WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have announced the award of $388,466 to the Penobscot Indian Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseets. The grant was awarded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Indian Housing Block Grant Program. The Penobscot Nation will receive $249,462, and the Houlton Band of Maliseets will receive $139,004. “These important investments in Maine’s tribal communities will help support... Continue Reading »
LISBON FALLS, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) celebrated the official opening of Blue Ox Malthouse, a 7,500 square foot facility in Lisbon Falls established by owner Joel Alex which will nearly double Maine and New England craft brewers’ access to locally sourced and produced malts. As a strong supporter of Maine’s craft brewing industry, Senator King welcomed the new facility and underscored how it will help strengthen local economies and communities. “With... Continue Reading »
AUGUSTA, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) presented Army veteran Joseph G. Hoerth of Westport Island with several medals he earned for his service during World War II but never received. During a ceremony held at his office in Augusta, Senator King presented Mr. Hoerth with the Bronze Star Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, and Combat Infantry Badge. “These medals are a testament to Joe’s extraordinary service to our nation, as he and millions of other brave... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on behalf of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine requesting a bonus buy of Maine wild blueberries. Bonus buys help protect American farmers from unexpected market conditions by purchasing surplus goods and distributing them to food banks and other charitable institutions.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the University of Maine will receive a grant award of $11,902 for food research from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This investment, provided through the USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), will support a project titled, “Investigating Diversity as a Climate Resilience Strategy for Potato and Grain Systems Using DSSAT and Collaborative Modeling.”... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded $395,890 to the University of Maine at Augusta. The funding is provided through the agency’s Strengthening Institutions Program and aims to support low-income students, advance academic quality, and promote the fiscal stability of the University of Maine at Augusta. ... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously passed the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016, a major piece of legislation that reauthorizes childhood nutrition programs and includes important provisions from two other bills that he introduced last year with Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.). The included provisions from the Healthy School Meals Flexibility Act, which... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, released the following statement today after opposing a procedural motion to advance legislation that would effectively end the refugee resettlement program from Syria and Iraq. Senator King voted in opposition to the bill after the failure to reach agreement on an amendment process. “Rather than take a vote that may look good in some thirty second TV ad, we owe it... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that key parts of legislation he introduced last year with Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) will be included in a new, major Senate bill to reauthorize childhood nutrition programs. The provisions, which are part of the Healthy School Meals Flexibility Act, aim to improve nutrition standards and benefit students while easing some regulatory mandates on whole grains and sodium to alleviate the unintended challenges facing... Continue Reading »
LEWISTON, ME – In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement: “Through his leadership and his example, Martin Luther King, Jr. imbued in this country lessons of hope, equality, and unity that we as a nation continue to learn from today. And though we have made great strides towards his dream of a more just America, there is still progress to be made. That’s why those of us who share Dr. King’s dream have a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement today in reaction to an announcement by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran has taken all of the steps necessary under Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – known as the Iran Nuclear Agreement – to trigger Implementation Day: “Today is a pivotal moment in the history of this agreement.... Continue Reading »
YORK, ME – During a press conference at York Hospital today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) called on Congress to immediately pass an emergency funding bill that would help combat the opioid and heroin epidemic that is plaguing communities across Maine and New Hampshire. The legislation, introduced by Senator Shaheen and cosponsored by Senator King, would provide a total of $600 million in supplemental appropriations to programs at the U.S. Department of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address: “Tonight, I heard the President offer a powerful vision for the future of our country – one born out of optimism and driven by the strength, spirit, and resiliency of the American people. I also heard him call for a better politics, for civility, and for a reasoned debate that rises to meet the seriousness of the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted against a procedural motion to advance legislation that would compromise the independence of the Federal Reserve. After the vote, he released the following statement: “This bill has nothing to do with auditing the Federal Reserve; in fact, the Fed is already subject to an extensive financial auditing process. The bill is really about inserting Congress into the Fed’s monetary policy deliberations under the guise... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King congratulated Julia Blackwell of Woolwich and Lexie Jamieson of Scarborough for being selected as Maine’s delegates to the 54th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Julia and Lexie will join 102 other students from across the country in spending a week in the nation’s capital where they will have an opportunity to study the American political process first-hand. “I have the honor and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that retired Major General Earl Adams of Pittston will attend the State of the Union tomorrow as his guest. General Adams served as Adjutant General and Commissioner of the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management from 1995-2001 under then-Governor King. “Earl was one of my closest advisors as Governor and remains one of my closest friends today,” Senator King said. “His leadership... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted for an omnibus appropriations bill that will fund the government through September 2016, extend tax policies that support American families and businesses, and contains a host of other provisions important to Maine. Though Senator King had concerns about how the costs of the tax deal will add to the national debt, he was not willing to vote to shut down the government or sacrifice the numerous provisions that will benefit... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with his colleagues Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) to express concern about the cost of the tax extenders package set to come before the Senate tomorrow. Despite his support for many of the tax policies in the legislation, such as permanent enhancements to tax credits for working families and investment incentives for businesses, Senator King worries that the $680 billion package negotiated by Congressional... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) wrote a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to increase funding in the 2017 Fiscal Year budget to address the prescription drug and heroin epidemic in Maine and across the country. In the letter, Senator King underscored his call for a comprehensive approach to combat drug addiction and support the communities dealing with this public health and safety crisis. “As you are well aware, addiction to opioids, such as... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and small rural businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. “REAP funding will make it possible to rehabilitate housing,... Continue Reading »
