WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate this evening passed a package of 55 retroactive tax-relief provisions, referred to as “tax-extenders”, that will allow businesses and taxpayers to claim certain tax deductions for their 2014 tax filing. Senator King released the following statement: “Several of the provisions renewed in this package are crucial to Maine businesses and help them to make the type of investments that drive... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to quickly reach a decision regarding the Portland Natural Gas Transmission System 2010 rate proceeding in order to provide certainty to businesses and consumers of natural gas. “This case is complex and, because of rehearing requests and compliance filing challenges, natural gas consumers in northern... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, the U.S. Senate passed the 2015 Omnibus Federal Appropriations bill, which funds the government through September 30, 2015 and includes funding for several priorities benefiting Maine. “There’s no doubt that there isn’t a perfect bill, but there are some important provisions in this one – particularly for Maine,” Senator King said. “Not only... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of his ongoing effort to keep the people of Maine informed of his work in Washington, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) recapped this week’s events in the nation’s capital. This week, Senator King discussed the release of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report regarding the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) Detention and Interrogation Program, and highlighted the speech offered by Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) following the release of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the strong support of U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, the Senate today passed the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes more than $3 billion for the U.S. Navy destroyer programs, including $2.66 billion for two Arleigh Burke-class DDG-51 destroyers, one of which will be built at Bath Iron Works, and $419 million for construction of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers, among many other provisions important to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee today assigned him to serve on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during the 114th Congress. Senator King worked closely with the Senate Democratic Caucus leadership to secure this important appointment for Maine. “High energy costs, particularly in states like Maine, continue to eat away at people’s budgets and often unfairly force them to make... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate unanimously passed two provisions authored by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) to help relieve America’s small financial institutions, like community banks and credits unions, of regulatory burdens so that they are better able to serve their communities. “Small banks and credit unions are often the financial cornerstones of communities across the country, providing the very credit that helps drive our... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, the Senate and House Appropriations Committees have reached an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill that provides $554 billion in funds for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DoE). The bill includes more than $3 billion for the U.S. Navy destroyer programs, including $2.66 billion for two Arleigh Burke-class DDG-51... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) praised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote to modernize the Universal Service Program for Schools and Libraries, more commonly known as E-Rate. The FCC approved the second phase of an effort to close the rural connectivity gap and boost high-speed Internet access at schools and libraries across America. “Access to high-speed broadband is an essential part of ensuring that students in the United States, no... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2015 Intelligence Authorization Act including an amendment authored by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, requiring the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to report to Congress on the Intelligence Community’s efforts to reduce administrative costs. The measure passed the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, the House of Representatives last night, and now heads to the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed a provision supported by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) that averts an impending onerous permitting requirement for Maine fishermen, recreational boaters, and on-water researchers to operate their vessels. The provision was included in legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Coast Guard that passed the Senate today and is expected to pass the House later this week. Specifically, the provision secured for an additional three years the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S Senator Angus King today announced that the funding bill agreement, which will fund the government through Fiscal Year 2015, includes full funding of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. This will maintain benefits for all workers currently covered by TAA, including those at UTC Pittsfield and the Verso mill in Bucksport, as well as those certified in FY15. The purpose of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today praised the successful inclusion of a provision by Senator Susan Collins in the Fiscal Year 2015 federal appropriations bill that will require all fresh fruits and vegetables – including fresh white potatoes – be included in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. “With the enactment of this bill, low-income families will... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Maine Department of Education will receive a four-year, $14.8 million federal grant that will allow 13 school districts in the state to create or expand on existing preschool programs. “Early childhood education is an investment in Maine’s future,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We are thrilled the Department of Education has recognized Maine’s efforts... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the declassification of the Findings & Conclusions and Executive Summary of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report regarding the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) Detention and Interrogation Program, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement, which he also filed as Additional Views to the report: “I joined the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the foot of the U.S. Capitol in honor of America’s military service members and their families who are separated during the holiday season. The event was led by the Maine State Society in conjunction with Wreaths Across America and the wreath will remain on display throughout the holidays. Both Senators delivered brief remarks during the ceremony. “Since its... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, on the 73rd anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with AMVETS Department of Maine at Fort Allen Park on Portland’s Eastern Promenade to remember the more than 2,400 American service-members and civilians who lost their lives as well as those who survived. “Today, we pause to remember and reflect on the service and sacrifice of the more than 2,400 souls who perished on that fateful day 73 years ago,” said... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, Educate Maine presented U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) with its Weston L. Bonney Education Leadership Award during the 3rd annual “Pipeline to Prosperity” Symposium and 17th annual Education Leadership Luncheon. The award, named in honor of former Maine State Board of Education member and business leader Weston Bonney, recognizes those who have demonstrated “commitment, vision and courage in support of Maine students.” “Ensuring that... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today in response to the President’s nomination of Ashton Carter to replace Chuck Hagel as U.S. Secretary of Defense: “I applaud the President for moving quickly to fill this crucial position, particularly at such an important time when bold leadership from the United States is necessary to help confront many of the growing threats across the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) issued the following statement today on the failure of the breakwater at the Port of Eastport early this morning: “The longer we wait to deal with our failing infrastructure, the more people and local economies are put at risk and that, as we saw today, is unacceptable,” Senator King said. “This morning I called Elaine Abbott, the Acting City Manager of Eastport, and Chris Gardner, the Executive Director of the Eastport... Continue Reading »
