ORONO, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with members of the Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT) and Maine’s forest products industry for a roundtable discussion focused on the top challenges facing the industry and opportunities to strengthen the forest economy in Maine. Following the roundtable, Senator King released the following statement: “I applaud the forest products industry... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Bruce Poliquin announced today that the petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the Cascades Auburn Fiber Mill has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. “It is our hope that this announcement brings relief to the many hard-working men and women at the Auburn mill who, through no fault of their own, lost their jobs as a result of increased foreign competition,” said Senators... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a five-year grant to Jackson Laboratory that is expected to total $11,714,623 to create a new Center for Systems Neurogenetics of Addiction. The center will study traits in mice that might predispose them to drug addiction, and use its findings to better understand and combat human addiction. “With the heroin and opioid crisis... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin joined with a bicameral, bipartisan group of their colleagues today to send a letter expressing support for continued public engagement on the draft Northeast Ocean Plan – a framework to facilitate the management of the region’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. In the letter addressed to President Barack Obama, the Maine delegation and other members of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After introducing the EMPOWER Act last month, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) is continuing his push to tackle poverty in Maine by introducing two pieces of legislation today that would help make it easier for people to find and keep jobs. Senator King today introduced the Access to Childcare Expansion (ACE) Act and the Leveling Access to Demonstrated Drivers of Employment Results (LADDER) Act. The ACE Act would make childcare more affordable and accessible for working... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins announced that the Senate last night unanimously passed a resolution designating September 25, 2016 as “National Lobster Day.” The Maine Senators led the “National Lobster Day” resolution, which was introduced on June 28, to recognize the economic and cultural importance of the lobster industry in Maine and around the country. “Up and down the Maine coast, lobstering remains an inseparable part... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he is launching a Senate Broadband Caucus. The bipartisan caucus will focus on strengthening broadband infrastructure and deployment across the country. It will also address broadband challenges facing Americans, promote bipartisan discussions about possible solutions to increase connectivity and close the digital divide in rural America, and engage with a broad range of industries and other... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined with a bipartisan group of his colleagues in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) Mobility Fund, which is aimed at providing broadband service to rural and underserved areas. Senator King, who joined twenty-seven other senators in the letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, called for the agency to prioritize new mobile broadband deployment and to preserve and upgrade... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) sent a letter today to the Social Security Administration (SSA) calling on the agency to help more people with disabilities return to the workforce by simplifying the work incentives in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. In his letter, Senator King calls on the agency to launch demonstration projects, that include Maine SSDI beneficiaries, in order to help policymakers best support Americans with disabilities who... 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. 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. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Bruce Poliquin announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved much-needed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for displaced employees at Madison Paper. Last month, Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez in support of the TAA petition. “This announcement is welcome news for the more than 200... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent today to the Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) expressed his concerns about the Department of Labor’s proposed rule to update the overtime threshold at which an individual is considered salaried and exempt from overtime pay. Though agreeing that hardworking employees ought to receive overtime, and that the current threshold is outdated, Senator King cited his concern that the proposed rule would adversely affect... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) delivered the lunchtime keynote address at the New England Craft Brew Summit at the University of Southern Maine in Portland where he applauded Maine’s craft brewing industry for its positive impact in supporting and strengthening the state’s local economies and communities. “The creative minds in Maine’s craft brewing industry continue to build on what is an already thriving part of our local economy,”... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make available $290,000 in grant funding for business development projects in Maine’s rural communities through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Entities that are eligible to apply for these grants include public bodies, nonprofit corporations, and Native American tribes, who can utilize these funds for the benefit of private, small... Continue Reading »
MILLINOCKET, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker has informed him that she has instructed a team from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to begin leading the Commerce Department’s efforts to assist rural communities in Maine, like Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway, and Lincoln, as they work to recover from the economic downturn resulting from the closure of several area... Continue Reading »
MILLINOCKET, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and officials with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration met with local leaders in the Katahdin region to discuss economic development opportunities within the forest products industry. Senator King and the officials, including the Regional Director for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), also toured several businesses in the area, including PK Floats in Lincoln, Scotts Co.... Continue Reading »
BRIDGTON, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Senate Climate Action Task Force, joined with representatives from Maine conservation and outdoor recreation groups for a forum at the Lakes Environmental Associate Science Center in Bridgton to highlight the impact of climate change on ice fishing in Maine. At the event titled “Fishing on Thin Ice,” Senator King emphasized the proud tradition of outdoor... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement today in response to the announcement that Madison Paper Industries mill in Madison will close by the end of May: “This is devastating news for Madison’s dedicated employees and their families as well as for the Town of Madison and the entire state of Maine. We stand ready to assist any and all affected workers in whatever ways we can,” Senators Collins and King said in a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King called on the U.S. Department of Commerce to take immediate action to bolster Maine’s forest-based economy in the wake of several mill closures that have left communities in rural Maine in the midst of an economic crisis. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, Senators Collins and King urged the Commerce Department to establish and lead an integrated, multi-agency Economic Development Assessment Team... Continue Reading »
