PORTLAND, ME – During an Earth Day panel discussion at the University of Southern Maine (USM) today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) heralded the signing of Paris Climate Agreement as a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to curb global climate change. The agreement, which was reached in December 2015 and signed today by the United States and approximately 170 nations, is an historic global climate pact that establishes an action plan to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest a total of $7,148,000 to help East Millinocket upgrade and improve its waste water treatment facility. The federal assistance, which comes in the form of $3,500,000 grant and a $3,648,000 loan, is provided through USDA’s Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Representatives for Senator Collins and Senator King... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King welcomed the announcement that five community organizations in rural Maine will benefit from a total of $206,400 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Downeast Salmon Federation, Eastport Arts Center, Aroostook Dental Clinic, and Unity Barn Raisers will all receive grants to further their work in Maine communities. “Community organizations across Maine... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the Senate has unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution he cosponsored that supports 4-H and its recently-launched “Grow True Leaders” campaign. The resolution, which was led by Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and cosponsored by a total of 35 senators, recognizes the immeasurable benefits of the national 4-H program for young people and its potential growth under the new... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced bipartisan legislation today that would require the Department of Defense to provide initial entry service members with American-made athletic shoes upon arrival at basic training. This bill is part of a years-long effort focused on ensuring that our troops are equipped and outfitted with the high-quality uniform items made in the United States. It also supports domestic manufacturing... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a pre-recorded video message played yesterday at the Maine Emergency Management Agency’s (MEMA) Eighth Annual Maine Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference at the Augusta Civic Center, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) highlighted the importance of a coordinated and comprehensive strategy to protect Maine people and businesses from the threat of cyber-attacks. In his remarks, Senator King also commended the first-responders and industry professionals in... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will award the Portland Fire Department $31,910 through the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program. “Our firefighters and first responders risk their lives every day to help protect our communities and keep us safe,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This grant will help ensure that firefighters at the Portland Fire... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate today passed The Energy Policy Modernization Act, a bipartisan energy bill with several provisions authored by Senator King that would support Maine’s renewable energy resources, such as biomass and hydropower, and that would empower greater personal energy independence. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King helped craft the legislation earlier this year,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate today passed legislation that reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The legislation, which passed with strong bipartisan support, authorizes funding for all FAA programs, including FAA operations, research and development, aviation programs, extension of expiring authorities, airport planning and improvement and noise compatibility and programs. Importantly, the legislation also includes... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today called on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make it easier for Maine’s elderly and rural citizens to file their taxes. In a letter to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen today, Senator King expressed his concern that the IRS’s effort to reduce printing costs by decreasing the availability of paper tax forms and instructions at local IRS offices and libraries, along with its closure of Taxpayer Assistance Centers like the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that $922,876 will be distributed from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) directly to Maine to support conservation and recreation projects in our local communities. The funds, which are generated out of a portion of the lease revenue from offshore oil and gas development, support state-identified and community-supported projects that create jobs, contribute to local economies, and grow outdoor... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin sent a letter today to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Robert Califf, M.D., urging the FDA to outline a plan ensuring that all states wishing to export shellfish to the 28-member European Union (EU) are able to do so as the shellfish trade between the U.S. and the EU resumes. Currently, only two states are being audited by the EU to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5,840,041 to support research at Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor. “Jackson Laboratory has consistently been a leader in the field of biomedical research and has made significant breakthroughs in developmental genetics.” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This funding will help ensure that Jackson Lab has the... Continue Reading »
NORTHPORT, ME – In remarks delivered at the 19th Annual Maine Pain Symposium in Northport today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) praised Maine’s palliative and hospice care professionals for their work to provide exceptional end-of-life and pain management care services and pledged to continue to work alongside them as they strive to also fight the opioid epidemic hammering the state. To that end, Senator King announced his support for The Palliative Care and Hospice Education... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In statements submitted to the Congressional Record this week, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King recognized the 100th Convention of the National Association of Superintendents of the U.S. Naval Shore Establishments (NAS NSE) and thanked its members, including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, for their continued work to support the effectiveness of America’s naval shipyards. “The NAS NSE chapter at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is committed to ensuring the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin today announced that the U.S. Department of State is working to address their concerns about an effort by Sweden to ban imports of live lobster into the entire 28-member European Union. In a letter responding to the Maine Congressional delegation, State Department Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Julia Frifield wrote that the State Department is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Moved by the story of a Maine family, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate a tax penalty levied on families whose student loans are forgiven after the death or permanent disability of their child. While the federal government forgives certain federal student loans in the case of the death or disability of the borrower, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) still levies an... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today applauded the inclusion of a two-year extension of the Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) Program in the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) spending bill. Senator King and Senator Susan Collins had introduced legislation in March to allow the ARCH program to continue operating through 2021. “The inclusion of this provision is very encouraging news for veterans in Aroostook... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will grant up to $13 million for a purchase of up to 30 million pounds of Maine wild blueberries after the Delegation requested the measure earlier this year. Bonus buys help protect American farmers from unexpected market conditions by purchasing surplus goods and distributing them to food banks and other... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) to introduce the States Achieve Medicaid Expansion (SAME) Act of 2016. The legislation would ensure that states that choose to expand eligibility for Medicaid after 2014 are eligible for the same level of federal matching funds as states that expanded earlier under the terms of the Affordable Care Act. The decision to expand Medicaid ultimately rests with each State. “States that... Continue Reading »
