WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded $1.1 million to the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta. The funds will be used to support expansion and improvement efforts at the cemetery grounds and allow for continued burial services for veterans and their families. “We are pleased to see these funds awarded to the State," Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “These... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of his ongoing effort to keep people at home informed of his work in Washington, U.S. Senator Angus King sat down to discuss this week’s event in the nation’s capital. In his weekly address Senator King discussed: The confirmation of Janet Yellen to be the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. The decision to advance legislation that would extend emergency unemployment insurance benefits to the long-term unemployed. Passage of the Veterinary... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King yesterday video-conferenced with students from Oxford Hills Middle School and Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School as part of his ongoing “Capitol Class with Angus” series. The students asked questions about local agriculture, how the Senator’s prior work experiences have prepared him for his current position, special education funding, and what it is like to be a political Independent. “It was a pleasure to connect with... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate last night unanimously passed the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act authored by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). The bipartisan legislation will allow veterinarians to legally carry and dispense controlled substances to protect the health and welfare of the nation’s animals, ensure public safety, and safeguard the nation’s food supply. “I am very pleased the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act passed the Senate,”... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today joined a bipartisan push to end the inherent conflict of interest in the credit rating industry that played a key role in the 2008 financial crisis and continues to jeopardize the economic security of Mainers. In a new letter from Senator King and a bipartisan group of his colleagues, the senators pressed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman to bring real reform to the credit rating agencies – such as... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) released the following statement today after voting to proceed to consideration of emergency unemployment insurance legislation: “Emergency unemployment benefits are a critical safety-net for those who have lost their job through no fault of their own and who are continuing to struggle to find work outside of the standard 26-week benefit timeframe, which is why I am pleased the Senate advanced the measure today. “I do, however,... Continue Reading »
After one year in office, Senator King has distinguished himself as a thoughtful, pragmatic, and nonpartisan leader for Maine in the United States Senate, focused on building broad, bipartisan coalitions to break through the gridlock and accomplish the work of the country. A comprehensive analysis of bills sponsored and cosponsored by Senator King has earned him the label of “centrist Independent” from a leading government transparency organization, GovTrack.us, which places him... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine last Friday published a profile of U.S. Senator Angus King (Class of ’66) entitled “Man In The Middle” in which author Matthew Mosk captures King’s role in resolving the student loan crises, his thoughts on the October government shutdown, and his broader efforts at tackling partisanship in the U.S. Senate. In addition to Senator King, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Hoeven (R-ND), and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have introduced legislation that would help Maine veterans with claims made to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contending they have suffered from health problems as a result of being exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange during military training at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown. For years, veterans who trained at Gagetown have attempted to gain recognition from the VA that their health problems stem from... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, last Tuesday Roll Call columnist David Hawkings penned an article outlining the major accomplishments and shortcomings of the 113th Congress. In his piece, “Lackluster Final Score for Congress This Year: 8 to 22, Hawkings names this summer’s student loan compromise as one of the top eight “most important things the 113th Congress did.” The agreement to revamp the student loan system was brokered in large part by Senator King... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today released this statement following the announcement by Time Warner Cable that it is reversing its decision and will continue to carry New England Cable News (NECN) in Maine. “Our offices heard from many constituents around Maine who were upset that they would lose access to the New England coverage that NECN provides. We are pleased that Time Warner and NECN worked together to reach an agreement that is good for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), the Senate last night passed the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 84-15. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator King helped author the legislation which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and national security programs under the Department of Energy. In addition to provisions that support members of the military and their families, provide for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Angus King (I-ME), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following joint statement after Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that some individuals who had their health plans cancelled will be automatically eligible for a hardship exemption that allows them to purchase a catastrophic plan on the health insurance marketplace. The Senators raised the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of his ongoing effort to keep people at home apprised of his work in the nation’s capital, U.S. Senator Angus King took a few minutes to share this week’s accomplishments in the Senate. In his weekly address Senator King discussed: Passage of the 2013 Bipartisan Budget Act which sets a spending limit for the current fiscal year, provides partial relief from the sequester, maintains important deficit reductions, and provides the American people... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has certified Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for workers at Flotation Technologies in Biddeford. As a result, workers who will become totally or partially separated from employment are eligible for the TAA benefits which include reemployment services and training, as well as job search allowances. “It is certainly devastating for dedicated and hard-working... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the nomination of Judge Jon D. Levy, of Portland, to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. Levy, who currently serves on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, was nominated for the position by President Obama in mid-September. You can watch Senators Collins’ and King’s remarks below. “I am pleased to join my colleague Senator... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the joint House-Senate Budget Conference Committee, released the following statement today after supporting the passage of a two-year budget agreement. “The passage of the budget agreement marks a major step forward for the country, for the economy, and for Congress as a whole. While I do not support every provision and would have preferred to see a larger and more comprehensive agreement like the one I offered in November, I... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced his support for legislation authored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) that would safeguard military retirees from changes in cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in the bipartisan budget agreement the Senate is expected to pass today. The Military Retirement Restoration Act would replace the estimated $6 billion in expected savings from military retiree cost... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a letter sent today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King urged Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez to approve a Petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the 200 workers at Lincoln Paper and Tissue, LLC, who have been displaced as a result of a significant drop in demand due to competition with foreign countries. “TAA assistance is critical to helping workers who have been subjected to layoffs obtain the training and resources they need to pursue... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his ongoing effort to keep constituents back home up to date with his work in the Senate, U.S. Senator Angus King took a few minutes to discuss this week’s events in Washington. In his recap, Senator King discussed the budget deal that was announced Tuesday evening by Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Paul Ryan. The deal continues the significant deficit reduction of the past three years and provides a much-needed sense of certainty for the economy. On... Continue Reading »
