WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC), today suggested to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough a number of simple fixes that could smooth the process for servicemembers transitioning to veteran status. In a hearing of the SVAC committee, Senator King pressed the Secretary about feedback he heard on the transition process at his recent Brunswick Foreign Legion conversation. During the exchange,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Congressman Jared Golden, have introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to fast-track reimbursements from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to Maine Veterans’ Homes (MVH). In 2021, Congress passed legislation authorizing the VA to cover the costs of in-home care for veterans with dementia provided by state veteran homes, but the VA has still not begun processing the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus King has introduced legislation to secure America’s southern border from the unlawful entry of asylum seekers and illegal drugs. While not a substitute for comprehensive immigration reform, the Border Management, Security, and Assistance Act provides immediate assistance to border personnel with additional resources and technology. The bill also provides critical support to nongovernment organizations that receive asylum seekers and includes... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, have joined a bipartisan group of their Senate colleagues to introduce legislation that would reform and modernize the United States’ classification system. The Sensible Classification Act of 2023 would increase accountability and oversight of the classification system, limit overclassification, and direct federal agencies to justify security clearance... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has introduced legislation to promote electric school buses. The BIDIRECTIONAL Act would create a Department of Energy (DOE) program dedicated to deploying electric school buses with “bidirectional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) flow capability,” or the ability to use the bus batteries to power the electrical grid when the buses are not in use. Electric school buses... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree announced that Portland Ship Yard has been awarded $739,202 through the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant Program. This funding will allow the shipyard to purchase a 60-ton vessel trailer and install a new indoor ventilation system. The project is part of the shipyard’s modernization efforts to improve safety and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), Co-Chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), are urging President Joe Biden to nominate a new National Cyber Director (NCD). In a letter to the President, King and Gallagher lay out the importance of the National Cyber Director role and stress that the current vacancy endangers America’s national security. The Co-Chairs strongly recommend Acting NCD Kemba Walden... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Angus King today continued his vocal advocacy for the need to reform America’s energy permitting process, to fulfill the promise of last year’s historic renewable energy legislation. In a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, King questioned Jason Grumet, the CEO of American Clean Power Association, about the need for permitting reform that would expedite advance mining and other crucial energy projects... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC) and Senate Armed Services Committees (SASC), Senator Susan Collins, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden are working to improve reimbursements for Maine community care providers treating veterans with mental health conditions. In a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough, the Maine Delegation encourages the VA to adopt specific billing codes and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Chairman of the Senate National Parks Subcommittee, today led a Subcommittee hearing with National Park Service (NPS) Director Charles Sams to discuss a range of challenges and opportunities facing America’s iconic public recreation areas. During the hearing, Chairman King pressed Director Sams on properly funding maintenance efforts, maintaining a sufficient NPS workforce, and managing growing park visitation. Chairman King... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and John Thune (R-S.D.) have introduced a resolution to address China’s exploitation of international trade rules and create a more level global economic playing field. The resolution calls on the World Trade Organization (WTO) to reform its special and differential treatment rules so competitive countries, such as the People’s Republic of China, are not able to self-designate as a ‘developing country’ in order... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King is leading a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers with Senator Susan Collins and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden calling on the Biden Administration to expand markets for Maine blueberries and reduce barriers facing farmers who export the fruit. In a letter written by Senator King with Congressmen Larsen (D-WA) and Valadao (R-CA) and co-signed by the entire Maine Delegation, the lawmakers urge U.S. Trade Representative... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, today asked top energy officials if enough is being done to protect American utilities from hackers and other bad actors. In a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, King pressed Willie Phillips, Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Allison Clements, the Commissioner of FERC, to ensure there are proper safeguards and prevention... Continue Reading »
Watch or download Senator King’s questioning HERE WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee today on “Worldwide Threats,” U.S. Senator Angus King stressed to administration officials that more action and funding is needed to address the opioid epidemic that’s causing 300 American deaths a day. During his questioning of witnesses, King asked Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines why the Administration has not dedicated more... Continue Reading »
Watch or download Senator King’s questioning HERE WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King today emphasized the importance of new technologies and regulatory reform to the clean energy future. In a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, King questioned Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Willie Phillips on his view of grid enhancing technologies (GETs) and interconnection reforms. King began by emphasizing role that GETs—which allow a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – ICYMI, U.S. Senators Angus King’s (I-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today published an op-ed on FoxNews.com pushing for their bipartisan bill that would require the Supreme Court to create its own code of conduct. The Senators write: “The American people want to know that there is a guidebook for occupying a seat on our nation’s highest court. The Supreme Court Code of Conduct Act will ensure that, and help rebuild the credibility gap that we have... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King is cosponsoring legislation to address the rise in threats targeting election workers. The Election Worker Protection Act would provide states with the resources to recruit, train, and protect election workers, while also instituting federal safeguards to shield election workers from intimidation and threats. The bill includes provisions that were developed with input from election officials across the nation –... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Jared Golden announced this week that the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), awarded $461,500 to improve three airports in Maine’s Second District. “Whether passengers are Mainers returning from a trip, visitors coming to experience Maine, or servicemembers coming home, airports are important gateways to our state and the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC) and Senate Armed Services Committees (SASC), are urging the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough to improve connections to local resources for servicemembers transitioning to civilian life. In a letter, King and Cramer highlight the need for a “warm hand-off” where retiring service members are connected with local networks during the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King today continued his vocal advocacy for the need to reform America’s energy permitting process, to fulfill the promise of last year’s historic renewable energy legislation. In a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, King questioned Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on her support for permitting reform measures and why they are necessary for achieving a clean energy future. King began by emphasizing the... Continue Reading »
