WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Richard Burr (R-NC), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Angus King (I-ME) plan to introduce tomorrow a bipartisan compromise, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act, to avert student loan rates from doubling on July 1st and provide a permanent solution that would lower and fix interest rates for 100 percent of newly issued student-loans. Manchin said: “This bipartisan agreement not only makes sure student rates will... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today applauded a 5-4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Section 3 of DOMA defines marriage for purposes of federal law as “only a legal union between one man and one woman,” excluding legally married same-sex couples from all marriage-based federal responsibilities and rights. Earlier this year, Senator King joined 39 Senators and 172 members of the House in filing an amicus brief... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) in a floor speech yesterday paid tribute to his mentor and good friend, former U.S. Senator Bill Hathaway, who passed away on Monday at the age of 89. From 1973 to 1974, Senator King served as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics under Senator Hathaway. The transcript of Senator King's remarks is as follows: “Mr. President, I rise in sadness today because America and the State of Maine lost... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today issued the following statement on the passing of Sergeant Corey E. Garver, 26, of Topsham. According to the U.S. Army, Sergeant Garver died on June 23, 2013 in Paktiya Province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Initial reports indicate that he died of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. “We are deeply saddened to hear of Sergeant... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) released the following statement this evening on the passing of former U.S. Senator William “Bill” Hathaway: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Bill Hathaway, a dear friend, cherished mentor, and dedicated public servant for his beloved State of Maine. As a young man, I had the great privilege of serving as an aide to then-Senator Hathaway, a position in which I was fortunate to witness firsthand his... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today announced the first of two rotations of constituent outreach hours for the month of July. Constituent outreach hours, which are part of Senator King’s “Your Government, Your Neighborhood” initiative, offer an opportunity for area residents to meet directly with a staff representative to discuss specific problems, legislative issues, or any concerns regarding federal government agencies. No appointment... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today congratulated Wayne and Gregg Garrison of Blaine, Maine for being named the 2013 Farm Family of the Year by the Maine Potato Board. Wayne Garrison, father to Gregg Garrison, started their potato growing operation in 1965 when he purchased their homestead and 30 acres of land. Today the farm has grown into Double G Farms, Inc, a 1500-acre agri-business currently operated by Wayne, Gregg and the Garrison family. “It’s an... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an ongoing effort to keep Mainers informed of his work on Capitol Hill, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) sat down to recap the events of this past week in the U.S. Senate In his weekly recap, Senator King addressed: His remarks on the Senate floor yesterday about the immigration debate. Today, Senator King also announced that he has introduced several amendments to the comprehensive reform legislation. The confirmation of the United States Trade Representative... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) has filed several amendments to S.744, the comprehensive immigration reform bill, that would benefit students, scholars, and researchers hoping to enrich their studies through cultural exchange programs, refugees undergoing a mentally and physically exhausting transition process, and asylum-seekers who fear persecution if forced to return to their country of origin. “America draws strength from the imagination and innovation of... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), in reflecting on the history and contributions of immigrants in America, today expressed support for the comprehensive immigration reform bill currently pending before the U.S. Senate. “I believe this bill represents a fair-minded resolution of the current conflict over immigration. Control of the border to stem the tide of illegal immigration, penalties applied to those who broke the law, but an opportunity to earn citizenship after... Continue Reading »
Mr. President, I quote: “He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the laws of Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.” That is the language of the Declaration of Independence. One of the grievances against King George III, in the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson, was limitations on immigration: “Endeavoring to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), and John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced a bill Thursday to create a national standard requiring companies to protect and secure consumers’ electronic data. Today, companies must comply with 46 different state laws in the event of a data breach. The Senators’ bill would preempt these laws and replace them with a single national standard, providing better protections and swifter responses for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded Maine $220,236 in home counseling grants to help Mainers find housing, make informed housing decisions, or maintain their current home. The Maine State Housing Authority in Augusta will receive $202,807 and the Midcoast Maine Community Action (MMCA) in Bath will receive $17,429. Both organizations work to prevent homelessness by providing... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Armed Services Committee, today applauded the completed markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014. The Armed Services Committee voted 23-3, with Senator King’s support, to report the bill to the Senate floor. The comprehensive piece of legislation authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. Included in the bill are... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The President’s nominee for United States Trade Ambassador, Michael Froman, yesterday committed to visiting a New Balance facility in Maine and to working with the domestic shoe manufacturer to address concerns surrounding potential reductions in current trade protections that are critical to the preserving the company’s economic health and protecting Maine jobs. The commitment from Mr. Froman occurred yesterday after Senator King objected to the Senate... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that Aroostook County will receive $500,000 in Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funding for farmers who sustained serious erosion in their fields due to recent heavy rains. The severe weather that Aroostook County has experienced has resulted in the loss of crops and the loss of top soil, which can dramatically reduce the produce yield of acreage and reduce the value of farm land. “We are... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee today adopted, by a vote of 17-9, a bipartisan amendment to the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act cosponsored by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) that would combat sexual assault in the military by making robust changes to the military justice system. The amendment alters the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to: Trigger an automatic review of any sexual assault case by a Service Secretary when a commander overturns the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Newcastle Fire Company will receive a federal grant in the amount of $46,075 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). Specifically, the funding will come through AFG’s Operations and Firefighting Safety Program, which provides funding for training, equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to department facilities. “These grants are a critical resource for so many... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today welcomed news that Ecoshel, a producer of premium quality shingle roofing and siding panels, intends to create 78 jobs in Ashland by manufacturing its newly-patented cedar shingle system at the Levesque Mill Complex on Levesque Mill Road. The announcement was made this afternoon by Governor Paul LePage and Ecoshel CEO Bryan Kirkey. Initial plans include the addition of up to 10 production lines over the next several years, and it is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will allocate an additional $27,000 in Emergency Watershed Protection Program funds for disaster recovery efforts pursuant to the June 2012 rain storm in northern Maine. “We are pleased the USDA recognizes the pressing need for federal flood assistance in northern Maine,” said Senators Collins... Continue Reading »
