BRUNSWICK, Maine – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that he has been appointed to the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC). In his announcement, King highlighted America’s commitment to those who served and pledged to continue focusing on his priority issues like preventing veteran suicide and ensuring smoother transitions for servicemembers entering civilian life. The Senator has been a longtime advocate for Maine veterans, and last year, interviewed nine servicemembers as part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project.

“From Gettysburg to Fallujah, America’s veterans have served, sacrificed, and fought for our freedoms and values – because freedom isn’t free. We owe our way of life to these brave men and women and share a collective responsibility as a nation to serve our veterans. That means delivering stronger benefits, addressing the tragic veterans’ suicide crisis, improving transition assistance programs, and ensuring every veteran can access essential services like affordable housing and behavioral healthcare,” said Senator King. “It’s a true honor to join the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and I look forward to helping address the challenges facing veterans in Maine and across the country. We’ve made a lot of progress over the last few years – including by passing the PACT Act to support veterans exposed to burn pits – but there is more work to be done and I’m excited to get started. Maine’s veterans answered the call for our country, and now it’s time for us to be there for them.”

“It’s an honor to welcome my good friend Senator King to the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee,” said Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.). “Veterans in Maine and across the country greatly benefit from having Senator King in their corner. As Chairman I look forward to working together on a number of veterans’ priorities—from holding VA accountable in implementing historic efforts like the PACT Act, to passing new reforms that will expand veterans' access to their earned care and benefits, no matter where they live.”

Last year, Senator King conducted nine interviews with Maine veterans as part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project, an effort by the Library to collect, preserve and distribute the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. The interviews and primary documents from the project are then used by researchers, historians, students, and filmmakers across the country. You can find or watch all nine of Senator King’s interviews HERE.

Representing one of the states with the highest rates of veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. He has been among the Senate’s most prominent voices on the need to address veterans suicide, and has repeatedly pressed for action from top Department of Defense officials on this issue. Additionally, he recently spearheaded the passage of legislation to better track and study servicemember suicides by job assignment. Senator King has also worked to properly honor and recognize the sacrifices of Purple Heart medal recipients, protect veterans from fraud, and expand veteran assisted living services.