WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement today after voting to sustain the President’s veto of legislation directly approving the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline: “When it comes to the future of this country’s energy policy, the Keystone XL pipeline is looking in the wrong direction,” Senator King said. “We should support policies that will... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H) released the following statements today in response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) order last night approving Spectra Energy’s Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project. In late January, the senators urged FERC to quickly reach a decision regarding the project, which will expand natural gas pipeline capacity across the region and lower energy prices for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before a joint meeting of Congress, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement: “Prime Minister Netanyahu made a strong statement to Congress – one that demonstrated our overarching strength as strategic partners despite occasional disagreements. The United States and Israel share the same goal: preventing Iran from attaining a nuclear weapons capability. “I... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, announced his support for The Bipartisan Sportsmen Act of 2015, legislation that includes a broad array of bipartisan measures to enhance opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, reauthorize key conservation programs, improve access to public lands, and help boost the outdoor recreation economy. “Outdoor recreation is a... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the recommendation of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Patrick Arnold, the Director of Operations and Business Development for the Maine Port Authority, will testify before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee during a hearing on the Arctic this coming Thursday. Senator King, a member of the committee, recommended Mr. Arnold to Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) who has the authority to call witnesses for hearings. “Climate change is quickly... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that NeighborWorks America, a public nonprofit organization established by Congress, has awarded grants to five organizations in Maine totaling $1,113,925. The funding will support efforts to revitalize and sustain Maine communities, provide affordable housing, and create and maintain local jobs. “For many low-income people in Maine, having the ability to obtain affordable housing often makes the difference... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) renewed his call for Congress to pass legislation that fully funds the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the rest of the Fiscal Year: “More than anything, last Friday’s close-call should really be a wake-up call: Congress needs to stop playing games with the DHS budget and put an end to these manufactured crises that only hurt our country and sow further distrust in this institution,” Senator King... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a keynote address this morning at the Progressive Policy Institute, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) underscored the need for Congress to undertake regulatory reform to help encourage entrepreneurship, promote innovation, and support economic growth. King’s remarks were delivered as part of a forum entitled, “Innovation in a Rules-Bound World: How Regulatory Improvement Can Spur Growth.” “Just this morning on the radio I heard about the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, with the support of U.S. Senator King (I-Maine), the Senate passed – by a bipartisan vote – a bill to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill still requires passage by the House of Representatives. “Congress’s first priority should be funding the Department of Homeland Security. It is absolutely critical – particularly now, at a time when our home front faces new national security threats nearly every day. The... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), along with several of his colleagues, are urging the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to expedite regulations to implement provisions of the Women’s Small Business Procurement Parity Act that were included in the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In a letter yesterday to SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, the Senator King and his colleagues expressed their strong support for eliminating barriers that... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to two decisions from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today adopting rules to protect net neutrality and supporting the right of municipalities to construct broadband networks, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) – a strong proponent of both causes – released the following statements. On the FCC’s vote to preserve the open Internet by putting in place clear, enforceable rules, Senator King said: “This historic decision... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After voting to move forward a bill that fully funds the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the rest of the Fiscal Year, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement: “Passing a bill that fully funds the Department of Homeland Security is critical,” Senator King said. “All anyone has to do is turn on the TV or pick up the paper to understand the severity of the threats facing our country today. That’s why DHS must... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King were joined by 40 of their colleagues in raising serious concerns about the implementation of the Veterans Choice Card program. The program was established by Congress last year in response to the nationwide crisis of veterans’ access to care but has yet to be implemented as Congress envisioned. The program allows veterans who live more than 40 miles from the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter today to the leaders of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) outlined several priorities he hopes the Committee will consider when it holds a hearing on the Arctic in the coming weeks in anticipation of the United States assuming the chairmanship of the Arctic Council this April. “As our climate has changed, no region has been impacted as significantly as the Arctic – the changing Arctic is a canary... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) reintroduced the RESPONSE Act, legislation that would improve emergency preparedness and training for first responders and provide support to help emergency personnel better respond to hazardous incidents, such as crude oil train derailments and other hazmat situations. “Emergency responders bravely risk their lives every day to protect our communities, and we should support them by... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today on the conclusions of a three-part study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which found that a significant portion of student borrowers who ultimately default on their education loans are those who carry relatively modest loan balances. Earlier this year, Senator King, along with Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.), reintroduced the Repay Act, legislation that would simplify the complex... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) pressed Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell for answers about the National Park Service’s (NPS) process for awarding concessions contracts, and more specifically, the agency’s decision a year and a half ago to end a longstanding relationship with the Acadia Corporation (Acadia Corp.). “We had an experience a year or so ago at Acadia national park... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a statement submitted to the Congressional Record today, U.S. Senator Angus King paid tribute to the life of Wil Smith, a former associate dean at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and a coach, mentor, and friend to countless people across the state. Wil lost a three year battle with colon cancer on Sunday morning. He was 46 years old. “There is a hole in the heart of our community today. But while Wil’s loss is felt by countless people, his legacy will... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Energy and Natural Resources Committees, called for greater United States leadership in the Arctic. Speaking at the Arctic Council Initiatives to Sustain Arctic Cooperation, King underscored the strategic importance of the Arctic and the need for expanded U.S. engagement and international cooperation in the region, particularly as... Continue Reading »
ROCKLAND, ME – Following a request from U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and several of his colleagues last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a special enrollment period for individuals and families who did not have health coverage in 2014 and are subject to the fee or “shared responsibility payment” when they file their 2014 taxes in states which use the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace (FFM). The announcement by CMS is directly in... Continue Reading »
