maine to better serve the needs of justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health, or substance abuse issues. The funding will support a Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialist, a Health Care for Re-entry Veterans (HCRV)... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced his support for the Gold Star Families Support and Installation Act. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would increase support for Gold Star families by creating a standardized policy so the families can more easily access military facilities and certain military benefits. “Gold Star families have... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Saturday, December 16, 2017 as “Wreaths Across America Day.” On December 16th, a convoy of volunteers is scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery to lay Maine-made balsam wreaths at the grave sites of American veterans interred there. “In its twenty-six year history, Wreaths Across America has become an enduring symbol of valor and... Continue Reading »
NORWAY, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today released the November edition of his Inside Maine podcast. In this edition, Senator King speaks with Carmine Pecorelli, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, about time in the military and how he’s continued his lifetime of service as a volunteer advocate for veterans. Senator King then speaks to Deo Lauria, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and the outgoing District Service Officer for the American Legion at... Continue Reading »
CARIBOU, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined Maine veterans and members of the community for a service at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Ceremony in Caribou to honor the men and women who have served in defense of the United States. Senator King provided keynote remarks and participated in the wreath laying ceremony at the cemetery. "Maine has a long and storied history of military service. During the Civil War,... Continue Reading »
INDIAN ISLAND, ME – In advance of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today presented Charles Norman Shay with a flag flown over the United States Capitol. Mr. Shay is a Penobscot Tribal Elder and a veteran of World War II who served as a medic during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Prior to presenting the flag to Mr. Shay, Senator King participated in the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Maine Troop Greeters Museum at Bangor International Airport. The museum celebrates... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced support for two pieces of legislation that would protect veterans credit ratings and educational opportunities respectively. The Protecting Veterans Credit Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), would protect the credit ratings of veterans wrongly penalized by medical bill payment delays by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Military and Veterans... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor about the budget resolution and tax cut framework currently before the Senate. During his remarks, Senator King highlighted the impact the budget resolution and tax framework will have on working people, seniors, and future generations of Americans. “If we pass unfunded tax cuts, they aren’t really tax cuts, they are simply a deferral of the tax... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced his support for the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation that would strengthen the Veterans Justice Program to support veterans involved in the criminal justice system. The bill, introduced by Senators Jeff Flake (R-AZ), John McCain (R-AZ) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), would require the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to hire at least 50 Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists, place each... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King announced today that the State of Maine will receive up to $2,705,671.57 for a renovation and expansion project currently underway at the Maine Veterans’ Home facility in Bangor. The funding was awarded through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) State Home Construction Grant... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King applauded the passage of the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 they cosponsored that provides $2.1 billion in emergency funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund the Veterans Choice Program for an additional six months. The program helps veterans across Maine and the nation receive health care within their communities and allows veterans in Northern Maine to continue to utilize community care as... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today applauded the unanimous Senate passage of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, legislation he cosponsored that would overhaul the Department of Veteran Affairs’ (VA) appeals process. The process has not been updated since 1933, and more than 450,000 appeals are currently pending. Because of redundancies and inefficiencies in the current process, most veterans wait years for a decision on their... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced his support for the Jobs for Our Heroes Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation that would exempt qualified active-duty military members and reservists from certain requirements to obtain a state commercial driver’s license (CDL) if they have the proper military experience. “Our nation’s military members and reservists develop considerable leadership, knowledge and skills while serving our country, and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced his support for legislation that would provide emergency funding to the Veterans Choice Program. The program, which helps veterans across Maine and the nation receive health within their communities, is facing an unexpected funding shortfall and, according to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, is likely to run out of money in early August. The Veterans Access to Care Act of 2017, introduced by Senator Jon Tester... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — Bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) that will help reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been signed into law. The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act will allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to dismiss bad employees and ensure appropriate due process protections for whistleblowers. “Our nation's veterans deserve access to the high-quality... Continue Reading »
