|
Photos
Brothers Andy and Theo Leblanc from South Portland came to my office as youth ambassadors for the Tourette Syndrome Association.
I met with members of the Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars to discuss issues facing our veterans.
If you're ever in Washington on a Wednesday when the Senate is in session, come on by my office for Capitol Coffee!
Maine sure was well-represented in the United States Senate Youth Program. Congratulations to Muna Mohamed of Lewiston and Andrew Sandweiss of Bangor.
Two wonderful people were inducted into the Maine Women's Hall of Fame - Dr. Barbara Woodlee, former President of Kennebec Valley Community College, and Ellen Golden, Senior Vice President at Coastal Enterprises Inc.
Jefferson Liu, who has translated books about Joshua Chamberlain into Chinese, came by Capitol Coffee earlier this month.
It was snowing on the day of the Arctic hearing held by the Energy Committee, so I needed my L.L. Bean jacket.
|
|
|
Report from Maine
I joined with officials at the Wells Reserve at Laudholmto officially launch its new solar array system, which will generate enough electricity to meet all of its energy needs. Wells Reserve is the first non-profit in Maine to operate solely on solar energy.
I ran in to this little guy at the Maine Sportsman's Show in Augusta. The show is always a great chance to learn more about outdoor recreation in our state, to see some old friends, and to make some new ones.
I toured the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor, where I called on Congress to maintain funding for construction grants to improve infrastructure at veterans homes across the country.
Report from Washington
George and Donna Gunning of Windsor and Burt Truman of Hallowell have made almost 2,500personalized eagle canes for Maine veterans. I spoke on the Senate floor about this amazing initiative that continues to mean so much for veterans in our state.
Patrick Arnold, the Director of Operations and Business Development for the Maine Port Authority, testified before the Senate Energy Committee about the importance of the Arctic to Maine and the nation. This month, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and I announced the creation of an Arctic Caucus in order to spotlight this region and open up a wider conversation about our future there.
Earlier this month, I spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of putting aside politics when it comes to the Iran nuclear negotiations.
Policy Update
-
After a series of late-night votes, the Senate passed its 2016 budget resolution. I voted against it because it does not take a balanced approach to governing. What this country deserves is a sensible budget that reforms entitlements while protecting beneficiaries, closes tax loopholes without raising taxes on the middle class, and maintains investments that will strengthen our country. You can read more HERE.
-
-
Following a push from Senator Collins and me, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it will make critical changes in the way eligibility is determined for the Veterans Choice Program. While this is a start, our work to support our veterans is not finished.
-
The Senate Intelligence Committee, of which I'm a member, approved cyber-security legislation by a bipartisan vote of 14 to 1. I have been an advocate of passing a cyber-security bill, and urge my colleagues to take this up on the Senate floor without delay.
In the News
Portland Press Herald: Looking for edge, Maine plunges into Arctic policy
Bangor Daily News: BIW awarded $620 million to build Navy destroyer
Maine Public Broadcasting: Angus King Says Budget Cuts Take Wrong Approach
Bangor Daily News: Sen. King: U.S. needs to fight back against cyber threats
Please visit https://www.king.senate.gov for more information and let us hear from you. Our toll free number in Maine is 1-800-432-1599.
That's all for now and thanks for staying in touch!
|
