WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) hailed the confirmation of Senator John F. Kerry (D-Massachusetts) to become the next U.S. Secretary of State, thereby succeeding current Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton. Senator King said: “I was honored today to cast my vote in support of Senator Kerry’s nomination and congratulate him on his confirmation by the Senate to become our next Secretary of State. John was one of the first Senators I met... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I–Maine), a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, met with Chief Counterterrorism Advisor John O. Brennan, who is President Barack Obama’s nominee for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Senator King was the first Member of Congress that Mr. Brennan visited before his confirmation hearings next week. Following their half-hour meeting, Senator King released the following... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, in a video message to Mainers, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) recapped the historic events of last night, when the U.S. Senate voted in a bipartisan manner to modify the filibuster rules to ease the legislative gridlock that has plagued the institution in recent years. Senator King specifically spoke to the historic significance of the rule change, noting, “I think a lot of the commentators that have talked about the compromise that was... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in his first roll call votes, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) supported a filibuster rule reform package agreed to by Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The package limits filibusters on motions to bring legislation to the floor for consideration, expedites the nomination process for judgeships and executive branch candidates, and makes it easier for bills to enter conference between the House and Senate. “The... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) announced that he has agreed to cosponsor S.47, a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which was introduced yesterday by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). The bill strengthens existing programs that support victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. “Throughout its history, the Violence Against Women Act has played a vital role in assisting countless... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) met with Gary Allen of Great Cranberry Island, who arrived in the nation’s capital on January 21st after having run seven hundred miles through ten states to raise money for charities. Averaging forty-seven miles per day, the veteran runner braved the winter elements and crushing fatigue to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, the American Cancer Society, and the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) joined Senators Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) in supporting a proposal to reform the Senate’s filibuster rule. The measure, Senate Resolution 4 (S. Res 4), is comprised of the following four components: 1. Eliminating the Filibuster on Motions to Proceed 2. Instituting a “Talking... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, met with former Senator Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Defense. Following their forty-five minute meeting, Senator King released the following statement: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak with Senator Hagel this morning and appreciate him taking the time to meet with me. We had an open and positive... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a recent letter, U.S. Senator Angus S. King (I-Maine) strongly urged United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk to maintain current trade protections that are critical to the economic viability of New Balance in Maine. Senator King specifically asked Ambassador Kirk to forego any discussion during the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations of ending rubber and plastic footwear tariffs because of the potentially catastrophic result it could have for New Balance... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) congratulated Jackson Beck of South Portland and Thomas Poblador of Berwick on being selected as Maine’s delegates to the 51st Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) in Washington, D.C. Jackson and Thomas will join 102 other students from across the nation in spending a week in the nation’s Capital to observe the federal government in action. “I’m pleased to congratulate Jackson and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) released the following statement regarding the President’s package of proposals to reduce gun violence: “I am pleased the President and Vice President have outlined comprehensive proposals to address our nation’s gun violence epidemic that include expanded background checks, magazine capacity, and improvements in mental health services and resources. I believe many of the proposals are reasonable,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) announced he will be holding “Capitol Coffee with Angus” on Wednesday, January 23, 2012 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM in Room 562 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The breakfast event, which Senator King plans to hold every Wednesday when the Senate is in session, will offer the opportunity for visiting constituents to meet and speak with the Senator. “I invite all visiting Mainers to join me and my staff... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) announced the hiring of Paula Armstrong to serve as Maine State Scheduler. Armstrong, of Scarborough, formerly served as Director for Verizon Business Sales Call Centers in California, Washington, and Oregon, as well as the Assistant to the Vice President for Verizon Call Centers across the nation. Armstrong has also served on the Saco City Council and worked for Senator William D. Hathaway. “I am pleased... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) announced the hiring of Chad Metzler to serve as Legislative Director and Kathryn Shorr to serve as Director of Scheduling in his Washington, D.C. office. Chad Metzler joins Senator King’s office with seventeen years of Senate experience, most recently serving as Legislative Director for Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) and as Staff Director of the Senate Special Committee on Aging in 2012. Metzler has also worked in a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) today announced the creation of his social media platforms, which include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and an official Senate website. Senator King said: “I am committed to maintaining open avenues of communication with my constituents in Maine in order to best serve their interests. To that end, social media is an invaluable tool in connecting me with people from across the state – hearing their concerns and opinions... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) today released the following statement on the President’s nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel to become Secretary of Defense and White House Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Adviser John Brennan to become Director of the Central Intelligence Agency: "I believe it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this point on the merits of either nomination, especially since I will be sitting on the two committees... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) applauded the President’s reactivation of William Kayatta’s nomination to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. The President originally nominated Kayatta in January 2012, but despite garnering the support of the Senate Judiciary Committee, his nomination did not proceed to a vote by the full Senate. “I am pleased to learn that President Obama has renominated Bill Kayatta for a seat on the 1st Circuit Court of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. today announced the opening of six state offices across the State of Maine. Located in Biddeford, Presque Isle, Auburn, Portland, Augusta, and Bangor, the current offices have been inherited from Senator Olympia Snowe and will serve to directly meet the needs of constituents. “The state offices are a crucial facet of our operations, enabling me to best serve the interests of the people of Maine,” said Senator King.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Independent Maine Senator Angus S. King Jr. has been officially sworn into office at a ceremony in the Senate chamber. Vice President Joseph R. Biden administered the oath of office this afternoon. King replaces retiring Republican Senator Olympia J. Snowe who served in the Senate for eighteen years. Entering the Senate, King’s legislative priorities include campaign finance disclosure, deficit reduction, filibuster reform, and... Continue Reading »
