WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Representatives Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) have introduced bipartisan, bicameral paid leave legislation. The bill, the Strong Families Act, would encourage employers to offer Americans up to 12 weeks of paid family or medical leave. “Updating our country’s family leave policies will not only help strengthen families, but will also strengthen our economy,” said Senator... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) this week joined with a bipartisan group of his colleagues to write a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions voicing concern over the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) civil forfeiture policy. Specifically, the letter responds to recent remarks from the Attorney General announcing plans to expand and increase forfeitures. “The Fifth Amendment protects Americans... 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) yesterday joined the Congressional Host Committee of College to Congress. College to Congress is a bipartisan, non-profit organization that provides high-achieving college students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to intern for members of Congress on Capitol Hill. The organization offers need-based scholarships to cover the cost of living in Washington, D.C., while working in internships that are traditionally... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement on health care reform: “During the course of the past year, we met with thousands of people across our state to discuss ways to improve our health care system. “We held forums with consumers, health care providers, and employers; hosted large and small group meetings; met with rural nursing home and hospital executives; and consulted with insurance regulators, actuaries, and other... 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. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that last night the Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating September 25, 2017, as “National Lobster Day.” The Maine Senators led the “National Lobster Day” resolution, which was introduced on July 19 to recognize the economic and cultural importance of the species. “Maine’s lobster fishery has defined coastal communities for centuries and continues to be an... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined a group of his colleagues in a letter to President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Chairman of the Finance Committee, to outline key priorities for tax reform and offer bipartisan solutions that support working people in Maine and across the country. “Comprehensive, bipartisan tax reform is long overdue, and call me an optimist, but I think the time... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $303,037 to the Maine Public Utilities Commission. The grant, which is funded through THUD, was awarded by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with Portland City officials, business owners, and affordable housing advocates to unveil the renovation of the Loring House Apartments, a 104-unit affordable housing property in Portland, and the former Portland City Hospital. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Senator King delivered remarks highlighting the importance of affordable housing for Maine communities. Senator King has worked in Washington to help seniors in Maine age... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works a $11,392,918 contract modification. The funding will be used to exercise options for Arleigh Burke-class destroyers lead yard services. “The announcement is welcome news for the highly skilled men and women at Bath Iron Works,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This funding allows BIW to continue to provide its engineering... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King announced today that the Brunswick Executive Airport will receive $2,014,200 support improvements for Hanger 5. The funding will be awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Military Airport Program (MAP). “The redevelopment of Brunswick Naval Air Station has been a catalyst for new economic activity and job... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the July edition of his podcast, Inside Maine. In the July edition, Senator King interviews Julie Richard, Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission, and Louise Rosen, Director of L/A Arts, a local arts agency that helps support and promote the arts in the Lewiston/Auburn region. Senator King and his guests discuss the art culture in Maine, the impact of the art community on the Maine economy and summer art events... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – At a press conference at the Portland International Jetport today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) discussed the early morning vote in the U.S. Senate on a proposal that would have rolled back many parts of the Affordable Care Act. During the conference, he praised Senator Collins for her courage to cast the first Republican vote against the bill and outlined his support for ten bills that seek to improve the stability of the health care market and lower the costs of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, announced today that he successfully secured several provisions in the Committee’s markup of the Fiscal Year 2018 Intelligence Authorization Act. The amendments are a continuation of Senator King’s efforts to increase security for the nation’s energy grid, protect government agencies and U.S. businesses from cyber-attacks, and increase transparency and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues to introduce a resolution honoring the Sailors and Marines aboard the USS Forrestal, an aircraft carrier stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. On July 29, 1967, an inadvertent rocket sparked a fire that the servicemembers on board – including now- U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) – fought for 18 hours. The fire claimed the lives of 134 servicemembers and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that longtime spokesman Scott Ogden will step down from his post tomorrow to pursue a new opportunity in Maine. Ogden has served as Press Secretary and later as Deputy Communications Director to Senator King since January 3, 2013. “Scott has been a valued member of my team, a trusted advisor, and an outstanding spokesman for more than four years. He... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded $445,041 to Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay. The award will help fund a project titled, “Microbial Activity in the Crustal Deep Biosphere.” “The health of our oceans is essential not only to Maine’s fishing industry, but to the entire global ecosystem,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) issued the following statement in response to Senate’s vote on the motion to proceed on the House-passed American Health Care Act: “Today, the Senate has moved forward to consider misguided legislation, any version of which will hurt millions of people across the country and tens of thousands of hardworking people across Maine,” Senator King said.... 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 »
