WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Angus King (I-Maine), and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) reintroduced the Repay Act, bipartisan legislation to reform federal student loan repayment programs. This legislation simplifies and streamlines the current repayment programs by establishing two, easy-to-navigate repayment plans: a fixed, 10-year repayment plan and a single, simplified income-driven repayment option. Senators Burr and King previously introduced this legislation in 2015 and 2017.“The coronavirus... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Health Committee, and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded a total of $9,772,660 to support mental health and substance use programs throughout the state. This funding, awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), was allocated through the December COVID-19 relief package.“No community is immune from these... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) questioned U.S. Navy Admiral Craig Faller, Commander of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) about ongoing immigration challenges at the southern border of the U.S., stemming from instability factors in the Northern Triangle of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador). During his questioning which came during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator King and Admiral Faller discussed the “push... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, voted to confirm Representative Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to serve as Secretary of the Interior.“America’s public lands are both national treasures and economic assets, and it is vital that the Department of the Interior is led by a dedicated public servant who is committed to protecting our environment. I am confident that Deb... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C.—Members of Maine’s and Mississippi’s congressional delegations today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks urging them to provide unequivocal support to the long-standing and congressionally mandated requirement for a larger Navy fleet. More ships—and a strong shipbuilding industrial base—are vital to the United States’ national security as well as the nation’s ability to conduct maritime security patrols, perform... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King is applauding the American Rescue Plan’s inclusion of a $28.6 billion fund specifically designed to support restaurants struggling due to the pandemic. The historic COVID relief bill includes a vital provision that mirrors the fund created in the King-backed RESTAURANTS Act. Grants from this fund will allow independent restaurants and small franchisees across Maine and the nation to address the long-term challenges brought on by the coronavirus... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King joined a bipartisan group in introducing the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. This comprehensive, bipartisan legislation would help to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals.Health care professionals have long experienced high levels of stress and burnout, and throughout the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has only further exacerbated... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) in Portland has been awarded a total of $3,615,260 to build, test, and operate a modular current energy converter to improve the next generation of river-powered turbines. This competitive funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office.“Supporting research on innovative clean energy technologies will unlock the vast... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) highlighted the value of public service for both young Americans and the country at large, as well as the need for increased civics education in American schools. During his questioning in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator King and Commissioner Alan Khazei of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service agreed on the importance of civic education in high school curriculums, and the need... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) celebrated as President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan¸ a desperately-needed and overdue comprehensive COVID-19 relief bill, into law. The legislative package contains key provisions supported by Senator King that will help bring this deadly pandemic under control and provide critical support to families across the country who are currently struggling to make ends meet. Senator King voted in support of the American Rescue... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) is reintroducing the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to address the driver shortage in the trucking and logistics industry and enhance safety training and job opportunities for young truckers. Though 49 states and the District of Columbia allow individuals to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) at the age 18, federal law currently prohibits those operators from... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Joe Manchin (D-WV)introduced the Hotspo ts and Online Technology and Services Procurement for our Tribes and States (HOTSPOTS) Act. This bipartisan bill would create a 2-year, $200 million hotspot pilot program with a minimum allotment of $2 million per State to allow States, Tribes, and Territories to purchase and distribute Internet-connected devices to libraries in low-income and rural areas. The HOTSPOTS Act is... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined the Belfast Rotary Club to provide an update on his work in the Senate to combat the coronavirus pandemic’s health threats and economic toll. During the call with over 40 members from the Belfast area, Senator King highlighted the passage of the American Rescue Plan through Congress and the need to stay vigilant in our fight against COVID-19, including his recent bipartisan push with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) urging the Centers for... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted to confirm Merrick Garland as Attorney General, whom the Senate approved by a vote of 70 to 30. A longtime advocate for the independence of the Department of Justice (DOJ), in his statement below Senator King highlights Garland’s experience and temperament, in addition to emphasizing the need for apolitical leadership of the DOJ.“The Attorney General is the country’s lawyer, charged with upholding the time-honored American value... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the House of Representatives passing the American Rescue Plan as amended by the Senate, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, is celebrating the legislation’s historic investments in infrastructure that will begin to close the digital divide and ensure that more Americans can access the affordable, high-speed broadband that has facilitated commerce, education, and medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. After negotiations... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined over 150 colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to urge the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to rescind the former administration’s Title X policies, including the domestic gag rule, that restricted access to vital family planning and sexual health services. As directed by President Biden at the beginning of his presidency, HHS is undergoing a review of the Title X rules issued under the Trump... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee and member of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, questioned U.S. Navy Admiral Philip Davidson, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, on China’s recent investments in militarization in the Pacific region. During the hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator King sought the thoughts of Admiral Davidson about if China’s new activities were an... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to introduce legislation that provides additional financial flexibility to borrowers struggling to get a better handle on their student debt during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. This legislation allows for borrowers to refinance their loan under certain conditions, to give them a higher standard of living and spending power. King, Warner and Tester are introducing this... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted for the American Rescue Plan¸ a desperately-needed COVID-19 relief bill that will help bring this deadly pandemic under control and provide critical support to families across the country who are currently struggling to make ends meet. In his full statement below, Senator King emphasizes the cost of inaction, highlights his work to strengthen the bill, and underscores the immense bipartisan support for this legislation... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King released the following statement on the Senate deliberations surrounding an increase to the minimum wage:"Consideration of the Covid relief package in the Senate started with Bernie Sanders’ motion to include his $15 minimum wage proposal in the bill. I voted no along with 7 of my colleagues in the Democratic caucus, which has generated considerable disappointment and anger from callers to my office and commenters on social media. This was... Continue Reading »
