BRUNSWICK, ME – This morning, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) addressed attendees at the New England Council (NEC) briefing. At the briefing, Senator King joined NEC President and CEO Jim Brett to share his latest insights from Congress, and to emphasize the importance of promoting a healthy business environment for organizations across Maine and New England. During the conversation, Senator King discussed subjects including the challenges and threats to Maine’s lobster industry, the need for renewable energy infrastructure, and opportunities to increase trade with Arctic nations.

“The privilege to represent the people of Maine in the United States Senate is a once-in-a-lifetime honor, and I take my responsibility to speak on their behalf in Washington seriously – and it is always going to be a dialogue with those I represent,” said Senator King. “Today’s meeting with the New England Council was invaluable, allowing me to share the details of my efforts and hear input from local leaders on what they believe are the most pressing issues facing the State of Maine. I’m grateful for their continued contributions to both our state and our region, and thank them for giving me the platform to share my own work and learn more about theirs.”

After the briefing, Senator King met with the leadership team at Whole Oceans, a land-based recirculating aquaculture salmon farm in Bucksport, to discuss aquaculture as an emerging industry in Maine.

A key focus of Senator King’s work in the Senate is creating new economic opportunities for Maine people. In recent months, he has advocated for increased access to high-speed broadband internet, spoken out against tariffs that are hurting Maine people, and pushed back against plans to threaten Maine’s coastal resources through offshore drilling. Last month, Senator King joined students and faculty at the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) to open a new cybersecurity training center – the first of its kind in the New England region. The Maine Cyber Range aims to expand its training opportunities to help professionals, businesses, and organizations across the state of Maine increase their cybersecurity and protect their employees. In May, he visited several businesses in the Portland area, including Bangs Island Mussels, to highlight their contributions to Maine’s workforce and overall economy. To ensure that he is focusing on the issues important to his constituents, Senator King has made it a priority to travel the state to meet with Maine people; since first taking office in 2013, he has taken part in more than 1,200 meetings and events across Maine.

Photo 1: Senator King addresses attendees at the New England Council briefing