WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement today in response to the release of the Recommendations and Report of the Task Force on US Drone Policy by the Stimson Center: “As the nature of warfare constantly evolves and as the U.S. develops new technologies to defend our country and its global security interests, we must be vigilant in ensuring the increased use of these technologies,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered a keynote address this morning at the 2014 Henry Bacon Breakfast Seminar in Washington, D.C. where he spoke about the impact of global climate change on the Arctic environment and the resulting implications for U.S. security, economic, and diplomatic interests. “What we are seeing in our generation – before our very eyes – is the revealing of a new and an... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Department of Labor (DOL) will award a total of $4,850,000 in Job-Driven National Emergency Grant funds to be used in Maine. The funding will help provide job training to workers in high-demand industries who, through no fault of their own, lost their job. “For too many unemployed individuals in Maine, the struggle to find a new job is all too real,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today applauded the Senate’s passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The bill modernizes and improves existing federal workforce development programs, helps workers learn skills for 21st century jobs, and fosters the modern workforce. “There’s no denying that government workforce, job training, and education programs can be a real help to people looking for work. But when there are 47 different... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee today approved the nomination of Dr. William “Bro” Adams to be the next Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Dr. Adams’s nomination now awaits a vote by the full Senate. “Dr. Adams is a proven leader whose engagement and direction have enriched the State of Maine,” Senator Collins said. “A Vietnam... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Newcastle Fire Department will receive a federal grant in the amount of $49,400 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). Specifically, the funding will come through the Vehicle Acquisition Program and will be used to help purchase a brush truck to aid in grass/woods fires. “These federal firefighter grants are a critical resource for so many small Maine fire departments, including... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Department of Labor (DOL) will award $1,493,763 in federal funds to be used in Maine for in-person assessments of Unemployment Insurance (UI) beneficiaries. These assessments, which are conducted at American Job Centers across the state, help UI recipients develop an individual re-employment plan and provide for a complete review of their UI eligibility. “These re-employment and eligibility... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today in response to the release of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) new report, Governing in a Polarized America: A Bipartisan Blueprint to Strengthen our Democracy, which provides several recommendations to improve the political process. “I welcome today’s report from the Bipartisan Policy Center and applaud leaders like Senator Snowe who have committed themselves to offering... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), along with members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, today introduced the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act (DISCLOSE) Act of 2014. The bill would shine a light on so-called “dark money” by requiring organizations that spend money to influence elections to disclose their spending as well as their major sources of funding in a timely manner. “The perfect storm of recent Supreme Court... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and U.S. Senator Angus King today announced that two Maine airports have been awarded federal grants, totaling $450,000, from the Federal Aviation Administration to be used for general improvements and safety enhancements. “In a rural state like Maine, small airports play a critical role in supporting commerce and local businesses. This funding will help... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) are sharing with the public a discussion draft that would reform federal student loan repayment programs. Graduates today face a maze of federal student loan repayment programs from which to choose that often leave students confused about which programs best fits their needs. Furthermore, through years of ad hoc changes and expansions outside of Congressional authorization, little has been done to... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – As part of his ongoing effort to keep the people of Maine informed of his work in Washington, U.S. Senator Angus King recapped this week’s events in the nation’s capital. In his weekly address, Senator King discussed: The frustrating procedural issues that have stalled appropriations legislation on the Senate floor. His meetings with impressive young people from around Maine – including Connor Hoehle from Yarmouth, Kendra Sprague from Lewiston, and middle... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that local homeless assistance programs in Maine will receive federal grants totaling $1,248,116 from the Continuum of Care Program. These funds will be used to support permanent and transitional housing renewal projects in the state. The Continuum of Care Program is administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Support organizations across the state work tirelessly to address the needs... 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 in response to the President’s announcement that the White House is sending U.S. military advisers to Iraq to help the government in Baghdad counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL): “I support the President’s decision to provide limited U.S. military support to help the Iraqi government counter... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Maine Military Authority (MMA) has officially entered into a contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) to overhaul 32 aging, dual mode (electric/diesel) articulated (DMA) buses. This $19 million contract will help sustain and grow jobs at the Limestone facility. In addition to supporting MMA's efforts with MBTA, Senators Collins and King wrote to the Administrator of the Federal... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that it will not proceed with the appeals period for preliminary flood maps covering York and Cumberland Counties until an independent, third party called a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) reviews competing methodology that towns in Maine have offered as providing more accurate flood maps. The SRP is reviewing methodology after FEMA received a data submission for Plymouth County, Massachusetts that utilized... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced the constituent outreach hours for the second two weeks in June. Constituent outreach hours are part of Senator King’s “Your Government, Your Neighborhood” initiative and offer an opportunity for area residents to meet directly with a staff representative to discuss specific problems, legislative issues, or any concerns regarding federal government agencies. No appointment is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, today attended the “Our Ocean” Conference hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department. The conference, which focuses on sustainable fishing, marine pollution and ocean acidification, is bringing together more than 350 participants from across 80 nations – including government officials, scientists and leading international institutions – to... Continue Reading »
BANGOR, ME – As part of his ongoing effort to keep the people of Maine informed of his work in Washington, U.S. Senator Angus King delivered an address about this week’s events in the nation’s capital. In his weekly address, Senator King discussed: The legislation passed on Wednesday to support Veterans and deal with mismanagement at the VA. The bill was negotiated by Senators John McCain and Bernie Sanders. His efforts with Republican Senator Richard Burr to improve and... Continue Reading »
York River a Good Candidate for King’s Wild and Scenic Study Bill, National Park Service Says BANGOR, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) welcomed a preliminary report released by the National Park Service that found the York River is a good candidate for a Wild and Scenic River Study. Such a study could designate the York River as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River, which could foster federal investments to protect the economic and environmental value of the... Continue Reading »
