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Press Releases

Press Releases

Citing Disgraceful Process and Danger of Judicial Philosophy, King Opposes Barrett’s Nomination

October 26, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted against Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. In his full statement below, Senator King cites the rushed nature of the proceedings – which he argued should take place after the upcoming election – and the core flaws of Judge Barrett’s judicial philosophy, which he discussed in a Senate floor speech and an op-ed for The Atlantic.“Today’s outcome was pre-determined from the... Continue Reading »


King, More than 100 Lawmakers Urge Congress: Bold and Comprehensive Action Needed to Prevent the Next Pandemic

October 23, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 136 Senate and House lawmakers in sending a letter to House and Senate leadership urging them to prioritize the development of thoughtful, forward-looking policy plans to prevent and mitigate the impact of future pandemics. In the letter, the lawmakers outline the steps necessary to prevent future pandemics while also noting that Congress must act to provide relief to Americans suffering from the current economic downturn and public... Continue Reading »


Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $900,000 for Harmful Algal Bloom Research at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

October 23, 2020

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is set to receive a total of $878,514 to conduct research on a new simple, low-cost method of detecting harmful toxins in mussels.  This funding, of which $164,078 is slated for fiscal year 2020, was awarded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS).“Maintaining the health of shellfish aquaculture... Continue Reading »


Senators Collins, King Announce Maine Locations for 2020 Drug Take-Back Day

October 23, 2020

Washington, D.C. – Ahead of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, October 24th, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced the locations of the Maine collection sites. “Unused prescription drugs that collect in our homes can fall into the wrong hands, creating unintended gateways to opioid addiction, particularly as we continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senators Collins and King in a... Continue Reading »


King, Colleagues Challenge Justice Department’s Sudden Reversal on Election Non-Interference

October 23, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with oversight over federal elections, and 12 members of the Rules and Judiciary Committees sent a letter to Corey R. Amundson, Chief of the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section, requesting an immediate explanation of the Department’s recent decision to weaken its longstanding policy of non-interference with elections. The Department has long recognized that public... Continue Reading »


Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $300,000 for Wabanaki Educational Program at the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias

October 22, 2020

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a total of $283,164 for the New Beginning for Wabanaki Students, to increase Wabanaki student participation and success at the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias.“The New Beginning for Wabanaki Students at the University of Maine program will serve as a critical resource for Native American college students, promoting developmental and educational... Continue Reading »


King Launches “Maine Voices” Video Series Focusing on Stories of ACA’s Impact

October 22, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the first in a series of videos highlighting the benefits the Affordable Care Act has created for Maine people. Each of the videos will feature Senator King hearing directly from Maine people about their personal experiences with the law, which has helped thousands of Maine people access health coverage; each of the stories were submitted to Senator King’s website earlier this month. Today’s video features Dr. Garreth... Continue Reading »


King Votes Against Latest Inadequate Pandemic Relief Proposal from McConnell, Calls for Bipartisan Negotiation to Produce Effective Package

October 21, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after voting against another undersized coronavirus relief proposal from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that fails to adequately meet the range of threats facing the American people. In his statement, Senator King emphasizes that even President Trump has called for a much-stronger relief bill, and highlights the fact that previous moves to reject Senator McConnell’s coronavirus... Continue Reading »


As Pandemic Lingers, King, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Support Small Businesses and Improve on PPP’s Efforts

October 20, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined his colleagues to introduce the HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act, a comprehensive legislative package that would provide over $370 billion of support to the hardest-hit, most vulnerable small businesses, including minority-owned businesses and small businesses that have been left behind by earlier relief efforts. The bill closely mirrors legislation passed by the House of Representatives on October 1. Today’s introduction... Continue Reading »


Maine Delegation, Governor Mills Welcome Critical Drought Assistance for Maine Farmers

October 20, 2020

Washington, D.C.— Maine’s Congressional Delegation and Governor Janet Mills welcomed the announcement today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made farmers throughout Maine eligible for disaster relief assistance due to the drought. “Maine farmers have faced tremendous challenges this year, from supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 to the drought that severely impacted the growing season,” said Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Golden in a... Continue Reading »


King Cosponsors “Critical Step” Bipartisan Bill to Expand Broadband Access to Underserved Tribal Communities

October 19, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, has cosponsored a bipartisan and bicameral bill to extend the time window given to Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian organization are given during the pandemic to apply for spectrum licenses – a critical step to expanding broadband access in their communities. Specifically, the Extending Broadband Tribal Priority Act of 2020 will require the FCC to open a new 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window that... Continue Reading »


Senators Collins, King Announce More than $900,000 to Improve Water Quality in Searsport

October 19, 2020

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Town of Searsport received a total of $911,190 to upgrade a wastewater treatment facility and improve water quality.  This funding was awarded through the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) in partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). “Safe water is vital to ensuring the economic and environmental health of Searsport residents and communities throughout Maine,” said... Continue Reading »


Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $1.2 Million for Climate Research in the Gulf of Maine

October 15, 2020

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) has received a total of $1,274,908 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct research and modeling on climate, economic, ocean and ecosystem changes in the Gulf of Maine and inform fisheries of shifting weather patterns. “The Gulf of Maine is currently warming faster than almost any other body of water on Earth,” said Senators Collins... Continue Reading »


Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $11.1 Million to Protect Victims and Prevent Crime in Maine

October 14, 2020

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that several organizations throughout Maine have been awarded a total of $11,192,423 to assist crime victims.  The funding was awarded through the Office of Violence Against Women, an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice.“Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we continue to support victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and others crimes to ensure that service providers... Continue Reading »


Senator King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan ‘DRIVE LESS’ Act to Cut Spending on Government Vehicles, Save Taxpayer Money

October 8, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that Senators King, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.) reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to save hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars by reducing the federal funding available for the acquisition and leasing of new federal vehicles. The Domestic Reduction In Vehicle Expenditure and Lowering Emissions from State Sources Act, or the DRIVE LESS Act, aims to significantly improve... Continue Reading »


Senators Collins, King Join Bipartisan Call to Ensure NOAA Fisheries Surveys Proceed in 2021

October 8, 2020

Washington, D.C. – In May 2020, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries started canceling research surveys to protect the health of its crews and personnel at sea on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.  In support of coastal communities across the country who rely on these surveys as a basis for their livelihoods, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined their colleagues in calling on NOAA to identify and resolve any challenges created by... Continue Reading »


King Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Renovate, Repair, and Modernize Rural Water Infrastructure

October 7, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation that would provide rural communities under significant financial strain due to the coronavirus pandemic emergency assistance to repair, modernize and renovate failing water infrastructure. The Emergency Support for Rural Water Systems Act would provide $1 billion in emergency grants, low- and zero-interest loans and loan forgiveness for struggling small and rural water and wastewater systems across the... Continue Reading »


King Cosponsors Bill to Expand Workforce Serving Aging Maine People

October 6, 2020

BRUNSWICK, ME — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that he has cosponsored the Care Corps Demonstration Act to build and strengthen America’s caregiving workforce and help meet the growing demand for caregivers working with seniors and people living with disabilities. The bill would address the country’s growing caregiving needs by placing volunteers in communities to provide vital assistance to help seniors and people with disabilities who need extra... Continue Reading »


Senator King Votes Early, Urges Maine People to Make a Voting Plan

October 6, 2020

BRUNSWICK, ME – This morning, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) cast his ballot in-person at the Brunswick Town Hall, sharing the following statement afterwards: “The coronavirus pandemic will change the way our elections are conducted this year – meaning that Maine people should start thinking now about how they’re going to cast their vote,” said Senator King. “Communities across the state have started early voting this week, giving Maine people the opportunity to cast a ballot in-person on... Continue Reading »


Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $2.3 Million to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19 in Maine

October 6, 2020

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine has received a total of $2,287,725 to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, and equipment for essential workers to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  This funding was awarded to the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).“In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,... Continue Reading »