WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in reintroducing the Strengthen and Fortify Existing Bridges (SAFE Bridges) Act, legislation that would begin to address the more than 56,000 structurally deficient bridges across the country. More specifically, the legislation would establish a program to provide funding specifically dedicated to repairing and replacing bridges categorized as structurally deficient. “In Maine, bridges... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement on a recent decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that will help increase the number of homes and businesses in rural Maine that receive high-speed broadband internet: “I applaud the FCC’s decision to focus on bringing high-speed broadband access to new areas, thereby enhancing private investment and the goals of universal service in rural America,” Senator King said.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator King (I-Maine) today announced his support for the DAIRY PRIDE Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) that would protect the integrity of dairy products and require that non-dairy products not be labeled with dairy terms like milk, yogurt and cheese. “Maine dairy farmers work hard day-in and day-out to meet FDA standards and deliver high-quality dairy... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the reported chemical attack in Syria: “These atrocities were not only aimed at the innocent men, women, and children whose lives were senselessly taken today, they were leveled against all of humanity,” Senator King said. “These heinous acts of violence, these heart-wrenching images, should remind all of us – from those... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Angus King (I-Maine), joined by a bipartisan group of Senators, today launched the new Senate Working Forests Caucus. The Caucus, which has 11 inaugural members, will serve as a forum for policies that promote and preserve America’s working forests. “Most working forests – over seventy percent nationally – are privately owned by families, who have passed down their operation from generation to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced his opposition to the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court. Senator King also announced that he will oppose a procedural motion to end debate to move the nomination forward. In his statement, Senator King said that, while he approached this nomination with an open mind, attended Judge Gorsuch’s hearing, and heard from Maine people on all sides of the question, several issues ultimately convinced... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Days after President Donald Trump released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget proposal completely eliminating the $73 million National Sea Grant College Program, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and 20 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the President calling on him to reconsider his proposed elimination of this critical program. In the letter, Senator King and his colleagues highlighted the important role that Sea Grant... Continue Reading »
MEXICO, ME – Joined by logging industry officials and career and technical educators from across the state, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today offered an economic vision aimed at helping revitalize and strengthen communities in rural Maine hard hit by mill closures and job losses. In presenting his plan – “You Can Get There From Here: Growing Maine’s Rural Economy” – Senator King also announced that he is offering a proposal for legislation that would... Continue Reading »
BATH, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered remarks today at the christening of the future USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) at Bath Iron Works. The Hudner, a 510-foot long and 9,200 ton Arleigh Burke Class destroyer, is named after Medal of Honor recipient retired Navy Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr., who also attended today’s ceremony. Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on April 13, 1951 for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) have introduced the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation that makes substantive reforms aimed to help seasonal employers better navigate the H-2B temporary non-agricultural visa program. The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and John Thune (R-S.D.). The H-2B program is vital... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have joined a bipartisan group of members from the House of Representatives and the Senate in introducing the Make It In America Manufacturing Communities Act, legislation that would help revitalize the country’s manufacturing sector, stimulate rural economic development, and help support the creation of good-paying manufacturing jobs. The bipartisan Make it in America Manufacturing Communities Act would codify... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) today reintroduced the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act to provide medical professionals with a limited, but consistent level of legal protection while volunteering during federally-declared disasters. “In the wake of a disaster or crisis, it’s often doctors, nurses, and health care professionals who are among the first on the scene and who stay the longest to help people and communities... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today participated in a Senate Intelligence Committee open hearing on Russian intelligence activities and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The hearing, Disinformation: A Primer in Russian Active Measures and Influence Campaigns, provided a foundational understanding of Russian active measures and information operations campaigns, examining the history and characteristics of those campaigns and the role and capabilities of cyber... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate today voted to approve the resolution of ratification approving Montenegro’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). For the past decade, the Maine National Guard has partnered with Montenegro to advise and assist the young nation following its December 2006 declaration of independence as it transformed its military and improved its disaster preparedness and response. After... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) that aims to protect America’s electric grid from cyber-attacks. Senator King, a member of both the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, spoke in favor of the bill, which also garnered support from... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his support for the Wounded Veterans Recreation Act, legislation that would amend current law to make all veterans with a service-connected disability eligible for a free, lifetime pass allowing entry to National Parks and other recreational lands and waters held by the United States. “Those who have served and sacrificed on our behalf have already... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) today reintroduced the Community Broadband Act, legislation that would preserve and protect the rights of cities and localities to invest in local broadband infrastructure. Municipal broadband can often provide an affordable, reliable option for many rural and low-income communities that continue to face persistent barriers to high-speed internet access. In Maine, the Town of Rockport and the Cities of South... Continue Reading »
BANGOR, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives’ canceled vote on the bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act: “This bill was seriously flawed and it would have hurt tens of thousands of people across Maine, so I’m glad to see it taken off the table,” Senator King said. “Making coverage more affordable and more accessible should be our shared goal, but this bill never came close to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following an announcement that the U.S. House of Representatives has postponed its vote on a shortsighted bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement. Senator King also announced that he will join with hospital leaders and health care providers tomorrow, Friday, March 24th at 1:30 p.m. at Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan to discuss how the bill and its proposed amendments would set back... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King today introduced legislation, cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins, that would remove an antiquated deed restricting the use of land next to the Old Town Municipal Airport. The removal of the restriction would allow the city and the airport to work together to pursue economic development opportunities, attract new businesses, and help create jobs. The introduction of the legislation comes after the Old Town City Council unanimously passed a... Continue Reading »
