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Press Releases

Press Releases

Citing Acadia’s Massive Visitor Numbers, King Stresses Urgency of Maintenance Backlog in National Parks

June 18, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Ranking Member of the Senate National Parks Subcommittee, continued his bipartisan effort to address the $12 billion maintenance backlog affecting America’s national parks across the United States. Senator King highlighted the Restore Our Parks Act, a bipartisan bill he is leading with Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to address the deferred maintenance backlog. Senator King also emphasized... Continue Reading »


On Senate Floor, King Marks Senator Collins’ 7,000th Consecutive Vote

June 18, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke on the Senate floor to mark the 7,000th consecutive vote cast by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) – doing so with a nod to Maine’s illustrious history of dedicated senators, by presenting Senator Collins with a rose, the flower which was regularly sported by her predecessor, Senator Margaret Chase Smith. Collins holds the longest active perfect voting record in the U.S. Senate, having never missed a vote since taking office.“I... Continue Reading »


Collins, King Announce $1.25 Million to Revitalize Maine’s Forest Economy from Northern Border Regional Commission

June 17, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) will award $1,250,000 in grants to the University of Maine and the Town of East Millinocket. Both projects will strengthen Maine’s forest economy and create jobs in rural Maine by increasing production of advanced bio-based products and support the purchasing of a former mill site.“This substantial investment in Maine’s forest economy will help those... Continue Reading »


King, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Break Down Barriers to Building Americans’ Credit

June 17, 2019

BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues to introduce the Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2019, which would open new opportunities for more than 26 million Americans who are currently unable to access credit because they do not have a history of traditional loan payments, such as student loans, mortgages, and car loans. The legislation will allow telecom companies and utility providers to report payments to credit bureaus, allowing these... Continue Reading »


Collins, King Announce Nearly $2 Million for Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Programs

June 14, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,925,328 to Maine’s state-level Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will fund efforts to improve diabetes, heart disease and stroke prevention programs throughout Maine.“It’s crucial that all Mainers have access to programs and services that can prevent chronic... Continue Reading »


King Celebrates Flag Day at Carrie Ricker School in Litchfield

June 14, 2019

LITCHFIELD, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) attended the ninth annual RSU4 Flag Day Ceremony at Carrie Ricker School in Litchfield. The Senator joined K-5 students and faculty, area veterans, and Litchfield and Sabattus community members in honoring the flag, remembering fallen servicemembers, and celebrating the perseverance, bravery, and determination of all who work to keep the nation safe.“Years ago – after hearing our national anthem sung thousands of times at civic events or... Continue Reading »


King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Autonomy of Hong Kong

June 13, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, today joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues to introduce the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, legislation that would reaffirm U.S. commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Today’s legislation comes at a time when these freedoms and Hong Kong’s autonomy are under assault by the Chinese government and... Continue Reading »


King, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Aimed At Reducing Nation’s Carbon Footprint Through Renewable Marine Energy

June 13, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, joined three of his Senate colleagues to reintroduce legislation to increase domestic production of low-carbon, renewable energy from the natural power in ocean waves, tides and currents. The Marine Energy Research and Development Act reauthorizes marine renewable energy programs at the Department of Energy (DOE). Those programs include the national marine renewable... Continue Reading »


King Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Support of Hong Kong Protestors

June 13, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) in releasing the following statement of support for the millions of citizens protesting the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong:“The extradition law... Continue Reading »


King, Kaine, Isakson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Public Health Data Systems

June 12, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) introduced the Saving Lives Through Better Data Act to invest in public health data infrastructure. The bipartisan bill aims to improve the nation’s public health data systems to ensure high quality, timely, and accurate information sharing in order to protect the public from health threats including viruses, prescription drug abuse, and other potentially preventable health problems.“I’m a... Continue Reading »


King, Young, Cantwell Lead Bipartisan Push To Create Affordable Housing Task Force

June 12, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) led a bipartisan group of 13 senators to introduce the Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis Act, which aims to better understand and respond to America’s housing affordability crisis by creating a bipartisan housing task force. The task force would evaluate and quantify the impact of housing costs on other government programs, and provide recommendations to Congress on how... Continue Reading »


To Mark Pride Month, Senator King and Colleagues Introduce Bill Banning Gay & Trans ‘Panic’ Defense

June 11, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his support for the Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act – which prohibits defendants from using gay or trans panic defenses in trials.   “Gay panic” and “trans panic” defenses seek to excuse or mitigate crimes such as murder and assault by arguing that the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity provoked the defendant’s violent reaction, essentially blaming victims for the violence committed against... Continue Reading »


Senate Passes Resolution Recognizing Senior Corps Volunteers Serving 50 Million Hours in 2018

June 10, 2019

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, and Angus King (I-ME) announced that the Senate unanimously passed a resolution to recognize the 220,000 Senior Corps volunteers who collectively provided 50 million hours of community service in 2018.  This resolution was cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 21 Senators, including Senators Collins and King.“Throughout the country, thousands of seniors — including more than 2,000 volunteers in... Continue Reading »


King Backs Bill Urging Administration Meet Climate Standards Set by Paris Accord

June 10, 2019

BRUNSWICK, ME –Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced his support of the International Climate Accountability Act. The legislation, introduced at the two year anniversary of the Trump Administration withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, directs the United States to meet the standards established by the 2015 agreement and to mitigate the long-term damage caused by withdrawal from the international agreement.... Continue Reading »


Maine Delegation Urges Aid for Members of Lobster Industry Affected by Trade War

June 7, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) sent a letter this morning urging President Donald Trump to provide relief to members of the lobster industry affected by the ongoing trade war with China – much as American farmers received government support to mitigate negative economic consequences. The letter emphasizes the importance of the Chinese market to Maine’s lobster industry and... Continue Reading »


In Normandy, Collins and King Honor WWII Veterans and Commemorate 75th Anniversary of D-Day

June 6, 2019

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, took part in the official, bipartisan Senate delegation to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion by Allied forces during World War II. On that day, the Allied Forces launched the largest land, air, and sea invasion in history, marking the beginning of the end of World War II. The 75th anniversary ceremony honors... Continue Reading »


Senators Collins, King Announce $200,000 in Energy Efficiency Innovation Grant to Ocean Renewable Power Company

June 5, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus and a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) awarded a $200,000 grant to Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), a marine renewable energy company headquartered in Portland, Maine. The Phase I grant, awarded through the EERE’s Small Business... Continue Reading »


Collins, King Announce $6 Million in EPA Brownfields Grants to Clean Up and Redevelop Contaminated Industrial Sites in Maine

June 5, 2019

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced today that a total of $6 million in federal brownfields funding has been awarded for the assessment and cleanup of 14 sites in Maine, more funding than any other state in the country this year.  The federal grants awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will assist local communities as they work to redevelop these contaminated sites in order to improve the environment and promote future... Continue Reading »


King, Rounds Push to Relieve Regulations on Interstate Commerce for Local Meat and Poultry Producers

June 5, 2019

WASHINGTON D.C.—U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced the New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act. The bipartisan bill would allow meat and poultry products inspected by state Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs to be sold across state lines. Currently, there are 27 states – including Maine – with inspection programs certified by the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) that meet or exceed federal inspection standards.... Continue Reading »


King Bill Fighting Mosquito-Borne Diseases Passes House, Heads to White House for Signature

June 5, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health (SMASH) Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator King that will help give states and localities the tools they need to fight back against mosquitos and the viruses they spread. The bill was included within the larger Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPA) (S. 1379), and will now... Continue Reading »