WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke from the Senate floor to urge action on coronavirus relief, including much-needed support to state and local governments across the nation. As need for government services rises and tax revenues fall, state and local governments face severe budget shortfalls which, if left unaddressed, will have harmful economic consequences including additional layoffs, reduced aid for citizens in need, and tax hikes when American household... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON — In support of the blueberry industry and its workers across the state of Maine, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-01) and Jared Golden (ME-02) in writing to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) — Ambassador Robert Lighthizer — to urge additional trade protections for Maine’s wild blueberry producers and frozen blueberry processors.The delegation called on Lighthizer to ensure Maine wild blueberry growers aren’t being... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that two Maine school districts have been awarded a total of $703,982 to enhance and further integrate local school violence prevention efforts between school administrators and law enforcement, train law enforcement officers to prevent student violence, install deterrent measures, purchase and install technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency, and other measures. This funding... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the Senate Commerce Committee’s unanimous passage of the Visit America Act. The bipartisan legislation, which he introduced in June with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), would set a visitation goal of 116 million annual international travelers to the United States by 2028, formally authorize the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, and create a high-ranking position within the... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to officially recognize September as “National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month''. The Senators’ resolution comes as the coronavirus pandemic has fueled isolation and anxiety levels among Americans struggling with substance use disorders, and complicated their usual access to lifesaving treatment programs and support systems. Nationwide, it is estimated that... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, advocated for committee passage of the Gold Star Families Park Pass Act, legislation introduced by Senator King which would allow free access to America’s National Parks and federal recreation sites for families of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty while serving in the military. Senator King’s push came during a hearing of the Senate... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, pressed Mark Christie and Allison Clements, nominees to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), on the security of natural gas pipelines, especially in the New England region. During Senator King’s questioning at an Energy and Natural Resources hearing, he underscored the importance of pipeline security in the New England region, and emphasized that any security... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined his colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calling on the agency to commit to full transparency in the COVID-19 vaccine review process amidst mounting political pressure to approve a vaccine before Election Day. The lawmakers expressed concern that the Trump Administration has placed political expediency over the research and testing process, and the senators urged the FDA to ensure transparency... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his cosponsorship of the Broadband Reform and Investment to Drive Growth in the Economy (BRIDGE) Act of 2020 to deploy affordable, “future-proof” broadband networks nationwide. The legislation, introduced by Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), would provide $30 billion in flexible funding to states and $1 billion to tribal governments to competitively award funding to connect unserved and underserved communities, with an emphasis... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the York County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $111,603 to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program.“As we combat the COVID-19 pandemic, communities across Maine continue to rely on local law enforcement to help keep them safe,... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in calling on the seven largest internet service providers (ISPs) to help limit the economic and social disruption caused by COVID-19 and better ensure that learners of all ages are able to meaningfully participate in their education. In a letter sent to the CEOs of AT&T, CenturyLink, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, T-Mobile, and... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) connected with the Maine Arts Commission and members of Maine’s performing arts community to discuss the state of the arts industry as they face short-term economic challenges and long-term uncertainty due to the global pandemic. During the call, Senator King emphasized his strong support of arts institutions, which are vital engines of our Nation’s economy and culture. Senator King also highlighted his support for legislation to... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King cosponsored a bipartisan and bicameral resolution that recognizes September 11 as a national day of service and encourages the American public to engage in a charitable service of their choosing on or around 9/11.“Nineteen years have passed, but the memory of September 11, 2001, remains as vivid as if it were yesterday. On this solemn anniversary, we join all Americans in remembering each of the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day –... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in honor of the 19th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks:“On September 11th, 2001, unthinkable terror struck at the heart of our nation,” said Senator King. “Across the country, Americans watched together in horror as terrorist attacks claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people – those who were simply going about their daily business, and those who undertook heroic efforts to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after voting against a proposal from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) which would not have adequately met the crisis facing the American people – and which was hundreds of billions lower than the previous Republican relief gesture. In his statement, Senator King highlights the fact that previous moves to reject Senator McConnell’s coronavirus relief proposals have resulted in drastically... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of senators to call on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie to provide coverage of comprehensive telehealth services, including voice communication, for beneficiaries of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Currently, federal regulations are focused on advanced technologies like telemedicine and do not allow CHAMPVA to cover health care... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — Following longstanding, bipartisan efforts by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue announced today that the USDA will provide approximately $530 million to support U.S. fishermen in coastal states impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. The funding will be provided through the Seafood Trade Relief Program and funded through... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposal modeled after the DRIVE-Safe Act, bipartisan legislation originally cosponsored by Senator King to bolster America’s trucking workforce. FMCSA recently posted a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comment on the proposed pilot program, which would allow 18- to 20-year-old commercial driver’s license holders... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announced that the Frances Perkins Center has received $500,000 through the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures Grant Program. This grant funding will allow the Center to preserve and improve the condition of the principal structures at the site of the Frances Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark in Newcastle.“The Frances... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that 18 health centers throughout Maine have been awarded a total of $3,997,779 to address screening and testing needs, acquire medical supplies, and boost telehealth capacity in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).“Community health centers are the backbone... Continue Reading »
