WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced the Reinforcing American-Made Products Act. The bill seeks to make it easier for American manufacturers to use the “Made in USA” label without weakening the “Made in USA” standard. “Many products bearing the ‘Made in the USA’ label are manufactured by American workers in Maine and across our country. It is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced an amendment to the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would create a two-year pilot program to expedite the burdensome process that the U.S. Army must go through to dispose of buildings and structures that are no longer needed. Under current law, the Army’s unwanted buildings must be offered to organizations that provide assistance to the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In remarks on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) called on Congress to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). The Ex-Im Bank, which is set to cease operations at the end of this month unless Congress renews its charter, is the nation’s official export credit agency and a key export tool that helps companies in Maine and across the country sell their products in international markets. “We are engaged... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) considers new rules to rein in predatory practices in payday and similar types of lending, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), along with 31 of his colleagues, today expressed support for the initial steps the agency has taken and urged the agency to issue the strongest possible rules to combat the “cascade of devastating financial consequences” that these high-priced loans often have on consumers. “We... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins announced that the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is awarding the Nature Conservancy $300,000 to implement an electronic monitoring system in the New England groundfishery that will help promote sustainability and improve catch share monitoring. The project will be a collaborative effort with the local fishing industry, and will equip up to 24 regional fishing vessels with electronic monitoring... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement today after voting in favor of final passage of the USA Freedom Act: “Although I would have preferred that the Senate strengthen the bill even further by adopting provisions to give our government greater confidence that the new program will be fully effective, allowing this program to lapse for longer or expire altogether would be... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that seven Maine airports have been awarded federal grants totaling more than $2 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to be used for general improvements and safety enhancements. “Maine's large geographic area makes air travel an important transportation option that connects towns and cities across the state,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Maine's... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will invest more than three million dollars in the Head Start and Early Head Start programs at the Aroostook County Action Program. “This important investment will help the Aroostook County Action Program continue to provide comprehensive child development programs for children throughout the region,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement this evening after voting to advance the USA Freedom Act: “With vital counterterrorism tools set to expire this evening, I will not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. While I continue to have some concerns about the USA Freedom Act, I believe the bill includes important reforms that better protect Americans’ privacy and reauthorizes key... Continue Reading »
WESTBROOK, ME – As the Environmental Protection Agency continues to implement its Clean Power plan without any definitive guidance for the treatment of biomass, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today visited Sappi North America in Westbrook, a biomass-utilizing pulp and paper producer that employs more than 300 people, to highlight legislation he recently introduced that would protect the renewable energy resource and the thousands of jobs it supports across Maine. “The... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that a total of $2,350,000 in federal funding has been awarded for the assessment and cleanup of Brownfield sites in Maine. The federal grants awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will assist local communities as they work to redevelop these contaminated sites in order to promote environmental integrity and future economic investment. “For years, the Brownfields Program has helped... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King announced today that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award the Maine Department of Transportation $992,687 in funding to support the construction of the Interstate 95 Trafton Road Interchange in Waterville. This funding will also support the realignment of an adjacent roadway to provide unobstructed access to... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced today that he and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have introduced the Energy Storage Promotion and Deployment Act, legislation that would establish an energy storage portfolio standard for electric utility companies. A utility may meet the standard with any combination of technologies and ownership, including storage located at homes or businesses. The bill would set... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will award the Bar Harbor, Danforth and Jefferson Fire Departments $345,912 as part of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG). “As Maine experiences brush fires across the state, we must make certain that our brave firefighters have the protective equipment they... Continue Reading »
CUMBERLAND, ME – At the new campus of what will soon be one of the most energy efficient schools in the country, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today highlighted how his legislation – the Free Market Energy Act of 2015 – will support people across Maine and the nation as they strive to achieve energy independence. “People across the country should have the right to make their own energy choices without having to jump through hoops or face the possibility of being... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in honor of Memorial Day to recognize those who have given their lives in service to our nation. Senator King today also marched in the annual Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade, delivering remarks at two observance ceremonies along the route and helping lay a wreath at another on the Frank J. Woods Bridge that connects the two towns. “Throughout our history, Americans have joined together to... Continue Reading »
LEWISTON, ME – At Veterans Inc. today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) renewed his commitment to ending veteran homelessness and working to support veterans of recent conflicts as they transition back into civilian life. Senator King, who last year supported a major overhaul of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, today toured Veterans Inc.’s new facility in Lewiston, which provides housing and support services to homeless veterans, where he talked with staff and held a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after the Senate early this morning passed a short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund: “By not fixing this problem once and for all, we’re shifting debt onto future generations who are going to have to reach into their pockets to fix what we refused to. And what’s more, we’re holding our country back. We’re stifling job creation, hampering economic growth, and putting... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the United States Senate considers the future of expiring amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement supporting a compromise to reform the government’s bulk call detail records program while ensuring the Intelligence Community has access to the tools it needs to fight terrorism: “Over the last two years, I have studied... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after voting against legislation that would grant Trade Promotion Authority to the President: “I can’t justify supporting a process that, in effect, would approve a major trade deal that has substantial stakes for Maine when we haven't even seen it,” Senator King said. “And I have serious concerns that the Trans Pacific Partnership will put Maine companies – and their workers... Continue Reading »
