WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King issued the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy added only 113,000 jobs in January while the unemployment rate fell to 6.6 percent: “When taken together, the December and January jobs reports represent the two weakest consecutive months of job growth in almost two years, further underscoring the point that Congress should do more to help foster an environment that is ripe for job creation.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of his ongoing effort to keep the people of Maine up to date with his work in the nation’s capital, U.S. Senator Angus King sat down to discuss this week’s events in Washington. In his weekly address Senator King: Applauded passage of the 2013 Farm Bill that will direct our nation’s agriculture policy over the next five years. Expressed his disappointment over the Senate’s continued failure to advance legislation that would extend... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King voted again today to advance legislation that would renew unemployment insurance and released the following statement after the bill failed to garner the necessary 60 votes to move forward: “I have heard from hundreds of constituents who are disappointed by Congress’s inability to renew emergency unemployment insurance. Many of them are people who have lost their job through no fault of their own, who are actively searching for work,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) Vice President, Clyde Wayne Crews, Jr., and CEI regulatory studies fellow, Ryan Young, on Monday wrote an op-ed for The Hill’s Congress Blog emphasizing the role of federal regulatory reform in promoting economic growth across the country. In their article, they note how the Regulatory Improvement Act, introduced by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), will enable Congress to review and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has begun the process of evaluating domestically manufactured athletic footwear sources for possible procurement, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today. That action, known as a “Sources Sought,” is the result of language added to the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act Joint Explanatory Statement, which was included at the request of Senators Collins and King. The Defense Department... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King, the Senate today passed H.R. 2642, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, more commonly known as the Farm Bill, by a vote of 68-32. Following the vote, Senator King released the following statement: “Following extensive negotiations, I am pleased the Senate passed the 2013 Farm Bill, which defines our nation’s agricultural policy over the next five years. Agriculture is, as it always has... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The office of U.S. Senator Angus King today announced the first rotation of constituent outreach hours for the month of February. 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 necessary.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a part of his ongoing effort to keep the people of Maine informed of his work in the nation’s capital, U.S. Senator Angus King sat down to share this week’s events in Washington. In his weekly recap, Senator King discussed his impressions of Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, as well as passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act in the Senate. This bill delays the impending increases of flood insurance rates for coastal... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter yesterday, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, along with eight of their colleagues, urged Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy to reconsider proposed reductions to the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard and to protect advanced biofuel incentives that move beyond corn-based ethanol. “We are concerned that reducing the RVOs for advanced biofuels production is the wrong approach. …... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Maine will receive $5,411,630 in additional funding through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) following the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) decision to release an additional $453 million to states. “This additional funding is welcome news as Mainers continue to cope with record-setting cold and rising heating costs,” said Senator Collins, who, along... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King released the following statement today following the passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act: “The flood mapping process is usually long and very complicated, and as a consequence, can often result in inaccurate maps that improperly impact insurance holders’ premiums. It is imperative that FEMA’s flood maps accurately reflect the actual, scientific flood risk to homes and communities along Maine’s coast.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King yesterday held a video conference with over 200 students from Somerset Career & Technical Center in Skowhegan as part of his ongoing “Capitol Class with Angus” series. During their Skype, the students asked Senator King questions about this week’s State of the Union address, how he balances his time between Maine and D.C., the future of Maine’s outdoor industry, and what can be done to reduce poverty in rural... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today announced his support for the PRO Sports Act, sponsored by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), which would amend the tax code to prohibit professional sports organizations with annual revenues of more than $10 million from enjoying the same tax-exempt, 501(c)(6) status as industry trade associations and public interest groups. “Most Americans would be shocked to learn of all the tax loopholes that companies and organizations are able to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) released the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address: “The President delivered an eloquent State of the Union address tonight that I believe properly identified many of the central issues that continue to ail our nation and our economy, chief among them, a struggling middle class. “It is well-known that the middle class is, as it has been for generations, the mainstay of the U.S.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Carl M. Levin (D-MI) penned the following New York Times op-ed urging their colleagues not to seek further sanctions on Iran while negotiations proceed to ensure the country can’t develop nuclear weapons: +++ “There are only two ways to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon: negotiations or military action. “Amazingly, after 34 years of mostly diplomatic silence between Iran and the United... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former long-time Bangor resident and Bronze Star-decorated Vietnam veteran Wayne Hanson will attend President Obama’s 2014 State of the Union address on Tuesday night as the guest of U.S. Senator Angus King. Senator King first met Wayne last December during a Maine State Society and Wreaths Across America event they both attended to lay a wreath in front of the U.S. Capitol. Hanson, who grew up in Bangor and graduated from the University of Maine in 1967,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King today welcomed the release of three rail safety recommendations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that are a result of an investigation into the tragic July 6, 2013 train derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec. NTSB recommended to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that railroads expand their hazardous material route planning to increase avoidance of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King announced today that he has joined the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. The Caucus was established in 1987 to educate members of Congress about fire and emergency services and to help forge a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who would work together to improve the readiness of first responders and jointly recognize their valor and dedication. “Firefighters across Maine, many of whom are volunteers, selflessly and courageously protect our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter today, U.S. Senator Angus King urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to adopt a thorough and transparent approach to the upcoming appeal process for recently-issued flood maps in southern Maine and to openly welcome data provided by municipalities in order to establish maps that accurately reflect flood risk. “Considering the complexity of mapping flood zones along the Maine coast, the history of adjustments to flood zone maps in Region... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King last week joined Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) to introduce a bipartisan bill to jumpstart our nation’s capability to build and repair roads, bridges, highways, ports, schools, and other infrastructure projects. Without spending overstretched federal dollars, the Partnership to Build America Act will help put people back to work building projects across the country, while helping to improve U.S. competitiveness in the... Continue Reading »
