WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his official committee and subcommittee assignments for the 117th Congress, when Senator King will assume the role of Chairman for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Senator King will also become Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, which oversees programs related to America’s nuclear and strategic forces. In addition, Senator King will maintain his positions on the Armed Services Committee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Intelligence Committee, and the Rules & Administration Committee.

“Generations of Americans have worked to protect the beauty and wonder of America’s national parks for their children – there is good reason they have been called ‘America’s Best Idea.’ Now, it is our turn to carry this legacy forward,” said Senator King. “In the last Congress, we enacted some of the most impactful conservation legislation in a century, and on a bipartisan basis – but there’s still much more work to do. I’m honored to assume this position, and commit to working alongside my Senate colleagues and the Biden Administration to strengthen the implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act and find new opportunities to help the American people access our awe-inspiring public lands. 

“I’m also honored to assume the Chairmanship of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, which plays a critical role in overseeing our nation’s nuclear and strategic forces, including arms control and non-proliferation efforts. As the United States grapples with fast-evolving new threats in an increasingly dangerous world, the work of this subcommittee will be vital to maintaining the strongest national security posture possible in the face of both current and future threats.”

“In addition to these new roles, I am thrilled to continue my work to strengthen our national security, improve America’s cyberdefenses, confront the threats of climate change, make key investments in the clean energy technologies that will power the future, and improve the way that Congress operates so we can better serve our constituents. Our committee work is vital to Congress’s efforts to make life better for the American people, and I’m honored to continue to make progress on the key challenges facing our nation.” 

From his work prior to running for elected office through his years as Governor and his service in the Senate, Senator King has been an outspoken and forceful advocate for conservation for decades. He was one of the lead cosponsors of the Great American Outdoors Act, which included both the Restore Our Parks Act – a bill led by Senator King – and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Permanent Funding Act. The legislative package is among the most impactful conservation laws enacted in the last century.

Committee work takes up a significant portion of Senator King’s business in Washington. He has made it a priority to not miss Committee hearings, earning him praise from his colleagues and the reputation as a workhorse in the Senate. The late Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), who served as the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, once called Senator King “one of the most serious and hard-working members” of the Committee, and Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), former Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has singled out Senator King for “always [staying] to the bitter end” of committee hearings.