{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", party = \"Independent\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/sanders-va-must-not-be-privatized", "Sanders: VA Must Not Be Privatized", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders: VA Must Not Be Privatized\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 30, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 30 \u2013\u00a0Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs, issued the following statement Friday in response to reports that President-elect Donald Trump is considering privatizing the Department of Veterans Affairs:\u00a0\r\n\u201cPrivatizing the VA would be an insult to the more than 22 million veterans who risked their lives to defend our country and it would significantly lower the quality of health care they receive. Our goal, shared by The American Legion and other major veterans\u2019 organizations, must be to improve the VA, not destroy it. When men and women put their lives on the line to defend us, the president must listen to them, not to the Koch brothers and their extreme right-wing, anti-government ideology. We will vigorously oppose any and all efforts to privatize the VA.\r\n\u201cThe president-elect should listen to American Legion Executive Director Verna Jones, who recently said the nation\u2019s largest veterans\u2019 organization \u2018would like the Trump administration to know that we value our Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 because \u2018dollar-for-dollar, there is no better care or value available anywhere in the United States \u2013 period.\u2019\r\n\u201cThe president-elect should listen to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. \u2018Politicians, pundits and politically-motivated organizations are using the national crisis in access to care at the Department of Veterans Affairs as justification to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system, with some even proposing that veterans be charged for their service-connected care. The VFW says no! Veterans must not stand idle as politicians who never served or use the VA health care system dictate when and where veterans can receive care.\u2019\r\n\u201cThe president-elect should listen to Paul Rieckhoff of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America who said, \u2018The worst case scenario within the vets community is a total dismantling of everything they worked generations to create. There is a growing fear it is all going to get burned down.\u2019\u201cThe veterans\u2019 organizations are right. We must protect the VA, not destroy it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-va", "Sanders Statement on VA", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on VA\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 30, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 30 \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs, issued the following statement Friday in response to reports that President-elect Donald Trump is considering privatizing the Department of Veterans Affairs:\r\n\u201cPrivatizing the VA would be an insult to the more than 22 million veterans who risked their lives to defend our country and it would significantly lower the quality of health care they receive. Our goal, shared by The American Legion and other major veterans\u2019 organizations, must be to improve the VA, not destroy it. When men and women put their lives on the line to defend us, the president must listen to them, not to the Koch brothers and their extreme right-wing, anti-government ideology. We will vigorously oppose any and all efforts to privatize the VA.\u201cThe president-elect should listen to American Legion Executive Director Verna Jones, who recently said the nation\u2019s largest veterans\u2019 organization \u2018would like the Trump administration to know that we value our Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 because \u2018dollar-for-dollar, there is no better care or value available anywhere in the United States \u2013 period.\u2019\u201cThe president-elect should listen to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. \u2018Politicians, pundits and politically-motivated organizations are using the national crisis in access to care at the Department of Veterans Affairs as justification to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system, with some even proposing that veterans be charged for their service-connected care. The VFW says no! Veterans must not stand idle as politicians who never served or use the VA health care system dictate when and where veterans can receive care.\u2019\u201cThe president-elect should listen to Paul Rieckhoff of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America who said, \u2018The worst case scenario within the vets community is a total dismantling of everything they worked generations to create. There is a growing fear it is all going to get burned down.\u2019\u201cThe veterans\u2019 organizations are right. We must protect the VA, not destroy it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/senators-ask-trump-epa-chief-pick-to-disclose-energy-industry-ties", "Senators Ask Trump EPA Chief Pick to Disclose Energy Industry Ties", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Ask Trump EPA Chief Pick to Disclose Energy Industry Ties\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, December 29, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tDemocrats on the U.S. Senate's environment panel on Wednesday asked President-elect Donald Trump's choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency to disclose his ties to the energy industry ahead of his confirmation hearing early next year.\r\nThe six senators sent a letter to Scott Pruitt, who as Oklahoma Attorney General led several lawsuits against the Obama administration's EPA to block its environmental rules. They asked him to list his connections to energy companies, to weigh whether these will influence his ability to run the agency.\r\n\"What that conduct says about your ability to lead EPA in a manner that is not beholden to special or secret interests is a subject that we expect will receive a full airing during your confirmation hearing,\" the senators wrote in the letter.\r\nThe senators raised concerns about a 2014 New York Times report, which found that Pruitt's policy positions as Oklahoma's top attorney reflected his close ties to Devon Energy Corp.\r\nContinue reading here", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-releases-holiday-message-", "King Releases Holiday Message", "2016-12-24", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Releases Holiday Message \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSaturday, December 24, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBRUNSWICK, ME \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released a video message wishing the people of Maine a happy holiday season. The video is available HERE and the full transcript of his remarks is below:\r\n\r\n\u201cNo matter what holiday tradition you follow \u2013 and for my family it\u2019s both Christmas and Hanukkah \u2013 this is the season for joy, celebration, and reflection. It\u2019s a time to come together with family and friends to show each other that we care, rejoice in another year together, and take stock of all we hold dear. So to everyone in Maine \u2013 and to Mainers in exile across the country and around the world \u2013 may you be surrounded by those you care about most, may you give more then you get, and may you have your best holiday season ever. Happy holidays from my family to yours!\u201d \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-nearly-27-million-contract-to-cianbro-for-construction-and-dock-repairs-at-portsmouth-naval-shipyard", "Collins, King Announce Nearly $27 Million Contract to Cianbro for Construction and Dock Repairs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard", "2016-12-23", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Announce Nearly $27 Million Contract to Cianbro for Construction and Dock Repairs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 23, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Navy is awarding Cianbro Corp. of Pittsfield a $26,969,000 contract for construction and dock repairs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery.\r\n\u201cThe work done at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has a direct impact on our national security, and this contract for Cianbro will help make sure that the shipyard is well-equipped to continue in its important mission,\u201d said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. \u201cWe commend the Navy for investing in PNSY, our national defense, and the Maine economy. And as always, we applaud the men and women at the shipyard for their hard work and dedication.\u201d\r\nThis competitively-awarded contract will support replacement of the caisson at PSNY\u2019s dry dock number #3. The work will also provide repairs to the concrete entrance structures of the dry dock, and is expected to be completed by May 2019.\r\nSenator Collins is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.\r\nCianbro is a construction and construction services company based in Pittsfield.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/president-signs-into-law-athletic-footwear-provision-championed-by-king-and-maine-congressional-delegation", "President Signs Into Law Athletic Footwear Provision Championed by King & Maine Congressional Delegation", "2016-12-23", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "President Signs Into Law Athletic Footwear Provision Championed by King & Maine Congressional Delegation\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 23, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBRUNSWICK, ME \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today praised the President\u2019s signing of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, which ushers into law a provision he fought for that requires the Department of Defense to consider athletic footwear subject to the Berry Amendment by providing initial entry service members with American-made athletic shoes upon arrival at basic training. The provision, which will be implemented over the course of the next two years, will support domestic manufacturing, protect jobs for dedicated American workers, including potentially hundreds in Maine, and help ensure that American troops are equipped and outfitted with high-quality uniform items made in the United States.\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis is a momentous victory that the hardworking men and women of New Balance have long deserved,\u201d\u00a0Senator King said. \u201cFor far too long, the Department of Defense had failed to apply the Berry Amendment to athletic footwear for new recruits, but New Balance\u2019s employees remained undeterred, manufacturing the highest-quality athletic shoes here in Maine day-in and day-out. Today, their efforts have paid off and New Balance will be able to compete for future contracts to provide athletic footwear to recruits. I am incredibly proud of their work and pledge to continue to fight for them every day in the Senate.\u201d\r\nThe provision included in the final 2017 National Defense Authorization Act is similar to the\u00a0Buy American Act\u00a0introduced by Senator King and Senator Susan Collins as well as the\u00a0Stepping up for American Workers and Troops Act\u00a0introduced in by Representative Bruce Poliquin. Both bills were\u00a0introduced\u00a0earlier this year.\u00a0Representative Poliquin successfully pushed for adoption of the language in the House-version of the NDAA in April, and Senator King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, fought to successfully add the legislation as an amendment to the Senate-version of the NDAA during the Committee\u2019s markup of the bill in May.\r\nLast week, Senator King was joined by Senator Collins and Representative Poliquin at New Balance\u2019s factory in Skowhegan to recognize the company\u2019s Maine workers and celebrate the \u201cMade-in-USA\u201d footwear provision that became law today.\r\nThe final provision, which survived a conference committee between the House and Senate following the advocacy of Senators King and Collins and Representative Poliquin, mandates that the Department of Defense consider athletic footwear issued to military recruits as subject to the Berry Amendment, requiring the Department to treat athletic footwear for new recruits like other uniform items. The Berry amendment, passed in 1941, requires the U.S. military to provide its personnel with American-made equipment and uniforms to the greatest extent possible. Despite this long-standing law, and despite the fact that it issues similar Berry Compliant items such as combat boots and service uniforms, the Department of Defense has not previously issued new recruits athletic footwear that is compliant with the Berry Amendment.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/vermont/vermonts-snowmobiling-season-underway_as-new-lvrt-sections-open", "Vermonts Snowmobiling Season Underway,  As New LVRT Sections Open", "2016-12-23", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Vermont\u2019s Snowmobiling Season Underway,  As New LVRT Sections Open\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 23, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tVermont\u2019s snowmobile season has begun. This year, Vermonters and visitors to our state will be able to enjoy newly opened sections of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT). \r\nWhen complete, the LVRT will be a 93-mile long, multi-use, four-season recreational trail that traverses northern Vermont from Swanton to St. Johnsbury. The rail trail will be longest of its kind in New England. So far, about one-third of the project is complete, said Cindy Locke, the executive director the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST).\u00a0 \r\nThe most recent trail sections completed are the 13-mile section from West Danville to St. Johnsbury and the 17-mile leg from Morrisville to Jeffersonville, Locke said. \u00a0The next section to be created will be from Sheldon to Swanton. \r\nIn addition to significantly expanding VAST\u2019s roughly 500-mile trail network throughout Vermont, the LVRT is providing new opportunities for walkers, runners, bicyclists, horse-riders, dog mushers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers.\r\nSen. Bernie Sanders secured $5.2 million for the project in 2006. \u00a0Another $10 million to $12 million will be needed to finish the trail, Locke said, adding that the goal is to complete the project in the next six years.\u00a0 VAST has launched a fundraising effort to help raise resources which could include additional state and federal funds.\r\nLocke said it is hard to underestimate the value of the project for the region\u2019s economy. \u201cWe have seen businesses growing -- businesses being born -- because of this trail,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is like the best story in the world. It is going to do so much for the economy of northern Vermont.\u201d \u00a0\r\nSince the LVRT is a four-season trail, the economic benefit is not limited to winter.\u00a0 Restaurants and biking tour companies, for example, have been given a major boost from the increased tourism along the sections of the trail that have been completed, Locke said. \u00a0\r\n\u201cI see this as playing a significant role in creating jobs in a part of the state where we really need those jobs,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cThe other thing about the old rail trail is it\u2019s going allow Vermonters to access areas of the state which people have not seen for a very long time in areas that are extraordinarily beautiful.\u201d\r\nThe trail boasts \u201cspectacular views into the heart of Vermont\u2019s working landscape,\u201d VAST states. The trail will take people \"through farms and forests, right into the downtown districts of Vermont\u2019s scenic communities.\u201d\r\nDecember\u2019s snowfall bodes well for a good snowmobiling season, which will translate into an economic boost for the state. \u00a0Locke estimates that snowmobiling has an annual $500 million impact on Vermont\u2019s economy, including equipment sales and money spent on lodging and food. \u00a0Each year, she notes, VAST spends $2 million on grooming trails. \r\n\u201cThis is the first time in seven years when we have actually had trails open on opening day. We are optimistic and hopeful for a good season,\u201d she said. Vermont\u2019s snowmobiling season runs from Dec. 16 through April 15.\r\nHISTORY CORNER \r\nThe history of the Lamoille Rail Trail railway corridor spans two centuries. \r\n\u201cOriginally intended to be part of a rail corridor that would run from the Great Lakes to the Maine coast (the westerly section was never made), the St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain Railroad was completed in 1877. Through the years it served Vermont as both a passenger and a freight line,\u201d the group\u2019s website states. \u201cFreight traffic primarily consisted of dairy products for the Boston market as well as timber, limestone, talc and asbestos from the Northern Vermont forests and quarries. Passenger service ended in 1956. The State of Vermont purchased the line in 1973 and renamed it the Lamoille Valley Railroad with freight service continuing until the railroad\u2019s closing in 1994.\u201d \r\n\u00a0\r\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-urge-president-elect-to-help-congress-bring-down-drug-prices-", "King, Colleagues Urge President-elect to Help Congress Bring Down Drug Prices", "2016-12-22", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King, Colleagues Urge President-elect to Help Congress Bring Down Drug Prices \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 22, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBRUNSWICK, ME \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released a letter that he and several of his colleagues recently sent to President-elect Donald Trump expressing their desire to work with his new Administration on bringing down the cost of prescription drugs for Maine people.\r\n\u201cIt is undeniable that more and more families are struggling to access medications, and in many cases, are forced to choose between paying for prescription drugs and other necessities, like food and shelter. The American public is fed up, with roughly 8-in-10 Americans reporting that drug prices are unreasonable, and that we must take action to lower costs,\u201d said the Senators in the letter. \u201cYou now have the authority to push for a future that prioritizes patients. We are ready to advance measures to achieve this goal and we urge you to partner with Republicans and Democrats alike to take meaningful steps to address the high cost of prescription drugs through bold administrative and legislative actions.\u201d\r\n\r\nIn a letter sent to the President-elect, the Senators expressed their shared frustration over the cost of prescription drugs and outlined several ways they hoped the President-elect and Congress could work together in a bipartisan fashion to follow through on his promise to lower the rising cost of prescription drugs for consumers. Some of those proposals include:\u00a0allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate better prices for Medicare recipients; requiring drug companies to disclose costs associated with creating drugs so prices are more transparent; putting an end to abusive price gouging; and ensuring competition and innovation that will lead to greater competition and more affordable, effective drugs.\r\n\r\nSenator King is a cosponsor of the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, a bill that\u00a0would allow HHS to directly negotiate with drug companies for price discounts for the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. The legislation could help cut costs for more than 35 million seniors, including about 276,000 seniors in Maine, and boost Medicare savings.\u00a0\r\n\r\nThe letter was led by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) and, along with Senator King, cosigned by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).\r\n\r\nThe text of the letter is below:\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nDecember 20, 2016\r\n\r\n\r\nPresident-Elect Donald J. Trump \r\nPresidential Transition Headquarters\r\n1800 F Street, N.W., Room G-117\r\nWashington, D.C. 20270\r\n\r\nDear President-Elect Trump:\u00a0\r\nDuring your campaign, you promised to implement bold reforms to bring down the cost of prescription drugs. In fact, you acknowledged that \u201cCongress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America.\u201d You also supported allowing consumers\u2019 access to imported, safe, and dependable drugs from overseas and vowed to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors. And earlier this month you again promised to \u201cbring down drug prices.\u201d While there are many different policy options to achieve lower drug prices, it\u2019s clear that we all agree that all Americans deserve access to safe, effective, and affordable lifesaving medications. As Members of Congress, we are ready to advance bipartisan reforms that will help achieve the goal we all share: reducing the burden exorbitant drug prices are placing on hard-working Americans.\r\n\r\nPrescription drugs can work wonders \u2013 curing diseases and helping those with chronic illness live longer, healthier lives. Drug companies, however, have often engaged in abusive tactics that price lifesaving drugs out of reach for those in need. It is time to enact policies that improve transparency and competition in the commercial market and make the government a smarter purchaser of prescription drugs.\r\n\r\nIt is undeniable that more and more families are struggling to access medications, and in many cases, are forced to choose between paying for prescription drugs and other necessities, like food and shelter. The American public is fed up, with roughly 8-in-10 Americans reporting that drug prices are unreasonable, and that we must take action to lower costs. The public\u2019s concern is well founded, just last week the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid\u2019s Office of the Actuary published that, in 2015, prescription drug spending grew faster than any other category of medical spending for the second year in a row. This evidence comes despite claims from the drug industry that high drug spending in 2014 would only be a temporary blip.\r\n\r\nYou now have the authority to push for a future that prioritizes patients. We are ready to advance measures to achieve this goal and we urge you to partner with Republicans and Democrats alike to take meaningful steps to address the high cost of prescription drugs through bold administrative and legislative actions, including but not limited to the following actions:\r\n\r\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Give the Secretary of HHS the Authority to Negotiate Drug Prices. As you noted on the campaign trail, permitting the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices under Medicare could not only produce savings but would bring the largest payer in America in line with the activities of the rest of the insurance industry. In fact, you promised that \u201c(w)hen it comes time to negotiate the cost of drugs, we are going to negotiate like crazy.\u201d However, under current law, the Secretary is prohibited from doing so. We urge you to work with Congress to pass a law that lifts the current ban and gives the Secretary the authority to take immediate action and negotiate better prices for prescription drugs for our nation\u2019s more than 40 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries.\r\n\r\n2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Increase Transparency. Throughout your campaign, you also endorsed price transparency for the entire healthcare system. Patients should know drugs\u2019 true cost, not just the price that the drug companies and insurance companies choose to charge. We already have measures in place to require hospitals, providers, and other sections of the healthcare system to report on different cost measures; drug companies should be held to the same standards. We urge you to take immediate administrative action to require drug companies to publicly disclose costs associated with research and development, materials and manufacturing, and the federal benefits they receive in the form of tax credits, government grants, and government-funded research on which their products are based.\r\n\r\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stop Abusive Pricing. We urge you to protect consumers from abusive pricing practices \u2014not only gouging consumers with the 5,000-percent overnight price hikes that have made recent headlines, but also the persistent, unjustified double-digit price increases that drug corporations have levied on the American people year after year. As members of Congress, we are ready to work on legislation to combat these abusive practices.\r\n\r\n4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Protect and Incentivize True Innovation. Taxpayers, through the federal government, are deeply involved with every step of the drug development process, from supporting basic scientific research and clinical trials, to granting exclusive monopolies, tax incentives, and fee waivers. However, taxpayer funds need to be better targeted to deliver what we all want: safe, innovative, affordable, and effective drugs to address our most pressing public health issues and unmet medical needs. We urge you to work with Congress to pass commonsense reforms that better protect and incentivize innovation with the greatest need and health benefits to ensure affordable access and good stewardship of taxpayer dollars.\r\n5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ensure True Competition. It is past time to end the rigging of the prescription drug marketplace. Brand-name drug companies, for example, should not be allowed to take actions that block generic competitors from bringing their products to market. We urge you to task the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice with aggressively enforcing laws that currently exist and push for new provisions to ensure timely entrance of generics to the marketplace.\r\n\r\nDuring your campaign, you promised to address the high prescription drug prices that the vast majority of Republicans and Democrats expressed as a top concern in the election. In this letter, we have listed tangible ways your Administration can lead bipartisan work on this issue and fight for the millions of Americans who rely on prescription drugs to lead healthy lives. There will be ample opportunities to make good on these promises as Congress considers the Prescription Drug, Generic Drug, and Biosimilars User Fee Agreement reauthorizations and other health-related legislative priorities, and we look forward to your leadership on this issue by steering both sides of the aisle to work together to pass concrete reforms. We stand ready to support meaningful changes to the status quo and are committed to a future when all Americans can access lifesaving treatments when they need them. \r\nWe hope that you will join with Congress in living up to the expectations of the American people and prioritize this issue as President of the United States.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-poliquin-applaud-6-million-usda-investment-in-private-road-infrastructure-and-fish-habitat-in-northern-and-eastern-maine", "Collins, King, Poliquin Applaud $6 Million USDA Investment in Private Road Infrastructure and Fish Habitat in Northern and Eastern Maine", "2016-12-21", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King, Poliquin Applaud $6 Million USDA Investment in Private Road Infrastructure and Fish Habitat in Northern and Eastern Maine\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCollaborative project led by Nature Conservancy in partnership with more than two dozen other groups\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 21, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congressman Bruce Poliquin applauded today\u2019s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding a $6 million grant to a Maine partnership led by the Nature Conservancy that will\u00a0help private forestland owners\u00a0reduce the impacts that flooding has on road networks and restore more than 250 miles of fish habitat in northern and eastern Maine. Senators Collins and King and Congressman Poliquin wrote a joint letter of support for the initiative, called the Maine Aquatic Connectivity Restoration Project, in September.\r\n\u201cBy restoring and reconnecting waterways and improving roads and bridges, this project will help improve fish habitats and enhance the forest economy in northern and eastern Maine,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Collins.\u00a0 \u201cI commend The Nature Conservancy for partnering with local landowners and others on this collaborative effort that\u00a0will help protect our environment, improve fishing, and benefit communities throughout the region.\u201d\r\n\u201cThis project represents the very best of Maine \u2013 environmental stewardship combined with economic growth and driven by innovative collaboration \u2013 all of which once again shows that, in Maine, preserving our environment and building our economy can go hand-in-hand,\u201d\u00a0Senator King said.\u00a0\u201cI commend the Nature Conservancy for bringing this group together with the shared goal of improving fish habitats while also strengthening our forest roadway infrastructure, and appreciate the significant investment in Maine\u2019s future from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.\u201d\r\n\u201cOur State\u2019s fisheries and coastal habitats are treasures and key parts of Maine\u2019s identity, providing for thousands of jobs through tourism, harvesting and other critical industries,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Poliquin. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have urged support for this important project and am thrilled to see its approval to help advance our infrastructure and protect our environment and the thousands of Maine families who depend on it.\u201d\r\nThe 5-year Maine Aquatic Connectivity Restoration Project aims to replace several hundred culverts and fix fractured aquatic connectivity to over a dozen priority watersheds with the goal of restoring 250 miles of brooks, streams and rivers in northern and eastern Maine. This\u00a0partnership is led by the Nature Conservancy and includes more than two dozen entities that include private forestland owners, tribal communities, federal agencies, conservation groups and local operators.\u00a0\r\nThe grant announced today comes through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which is administered by the USDA\u2019s Natural Resources Conservation Service.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/vermont/u-32s-mccann-is-vt-teacher-of-the-year", "U-32s McCann is Vt. Teacher of the Year", "2016-12-21", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U-32\u2019s McCann is Vt. Teacher of the Year\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By:\u00a0 Eric Blaisdell \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTimes Argus\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, December 21, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tEAST MONTPELIER \u2014 A mathematics teacher at U-32 Middle & High School has been named Vermont\u2019s Teacher of the Year for 2017.\r\nKatherine McCann, who is in the middle of her 11th year at the school, was chosen for the honor by the Agency of Education. The alternate Teacher of the Year is Rachael Potts, a special education and transition specialist at Harwood Union High School in Duxbury, and a finalist was Corey Smith, a fourth-grade teacher at Proctor Elementary School.\r\nMcCann is now Vermont\u2019s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award, which is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers. She will travel this spring to the White House in Washington for a reception where she will meet President Donald Trump.\u00a0\r\nMcCann was told the news at a surprise assembly at the East Montpelier school Tuesday.\r\nShe said in an interview that it was \u201cvery overwhelming\u201d to be picked and she wasn\u2019t sure what it entailed.\r\n\u201cI hope that I can do a good job speaking for teachers throughout the state,\u201d McCann said.\r\nContinue reading here", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/social-security-checks-are-being-reduced-for-unpaid-student-debt", "Social Security Checks Are Being Reduced for Unpaid Student Debt", "2016-12-20", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Social Security Checks Are Being Reduced for Unpaid Student Debt\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By:\u00a0 Josh Mitchell \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 20, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tThe federal government is increasingly taking money out of recipients\u2019 Social Security checks to recover millions in unpaid student debt, leaving thousands of retired and disabled Americans with below-poverty incomes, according to a report set to be released Tuesday.\r\nThe government has collected about $1.1 billion since 2001 from Social Security recipients of all ages over unpaid student loans, the Government Accountability Office reported. That includes $171 million in Social Security benefits in fiscal 2015 alone.\r\nIn the year through September 2015, about 114,000 Americans age 50 and older had their Social Security benefits reduced to offset defaulted student loans. That figure\u2014which includes 38,000 people age 65 or older\u2014has risen 440% since 2002.\r\nThe report highlights the growing number of baby boomers who are entering retirement with student debt, many of them in default on loans from decades ago. About 4 in 10 borrowers whose Social Security checks were garnished have held the debt for at least 20 years, the report said. Most of the borrowers took out the loans to pay for their own educations, though a big share borrowed to help pay for their children\u2019s schooling.\r\nContinue reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/study-largest-us-banks-still-charge-high-overdraft-fees", "Study: Largest U.S. banks still charge high overdraft fees", "2016-12-20", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Study: Largest U.S. banks still charge high overdraft fees\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By:\u00a0 Kevin McCoy \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 20, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMost major U.S. banks continue to charge high fees when customers overdraft their accounts, according to a new report issued Tuesday.\r\nMore than two out of five banks also rearrange their processing of account holders' transactions with a procedure that maximizes overdraft fees, said the report by The Pew Charitable Trusts, an independent, non-profit organization.\r\nA separate review of overdraft programs at a selection of smaller U.S. banks found many practices are largely comparable to those of larger banks, the report also concluded.\r\nSome of the findings echo previous studies of the issue, including a 2008 analysis by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp and a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau study in 2013. The new results show a need for banks to institute new policies that prevent their widely-offered \"courtesy\" overdraft programs \"from being costly and unsustainable forms of short-term credit for many financially vulnerable consumers, said Nick Bourke, director of Pew's consumer finance project.\r\nContinue reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/vermont/as-vermonts-ag-donovan-to-focus-on-criminal-justice-reform", "As Vermonts AG, Donovan to Focus on Criminal Justice Reform", "2016-12-20", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As Vermont\u2019s AG, Donovan to Focus on Criminal Justice Reform\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 20, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tLast month, Vermonters elected T.J. Donovan, 42, to serve as Vermont\u2019s next attorney general. He will replace Attorney General Bill Sorrell, who has held the office since 1997.\u00a0 Donovan has served as Chittenden County\u2019s state\u2019s attorney for the last decade and is planning an ambitious agenda as Vermont\u2019s attorney general, including significant criminal justice reform on the state level.\u00a0\r\nIn an interview last week, Donovan outlined some of that agenda:\r\nQUESTION: What are your major goals as Vermont\u2019s attorney general?\r\nDONOVAN: My biggest goal is to simply help Vermonters, wherever they are, whomever they are, and with whatever they need. The Attorney General\u2019s Office has a broad portfolio that touches many different areas. But what I feel passionately about is just helping regular folks with issues that are preventing them from getting ahead or getting by. That could mean helping a small business figure out what the rules and regs are in order for compliance. It could mean making sure that we continue to reform our criminal justice system so we don\u2019t keep people out of upward mobility. It could mean making sure that we\u2019re protecting our environment so we have clean water and clean air. Just being engaged at a really local level -- at a grassroots level -- and helping Vermonters get ahead. \r\nWhat I believe in is in common sense. I believe in the goodness of people. I believe most people want to do the right thing. And I\u2019m excited to be an Attorney General who, hopefully, responds in a way that helps regular folks get ahead. \u00a0\r\nQUESTION:\u00a0 In Chittenden County, you developed the Rapid Intervention Community Court. Can you speak a little about that? Is that the model for a statewide approach to criminal justice reform?\r\n[Note: The Rapid Intervention Community Court is an award-winning pre-charge diversion program started by Donovan in 2010 for non-violent offenders whose crimes were driven by addiction or mental illness.]\u00a0\r\nDONOVAN:\u00a0 I think it is. Most people who are in jail are there because of addiction and mental illness. We have a heroin epidemic. We also have a mental health crisis in this state\u2026 I would say that our largest mental health facility is our jails.\u00a0 As state\u2019s attorney, I just started seeing the same folks day in and day out, coming into the criminal court system\u2014mostly poor, uneducated, unemployed or under-employed with an addiction issue or mental health issue. The traditional approach through the criminal justice system is, you really have three different types of responses: you can put them in jail; they\u2019re going to get out. You can put them on probation and ask them to comply with certain conditions that they\u2019re not going to be able to. Or you can ask them to pay a monetary fine that they\u2019re never going to pay because they don\u2019t have any money. \r\nIt created this cycle of recidivism and failure. I don\u2019t think it was making our community more safe. I think it was making our community less safe. It cost a whole lot of money, too. We spend more money on corrections in this state than we do on higher education.\r\nQUESTION: Do you have numbers on that?\r\nDONOVAN: Our corrections budget is roughly $150 million. It costs more than $73,000 a year to incarcerate a woman. It costs about $59,000 to incarcerate a man. \r\nQUESTION: Per year?\r\nDONOVAN: Per year. And we have a recidivism rate of, I think, close to 50 percent -- meaning five out of 10 people who are in our jails are back in our jails, at a cost not only to the taxpayer, but to the individual and to our community. And so I said, \u201cLet\u2019s try something different.\u201d \r\nIf most people are coming in because of addiction, because of mental illness, I think what a safe community looks like is a community where people are sober, are healthy, are stable, are housed, and hopefully working. \u2026\u00a0[The Rapid Intervention Community Court] was about redefining what accountability is. We\u2019d do compliance checks at 30, 60, 90 days. And my point was: if somebody\u2019s in treatment, somebody\u2019s doing what they\u2019re supposed to be doing in the community and they\u2019re in compliance, that\u2019s going to make us more safe as a society than convicting somebody of a retail theft and asking them to pay $200 that they don\u2019t have. \r\nQUESTION: How was that effort received, was there any pushback?\r\nDONOVAN: Of course there was pushback, it was different. But it worked. And that was the difference. When you look at the traditional system, you can\u2019t justify the numbers. You can\u2019t justify the $150 million that the Vermont taxpayers are paying. \r\nQUESTION: I saw you that have said, \u201cThe best form of public safety is a good job.\u201d\r\nDONOVAN: Absolutely. Because, again, any courthouse you go to, any jail you go to, you\u2019re going to see the poor. And you ask yourself the question: why? \r\nThe poor don\u2019t have a monopoly on committing crime, but that is who is represented in the criminal justice system, by and large. And it becomes a cycle \u2026 Poverty plays a role in this. What neighborhoods are being enforced? Who\u2019s getting arrested and for what? What type of lawyer do you have or do you even have a lawyer? All these different variables play out. And poverty is the one constant in it. The poor get the short end of the stick.\r\n\u2026\u00a0 And what that leads to is the marginalization of folks by virtue of having criminal records. Criminal records prevent people from getting jobs, period. We get petitions every week\u2014probably every day -- in the criminal justice system from folks who are trying to get old criminal histories expunged so they can get a job. It\u2019s mostly for minimum wage work. What we\u2019ve done is we\u2019ve marginalized so many people in the name of \u201cpublic safety\u201d and it has not worked. We are more safe when people are working. Give people the opportunity, because here\u2019s the thing -- there\u2019s no judge, and there\u2019s no prosecutor, when that case was adjudicated and the sentence was imposed, that they ever thought that they were sentencing this person to a lifetime of poverty. But that\u2019s what\u2019s happened. \r\nQUESTION: What would you do first, in terms of criminal justice reform?\r\nDONOVAN: I\u2019m a big believer in expunging criminal records because we have to hit the reset button. It is some of the best anti-poverty work we can do. So, expunging old criminal histories -- and it\u2019s not sex offenses and murders -- I\u2019m talking the low-level stuff. It\u2019s the low-level stuff that\u2019s kept people out of the mainstream of society, upward mobility because they can\u2019t get that job. Create the infrastructure in the community for alternatives, not just to incarceration, but alternatives to the criminal justice system.\r\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-126-million-contract-modification-for-bath-iron-works", "Collins, King Announce $126 Million Contract Modification for Bath Iron Works", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Announce $126 Million Contract Modification for Bath Iron Works\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, December 19, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works a $125,950,046 contract modification. The funding will be used to continue Integrated Planning Yard services for Arleigh Burke-class and Oliver Hazard Perry-class ships.\r\n\u201cThis funding is critical to ensuring that the highly-skilled men and women of Bath Iron Works have the necessary resources to continue manufacturing the best, most-advanced destroyers in our Navy,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cWe applaud the Navy for this contract modification, which will support our country\u2019s national security and the Maine economy.\u201d\r\nThis funding is a cost-plus-award-fee modification to a previously awarded contract for the continuation of Integrated Planning Yard services. The modification covers integrated planning and support for the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Oliver Hazard Perry-class of frigates built at Bath, and tasks include design, planning, and modernization efforts. Funding was allocated through the Navy\u2019s Naval Sea Systems Command.\r\nSenator Collins is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-backed-bill-to-improve-training-and-support-for-first-responders-signed-into-law-", "King-Backed Bill to Improve Training & Support for First Responders Signed into Law", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King-Backed Bill to Improve Training & Support for First Responders Signed into Law \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBipartisan RESPONSE Act will help provide better resources & training to respond to incidents, including train derailments like Lac-Megantic \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, December 19, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSALEM TOWNSHIP, ME \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the President has signed into law the RESPONSE Act, bipartisan legislation he cosponsored that supports first responders by making sure they have the resources and tools to handle potential hazardous incidents, including crude oil train derailments.\r\nSenator King has been working with his colleagues to equip emergency response teams with the necessary tools and resources to prepare for hazmat incidents on the rails and keep communities safe since 2013, after a train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec near the western Maine border, killing more than 45 people.\r\n\u201cLocal law enforcement is our first line of defense in the event of a crisis, and first responders on the scene can truly mean the difference between life and death. And, in so many cases, coordination is key to ensuring first responders get what they need to ensure they can do what it takes to keep Maine people safe from harm and cared for in the face of a tragedy,\u201d said Senator King. \u201cThis isn\u2019t the only step, but it\u2019s certainly an important step forward in providing Maine\u2019s first responders with the tools and resources they need as they do their critical work.\u201d\r\nThe Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Act establishes a public-private council that combines emergency responders, federal agencies, and leading experts to review training and best practices for first responders. This council, co-chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), will provide Congress with expert recommendations on how to address first responders\u2019 safety needs with increased railway safety challenges so they can best protect communities across the country.\r\nThe bill was led by Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Representative Ron Kind (D-Wisc.). Along with Senator King, other cosponsors include Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri), and Bob Casey (D-Penn.).\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-visits-with-students-teachers-at-mt-blue-and-mt-abram-high-schools", "King Visits with Students, Teachers at Mt. Blue & Mt. Abram High Schools", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Visits with Students, Teachers at Mt. Blue & Mt. Abram High Schools\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, December 19, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\n\u00a0\r\nSALEM TOWNSHIP, ME \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today visited with students and teachers at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington and Mt. Abram High School in Salem Township. At Mt. Blue, Senator King toured the school and spoke with students. At Mt. Abram, he spoke to the entire student body to describe his work in the U.S. Senate and also took questions.\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t step inside a Maine school without being impressed by our thoughtful and hardworking students,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cThere were innovative projects and insightful questions at both Mt. Blue and Mt. Abram today, and Maine has a bright future with such talented kids \u2013 and that\u2019s a testament to the dedicated work being done by our educators every day. I thank both Mt. Blue and Mt. Abram for the great visits today. These are two impressive schools with a great, infectious spirit of learning.\u201d\r\n\r\nMt. Blue High School is part of Regional School Unit 9, serving more than 680 students from Farmington, Wilton,\u00a0Starks, Industry, Chesterville, New Sharon, Weld, Temple, Vienna and New Vineyard. As part of the tour, Senator King met with students and teachers at the Foster Career and Technical Education Center that provides hand-on learning opportunities on the Mt. Blue campus. He also spoke with a group of approximately 50 students during their lunch break.\r\nMt. Abram High School is part of School Administrative District #58, which serves the towns of Strong, Avon, Phillips, and Kingfield \u2013 as well as the surrounding townships and plantations. The entire school body of approximately 230 students met with Senator King in the auditorium, where he discussed his work in Washington and took questions from the students.\r\n Photo 1: Senator King takes a selfie with students at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington.  \r\n Photo 2: Senator King speaks with students at Mt. Abram High School in Salem Township.  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manufacturing-bill-cosponsored-by-collins-king-set-to-become-law", "Manufacturing Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King Set To Become Law", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Manufacturing Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King Set To Become Law\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tLegislation will help Maine manufacturers get resources needed to compete globally\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, December 19, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that President Obama is expected to sign into law soon bipartisan legislation they cosponsored that will help support small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies across Maine.\r\nThe Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act, which will be signed into law as part of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, will expand and improve the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program \u2013 the premier federal program that addresses the crucial needs of small- and medium-sized manufacturers by offering resources to help them compete globally, support greater supply chain integration, and provide access to information, training, and technologies that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.\r\n\u201cIn Maine, manufacturing has always driven economic prosperity and helped create stable, good-paying jobs for people across our state,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cTo continue that success in this globally-competitive economy will require forging new relationships, increasing collaboration among public and private sectors, and prioritizing innovation \u2013 all of which Maine MEP does day-in and day-out in support of manufacturers throughout the state. This legislation will enhance Maine MEP\u2019s ability to provide critical resources to companies that will create jobs and spur economic growth.\u201d\r\nBuilt on a nationwide network of centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP program is a partnership between the federal government and a variety of private sector entities that serve as trusted business advisors and technical experts to thousands of small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies.\r\nThe Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act was introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-over-12-million-in-funding-for-promise-early-education-center", "Collins, King Announce Over $1.2 Million in Funding for Promise Early Education Center", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Announce Over $1.2 Million in Funding for Promise Early Education Center\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 16, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Administration for Children and Families has awarded Promise Early Education Center in Lewiston $1,227,569 to support early childhood education.\r\n\u201cEarly childhood education provides the essential building blocks for a healthy life,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cPromise Early Education Center works day in and day out to encourage educational opportunity for all children, and we commend this investment in Maine\u2019s future.\u201d\r\nHead Start was established in 1965 to promote school readiness and provide a comprehensive array of health, nutritional, and social services to eligible four- and five-year-old preschoolers and their families. Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being. The Office of Head Start (OHS), an office within the Administration for Children and Families, administers grant funding and oversight to the local agencies that provide Head Start services in Maine and across the country. \u00a0\r\nPromise Early Education Center aims to provide a safe, affordable, and engaging place for children to learn and grow. The center serves children from six weeks to five years old and their families throughout Androscoggin County.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-welcome-navys-new-fleet-plan", "Collins, King Welcome Navy’s New Fleet Plan", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Welcome Navy\u2019s New Fleet Plan\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 16, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement after the Navy announced a new fleet plan calling for a goal of 355 battle force ships. This includes an increase of 16 large surface combatant ships compared to the Navy\u2019s current goal. These ships include the DDG-1000 and Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyers produced by Bath Iron Works. In light of the increasing capabilities of foreign adversaries, the Navy has determined that these additional destroyers are necessary to increase air defense and ballistic missile defense capacity, as well as provide escorts for additional aircraft carriers. The Navy\u2019s new assessment is also consistent with President-elect Trump\u2019s stated goal of building a 350-ship Navy.\r\n\u201cWe welcome the Navy\u2019s candid assessment of the naval fleet that is necessary to protect the United States. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has been a staunch supporter of shipbuilding during his eight year tenure, and we applaud him today for taking a fresh look at the necessary size and capability of the Navy\u2019s fleet, particularly while China continues to modernize its own naval forces,\u201d said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. \u201cThe Navy\u2019s new 355 ship goal is not only an important benchmark to achieve for our nation\u2019s security, but good news for Bath Iron Works and the State of Maine, where the Navy\u2019s world-class destroyers are built.\u201d\r\nSenator Collins is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-applauds-senate-intelligence-committees-expected-review-of-russian-involvement-in-us-election", "King Applauds Senate Intelligence Committee’s Expected Review of Russian Involvement in U.S. Election", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Applauds Senate Intelligence Committee\u2019s Expected Review of Russian Involvement in U.S. Election\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 16, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tCARIBOU, ME \u2013 In response to an announcement that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will conduct a review of Russia\u2019s interference in the U.S. election, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Committee, released the following statement:\r\n\u201cI welcome the Chairman\u2019s announcement that the Senate Intelligence Committee will pursue a thorough and expeditious review of Russia\u2019s involvement in our election. It is unacceptable to allow a foreign government to interfere in the American electoral process. This review will be central to understanding the scope of their involvement and will provide Congress with crucial information that can help prevent this from happening again. For me, this is not about the last election. This is about the next election \u2013 and it\u2019s about protecting and preserving the integrity of American democracy.\u201d\r\n\u201cI also continue to hope that, to the greatest extent possible, our Committee can make information available to the American people because the first line of defense against intrusions like these is an educated and vigilant public.\u201d\r\nTo read Chairman Richard Burr\u2019s (R-N.C.) announcement about the Senate Intelligence Committee\u2019s review, click HERE.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/social-security-administration-incorporates-king-proposals-in-new-rule-to-improve-disability-programs", "Social Security Administration Incorporates King Proposals in New Rule to Improve Disability Programs", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Social Security Administration Incorporates King Proposals in New Rule to Improve Disability Programs\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tInclusion of King\u2019s suggestions will help better support Maine people living with disabilities\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 16, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAUGUSTA, ME \u2013 The Social Security Administration (SSA) today released a final rule that incorporates several proposals from U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) that will better support people in Maine living with disabilities.\r\nIn Maine today, an applicant for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits has to wait 13 months on average from the time they request an appeals hearing at the Portland SSA hearing office to the date that it takes place. The proposals from Senator King incorporated into today\u2019s final rule will help reduce the considerable wait times that people with disabilities experience when applying for programs that can help them support themselves if they are unable to perform substantial work. The changes to the rule are in line with those suggested by Senator King in a letter he wrote to the SSA last month.\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI am encouraged the Social Security Administration has incorporated many of my suggestions into this final rule. It\u2019s simply unfair and wrong to force people living with work-limiting disabilities to wait so long to figure out what benefits they are eligible for \u2013 and what\u2019s worse, to essentially not allow them to make any money while they wait,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cWith the inclusion of these suggestions, I am hopeful that the disability appeals backlog will be reduced significantly and the program will become a more efficient and effective tool to support people with disabilities across Maine.\u201d\r\nToday\u2019s final rule is the culmination of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that the SSA had been working on to improve the procedures used to review applicants for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. SSDI and SSI provide critical support for people with disabilities in Maine and around the country, but unfortunately, applicants often face substantial wait times that cause hardship and uncertainty. For example, the average wait time for applicants in Maine is 13 months from the time they request an appeals hearing at the Portland SSA hearing office to the date that it takes place.\r\nSeveral of the proposals included in the draft NPRM were similar to suggestions made by Senator King in a 2015 disability whitepaper. However, Senator King believed that there were ways to improve on the draft version of SAA\u2019s proposal, and in November, he wrote a letter urging SSA to adjust some of those proposals to promote a faster appeals process that increases efficiency while maintaining fairness for applicants.\r\nIn his November letter, Senator King suggested a 75-day advance hearing notice for SSDI and SSI applicants along with a requirement that applicants submit evidence of their disability at least five days before their hearing \u2013 instead of the 60-day notice originally proposed by SSA. Senator King\u2019s letter also called for a good-cause exemption to the 5-day pre-hearing evidence submission requirement for applicants that is consistently enforced and applied to the full range of submissions. Both of those suggestions were included in the final rule announced by SSA today.\r\nSenator King held a disability roundtable last fall where he heard directly from Mainers, after which he has worked with SSA to improve the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. He published a whitepaper last November with his proposals to help Mainers with disabilities enter the workforce.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/credit-card-rates-are-going-up-and-may-keep-rising", "Credit-Card Rates Are Going Up and May Keep Rising", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Credit-Card Rates Are Going Up and May Keep Rising\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By:\u00a0 By PETER RUDEGEAIR and  ANNAMARIA ANDRIOTIS \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 16, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tCredit-card companies have been spending huge sums to woo consumers with perks and rewards. Now, cardholders are about to be reminded that lenders can dish out higher costs, too.\r\nThe annual percentage rates on millions of credit-card accounts are set to rise following the Federal Reserve\u2019s decision\u00a0on Wednesday\u00a0toincrease its target short-term interest rate.\r\nBorrowers can expect the quarter-point rate increase to pass through to their card balances within the next two billing cycles, saidGreg McBride,\u00a0chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com, a firm that tracks credit-card rates.\r\nContinue reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/employers-nationwide-gave-raises-to-avoid-paying-overtime-now-theyre-taking-them-back", "Employers nationwide gave raises to avoid paying overtime. Now they're taking them back.", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Employers nationwide gave raises to avoid paying overtime. Now they're taking them back.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By:\u00a0 Jack Smith IV  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 16, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tGarrett Hutcheson, a supervisor at a catering supply company in the southwest, was told he was getting an enormous raise: a $7,000 bump to his salary of around $40,000. The extra cash meant he could move his youngfamily\u00a0out of his girlfriend's parents' house. Instead, he'll be staying there, working long night shifts without overtime pay.\r\n\"This would've gotten us on our feet,\" Hutcheson said. \"I've still got hope, but I'm not optimistic.\"\r\nPay increases like the one Hutcheson got, the result of a\u00a0regulatory rule change by the Obama administration, were set to help more than 4 million workers. Just the expectation of the new rule triggered raises for workers across the country, including managers at\u00a0Walmart,\u00a0. Now, as a result of the\u00a0ongoing tussle between the administration and federal courts\u00a0regarding overtime pay that began in 2014, an injunction against the rule means a victory for big business interests \u2014 and rescinding of raises for Hutcheson and an unclear number of fellow workers.\r\nContinue reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cummings-and-sanders-raise-concerns-about-assertions-to-congress-by-heritage-pharmaceuticals-while-company-engaged-in-alleged-price-fixing", "Cummings and Sanders Raise Concerns about Assertions to Congress by Heritage Pharmaceuticals While Company Engaged in Alleged Price Fixing", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Cummings and Sanders Raise Concerns about Assertions to Congress by Heritage Pharmaceuticals While Company Engaged in Alleged Price Fixing\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 16, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 16 \u2014 Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Senator Bernie Sanders, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, sent a letter to Heritage Pharmaceuticals requesting information about the company\u2019s assertions to Congress in 2014 while the company was engaged in alleged price fixing of certain drugs, according to the Department of Justice and Attorneys General from 20 different states.\r\nCummings and Sanders first began investigating Heritage\u2019s pricing practices in 2014 when they sent a letter to the company\u2019s former CEO, Jeffrey Glazer, raising concerns and requesting documents about the sales and pricing of doxycycline hyclate.\r\nIn response, Heritage\u2019s counsel sent a letter on October 23, 2014, asserting that \u201cHeritage has not seen any significant price increases for its Doxycycline Hyclate DR product in the United States market.\u201d\u00a0 Heritage declined to provide any of the documents or information the Members requested.\r\nThe individual who signed the letter making these assertions is Gary Ruckelshaus, who served at the time at an outside firm, but now appears to have joined Heritage as Vice President and General Counsel.\u00a0\r\nThis week, the Department of Justice filed charges against Mr. Glazer and former Heritage President Jason Malek for engaging in price fixing with doxycycline hyclate and another drug.\u00a0 Attorneys General from 20 states followed with their own complaint yesterday.\r\n\u201cIn light of these new criminal allegations against Mr. Glazer and Mr. Malek, we are very concerned that your company made these assertions to Congress during the exact time period that your executives were engaged in a price fixing scheme to prevent competition from driving down prices of doxycycline hyclate, according to the Department of Justice,\u201d Cummings and Sanders wrote. \u00a0\u201cIf these allegations are true and Heritage executives sought to keep the price of doxycycline hyclate artificially high through price fixing and other anticompetitive arrangements, your company\u2019s assertions to Congress now seem disingenuous at best.\u201d\r\nIn today\u2019s letter, the Members requested all communications relating to their request and Heritage\u2019s response in 2014, as well as all materials about the company\u2019s sales and pricing of doxycycline hyclate. The Members requested this information by December 30, 2016.\u00a0\r\nClick here read today\u2019s letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/cummings-and-sanders-raise-concerns-about-assertions-to-congress-by-heritage-pharmaceuticals-while-company-engaged-in-alleged-price-fixing", "Cummings and Sanders Raise Concerns about Assertions to Congress by Heritage Pharmaceuticals While Company Engaged in Alleged Price Fixing", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Cummings and Sanders Raise Concerns about Assertions to Congress by Heritage Pharmaceuticals While Company Engaged in Alleged Price Fixing\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 16, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 16 \u2014 Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Senator Bernie Sanders, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, sent a letter to Heritage Pharmaceuticals requesting information about the company\u2019s assertions to Congress in 2014 while the company was engaged in alleged price fixing of certain drugs, according to the Department of Justice and Attorneys General from 20 different states.\r\nCummings and Sanders first began investigating Heritage\u2019s pricing practices in 2014 when they sent a\u00a0letter\u00a0to the company\u2019s former CEO, Jeffrey Glazer, raising concerns and requesting documents about the sales and pricing of doxycycline hyclate.\r\nIn response, Heritage\u2019s counsel sent a letter on October 23, 2014, asserting that \u201cHeritage has not seen any significant price increases for its Doxycycline Hyclate DR product in the United States market.\u201d\u00a0 Heritage declined to provide any of the documents or information the Members requested.\r\nThe individual who signed the letter making these assertions is Gary Ruckelshaus, who served at the time at an outside firm, but now appears to have joined Heritage as Vice President and General Counsel.\u00a0\r\nThis week, the Department of Justice filed charges against Mr. Glazer and former Heritage President Jason Malek for engaging in price fixing with doxycycline hyclate and another drug.\u00a0 Attorneys General from 20 states followed with their own complaint yesterday.\r\n\u201cIn light of these new criminal allegations against Mr. Glazer and Mr. Malek, we are very concerned that your company made these assertions to Congress during the exact time period that your executives were engaged in a price fixing scheme to prevent competition from driving down prices of doxycycline hyclate, according to the Department of Justice,\u201d Cummings and Sanders wrote. \u00a0\u201cIf these allegations are true and Heritage executives sought to keep the price of doxycycline hyclate artificially high through price fixing and other anticompetitive arrangements, your company\u2019s assertions to Congress now seem disingenuous at best.\u201d\r\nIn today\u2019s letter, the Members requested all communications relating to their request and Heritage\u2019s response in 2014, as well as all materials about the company\u2019s sales and pricing of doxycycline hyclate. The Members requested this information by December 30, 2016.\u00a0\r\nClick\u00a0here\u00a0read today\u2019s letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/president-signs-bipartisan-bill-cosponsored-by-collins-king-to-protect-northern-border-into-law-", "President Signs Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King to Protect Northern Border into Law", "2016-12-15", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "President Signs Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King to Protect Northern Border into Law \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tLegislation will assess and strengthen security along Northern Border, unanimously passed both U.S. Senate and House of Representatives   \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 15, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the President has signed the Northern Border Security Review Act, a bipartisan bill to assess and strengthen American security at the Northern Border, into law. Both Senators Collins and King are cosponsors of the legislation, which will help to make sure that Maine communities remain strong and safe.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely critical that we have a secure Northern Border, and the comprehensive review triggered by this bill is a valuable step forward in assessing and strengthening those efforts on the ground,\u201d said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. \u201cWe\u2019re glad that the President has signed the Northern Border Security Review Act into law, and will continue to work with Maine law enforcement, federal partners, and other border community members with the shared goal of keeping Maine safe and secure.\u201d\r\nNow law, the Northern Border Security Review Act requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to evaluate security threats at the border \u2013 the longest common land border in the world \u2013 through a comprehensive examination of current resources and personnel levels. The assessments called for in the bill will help tackle the coordination challenges that federal border security officials and local law enforcement face, and address how to recruit and retain a strong border security workforce.\r\nThe U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the bill late last month, just weeks after it unanimously passed in the U.S. Senate. After the bill passed the Senate, Senators Collins and King received a classified briefing by high-ranking officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on threat reporting, smuggling and trafficking trends, border security technology requirements, and staffing in remote locations.\r\nAt 5,500 miles long, including 1,500 miles between Alaska and Canada, the Northern Border has more than 120 border crossings, many of which are small and in rural areas. Approximately 300,000 people and $910 million in trade cross the Northern Border every day, representing the largest bilateral flow of goods and people in the world. The Northern Border Security Review Act will require a comprehensive examination of how to strengthen American security at the Northern Border by looking into issues with:\r\n \r\nRecruiting and retaining border security officials to cover the Northern Border, including at more remote areas of the border;\r\nDetermining tools border security officials need to effectively combat drug and human trafficking at the Northern Border;\r\nIdentifying technology that could expand the reach of border agents; and\r\nFinding vulnerabilities in cooperation between state, county, local, tribal, and Canadian law enforcement.\r\n \r\nThe bill was led by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). Other cosponsors include Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). A summary of the bill is available HERE.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-outpatient-procedure-is-successful", "Sanders' Outpatient Procedure is Successful", "2016-12-15", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders' Outpatient Procedure is Successful\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, December 15, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBETHESDA, Md., Dec. 15 \u2013 U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) had an outpatient procedure today to remove a small basal-cell carcinoma from his cheek.\r\nThe procedure, which lasted about an hour, was completed successfully. Sanders returned to work after the procedure and, later, took a plane home to Vermont.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/democratic-senators-call-on-trump-education-secretary-nominee-devos-to-pay-53-million-in-unpaid-fines-for-election-violations", "Democratic Senators Call on Trump Education Secretary Nominee DeVos to Pay $5.3 Million in Unpaid Fines for Election Violations", "2016-12-14", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Democratic Senators Call on Trump Education Secretary Nominee DeVos to Pay $5.3 Million in Unpaid Fines for Election Violations\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, December 14, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON \u2014 Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)\u00a0and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced that they are calling on President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, to ensure payment of the $5.3 million in fines and penalties owed by DeVos\u2019 All Children Matter Political Action Committee (PAC) for campaign finance violations dating back to 2008. All Children Matter broke Ohio election law by illegally funneling $870,000 in contributions from its nationwide PAC to its Ohio affiliate \u2013 and accordingly, the state of Ohio levied a record fine of more than $5 million against DeVos\u2019 group. Yet nearly a decade later, the PAC has not paid the debts for its illegal activities.\u00a0\r\nIn a letter to DeVos, the senators expressed their deep concern at the willingness of DeVos\u2019 PAC to both brazenly disregard election law and blatantly refuse to take responsibility and pay its fines. The senators noted that, as Secretary of Education, DeVos would be responsible for seeing to the timely repayment of debt from student loan borrowers \u2013 even as the PAC she chaired refused to pay fines that are nearly a decade old. Roughly 44 million Americans owe nearly $1.3 trillion in federal student loans, creating a crushing debt burden for individuals struggling to make their payments. But when All Children Matter broke election law and was fined a record $5.3 million, DeVos\u2019 group chose to simply cease operations and disband, rather than taking responsibility for its debts.\u00a0\r\n\"The blatant disregard for the law that your PAC demonstrated is deeply troubling. However, when the organization\u2019s violations of law were punished by the Ohio Elections Commission, the PAC\u2019s refusal to take responsibility and pay the fines is unconscionable,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cIf confirmed as Secretary of Education, you would be responsible for administering our nation\u2019s student loan programs and ensuring that borrowers repay their loans in a timely manner. However, the PAC that you chaired failed to pay fines that were imposed on it over eight years ago. This demonstrates a serious lack of judgment by the PAC\u2019s board and a willingness to avoid paying legally obligated public debts.\u201d\r\n\u201cPrior to your confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, we request that you take the necessary steps to ensure payment of all fines and penalties imposed on the All Children Matter PACs by the Ohio Elections Commission and the state courts,\u201d the senators continued.\u00a0\r\nDeVos\u2019 leadership role in the All Children Matter PAC is one of her many activities as a longtime billionaire mega-donor for conservative causes, with DeVos stating her own goal to be \u201cbuying influence.\u201d As DeVos wrote in a 1997 op-ed for Roll Call, \u201cmy family is the largest single contributor of soft money to the national Republican party\u2026. I have decided, however, to stop taking offense at the suggestion that we are buying influence. Now, I simply concede the point. We expect to foster a conservative governing philosophy consisting of limited government and respect for traditional American virtues. We expect a return on our investment; we expect a good and honest government. Furthermore, we expect the Republican party to use the money to promote these policies, and yes, to win elections.\u201d\r\nThe full text of the letter can be found\u00a0here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-welch-call-for-reversal-of-fairpoint-layoffs-", "Sanders, Welch Call For Reversal of FairPoint Layoffs", "2016-12-14", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Welch Call For Reversal of FairPoint Layoffs \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, December 14, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 14 \u2013 U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., Tuesday called upon the CEOs of FairPoint Communications and the Illinois company that is set to purchase it, Consolidated Communications Holdings, to reverse the planned layoff of nearly 10 percent of FairPoint\u2019s workforce.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIt is particularly callous to destroy the livelihoods of loyal FairPoint workers just as the cold weather approaches and as families prepare to celebrate the holiday season,\u201d Sanders and Welch wrote to FairPoint CEO Paul Sunu. \u201cThese workers helped build the company\u2019s value, yet they are being discarded as collateral damage of a sale designed to maximize profits for a tiny group of Wall Street hedge fund investors.\u201d\u00a0\r\nIn their letter to the CEO of Consolidated Communications, which is in the process of purchasing FairPoint, Sanders and Welch outlined FairPoint\u2019s checkered history in dealing with its Vermont workforce, stating \u201cFairPoint\u2019s relationship with its workforce was unnecessarily antagonist.\u201d The Charlotte, N.C.-based phone company purchased Verizon Communication\u2019s landline phone operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont in 2007.\r\n\u201cInstead of negotiating a reasonable labor agreement, [FairPoint] pursued drastic cuts to pay and benefits that led to a four-month strike in 2014-15,\u201d Sanders and Welch wrote. \u201cJust three months after the strike ended, FairPoint closed its South Burlington call center and laid-off more than 70 unionized workers. Most recently, FairPoint announced last month that it was laying off nearly 10 percent of its remaining workforce, presumably to make the company more attractive for the sale to Consolidated.\u201d\r\nSanders and Welch said reversing the layoffs would \u201cbe a significant demonstration of good faith\u201d on Consolidated\u2019s part. \u00a0\r\n\u201cWe urge you to reverse FairPoint\u2019s decision and send the clear message that Consolidated values its workers and the communities in which the company operates. We know the CWA and IBEW welcome the opportunity to work with Consolidated to help make its New England operations successful again,\u201d Sanders and Welch wrote.\r\nTo read the letter to FairPoint,\u00a0click here\r\nTo read the letter to Consolidated Communications,\u00a0click here", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/at-sanford-vet-center-king-thanks-maine-veterans-during-holiday-luncheon", "At Sanford Vet Center, King Thanks Maine Veterans During Holiday Luncheon", "2016-12-13", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At Sanford Vet Center, King Thanks Maine Veterans During Holiday Luncheon\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 13, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSPRINGVALE, ME\u00a0\u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) attended the annual Sanford Vet Center Holiday Luncheon in Springvale where he expressed his gratitude to veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice for the nation. The luncheon was jointly sponsored by the Sanford Vet Center and American Legion T.W. Cole Post 19, and serves hundreds of veterans and their families.\r\n\u201cOur veterans have served and sacrificed to preserve the gift of freedom that we as Americans are fortunate to enjoy every day,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cAs we come together during the holidays to give thanks for all our blessings, let us also once again give thanks for these brave men and women, for their courage, and for their selflessness \u2013 for it is these remarkable Americans, and those continuing to serve us today, to whom we are indebted. Many of them are serving right now, here at home or halfway around the world, and cannot be with their families during the holiday season. So let us remind them just how much they are appreciated and valued \u2013 today and every day of the year.\u201d \u00a0 \r\nToday\u2019s luncheon also featured an ugly sweater competition, which Senator King was happy to join.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-trumps-secretary-of-state-nominee", "Sanders Statement on Trump's Secretary of State Nominee", "2016-12-13", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Trump's Secretary of State Nominee\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 13, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 13 \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement after President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be secretary of state:\r\n\u201cMr. Trump's nomination of Rex Tillerson for secretary of state is sending a very troubling message to the international community. Not only is Mr. Tillerson a pal of Russia's authoritarian leader, Vladimir Putin, but he is the head of one of the largest oil companies in the world. In this appointment, Mr. Trump is making it abundantly clear that the short-term profits of the fossil fuel industry are more important than climate change and the future of the planet. Very sad. Very dangerous. Mr. Tillerson must be opposed.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-statement-on-trumps-secretary-of-state-nominee", "Sanders Statement on Trump's Secretary of State Nominee", "2016-12-13", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Trump's Secretary of State Nominee\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 13, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 13 \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement after President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be secretary of state:\r\n\u201cMr. Trump's nomination of Rex Tillerson for secretary of state is sending a very troubling message to the international community. Not only is Mr. Tillerson a pal of Russia's authoritarian leader, Vladimir Putin, but he is the head of one of the largest oil companies in the world. In this appointment, Mr. Trump is making it abundantly clear that the short-term profits of the fossil fuel industry are more important than climate change and the future of the planet. Very sad. Very dangerous. Mr. Tillerson must be opposed.\u201d\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPress Contact", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-trump-should-pledge-to-veto-social-security-medicare-medicaid-cuts", "Sanders: Trump Should Pledge to Veto Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid Cuts", "2016-12-11", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders: Trump Should Pledge to Veto Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid Cuts\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tSunday, December 11, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 11 \u2013 U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) challenged President-elect Donald Trump\u00a0Sunday\u00a0to keep the campaign promises he made not to cut\u00a0Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Trump should pledge to veto legislation cutting those programs that Republicans in Congress plan to pass in the new session of Congress, Sanders\u00a0said\u00a0on the CBS News program Face the Nation.\r\n\u201cI challenge Mr. Trump today: tell\u00a0the American people you are going to\u00a0keep your campaign promises.\u00a0Tell the Republicans to back\u00a0off. No cuts for Social\u00a0Security, Medicare, Medicaid and\u00a0go forward with your campaign\u00a0promise to lower the cost of\u00a0prescription drugs,\u201d Sanders said.\u00a0\r\nDuring the campaign, Trump said, \u201cI am not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican. And I\u2019m not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid. Every other Republican is going to cut\u00a0[them].\u201d\u00a0\u00a0On May 7, 2015, Trump sent out a tweet stating:\u00a0\"I was the first & only potential GOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid.\" On another occasion speaking at the New Hampshire Republican Leadership Summit, Trump scolded Republicans for trying to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.\u00a0\r\nBut as president-elect, Trump has picked Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), who advocated steep cuts in Medicare and Social Security, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.\r\n\u201cAll that Mr. Trump has got to do today is tell his Republican colleagues in the House and the Senate, \u2018Back off. It ain't going to go anywhere. I will veto any legislation that will cut Social Security because I promised the American people that I would not do that.\u2019\u201d\r\nSanders supports expanding Social Security benefits by lifting the cap on\u00a0all income above\u00a0$250,000 a year. \u201cIf we do that we can extend Social Security for 50 years. The top 1.5 percent of people in this country will pay more in taxes. That's the right thing to do.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-applauds-passage-of-major-legislation-boosting-water-infrastructure-projects-in-maine", "King Applauds Passage of Major Legislation Boosting Water Infrastructure Projects in Maine", "2016-12-10", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Applauds Passage of Major Legislation Boosting Water Infrastructure Projects in Maine\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSaturday, December 10, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate early this morning passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, legislation that invests in America\u2019s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and authorizes 31 critical Army Corps projects, including the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River Navigation Project.\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaine\u2019s waters are a crucial resource for thousands of people across the state who rely on them for a livelihood, which is why ensuring that our state\u2019s water-related infrastructure is strong and safe is so critical,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cThis legislation will help protect the public\u2019s health through improved water and wastewater management, and strengthen our state\u2019s commercial maritime economy by preserving access to critical funding for Maine\u2019s small harbors. The authorization of the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River Navigation Project is also a victory for the safer and more efficient flow of commercial goods into the state, which will bolster our economy and help contribute to economic growth.\u201d\r\nThe Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act invests in the country\u2019s ports and waterways to improve commerce, improves flood protection and safety for communities, streamlines reviews and increases local participation, promotes innovative technologies to address water resources challenges, provides essential investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and increases flexibility and federal assistance to address drought. The bill passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support today.\r\nThe legislation supports several water infrastructure projects in Maine, including:\r\n \r\nThe authorization of the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River Navigation Project. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, Portsmouth Harbor handles about 3.5 million tons of shipping a year for New Hampshire, eastern Vermont, and southern Maine. Items include petroleum products, rubber and plastics, iron and steel scrap, salt, limestone, gypsum, and fish products. The harbor is used by submarines from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery and for fuel deliveries to Pease International Tradeport in Newington. Portsmouth Harbor is also used extensively by a large lobstering fleet, charter fishing vessels, commercial fishermen, excursion boats to the Isles of Shoals situated nine miles offshore, and local and transient boats based at or visiting the nearly 20 boating facilities in the area. The Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River Navigation Project would significantly expand the turning basin in the harbor so that larger ships can navigate the area safely.\r\n \r\n \r\nEstablishment of a permanent 10 percent set aside in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund that will be dedicated to funding small or emerging harbors like those in Maine and around the country.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-collins-king-resolution-marking-december-17-2016-as-wreaths-across-america-day", "Senate Passes Collins, King Resolution Marking December 17, 2016, as “Wreaths Across America Day”", "2016-12-10", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution designating Saturday, December 17, 2016 as \u201cWreaths Across America Day.\u201d\r\n\u201cOnce again, the United States Senate has recognized the wonderful message of gratitude and respect that Wreaths Across America extends to our country\u2019s veterans,\u201d said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. \u201cFor twenty-five years, this Maine-led tradition has been a powerful symbol that highlights the service and sacrifice of our veterans, while displaying the spirit of generosity that makes the holiday season so special. We are grateful for the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who \u2018remember, honor, teach\u2019 through Wreaths Across America.\u201d To honor of our fallen heroes, wreaths will be laid on each of their graves as part of a ceremony at Arlington Cemetery in Washington and over 1,100 other locations across the country. Patriot Guard Riders will once again continue their tradition of escorting the wreath trucks down the East Coast, along with other patriotic escorts including motorcycle units, law enforcement, and first responders. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in this proud tradition. The resolution is available HERE and the full text is below:+++Whereas, 25 years before the date of adoption of this resolution, the Wreaths Across America project began with an annual tradition that occurs in December, of donating, transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery; Whereas, in the 25 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more than 3,317,000 wreaths have been sent to locations, including national cemeteries and veterans memorials, in every State and overseas;Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, to \u2018\u2018Remember, Honor, Teach\u2019\u2019, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States and overseas, including at\u2014 (1) Arlington National Cemetery; (2) veterans cemeteries; and (3) other locations;Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a week-long veterans parade between Maine and Virginia, stopping along the way to spread a message about the importance of\u2014 (1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United States; (2) honoring those who serve; and (3) reminding the people of the United States about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve freedoms in the United States; Whereas, in 2015, approximately 901,000 remembrance wreaths were sent to more than 1,100 locations across the United States and overseas, an increase of more than100 locations compared to the previous year;Whereas, in December 2016, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued by\u2014 (1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and (2) other patriotic escort units, including motorcycle units, law enforcement units, and first responder units;Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each December to help lay remembrance wreaths; Whereas the trucking industry in the United States continues to support the Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, equipment, and related services to assist in the transportation of wreaths across the United States to over 1,200 locations;Whereas the Senate designated December 12, 2015, as \u2018\u2018Wreaths Across America Day\u2019\u2019; andWhereas, on December 17, 2016, the Wreaths Across America project will continue the proud legacy of bringing remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery:Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate\u2014 (1) designates December 17, 2016, as \u2018\u2018Wreaths Across America Day\u2019\u2019; (2) honors\u2014 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(A) the Wreaths Across America project; \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(B) patriotic escort units, including motor cycle units, law enforcement units, and first responder units; \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(C) the trucking industry in the United States; and \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(D) the volunteers and donors involved in this worthy tradition; and (3) recognizes\u2014 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(A) the service of veterans and members of the Armed Forces; and \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(B) the sacrifices that veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families have made, and continue to make, for the United States, a great Nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-king-amendment-protecting-maine-urchin-fishery", "Senate Passes King Amendment Protecting Maine Urchin Fishery", "2016-12-10", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Passes King Amendment Protecting Maine Urchin Fishery\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSaturday, December 10, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the Senate early this morning unanimously passed an amendment he authored that would exempt urchins exported from the United States from mandatory inspections by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials, providing important relief for an industry that employs approximately 650 people in Maine.\r\n\u201cThis is an important step forward in protecting the livelihoods of hundreds of hardworking people in Maine,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has overstepped its bounds, and Maine\u2019s urchin harvesters, processors, and shippers are unfairly paying the price. With the passage of this amendment, we are another step closer to getting the feds off their backs so that they can once again thrive in their work.\u201d\r\nThe amendment passed by the Senate tonight, which had been offered by Senator King, would end the unnecessary inspections of urchins and sea cucumbers being exported from the country. The amendment ensures both that if the exemption from inspection would negatively impact the species\u2019 conservation, or if either species were to become listed as endangered or threatened in the future, their exports would still be subject to inspection. In June 2015, Senator King had also sent a letter to the heads of two separate Senate subcommittees urging them to help stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) from conducting the unnecessary inspections that are not required of most other fishery products.\r\nUntil several years ago, the sea urchin and sea cucumber industries were able to export their products out of the United States free from regulatory burdens because, under current regulations, fishery products are exempt from FWS import and export inspection requirements so long as they are intended for human or animal consumption and the species is not listed as injurious, threatened or endangered, or protected internationally under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Congress intended FWS to guard against wildlife trafficking \u2013 not to inspect otherwise harmless seafood.\r\nHowever, FWS has too narrowly interpreted the definition of \u2018shellfish and fishery products\u2019 \u2013 for which there has been a longstanding inspection exemption \u2013 excluding sea urchins and sea cucumbers. As a result, processors now must pay inspection fees and obtain licenses, the cost of which cuts into their profit margin as well as the price they can pay harvesters. Further, FWS requires 48 hours notice to carry out an inspection, which greatly affects the quality and even feasibility of such perishable products reaching their destination retail market in the desired high quality condition.\r\nSimilar language introduced by U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin has already passed the House of Representatives. The language will need to be reconciled and pass both houses again before it can be sent to the President for his signature to become law.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20161209120704/http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/photos/the-fight-for-15", "The Fight For $15", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-nearly-11-million-award-for-bath-iron-works", "Collins, King Announce Nearly $11 Million Award for Bath Iron Works", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Announce Nearly $11 Million Award for Bath Iron Works\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 9, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Bath Iron Works has been awarded a $10,965,890 order against an existing Navy basic ordering agreement\u00a0related to the testing and evaluation of the USS Rafael Peralta. More specifically, the award will\u00a0support planning, management, engineering services, and emergent availability and repairs.\r\n\u201cThis announcement is welcome news for the hardworking and highly-skilled men and women at Bath Iron Works,\u201d\u00a0said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.\u00a0\u201cAn investment in BIW is not only an investment in the future of the Navy, but also in Maine\u2019s economy and our people. These funds will support our outstanding shipbuilders as they continue to make sure that the USS Rafael Peralta is ready to join the Navy fleet as another world-class, Maine-built ship.\u201d\r\nSenator Collins is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.\u00a0 Senators Collins and King delivered remarks at the Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) christening ceremony at Bath Iron Works in October 2015.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-applauds-order-to-review-russias-involvement-in-us-elections", "King Applauds Order to Review Russia’s Involvement in U.S. Elections", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Applauds Order to Review Russia\u2019s Involvement in U.S. Elections\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tRenews call for making information available to the American public\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 9, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement today in response to the announcement that President Obama has ordered a review of Russia\u2019s involvement in the U.S. election:\r\n\u201cI am pleased to see the President take this step and welcome the growing number of concerned voices \u2013 on both sides of the aisle \u2013 about Russia\u2019s attempts to interfere with our electoral process. The Russian government\u2019s activities are nothing less than an arrow aimed at the heart of our democracy, and their actions merit a full, thorough, and bipartisan investigation. It is also crucial that, to the greatest extent possible, more information be made available to the American people because the first line of defense against intrusions like these is an educated and vigilant public.\r\n\u201cFor me, this is not about the last election. It\u2019s about the next election \u2013 and it\u2019s about protecting and preserving the integrity of American democracy.\u201d\r\nAs a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator King last year visited Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, where he met with defense and security officials who described to him Russia\u2019s repeated attempts to involve themselves in their elections and the spread of disinformation. Earlier this week, Senator King also met with officials from several of the Baltic States who reinforced that message and emphasized the importance of making the public aware of attempts to deceive them via disinformation.\u00a0\r\nLast week, Senator King joined several of his colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to declassify information relating to the Russian government and the U.S. election.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-mourns-passing-of-bill-townsend", "King Mourns Passing of Bill Townsend", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Mourns Passing of Bill Townsend\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 9, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement on the passing of Bill Townsend:\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI am deeply saddened by the passing of Bill, a dear friend and one of my most treasured mentors,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cHe was a man of enormous intellect and even greater character who fought tirelessly to deliver justice for people across Maine and who worked unceasingly to preserve and protect Maine lands and resources for the enjoyment of future generations. I will miss Bill tremendously but am grateful for his many years of friendship and counsel, and more importantly, for all that he has done on behalf of our beloved state.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-on-passage-of-continuing-resolution", "King Statement on Passage of Continuing Resolution", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Statement on Passage of Continuing Resolution\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 9, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement tonight after voting in favor of a Continuing Resolution to fund the government:\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhile I am pleased this bill finally includes long-overdue and desperately-needed funding to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic, the sad fact remains that passing one short-term bill after another is no way to govern,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cOne of Congress\u2019s most fundamental responsibilities is to do the tough work of passing a budget, and I hope that when we come back in January, we will finally be able to roll up our sleeves, put politics aside, and do the job we were elected to do.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-congressional-delegation-urges-va-to-fill-vacancies-at-maine-vet-centers", "Maine Congressional Delegation Urges VA to Fill Vacancies at Maine Vet Centers", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Maine Congressional Delegation Urges VA to Fill Vacancies at Maine Vet Centers\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCaribou, Portland Vet Centers are currently understaffed\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 9, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Today, the Maine Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the Veterans Administration (VA) expressing concern about several long-unfilled vacancies at two Vet Centers in Maine. The letter from Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin urges the VA to fill those vacancies with qualified staff as soon as possible to ensure that Maine veterans have access to the quality and timely care they deserve.\r\n\u201cWe understand that the Veterans Health Administration\u2019s Regional Counseling Service is in the process of overhauling the human resources processes related to Vet Centers, and we support this effort to optimize the hiring practices,\u201d\u00a0the Maine Delegation wrote in their letter.\u00a0\u201cNevertheless, the vacancies in Caribou and Portland have been open for far too long and need to be filled as soon as possible. Our veterans selflessly served the United States and their communities, and as such, they deserve access to the highest level of care when they return home. We urge you to fill these positions as soon as possible so that no veteran is denied the care they deserve.\u201d\r\nMaine has one of the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. There are five Vet Centers across the state that are administered by the VA \u2013 in\u00a0Bangor, Caribou, Lewiston, Portland, and Sanford-Springvale.\u00a0\u00a0These Vet Centers\u00a0help veterans readjust to civilian life by providing free counseling, screening, and referral services, while removing the stigma of seeking mental health care.\r\nHowever, the\u00a0Caribou and Portland Vet Centers have had inadequate staff levels for months. While the Caribou Vet Center is authorized to have five employees, it has had multiple vacancies for some time, which has led to a lack of consistent counseling for veterans in Northern Maine. The Portland Vet Center currently has only four staff members despite being authorized for six, and lacks administrative staff. As a result, staff may have to cover both mental health needs while taking on additional administrative duties.\r\nThe delegation\u2019s letter, which was addressed to VA Undersecretary for Health David Shulkin, also asks the VA to provide a timeline for the hiring process to fill these vacancies in Maine.\r\nThe letter is available\u00a0HERE\u00a0and the text is below:\r\n+++\r\nDear Honorable Dr. Shulkin,\r\nWe are writing to express our concerns regarding several, long-unfilled vacancies at two Vet Centers in the State of Maine. The Readjustment Counseling Service provides a variety of social and psychological services\u00a0to veterans, and due to the current staffing vacancies at Vet Centers in Caribou and Portland, veterans are not receiving the level and consistency of care they deserve. This has unfortunately been a persistent problem, and we urge the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to act quickly to fill vacancies with qualified staff to ensure our veterans can access the quality care they have earned. We also ask that you provide us with a hiring timeline for filling these vacancies.\u00a0\r\nWith one of the highest number per capita of veterans in the country, Maine has five Vet Centers. Of the five Vet Centers in Maine, the two in Caribou and Portland have had inadequate staff levels for months:\u00a0\r\n \r\nCaribou, Maine: The Caribou Vet Center is tasked with serving the needs of Veterans throughout Aroostook County. While the Center is authorized to have five employees, it has had multiple vacancies for some time. This lack of availability of consistent counseling is a disservice to the Veterans in Northern Maine.\r\n \r\n \r\nPortland, Maine: The Portland Vet Center is authorized to have a staff of six, but currently has a staff of four and lacks administrative staff. As such, we understand that current staff may be covering both their jobs addressing mental health needs, as well as taking on the additional responsibilities of basic administrative duties.\r\n \r\nWe understand that the Veterans Health Administration\u2019s Regional Counseling Service is in the process of overhauling the human resources processes related to Vet Centers, and we support this effort to optimize the hiring practices. Nevertheless, the vacancies in Caribou and Portland have been open for far too long and need to be filled as soon as possible. Our veterans selflessly served the United States and their communities, and as such, they deserve access to the highest level of care when they return home. We urge you to fill these positions as soon as possible so that no veteran is denied the care they deserve. \u00a0If you have any questions about this request, please contact us directly or have your staff contact William Ellis (King) at 202-224-5344 or Mike Wakefield (Collins) at 202-224-3913.\r\nThank you for your prompt attention to this issue.\r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/converting-methane-gas-to-electricity", "Converting Methane Gas to Electricity", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Converting Methane Gas to Electricity \n            The Washington Electric Co-op is one of two Vermont electric utilities with a 100 percent renewable energy portfolio, thanks in large part to its 8-megawatt generator fired by waste methane on Vermont\u2019s only operating landfill.  Washington Electric\u2019s Coventry landfill facility produces enough electricity from waste methane to power approximately 6,000 homes and generates more than half of Washington Electric\u2019s electricity.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/vermont/tapping-vermonts-largest-landfill-for-renewable-energy", "Tapping Vermonts Largest Landfill for Renewable Energy", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tapping Vermont\u2019s Largest Landfill for Renewable Energy\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 9, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\r\nCOVENTRY, Vt.\u2014The Washington Electric Co-op is one of two Vermont electric utilities with a 100 percent renewable energy portfolio, thanks in large part to its 8-megawatt generator fired by waste methane on Vermont\u2019s only operating landfill. Washington Electric\u2019s Coventry landfill facility produces enough electricity from waste methane to power approximately 6,000 homes and generates more than half of Washington Electric\u2019s electricity. As organic landfill waste decomposes, it naturally produces methane. Unless captured and converted to energy, the powerful greenhouse gas either would be released into the atmosphere, or burned off by the landfill operators. \u201cIf no generator was here, the landfill would burn it off in a flare,\u201d said Patricia Richards, general manager for Washington Electric, comparing it to \u201ca great big candlestick literally burning the gas. No electricity is produced and it\u2019s just wasted into the atmosphere.\u201d\u201cWe\u2019re a small cooperative, we\u2019re not-for-profit. We have roughly 11,000 member-customers and the Coventry Landfill project is our anchor power supply resource that serves our membership,\u201d said Richards. \u201cThe power plant serves over half of the energy needs of our membership.\u201dThe idea for this methane generator emerged when Washington Electric Co-op set out to replace the electricity it was buying from the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. \u201cWe said, \u2018Hey, we want to do renewable power. What about a landfill? Could we build a power plant like this in Vermont and produce renewable power instead of taking power from a Vermont Yankee type resource?\u2019 In 2002, the contract ended with Vermont Yankee and, in 2005, this project came online,\u201d Richards said.Vermont Yankee, which was built in 1972, stopped producing electricity in December 2014. The Coventry generator first came on line with three engines in 2005. Since then, two more engines have been added.The $14.2 million landfill gas-to-energy generator at Coventry \u201ccompletely did away with [our reliance on] Vermont Yankee. We replaced a base-load resource with another base-load resource, which was renewable,\u201d Richards said. \u201cIt runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It\u2019s on all the time,\u201d she said. \u201cSo literally, constantly there\u2019s being electricity produced here.\u201d\u201cThis power is really affordable. It\u2019s the cheapest resource in our mix. It\u2019s six cents a kilowatt hour,\u201d she said.HOW DOES IT WORK?\r\nRichards likes to describe the plant, which employs three Vermonters full-time, in stages. \u201cThe landfill and extraction of gas off of the landfill is stage one. There are several wells that are drilled into the landfill itself. There\u2019s over 80 to 90 wells,\u201d she said. \u201cWe collect all the gas from those wells into one pipe and they come into a staging area outside the Coventry plant. That\u2019s where the actual treatment of the gas begins.\u201d\r\n\u201cAs the gas is collected, it essentially becomes naturally compressed, and it comes off the landfill really, really hot,\u201d she notes. \u201cIt\u2019s 140 degrees.\u201d\u201cThe microbes are doing the decomposition inside the landfill. We collect all that gas \u2026 Basically, water particles start to drip off the gas and the rest of the gas comes into the building,\u201d she said.In the next stage, the gas passes through \u201ca scrubbing system\u201d to remove toxic particles and other pollutants. After the gas is scrubbed, it goes to the engine room to be burned, producing electricity. \u201cWe\u2019ve got five engines and their technical capacity is 1.6 megawatts each,\u201d she said. The facility has proven so effective for Washington Electric and its members that it has been expanded two times \u2013 in 2007 and 2009. The $1.7 million investment currently underway will upgrade the turbines and further improve air quality by installing a new scrubbing system. The methane generator abides by \u201cvery stringent federal and state standards regarding emissions,\u201d Richards said. \u201cWe want to be on as many controls as we can to make sure we are not making pollutants.\u201dTo help finance the project, Washington Electric secured the funding through federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, or CREBs. ##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20161209142425/http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/holding-trump-accountable-on-medicare-and-social-security", "Holding Trump Accountable on Medicare and Social Security", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-nearly-60-million-contract-modification-for-bath-iron-works", "Collins, King Announce Nearly $60 Million Contract Modification for Bath Iron Works", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Announce Nearly $60 Million Contract Modification for Bath Iron Works\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 8, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works a contract modification worth $59,417,202. The funding will be used to provide engineering and technical assistance for new construction DDG 51 class ships.\r\n\u201cThis announcement is welcome news for the hardworking men and women of Bath Iron Works who deliver the highest-quality ships to our Navy, and this contract modification will allow them to continue to make important improvements to those ships,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement.\r\nMore specifically, the funding will be dedicated towards continuing Lead Yard services, which include liaison for follow ship construction, general class services, class logistic services, class design agent services, continuation of the DDG 51 Class Flight III upgrade design efforts, and class change design services for follow ships.\r\nSenator Collins is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-defense-bill-with-wins-for-maine-sends-athletic-shoe-provision-to-president-to-become-law", "Senate Passes Defense Bill with Wins for Maine; Sends Athletic Shoe Provision to President to Become Law", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Passes Defense Bill with Wins for Maine; Sends Athletic Shoe Provision to President to Become Law\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tKing wears Maine-made New Balance shoes as he casts vote to send hard-fought Made-in-USA athletic footwear provision to President\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 8, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In a significant win for domestic shoe manufacturers including New Balance in Maine, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the U.S. Senate has passed the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a provision he championed that will require the Department of Defense to consider athletic footwear subject to the Berry Amendment by providing initial entry service members with American-made athletic shoes upon arrival at basic training. Senator King wore his Maine-made New Balance shoes today as he cast his vote in favor of the legislation, which will now head to the President\u2019s desk for his signature to become law.\r\nSenator King secured the provision in the NDAA during the Senate Armed Service Committee\u2019s consideration of the bill earlier this year. The provision will be implemented over the course of the next two years and could help support the jobs of hundreds of Maine manufacturing workers. The passage of this provision represents the culmination of a long-fought battle by the Maine Congressional delegation.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe long-awaited and hard-fought passage of this measure is a landmark victory for American shoe manufacturers, like New Balance, who will finally have the opportunity to compete to provide entry-level recruits with high-quality, American-made athletic shoes,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cI could not be prouder of the hardworking men and women at New Balance, and I\u2019m thrilled this bill will reward their efforts by supporting American companies that prioritize keeping good-paying jobs here in the United States, even as other companies ship their work overseas. I urge the President to sign this measure into law quickly, and I will track its implementation closely.\u201d\r\nThe NDAA also includes several other victories for Maine that Senator King was able to secure as a member of the Senate Armed Services, including robust funding for shipbuilding and military construction projects, and additional funding to combat the drug epidemic.\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThousands of Mainers have dedicated themselves to serving in our Armed Forces and to working in defense-related industries that support our national security interests day-in and day-out, and I\u2019m pleased this bill reflects and supports their critical contributions to the defense of our nation,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cThis legislation takes important steps to advance shipbuilding priorities at Bath Iron Works and critical construction projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and it continues to provide additional opportunities for Maine manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney \u2013 all of which are victories for our national defense and our state\u2019s economy.\u201d\r\nMore specifically, the additional wins Senator King secured include:\r\n \r\nFUNDING FOR SHIPBUILDING PRIORITIES: The bill authorizes $3.5 billion for Navy destroyer programs, including $271.8 million for the construction of DDG-1000 Zumwalt destroyers \u2013 all of which are being built at Bath Iron Works \u2013 and $3.3 billion for the procurement of two DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in Fiscal Year 2017, one of which will be built at Bath.\r\nOf the $3.2 billion in procurement for the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, Senator King was able to authorize an additional $50 million in funding for the DDG-51 that was authorized and partially funded last year due to the work of Senators King and Susan Collins. That ship has since been identified by the Navy as one of its top unfunded priorities, and this authorization secured by Senator King lays the groundwork to appropriate the remaining funding necessary to build it.\u00a0\r\nMILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: The bill authorizes $17.8 million for unaccompanied housing at Portsmouth Navy Shipyard (PNSY) to provide housing for the crew of submarines; $30.1 million for utility improvements of nuclear platforms at PNSY; and $27.1 million to construct a replacement medical/dental clinic at PNSY. Senator King specifically requested these authorizations.\r\nFULL PER DIEM FOR PNSY WORKERS ON LONG-TERM TEMPORARY DUTY: The bill would authorize the Navy to provide full per diem to public shipyard workers traveling on long-term temporary duty. The provision is based on\u00a0legislation\u00a0introduced by Senator King and Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) that would modify the existing, flawed Department of Defense long-term temporary duty policy for shipyard workers conducting off-yard maintenance.\r\nNO NEW BRAC ROUND: This legislation rejects the President\u2019s call in his Fiscal Year 2017 budget request for additional base closures under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. The last BRAC process occurred in 2005 when the Pentagon's recommendation to close the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was ultimately overturned by the BRAC Commission, but their recommendation to realign Brunswick Naval Air Station was rejected in favor of closing the base.\r\nJOINT STRIKE FIGHTER: The bill authorizes the procurement of 63 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters of all three variants. Several Maine-based companies, including Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick and General Dynamics in Saco, are in the supply and production chain for this fifth generation fighter.\r\nLONG RANGE STRIKE-BOMBER:\u00a0The bill authorizes $1 billion for procurement of a new long-range stealth bomber, B-21, which will be a central pillar of our national security strategy to deal with future threats. Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick will produce components for the B-21\u2019s engine.\r\nDEFINITION OF CYBERWAR: The bill includes language similar to\u00a0legislation authored by Senators King and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)\u00a0that would require the Administration to develop options for deterring threats in cyberspace and determining what types of actions in cyberspace may warrant a military response.\r\nFIGHTING THE OPIOID AND HEROIN EPIDEMIC:\u00a0The bill includes a provision, offered by Senator Kelly Ayotte and supported by Senator King, that would ensure that at least $191.5 million will be dedicated to counter the production and trafficking of illicit drugs, including heroin and fentanyl.\r\n \r\nThe Fiscal Year 2017 NDAA establishes policies and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense as well as the national security programs of the Department of Energy. It provides for the pay and benefits earned by members of the military and their families, provides for national defense including authorization of funds for counter-ISIL operations in Iraq and Syria, and represents a vision of America\u2019s national security goals, resources, and policies.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/-us-life-expectancy-declines-for-the-first-time-since-1993", "U.S. life expectancy declines for the first time since 1993", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. life expectancy declines for the first time since 1993\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By:\u00a0 By Lenny Bernstein \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, December 8, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tFor the first time in more than two decades, life expectancy for Americans declined last year \u2014 a troubling development linked to a panoply of worsening health problems in the United States.\r\nRising fatalities from heart disease and stroke, diabetes, drug overdoses, accidents and other conditions caused the lower life expectancy revealed in a report released Thursday by the National Center for Health Statistics. In all, death rates rose for eight of the top 10 leading causes of death.\r\n\u201cI think we should be very concerned,\u201d said Princeton economist Anne Case, who called for thorough research on the increase in deaths from heart disease, the No. 1 killer in the United States. \u201cThis is singular. This doesn\u2019t happen.\u201d\r\nA year ago, research by Case and Angus Deaton, also an economist at Princeton, brought worldwide attention to the unexpected jump in mortality rates among white middle-aged Americans. That trend was blamed on what are sometimes called diseases of despair: overdoses, alcoholism and suicide. The new report raises the possibility that major illnesses may be eroding prospects for an even wider group of Americans.\r\nContinue reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20161208070656/http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/national-strike-for-15-rally-in-washington", "National Strike for $15 Rally in Washington", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20161209135021/http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/photos/hands-off-medicare", "Hands Off Medicare", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-calls-on-fda-to-explain-decision-delaying-release-of-critical-information-about-risky-heart-surgery-device", "King Calls on FDA to Explain Decision Delaying Release of Critical Information about Risky Heart Surgery Device", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Calls on FDA to Explain Decision Delaying Release of Critical Information about Risky Heart Surgery Device\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 7, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to explain its decision to delay for more than a year the release of a safety alert that would have notified hospitals and patients of the severe risks associated with the use of a device in heart surgeries.\r\nThe device, a Sorin 3T heater-cooler, has been used in thousands of heart surgery operations across Maine and has also been shown to put patients at risk of acquiring a dangerous mycobacterial infection. The FDA was made aware of evidence of those risks in August 2014, but neglected to release a safety alert until October 2015.\r\n\u201cThe heater-cooler devices associated with these infections are used for heart surgeries in Maine and across the country. While no infections have yet been reported as a result of this device\u2019s use in Maine and the risk remains low, the dozens of reported cases in the U.S. and abroad are a serious cause for concern for me and for my constituents who were exposed to the device,\u201d Senator King wrote in his letter to the FDA. \u201cWhat I find particularly troubling is that, despite evidence presented to federal regulators in August 2014 of the device\u2019s link to these infections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demurred on releasing a safety alert until more than a year later, and furthermore did not give hospitals and patients detailed recommendations to deal with the issue at hand for another year after that.\u201d\r\nSenator King called on the FDA to explain its decision to not alert the public and to also explain why it waited two years to provide detailed advice and recommendations to hospitals.\r\nThe complete text of the letter can be read HERE and is below:\r\n+++\r\nDecember 7, 2016\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Robert M. Califf, MD\r\nCommissioner\r\nFood and Drug Administration\r\n10903 New Hampshire Avenue\r\nSilver Spring, MD 20993\r\n\r\nDear Dr. Califf:\r\nI am writing today to express my deep concern about the Sorin 3T heater-cooler device, which has been used in thousands of heart surgery operations across Maine and which has also been shown to put patients at risk of acquiring a dangerous mycobacterial infection.\r\nThe heater-cooler devices associated with these infections are used for heart surgeries in Maine and across the country. While no infections have yet been reported as a result of this device\u2019s use in Maine and the risk remains low, the dozens of reported cases in the U.S. and abroad are a serious cause for concern for me and for my constituents who were exposed to the device.\r\nWhat I find particularly troubling is that, despite evidence presented to federal regulators in August 2014 of the device\u2019s link to these infections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demurred on releasing a safety alert until more than a year later, and furthermore did not give hospitals and patients detailed recommendations to deal with the issue at hand for another year after that.\r\nI am left to ask: given the severe safety concerns associated with the device, why did the FDA choose not to alert the public of the risks associated with the device until 14 months after regulators were made aware of the infections it caused? Furthermore, why did hospitals and patients have to wait two years after the FDA was first informed of the infection risk to be given detailed advice and recommendations?\r\nThank you for your attention to these concerns. I look forward to your response to this letter.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-commemorates-75th-anniversary-of-pearl-harbor-", "King Commemorates 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Commemorates 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 7, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor:\r\n\u201cOn this day seventy-five years ago, a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor shook our country \u2013 a tragic event that claimed the lives of 2,403 Americans, wounded many others, and plunged the United States into World War II.\u00a0Today, we commemorate this solemn occasion and honor the brave men and women who proudly served in defense of our country at Pearl Harbor that day.\u00a0\r\n\u201cOur state has a long and proud legacy of military service, and while the events at Pearl Harbor were tragic and resulted in great loss of life, this day now stands as a reminder of the great strength and resilience of our brave servicemembers.\u00a0Generations since have been inspired by the Americans who answered the call to action during the attack on December 7, 1941.\r\n\u201cToday, we memorialize their patriotism, sense of duty, and bravery in the face of grave peril.\u00a0Their selfless actions demonstrated the fortitude of the American spirit, and embodied the values evident in Maine\u2019s storied history of military service. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, and their contributions to our nation will never be forgotten.\u00a0Even many years later, we are humbled by the example of these veterans and their unwavering resilience in defense of our nation.\r\n\u201cThank you for allowing me to join with you today as we honor those who answered the call at Pearl Harbor seventy-five years ago, including many who called Maine home.\u00a0We thank them for their sacrifice, and we are proud to call them our own.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-bill-to-promote-innovation-in-fight-against-pressing-health-care-challenges-", "Senate Passes Bill to Promote Innovation in Fight Against Pressing Health Care Challenges", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Passes Bill to Promote Innovation in Fight Against Pressing Health Care Challenges \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBill authorizes funding to fight opioid epidemic, creates working group for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, bolsters NIH research & includes comprehensive mental health care reform  \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 7, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the United States Senate today passed the 21st Century Cures Act, legislation that will help address some of the most pressing health care issues currently facing America. By promoting innovation and bolstering investment in medical research, the Cures Act will provide vital support for efforts across the country on issues such as the opioid epidemic, mental health reform, tick-borne diseases like Lyme, Alzheimer\u2019s, cancer, physical therapy, and medical software technology.\r\n\u201cBy investing in innovation and empowering our nation\u2019s brightest minds, this legislation will spur medical research that will help solve some of the most difficult health challenges facing Americans today,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cImportantly, it will finally start to provide much-needed resources in the critical fight against opioid addiction, which continues to take lives and tear at the fabric of Maine communities, and it will also bolster efforts to combat Lyme disease and help advance research to cure Alzheimer\u2019s and cancer \u2013 all of which have touched countless people across Maine.\u201d\r\nThe 21st Century Cures Act is a $6.3 billion medical innovation package that aims to accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of new health care cures and treatments. The legislation provides new funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), updates major mental health programs, and supports major health initiatives like Vice President Joe Biden\u2019s \u201cmoonshot\u201d to end cancer. Senator King is a member of the Senate NIH Caucus, which promotes advances in medical research.\r\nNotably, the new funding in the bill includes $1 billion in state grants to fight opioid abuse. Senator King has been a relentless advocate for increased funding in the fight against Maine\u2019s opioid epidemic.\r\nThe wide-ranging Cures Act also includes several other provisions supported by Senator King that will promote innovative solutions to health care issues facing Maine, such as:\r\n \r\nThe creation of a Tick-Borne Diseases Working Group that would compile a report on federal research efforts related to Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. This provision would help accelerate improved methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment \u2013 and is based on the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act, which was cosponsored by Senator King.\r\n \r\n \r\nA provision that would support prize competitions to develop innovations that advance biomedical science and improve health outcomes, which is based on the EUREKA Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator King and Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) that was originally targeted specifically at curing Alzheimer\u2019s but has been expanded to incentivize cures for other conditions as well.\r\n \r\n \r\nA provision mirroring the Preventing Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act, legislation which Senator King cosponsored that would improve continuity of care for patients by allowing a physical therapist to bring in another licensed provider to treat Medicare patients and bill Medicare through the practice provider number during temporary absences for illness, pregnancy, vacation, or continuing medical education.\r\n \r\n \r\nLegislative language clarifying which types of medical software the FDA does and does not have the authority to regulate as medical devices, which is similar to the bipartisan PROTECT Act introduced by Senator King and Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) that makes clear the FDA does not have the authority to include administrative software, wellness software, electronic health records, software to transmit test results, and certain types of clinical decisions support in the medical device category.\r\n \r\nThe 21st Century Cures Act has already been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. It will now go to the President\u2019s desk for signature.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/-sanders-says-protest-critical-in-trump-era", "Sanders Says Protest Critical in Trump Era", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Says Protest Critical in Trump Era\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, December 7, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 7 \u2013 Citing several recent victories, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) thanked striking workers Wednesday for proving the power of protest to make progress under President-elect Donald Trump.\u00a0\r\n\u201cFive years ago, if anybody in America said that folks would be talking and cities would be passing a $15 an hour minimum wage, people would have said you\u2019re crazy, it can\u2019t be done,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cBut you did it.\u201d\r\nMarches led by workers played a critical role in minimum wage increases in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City and Washington. Over the past four years, 19 million workers nationwide received a stunning $61.5 billion in pay \u2013 12 times as much as the last time Congress increased the federal minimum wage in 2007.\r\n\u201cMillions of workers have received significant pay increases because of your efforts. Thank you for what you\u2019ve done. Today we tell the United States Congress that we have got to go further. We want every worker in this country to earn at least $15 an hour and have a union.\u201d\r\nRecent direct action also halted construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline and protests stopped one of the biggest trade deals in history.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re telling Mr. Trump and anybody else that when millions of us stand together we are going to win. Nobody is going to stop us,\u201d Sanders said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/-sanders-statement-on-trumps-epa-nominee", "Sanders Statement on Trumps EPA Nominee", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Trump\u2019s EPA Nominee\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, December 7, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 7 \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump selected Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to run the Environmental Protection Agency:\r\n\"At a time when climate change is the great environmental threat to the entire planet, it is sad and dangerous that Mr. Trump has nominated Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. Mr. Pruitt\u2019s record is not only that of being a climate change denier, but also someone who has worked closely with the fossil fuel industry to make this country more dependent, not less, on fossil fuels. The American people must demand leaders who are willing to transform our energy system away from fossil fuels. I will vigorously oppose this nomination.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-tells-trump-to-keep-his-promise-to-protect-medicare-and-social-security", "Sanders Tells Trump to Keep His Promise to Protect Medicare and Social Security", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Tells Trump to Keep His Promise to Protect Medicare and Social Security\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, December 7, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 7 \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called Wednesday on President-elect Donald Trump to keep his promise to protect Medicare and Social Security. \u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u201cMr. Trump, we are going to hold you accountable,\u201d Sanders said.\u00a0 \u201cYou told the seniors of this country and you told working people you were on their side. Millions of us are going to demand that you keep your promise. We\u2019re going to tell the Republican leadership in the House and the Senate to forget about all their plans to 'voucherize' and privatize Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.\u201d\r\nDuring his campaign for president, Trump\u00a0repeatedly promised\u00a0to protect Medicare. But he nominated Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), who has a long history of supporting cuts to Medicare, to run the Department of Health and Human Services.\u00a0\r\nIn March, the president-elect\u00a0said\u00a0he would\u00a0\u201cdo everything within my power not to touch Social Security, to leave it the way it is; to make this country rich again.\u201d But the aides in charge of staffing Trump\u2019s Social Security Administration expressed doubts about the viability of the program.\u00a0\r\nSanders was joined by grassroots organizations delivering a petition to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). The petition, which calls on the Republican leaders to follow through on Trump\u2019s campaign promises, garnered more than 1 million signatures.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-statement-on-trumps-epa-nominee", "Sanders Statement on Trumps EPA Nominee", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Trump\u2019s EPA Nominee\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, December 7, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tSen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump selected Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to run the Environmental Protection Agency:\r\n\"At a time when climate change is the great environmental threat to the entire planet, it is sad and dangerous that Mr. Trump has nominated Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. Mr. Pruitt\u2019s record is not only that of being a climate change denier, but also someone who has worked closely with the fossil fuel industry to make this country more dependent, not less, on fossil fuels. The American people must demand leaders who are willing to transform our energy system away from fossil fuels. I will vigorously oppose this nomination.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-welcome-tariff-announcement-to-protect-maine-papermaking-jobs", "Collins, King Welcome Tariff Announcement to Protect Maine Papermaking Jobs", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Welcome Tariff Announcement to Protect Maine Papermaking Jobs\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSenators led a bipartisan letter urging government to protect domestic papermaking manufacturing industry\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 6, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In response to an announcement today from the U.S. Trade Commission (ITC) that it will help protect Maine papermaking jobs by extending existing duties on imports of coated paper from China and Indonesia, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement:\r\n\u201cWe welcome the International Trade Commission\u2019s decision to maintain its current tariffs on coated paper from China and Indonesia. This decision will support companies in Maine, like Verso, that provide good-paying jobs to hundreds of people,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cMaine\u2019s papermakers can compete with anyone on a level playing field, which is why tackling these illegal and unfair trade practices by foreign competitors is so critical.\u201d\r\nToday, the ITC announced an extension of duties on imports of certain coated paper from China and Indonesia as a step to ensure continuing fair market conditions for the domestic market. The decision by the ITC to continue existing duties resulted from a petition filed under a so-called \u201csunset review.\u201d Under existing law, remedial tariffs that are authorized in antidumping and countervailing duty cases are subject to reassessment five years under sunset review procedures. The original effort to address unfair trade for the subject products was decided in November 2010. The petitioners \u2013 including Verso Corporation, Sappi North America, and Appleton Coated LLC \u2013 requested extension of relief to prevent unfairly subsidized imports from China and Indonesia from harming U.S. manufacturers and workers.\r\nSenators Collins and King led a bipartisan letter signed by fifteen of their colleagues in July calling on the ITC to extend the tariffs.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-joins-bipartisan-effort-to-attract-experienced-entrepreneurs-innovators-to-public-service-", "King Joins Bipartisan Effort to Attract Experienced Entrepreneurs, Innovators to Public Service", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Joins Bipartisan Effort to Attract Experienced Entrepreneurs, Innovators to Public Service \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tLegislation would continue beneficial program that attracts promising minds to tackle nation\u2019s biggest challenges\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 6, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that he has cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would make the Presidential Innovation Fellows\u00a0(PIF) program permanent, establishing in law a pathway for government to attract experienced technology entrepreneurs and innovators to public service.\r\nThe Presidential Innovation Fellows program, which was established by the White House in 2012 and enjoys bipartisan support, brings the innovation economy into government by pairing talented, diverse technologists, entrepreneurs, and innovators with top civil-servants and change-makers across multiple federal agencies to tackle some our nation\u2019s biggest challenges.\r\n\u201cAs advancement in technology changes lives, it also has the power to make government more efficient and effective in meeting the challenges we face as a country,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cBut in order to seize those opportunities, we need to attract and steer the best and brightest minds towards government service for at least part of their careers. By providing a permanent pathway to the public sector for tech innovators via the Presidential Innovation Fellows program, this bipartisan legislation would help continue to provide our government with a pipeline of innovative entrepreneurs and ideas to help meet the critical challenges of today and the future.\u201d\r\nThe program is administered as a partnership between the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the White House Office of Management and Budget, and the General Services Administration. Fellows serve for between six and 24 months, during which they collaborate with each other and federal agency partners on high-profile initiatives aimed at saving lives, saving taxpayer money, fueling job creation, and building the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation within government. The program does not create any new funding obligations, and agencies requesting a fellow reimburse GSA for both direct and indirect costs incurred by the program.\r\nThe legislation was introduced in November by Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). A similar bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and was overwhelmingly passed by the House in June.\r\nMore information on the bill is available HERE.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/pentagon-buries-evidence-of-125-billion-in-bureaucratic-waste", "Pentagon buries evidence of $125 billion in bureaucratic waste", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pentagon buries evidence of $125 billion in bureaucratic waste\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By:\u00a0 By Craig Whitlock and Bob Woodward \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 6, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tThe Pentagon has buried an internal study that exposed $125\u00a0billion in administrative waste in its business operations amid fears Congress would use the findings as an excuse to slash the defense budget, according to interviews and confidential memos obtained by The Washington Post.\r\nPentagon leaders had requested the study to help make their enormous back-office bureaucracy more efficient and reinvest any savings in combat power. But after the project documented far more wasteful spending than expected, senior defense officials moved swiftly to kill it by discrediting and suppressing the results.\r\nThe\u00a0report, issued in January 2015, identified \u201ca clear path\u201d for the Defense Department to save $125\u00a0billion over five years. The plan would not have required layoffs of civil servants or reductions in military personnel. Instead, it would have streamlined the bureaucracy through attrition and early retirements, curtailed high-priced contractors and made better use of information technology.\r\nThe study was produced last year by the Defense Business Board, a federal advisory panel of corporate executives, and consultants from McKinsey and Company. Based on reams of personnel and cost data, their report revealed for the first time that the Pentagon was spending almost a quarter of its $580\u00a0billion budget on overhead and core business operations such as accounting, human resources, logistics and property management.\r\nContinue reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-republicans-block-trump-proposal-to-lower-prescription-drug-prices", "Senate Republicans Block Trump Proposal to Lower Prescription Drug Prices", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Republicans Block Trump Proposal to Lower Prescription Drug Prices\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 6, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 6 \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) proposed an amendment Tuesday to lower the cost of prescription drugs by letting Medicare negotiate drug prices and allowing for the importation from other countries of low-cost prescription drugs \u2013 both proposals advocated by President-elect Donald Trump.\r\nRepublicans blocked the Sanders amendment.\r\nDuring his run for the White House, Trump called for requiring Medicare to negotiate with drug companies to lower prices. In a speech in New Hampshire last Feb. 7, Trump criticized current U.S. law that forbids Medicare from negotiating prices with pharmaceutical companies. Trump said: \u201cWe are not allowed to negotiate drug prices. Can you believe it? We pay about $300 billion more than we are supposed to, than if we negotiated the price. So there\u2019s $300 billion on day one we solve.\u201d\r\nTrump\u2019s campaign platform also advocated making it legal to reimport cheaper drugs from other countries.\r\nSanders offered an amendment to implement Trump\u2019s campaign promises.\r\n\u201cI am sure that all of my Republican colleagues will support an amendment in my hands that will do exactly what Mr. Trump said he would accomplish as president,\u201d Sanders told Senate colleagues. But Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) objected to holding a vote on the amendment.\r\nWithout those changes in a bill now before Congress, Sanders said he could not support the overall legislation because it caves to the demands of the pharmaceutical industry and cuts Medicare and Medicaid by $1 billion.\r\n\u201cIt is incomprehensible to me that we have a major bill dealing with prescription drugs and yet we are running from the most important issue and that is the greed of the pharmaceutical industry,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cThe prescription drug industry, along with Wall Street, is the most powerful political force in America. I have been fighting the greed of the prescription drug industry for decades. And, as far as I can tell, the prescription drug industry always wins, but the American people lose.\u201d\r\nTo see the amendment, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/senate-republicans-block-trump-proposal-to-lower-prescription-drug-prices", "Senate Republicans Block Trump Proposal to Lower Prescription Drug Prices", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Republicans Block Trump Proposal to Lower Prescription Drug Prices\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 6, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\r\nSen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) proposed an amendment Tuesday to lower the cost of prescription drugs by letting Medicare negotiate drug prices and allowing for the importation from other countries of low-cost prescription drugs \u2013 both proposals advocated by President-elect Donald Trump.\r\nRepublicans blocked the Sanders amendment.\r\nDuring his run for the White House, Trump called for requiring Medicare to negotiate with drug companies to lower prices. In a speech in New Hampshire last Feb. 7, Trump criticized current U.S. law that forbids Medicare from negotiating prices with pharmaceutical companies. Trump said: \u201cWe are not allowed to negotiate drug prices. Can you believe it? We pay about $300 billion more than we are supposed to, than if we negotiated the price. So there\u2019s $300 billion on day one we solve.\u201d\r\nTrump\u2019s campaign platform also advocated making it legal to reimport cheaper drugs from other countries.\r\nSanders offered an amendment to implement Trump\u2019s campaign promises.\r\n\u201cI am sure that all of my Republican colleagues will support an amendment in my hands that will do exactly what Mr. Trump said he would accomplish as president,\u201d Sanders told Senate colleagues. But Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) objected to holding a vote on the amendment.\r\nWithout those changes in a bill now before Congress, Sanders said he could not support the overall legislation because it caves to the demands of the pharmaceutical industry and cuts Medicare and Medicaid by $1 billion.\r\n\u201cIt is incomprehensible to me that we have a major bill dealing with prescription drugs and yet we are running from the most important issue and that is the greed of the pharmaceutical industry,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cThe prescription drug industry, along with Wall Street, is the most powerful political force in America. I have been fighting the greed of the prescription drug industry for decades. And, as far as I can tell, the prescription drug industry always wins, but the American people lose.\u201d\r\nTo see the amendment, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-embarks-on-nuclear-powered-aircraft-carrier-surveys-operational-capabilities", "King Embarks on Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier, Surveys Operational Capabilities", "2016-12-05", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Embarks on Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier, Surveys Operational Capabilities\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tThanks Navy sailors, including ten from Maine, for their dedicated service to the country\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, December 5, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 At the invitation of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) stayed aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON this weekend where he surveyed the ship\u2019s operational capabilities as it conducted exercises off the coast of North Carolina. While aboard the ship, Senator King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, observed day and night flight operations, toured the ship and met with various crewmembers to gain a better understanding of carrier operations, and had dinner with ten sailors from Maine.\r\nSenator King posted pictures of the trip to his Instagram, which be viewed HERE.\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFrom the destroyers built in Bath to the submarines overhauled at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, I\u2019ve long known that our Navy has extraordinary capabilities \u2013 but this weekend\u2019s embark upon the USS George Washington has reinforced for me the wide range and versatility of our Navy\u2019s operations,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cAircraft carriers like the USS George Washington are central to the Navy\u2019s mission to protect our national interests across the globe, and I am grateful to our incredible sailors, including those from Maine who I was fortunate to meet, whose pride and professionalism continue to impress me day-in and day-out. We are so lucky to have these great people looking after us.\u201d\r\nFollowing his embark on the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, Senator King traveled to Newport News, Virginia to visit the USS GERALD R. FORD, the first of the Ford-class carriers, to better understand the capabilities of the newest class of carriers.\r\nUSS GEORGE WASHINGTON is the sixth ship of ten in the Nimitz-class of aircraft carriers and the fourth ship in the Navy\u2019s history to bear the name.\r\nSenator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and also sits on its Seapower Subcommittee, which exercise oversight of the U.S. Navy.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-dakota-access-pipeline-decision", "Sanders Statement on Dakota Access Pipeline Decision", "2016-12-04", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Dakota Access Pipeline Decision\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tSunday, December 4, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 4 \u2013 U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) congratulated President Barack Obama Sunday after the Army Corps of Engineers announced it will deny a federal permit needed for the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.\r\n\"I appreciate very much President Obama listening to the Native American people and millions of others who believe this pipeline should not be built. In the year 2016, we should not continue to trample on Native American sovereignty. We should not endanger the water supply of millions of people. We should not become more dependent on fossil fuel and accelerate the planetary crisis of climate change. Our job now is to transform our energy system away from fossil fuels, not to produce more greenhouse gas emissions.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-37-million-preschool-development-grant-in-maine", "Collins, King Announce $3.7 Million Preschool Development Grant in Maine", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Announce $3.7 Million Preschool Development Grant in Maine\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 2, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have awarded $3,735,439 in grant funding to the State of Maine to continue to expand access to high-quality preschool for children from low-income families.\r\n\u201cEarly childhood education is an investment in the future of our children,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cThis funding will expand access to pre-K and help build a foundation for Maine children that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.\u201d\r\nThe Preschool Development Grant program supports state efforts to create or enhance preschool programs in high-need communities, while building or improving infrastructure to better deliver preschool services. Maine is one of 18 states receiving funding through the Preschool Development Grant program.\r\nThis is the third year out of four that awards are given to states that are working with local communities to prepare the nation\u2019s most vulnerable children for success in school and in life.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-keynotes-maine-food-network-event", "King Keynotes Maine Food Network Event", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Keynotes Maine Food Network Event\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tThanks Hundreds for Access to Local Goods, Growing Local Economy\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 2, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tORONO, ME \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today delivered keynote remarks at the 2016 Maine Food Network Gathering held at the Wells Conference Center at the University of Maine in Orono, where he applauded the years of hard work that have helped grow Maine\u2019s thriving local food movement.\r\n\u201cMaine has a rich history of agriculture and fisheries. The broad scope of agricultural production, from small local direct market farms to larger commodity growers, is strengthening our rural economy,\u00a0gives us more access to fresh, locally-produced goods, and also creates jobs and grows businesses,\u201d Senator Angus King said. \u201cThe growth we\u2019ve seen didn\u2019t happen overnight; it took years of hard work and collaboration to build the impressive local food network we have today. And events like this one are critically important as we look to continue that positive momentum moving forward.\u201d\r\nToday\u2019s event brought together leaders from Maine\u2019s food economy, and focused on issues such as\u00a0the role that local networks play in overcoming barriers to fresh food, workforce development resources available for small business owners, and opportunities for Maine\u2019s marine economy such as aquaculture. More than 150 attendees from agriculture, fisheries, food production, and food recovery organizations participated in the event.\r\nSenator King has been a strong voice for local agriculture in the Senate, working to support the positive trends in Maine\u2019s local food movement. During debate on the 2014 Farm Bill, which defines our country\u2019s agricultural policies for a period of five years, Senator King worked to make sure the voice of Maine\u2019s farmers was heard.\r\nWhen the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was working to implement the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA), Senator King made sure that Maine farmers\u2019 concerns were heard in the process in an effort to keep the FSMA rules from unduly burdening Maine\u2019s small and midsized farmers. In 2014, he ushered into law the\u00a0Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act, a bipartisan and common-sense bill with Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) that allows veterinarians to legally carry and dispense controlled substances to treat animals on the farm. \u00a0And he has also teamed up with Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to introduce the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act, or\u00a0PRIME Act, which would make it easier for small farms and ranches to provide locally-produced meats to consumers.\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-congressional-delegation-stands-up-for-sanford-rug-manufacturer-in-trade-appeal_", "Maine Congressional Delegation Stands Up for Sanford Rug Manufacturer in Trade Appeal", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Maine Congressional Delegation Stands Up for Sanford Rug Manufacturer in Trade Appeal  \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWrites letter to Foreign-Trade Zones Board in support of Flemish Master Weavers \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 1, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin announced today that they have sent a letter to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board in support of Maine manufacturer Flemish Master Weavers\u2019 (FMW) trade appeal.\r\nThe Sanford-based rug manufacturer has applied to the FTZ Board for production authority status that would exempt them from certain tariffs. Currently, textile tariffs that are designed to protect American manufacturers like FMW are actually putting the company at a disadvantage and stifling growth.\r\n\u201cA strong manufacturing industry is essential to Maine\u2019s future, and securing fair trade regulations for Maine-based companies is of critical importance to our communities and economy,\u201d wrote the Maine Congressional Delegation in their letter. \u201cFlemish Master Weavers employs 127 people in Sanford, Maine, and is one of Southern Maine\u2019s largest manufacturing employers. [\u2026] Approval of the FTZ application would not only increase competitiveness, but set the company on a track to expand operations.\u201d\r\nFlemish Master Weavers manufactures machine-made woven area rugs, and as the smallest of only four such producers in the United States, faces competition from foreign manufacturers who increasingly dominate the area rug market here at home. In order to remain competitive, FMW imports yarn that carries an eight-percent U.S. tariff. Despite being designed to protect U.S. businesses, that tariff is actually putting FMW at a competitive disadvantage against the foreign competitors who enjoy duty-free access to the U.S. for the area rugs they manufacture abroad with identical yarn.\r\nIf the Foreign-Trade Zones Board approves FMW\u2019s application for production authority status, the company would be able to avoid the eight-percent yarn tariff. That would increase FMW\u2019s competiveness and potentially set the company on a course to expand operations.\r\nFlemish Master Weavers is based in Sanford and employs 127 people. One of Southern Maine\u2019s largest manufacturing employers, FMW has eleven high-speed looms and fully-automated packing and finishing operations. If granted production authority status, the company has indicated that it could potentially increase employment to 170 jobs as part of a 72,000 square foot building expansion.\r\nThe foreign-trade zones (FTZs) program was authorized by Congress in 1934 and is used to support U.S. companies in competition with foreign alternatives by allowing delayed or reduced duty payments on foreign merchandise, as well as other savings. The Foreign-Trade Zones Board licenses designated sites as FTZs.\r\nThe Maine delegation\u2019s letter to the FTZ Board is available HERE and the text is below:\r\n+++\r\nNovember 30, 2016\r\n\u00a0\r\nMr. Andrew McGilvray\r\nExecutive Secretary\r\nForeign-Trade Zone Board\r\nU.S. Department of Commerce\r\n1401 Constitution Ave., NW Room 21013\r\nWashington, DC 20230\r\nDear Mr. McGilvray:\r\nWe write to express our support for Flemish Master Weavers\u2019 (FMW) recent appeal to the Foreign Trade Zone Board for production authority to manufacture area rugs at FTZ 186, subzone 186A.\u00a0 A strong manufacturing industry is essential to Maine\u2019s future, and securing fair trade regulations for Maine-based companies is of critical importance to our communities and economy.\r\nFlemish Master Weavers is a Maine manufacturer of machine-made woven area rugs and is the smallest of four such producers in the United States.\u00a0 The company competes for market share with foreign manufacturers who increasingly dominate the domestic area rug market.\u00a0 To remain competitive, FMW imports continuous filament polypropylene yarn, a material carrying a U.S. tariff of eight percent.\u00a0 Despite efforts to adjust to a changing market, FMW still faces an uphill battle as foreign area rug competitors enjoy duty-free access to the United States for area rugs made in foreign factories with identical yarn.\u00a0 In other words, foreign rugs with the same yarn come in with no U.S. tariff, while FMW\u2019s ability to make the rugs in America is stymied by a U.S. tariff on yarn imports.\u00a0 The end result is that American jobs are, ironically, threatened by a tariff designed to protect them. Inverted tariff relief through production authority is needed to ensure that U.S. tariff policy is not putting FMW at a disadvantage relative to foreign area rug producers.\r\nFlemish Master Weavers employs 127 people in Sanford, Maine, and is one of Southern Maine\u2019s largest manufacturing employers. With 11 high speed looms, fully automated packing, and finishing operations, FMW provides meaningful employment to its workers in Maine, helping them to maintain and improve their financial stability. Approval of the FTZ application would not only increase competitiveness, but set the company on a track to expand operations. The company has stated its interest in a 72,000 square foot building expansion and the addition of two new looms and four replacement looms, which could potentially increase employment from 127 to 170 jobs.\r\nWe request your careful consideration of this matter, subject to all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines, and ask that you please notify Lauren Pfingstag at Lauren_Pfingstag@king.senate.gov, Phillips Hinch at Phillips_Hinch@collins.senate.gov, Evan Johnston at Evan.Johnston@mail.house.gov, and Michael Sinacore at Michael.Sinacore@mail.house.gov when a final decision has been made.\r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-more-than-200000-for-aroostook-band-of-micmacs-and-houlton-band-of-maliseet-indians", "Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $200,000 for Aroostook Band of Micmacs and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $200,000 for Aroostook Band of Micmacs and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 1, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that two tribal communities in Northern Maine will receive a total of $222,453 to promote economic development through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Of that funding, $122,953 will be awarded to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, and $99,500 will be awarded to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.\r\n\u201cWe welcome this funding for Maine\u2019s tribal communities, which will help support vital economic development and foster innovative business ventures among the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians communities,\u201d said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. \u201cBy providing new economic opportunities, these investments will benefit the tribal communities as well as Maine\u2019s economy.\u201d\r\nThe funding for the Aroostook Bank of Micmacs will be used to develop a strategic economic and community development plan to consider the best use of the Tribe's 3,000 acres of land and other tribal assets. In addition, the funding will support feasibility analyses and business plans for two potential tribal enterprises: specialty foods and alternative energy production. The funding for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians will be used to establish a revolving loan fund to support small and emerging independent tribal enterprises and Native entrepreneurs.\r\nThe funds were awarded through the USDA\u2019s Rural Business Development Grant program, which provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate the development of small and emerging rural businesses, help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education programs.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/the-really-rich-got-richer-according-to-irss-top-400", "The Really Rich Got Richer, According to IRSs Top 400", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Really Rich Got Richer, According to IRS\u2019s Top 400\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTotal income reported on the top 400 individual tax returns rose 20% in 2014\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By:\u00a0 Richard Rubin \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, December 1, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tThe total income reported on the top 400 individual tax returns rose 20% in 2014, according to Internal Revenue Service\u00a0data\u00a0released Thursday.\r\nThe figures reveal the concentration of earnings at the pinnacle of the income distribution, in a club that required $126.8 million of adjusted gross income to enter. That group, out of nearly 150 million tax returns in 2014, received 1.3% of income and 10% of capital gains that get preferential rates. The same 400 households also made 6.9% of all charitable contributions.\r\nContinue reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-carrier-just-showed-corporations-how-to-beat-donald-trump", "Sanders: Carrier just showed corporations how to beat Donald Trump", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders: Carrier just showed corporations how to beat Donald Trump\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, December 1, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tThe Washington Post: Carrier just showed corporations how to beat Donald Trump\r\nBy Sen. Bernie Sanders\r\nToday, about 1,000 Carrier workers and their families should be rejoicing. But the rest of our nation\u2019s workers should be very nervous.\r\nPresident-elect Donald Trump will reportedly announce a deal with United Technologies, the corporation that owns Carrier, that keeps less than 1,000 of the 2100 jobs in America that were previously scheduled to be transferred to Mexico. Let\u2019s be clear: It is not good enough to save some of these jobs. Trump made a promise that he would save all of these jobs, and we cannot rest until an ironclad contract is signed to ensure that all of these workers are able to continue working in Indiana without having their pay or benefits slashed.\r\nIn exchange for allowing United Technologies to continue to offshore more than 1,000 jobs, Trump will reportedly give the company tax and regulatory favors that the corporation has sought. Just a short few months ago, Trump was pledging to force United Technologies to \u201cpay a damn tax.\u201d He was insisting on very steep tariffs for companies like Carrier that left the United States and wanted to sell their foreign-made products back in the United States. Instead of a damn tax, the company will be rewarded with a damn tax cut. Wow! How\u2019s that for standing up to corporate greed? How\u2019s that for punishing corporations that shut down in the United States and move abroad?\r\nIn essence, United Technologies took Trump hostage and won. And that should send a shock wave of fear through all workers across the country.\r\nTrump has endangered the jobs of workers who were previously safe in the United States. Why? Because he has signaled to every corporation in America that they can threaten to offshore jobs in exchange for business-friendly tax benefits and incentives. Even corporations that weren\u2019t thinking of offshoring jobs will most probably be re-evaluating their stance this morning. And who would pay for the high cost for tax cuts that go to the richest businessmen in America? The working class of America.\r\nLet\u2019s be clear. United Technologies is not going broke. Last year, it made a profit of $7.6 billion and received more than $6 billion in defense contracts. It has also received more than $50 million from the Export-Import Bank and very generous tax breaks. In 2014, United Technologies gave its former chief executive Louis Chenevert a golden parachute worth more than $172 million. Last year, the company\u2019s five highest-paid executives made more than $50 million. The firm also spent $12 billion to inflate its stock price instead of using that money to invest in new plants and workers.\r\nDoes that sound like a company that deserves more corporate welfare from our government? Trump\u2019s Band-Aid solution is only making the problem of wealth inequality in America even worse.\r\nI said I would work with Trump if he was serious about the promises he made to members of the working class. But after running a campaign pledging to be tough on corporate America, Trump has hypocritically decided to do the exact opposite. He wants to treat corporate irresponsibility with kid gloves. The problem with our rigged economy is not that our policies have been too tough on corporations; it\u2019s that we haven\u2019t been tough enough.\r\nWe need to re-instill an ethic of corporate patriotism. We need to send a very loud and clear message to corporate America: The era of outsourcing is over. Instead of offshoring jobs, the time has come for you to start bringing good-paying jobs back to America.\r\nIf United Technologies or any other company wants to keep outsourcing decent-paying American jobs, those companies must pay an outsourcing tax equal to the amount of money it expects to save by moving factories to Mexico or other low-wage countries. \u00a0They should not receive federal contracts or other forms of corporate welfare. \u00a0They must pay back all of the tax breaks and other corporate welfare they have received from the federal government. And they must not be allowed to reward their executives with stock options, bonuses or golden parachutes for outsourcing jobs to low-wage countries. I will soon be introducing the Outsourcing Prevention Act, which will address exactly that.\r\nIf Donald Trump won\u2019t stand up for America\u2019s working class, we must.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-bill-cosponsored-by-collins-king-to-protect-northern-border-unanimously-passes-us-house-of-representatives-heads-to-presidents-desk", "Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King to Protect Northern Border Unanimously Passes U.S. House of Representatives, Heads to President’s Desk", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King to Protect Northern Border Unanimously Passes U.S. House of Representatives, Heads to President\u2019s Desk\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBipartisan bill to assess and strengthen security along Northern Border unanimously passed in the U.S. Senate earlier this month\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, November 30, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that a bipartisan bill they cosponsored\u00a0to help assess and strengthen American security at the Northern Border\u00a0\u2013 the longest common land border in the\u00a0world \u2013 has unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the President\u2019s desk for his signature to become law.\r\nEarlier this month, the legislation \u2013 the Northern Border Security Review Act\u00a0\u2013\u00a0passed the U.S. Senate. The bipartisan bill would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fully evaluate security threats and challenges at the border through a comprehensive examination of the current resources and personnel levels. At 5,500 miles long, including 1,500 miles between Alaska and Canada, the Northern Border has 120 border crossings, many of which are small and in rural areas.\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe first step in determining how best to secure and protect our Northern Border is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the threats we face and the resources necessary to help protect against them,\u201d\u00a0Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cThis bipartisan bill will advance that process for the first time in five years, and ultimately bolster the efforts and work of Maine law enforcement officers and border patrol agents who work hard every day to protect our communities. We look forward to the President signing this bill into law and undertaking the important work of enhancing border security.\u201d\r\nApproximately\u00a0300,000\u00a0people and\u00a0$910 million\u00a0in trade cross the Northern Border every day, representing the largest bilateral flow of goods and people in the world. The Northern Border Security Review Act would require a comprehensive examination of the following issues:\r\n \r\nRecruiting and retaining border security officials to cover the Northern Border, including at more remote areas of the border;\r\nDetermining tools border security officials need to effectively combat drug and human trafficking at the Northern Border;\r\nIdentifying technology that could expand the reach of border agents; and\r\nFinding vulnerabilities in cooperation between Canadian, state, county, local, and tribal law enforcement.\r\n \r\nThe passage of the bill also follows\u00a0a classified briefing\u00a0held yesterday before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to discuss the security situation along the Northern Border. Senators Collins and King were briefed by high-ranking officials from the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement on threat reporting, smuggling and trafficking trends, border security technology requirements, and staffing in remote locations.\r\nThe legislation was introduced by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). Additional cosponsors include Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).\u00a0Click here to view a summary of the bill.\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-poliquin-announce-significant-victory-for-made-in-usa-athletic-footwear-provision", "Collins, King, Poliquin Announce Significant Victory for Made-in-USA Athletic Footwear Provision", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King, Poliquin Announce Significant Victory for Made-in-USA Athletic Footwear Provision\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMeasure supporting American athletic footwear manufacturers, like New Balance, included in final National Defense Authorization Act to be passed in coming days\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, November 30, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin today announced that the final 2017 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision championed by them that will require the Department of Defense to consider athletic footwear subject to the Berry Amendment by providing initial entry service members with American-made athlete shoes upon arrival at basic training.\r\nThe provision, which is set to be approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate in the coming days, will be implemented over the course of the next two years and will support domestic manufacturing, protect jobs for dedicated American workers, including potentially hundreds in Maine, and help ensure that American troops are equipped and outfitted with high-quality uniform items made in the United States.\r\n\u201cThis is a significant victory for American jobs and respected American manufacturers like New Balance who will now be able to compete for contracts to provide domestically produced athletic footwear to military recruits. For far too long, the Department of Defense has failed to apply the Berry Amendment to athletic footwear, and American manufacturers have paid the price,\u201d Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin said in a joint statement. \u201cWith the successful inclusion of this provision, Congress and the Pentagon will finally prioritize and reward U.S. companies for creating and maintaining good-paying jobs here in the U.S. and will equip American troops with high-quality American-made athletic footwear. We will relentlessly push the Department of Defense to fully implement this already-overdue provision.\u201d\r\nThe provision included in the final 2017 National Defense Authorization Act is similar to the Buy American Act introduced by Senators Collins and King and the Stepping up for American Workers and Troops Act introduced by Representative Poliquin. Both bills were\u00a0introduced\u00a0earlier this year.\u00a0Representative Poliquin successfully pushed for adoption of the language in the House-version of the NDAA in April, and again successfully defended its inclusion in May despite strong opposition from special interest groups who attempted a floor vote to nullify the language. Senator King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, fought to successfully add the legislation as an amendment to the Senate-version of the NDAA during the Committee\u2019s markup of the bill in May.\r\n\u201cNew Balance is proud to be the only major company that still makes athletic footwear in the United States. We are grateful that the U.S. House and Senate has again agreed that our military\u2019s domestic purchasing requirements as stated by law need to be followed. On behalf of the hundreds of men and women in our five New England shoe factories, we want to thank Senator King, Senator Collins and Representative Poliquin for their tireless advocacy in serving the state of Maine,\u201d said Rob DeMartini, President and CEO, New Balance.\r\nThe final provision, which survived a conference committee between the House and Senate following the advocacy of Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin, mandates that the Department of Defense consider athletic footwear issued to military recruits as subject to the Berry Amendment, requiring the Department to treat athletic footwear like other uniform items.\r\nThe Berry amendment, passed in 1941, requires the U.S. military to provide its personnel with American-made equipment and uniforms to the greatest extent possible. Despite this long-standing law, and despite the fact that it issues similar Berry Compliant items such as combat boots and service uniforms, the Department of Defense has not previously issued new recruits athletic footwear that is compliant with the Berry Amendment.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-sign-holiday-cards-for-servicemembers-veterans-and-their-families", "Collins, King Sign Holiday Cards for Servicemembers, Veterans & Their Families", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Sign Holiday Cards for Servicemembers, Veterans & Their Families\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, November 30, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, members of the Senate Military Family Caucus, today participated in the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program, which brings together Senators and Congressional staff to sign holiday cards for servicemembers, veterans, and their families.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe men and women serving in our military, along with their families and our nation\u2019s veterans, have sacrificed beyond measure in the defense of the freedoms we cherish today,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cOften times, their service has taken them to distant places \u2013 far from their loved ones and the comfort of home. It\u2019s important to remember that, today, there are still many brave men and women in our Armed Services who can\u2019t be with their loved ones this holiday season, which is why we should join together to support these heroes and their families and express our gratitude for all they do on our behalf. We commend our brave servicemembers, and we will continue to fight for them every day in the Senate.\u201d\r\nIn December 2007, Walter Reed Army Medical Center asked the Red Cross to help distribute thousands of holiday cards for wounded service men and women. In response to the request, the Red Cross turned the project into a nationwide effort that could reach members of the military at other facilities in the U.S. and around the world.\u00a0 In previous Capitol Hill signing events, organizers collected more than 2,000 holiday cards.\r\nPhoto 1: Senators Collins and King write letters to servicemembers through the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program\r\n\r\nPhoto 2:\u00a0Senators Collins and King write letters to servicemembers through the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-announces-additional-victories-for-maine-in-defense-bill", "King Announces Additional Victories for Maine in Defense Bill", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Announces Additional Victories for Maine in Defense Bill\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tIn addition to Made-In-USA shoe provision, Maine secures several wins in defense authorization bill\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, November 30, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced additional victories for Maine in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In addition to the inclusion of the American-made athletic footwear provision, the NDAA also contains several other provisions for which Senator King fought, including robust funding for shipbuilding, support for military construction projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and funding to fight the production and trafficking of illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl.\r\n\u201cThe State of Maine has always played a pivotal role in supporting and defending our country\u2019s national security, and I\u2019m proud that this year\u2019s defense bill continues to recognize and honor those important contributions while authorizing policies and programs critical for ensuring our nation\u2019s defense,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cThis legislation takes important steps to advance shipbuilding priorities at Bath Iron Works and critical construction projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and it continues to provide additional opportunities for Maine manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney \u2013 all of which are victories for our national defense and our state\u2019s economy.\u201d\r\nAs a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator King was able to secure the following victories for Maine:\r\n \r\nFUNDING FOR SHIPBUILDING PRIORITIES: The bill authorizes $3.5 billion for Navy destroyer programs, including $271.8 million for the construction of DDG-1000 Zumwalt destroyers \u2013 all of which are being built at Bath Iron Works \u2013 and $3.3 billion for the procurement of two DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in Fiscal Year 2017, one of which will be built at Bath.\r\nOf the $3.2 billion in procurement for the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, Senator King was able to authorize an additional $50 million in funding for the DDG-51 that was authorized and partially funded last year due to the work of Senators King and Susan Collins. That ship has since been identified by the Navy as one of its top unfunded priorities, and this authorization secured by Senator King lays the groundwork to appropriate the remaining funding necessary to build it.\u00a0\r\nMILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: The bill authorizes $17.8 million for unaccompanied housing at Portsmouth Navy Shipyard (PNSY) to provide housing for the crew of submarines; $30.1 million for utility improvements of nuclear platforms at PNSY; and $27.1 million to construct a replacement medical/dental clinic at PNSY. Senator King specifically requested these authorizations.\r\nFULL PER DIEM FOR PNSY WORKERS ON LONG-TERM TEMPORARY DUTY: The bill would authorize the Navy to provide full per diem to public shipyard workers traveling on long-term temporary duty. The provision is based on\u00a0legislation\u00a0introduced by Senator King and Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) that would modify the existing, flawed Department of Defense long-term temporary duty policy for shipyard workers conducting off-yard maintenance.\r\nNO NEW BRAC ROUND: This legislation rejects the President\u2019s call in his Fiscal Year 2017 budget request for additional base closures under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. The last BRAC process occurred in 2005 when the Pentagon's recommendation to close the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was ultimately overturned by the BRAC Commission, but their recommendation to realign Brunswick Naval Air Station was rejected in favor of closing the base.\r\nJOINT STRIKE FIGHTER: The bill authorizes the procurement of 63 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters of all three variants. Several Maine-based companies, including Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick and General Dynamics in Saco, are in the supply and production chain for this fifth generation fighter.\r\nLONG RANGE STRIKE-BOMBER:\u00a0The bill authorizes $1 billion for procurement of a new long-range stealth bomber, B-21, which will be a central pillar of our national security strategy to deal with future threats. Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick will produce components for the B-21\u2019s engine.\r\nDEFINITION OF CYBERWAR: The bill includes language similar to\u00a0legislation authored by Senators King and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)\u00a0that would require the Administration to develop options for deterring threats in cyberspace and determining what types of actions in cyberspace may warrant a military response.\r\nFIGHTING THE OPIOID AND HEROIN EPIDEMIC:\u00a0The bill includes a provision, offered by Senator Kelly Ayotte and supported by Senator King, that would ensure that at least $191.5 million will be dedicated to counter the production and trafficking of illicit drugs, including heroin and fentanyl.\r\n \r\nAdditionally, earlier today, Senator King joined with Senator Susan Collins and Representative Bruce Poliquin to herald the inclusion of their American-made footwear provision that will require the Department of Defense to consider athletic footwear subject to the Berry Amendment by providing initial entry service members with American-made athlete shoes upon arrival at basic training. The inclusion of this provision represents the culmination of a long-fought battle by the Maine delegation.\r\nThe Fiscal Year 2017 NDAA establishes policies and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense as well as the national security programs of the Department of Energy. It provides for the pay and benefits earned by members of the military and their families, provides for national defense including authorization of funds for counter-ISIL operations in Iraq and Syria, and represents a vision of America\u2019s national security goals, resources, and policies.\r\nThe House and Senate are expected to vote on the 2017 NDAA in the coming days. If passed by both chambers, it will then go to the President\u2019s desk for his signature to become law.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-calls-on-president-to-declassify-information-regarding-russia-and-the-us-election", "King Calls on President to Declassify Information Regarding Russia and the U.S. Election", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Calls on President to Declassify Information Regarding Russia and the U.S. Election\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, November 30, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined several of his colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to declassify information relating to the Russian government and the U.S. election.\r\n\u201cWe believe there is additional information concerning the Russian Government and the U.S. election that should be declassified and released to the public,\u201d Senator King and his colleagues wrote in their letter. \u201cWe are conveying specifics through classified channels.\u201d\r\nU.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) led the letter and fellow Intelligence Committee members Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Martin Heinrich, (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and ex-officio member Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) also joined the letter.\r\nThe complete letter is available HERE.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-joins-federal-local-leaders-to-discuss-broadband-expansion-and-priorities", "King Joins Federal, Local Leaders to Discuss Broadband Expansion and Priorities", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Joins Federal, Local Leaders to Discuss Broadband Expansion and Priorities\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, November 30, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined federal and local leaders to discuss efforts to expand broadband access, digitally connect communities nationwide, and spearhead key broadband infrastructure policy goals in the coming years.\r\nSenator King, a founding co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, delivered the keynote address at Transforming Communities: Broadband Goals for 2017 and Beyond, an event hosted at Google by Next Century Cities, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, and US Ignite that showcased bipartisan broadband champions from the Senate, the Executive Branch, mayors, heads of community anchor institutions, and policy experts.\r\n\u201cAs we think about how we can equip ourselves with the tools to build a successful future, it\u2019s clear that one of our top priorities must be working to expand next-generation broadband and connecting more Americans to 21st century infrastructure \u2013 and that effort must be spearheaded across all levels of government,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cHigh-speed broadband will enable people across the country, regardless of whether they live in rural Maine or New York City, to realize unprecedented economic, educational, and cultural opportunities. That\u2019s why today\u2019s event, which brought together a bipartisan coalition of voices to champion how broadband can transform our communities, is so vitally important.\u201d\r\nThe economic benefits of broadband infrastructure are clear: for every $5 billion invested in broadband infrastructure, 250,000 jobs are created and with every percentage point increase in new broadband distribution, employment expands by 300,000 jobs. Yet, according to the Federal Communication Commission\u2019s (FCC) 2016 Broadband Progress Report, one in ten Americans lacks access to broadband. More troubling, in rural America, 39 percent of Americans lack access. Furthermore, a recent study found that after each megabit per second increase in internet speeds, the unemployment rate dropped, and the rate of bachelor degrees earned and the median household income increased. In rural areas, where broadband serves to bridge geographic barriers, these benefits are particularly important.\r\nAs a strong proponent of expanding broadband in Maine and across rural America, Senator King has worked repeatedly in the Senate to support investment in broadband infrastructure and to modernize federal programs and regulations in order to promote access to high-speed internet. In July, he and twenty-seven colleagues wrote a letter to the FCC Chairman urging the Commission to close the rural mobile broadband gap. He supported the FCC\u2019s successful effort to modernize the E-Rate Program that helps provide internet access at schools and libraries, joined a successful bipartisan effort to call on the FCC to support rural carriers that provide broadband-only services, and is a cosponsor of Senator Cory Booker\u2019s (D-N.J.) Community Broadband Act, which would preserve the rights of cities and localities across the country to follow Maine\u2019s lead in building municipal broadband networks.\r\nIn July, Senator King joined with a bipartisan coalition of his colleagues to found the Senate Broadband Caucus, which is focused on strengthening broadband infrastructure and deployment across the country. The caucus will address broadband challenges facing Americans, promote bipartisan discussions about possible solutions to increase connectivity and close the digital divide, especially in rural America, and engage with a broad range of industries and other stakeholders.\r\nNext Century Cities is a non-profit membership organization of 149 communities \u2013 including Rockport, South Portland, Sanford, Scarborough, Lewiston and Islesboro \u2013 founded to support communities and their elected leaders, including mayors and other officials, as they seek to ensure that all have access to fast, affordable, and reliable internet. The SHLB Coalition is an organization of 69 anchor institutions, commercial companies and non-profit broadband providers, foundations, and public interest groups \u2013 including Axiom Technologies of Machias and the ConnectME Authority \u2013 that work together to develop and support policies to improve broadband connectivity for anchor institutions and their communities. US Ignite is a non-profit organization that fosters the creation of next-generation internet applications that improve healthcare, education, energy, public safety, transportation, and manufacturing.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-warren-joint-statement-on-trumps-treasury-nominee", "Sanders, Warren Joint Statement on Trump's Treasury Nominee", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Warren Joint Statement on Trump's Treasury Nominee\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, November 30, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Nov. 30 \u2013 Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement Wednesday after it was reported that President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Steve Mnuchin to serve as Treasury secretary:\r\n\"During the campaign, Donald Trump told the American people that he was going to change Washington by taking on Wall Street. Donald Trump\u2019s choice for Treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, is just another Wall Street insider. That is not the type of change that Donald Trump promised to bring to Washington \u2013 that is hypocrisy at its worst. After his bank pocketed billions in taxpayer dollars from the bailout, Mnuchin moved on to make a fortune running another bank that aggressively foreclosed on families still reeling from the crisis. This pick makes clear that Donald Trump wants to cater to the same Wall Street executives that have hurt working families time and again.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-500000-for-eastern-maine-economic-development_-", "Collins, King Announce $500,000 for Eastern Maine Economic Development", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Announce $500,000 for Eastern Maine Economic Development   \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, November 29, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded a $500,000 Economic Recovery Assistance grant to Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC). The funding will be used to establish a plan to support redevelopment and revitalization in Eastern Maine and to provide assistance to businesses that have been affected by the closure of manufacturing plants.\r\n\u201cCollaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for promoting business expansion and robust job growth,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cBy supporting the establishment and revitalization of local businesses in Eastern Maine, this investment will help communities and entrepreneurs attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen our state\u2019s economy.\u201d\r\nEMDC is a private, non-profit organization established in 1967. The Corporation is located in Bangor and serves the four Eastern Counties of Maine: Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis Counties as well as portions of Waldo County.\r\nAs the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s Economic Development Administration (EDA) fosters regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. Through strategic investments that foster job creation and attract private investment, EDA supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-backed-bipartisan-legislation-to-improve-training-and-support-for-first-responders-unanimously-passes-us-house-of-representatives", "King-Backed Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Training & Support for First Responders Unanimously Passes U.S. House of Representatives", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King-Backed Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Training & Support for First Responders Unanimously Passes U.S. House of Representatives\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tLegislation calls for better resources and training to respond to incidents like Lac-Megantic to keep communities safe\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, November 29, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that bipartisan legislation he cosponsored with Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) to support first responders by ensuring they have the resources and tools they need to handle hazardous incidents, including crude oil train derailments, unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives \u2013 bringing the\u00a0 legislation one step closer to being signed into law.\r\nSenator King has been working with Senator Heitkamp and his colleagues to equip emergency response teams with the necessary tools and resources to prepare for hazmat incidents on the rails and keep communities safe since 2013, after a train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec near the western Maine border, killing more than 45 people. The passage of today\u2019s legislation in the House includes minor changes from the version that passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate in May, and will be sent back to the U.S. Senate for final approval before reaching the President\u2019s desk.\r\n\u201cIt happens time and again: when there\u2019s an emergency, Maine\u2019s first responders step up to take action, selflessly putting their lives on the lines to save others and protect our communities,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s so important that we support them by ensuring they have access to the highest-quality training and best resources available, which is what this legislation will help do. Putting the necessary tools into the hands of our first responders will better prepare them and, ultimately, help save lives.\u201d\r\nThe Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Act would enable first responders to get quality training to handle hazardous situations and have access to the appropriate resources and effective communications. Specifically, the legislation would establish a public-private council that combines emergency responders, federal agencies, and leading experts to review training and best practices for first responders. This council, co-chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), would provide Congress with expert recommendations on how to address first responders\u2019 safety needs with increased railway safety challenges so they can best protect communities across the country.\r\nSenator King is a strong advocate for increased rail safety measures. In 2014, he joined several of his colleagues in advocating for the creation of a Safe Transportation and Energy Products Fund to provide the U.S. Department of Transportation new flexibility to address emerging issues related to the transportation of combustible energy products \u2013 including more expeditious rulemaking, technical studies, increased rail and energy product inspections, safety mitigation and response planning, first responder training, and community outreach. He has also pressed the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to immediately implement National Transportation Safety Board recommendations that were the result of an investigation of the horrific train derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec in 2013.\r\nAdditional cosponsors of the bill included Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). U.S. Representative Ron Kind (D-Wisc.) introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-participates-in-classified-briefing-on-northern-border-security", "King Participates in Classified Briefing on Northern Border Security", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Participates in Classified Briefing on Northern Border Security\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, November 29, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) participated in a classified briefing held before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to discuss the security situation along the Northern Border. Senator King, who is not a member of the Subcommittee, was invited to attend the briefing along with senators from other Northern Border states.\r\nSenator King and his colleagues were briefed by high-ranking officials from the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement on threat reporting, smuggling and trafficking trends, border security technology requirements, and staffing in remote locations. The briefing follows the Senate\u2019s recent approval of bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator King \u2013 the Northern Border Security Review Act \u2013 which requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a comprehensive examination of the current resources and personnel levels and fully evaluate security threats and challenges at the border.\r\n\u201cThe Northern Border with Canada is not only the longest border in the United States, but it\u2019s the longest border between any two countries in the world \u2013 which means that it requires robust resources and personnel to secure it from those wishing to enter the our country illegally, smuggle drugs here, or conduct other unlawful activities,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cMany remote areas in Maine are on the front lines when it comes to border security, and today\u2019s briefing, along with my continued conversation with border patrol officials in Maine, are part of an ongoing discussion about how we can support the agencies and people working on the ground to bolster our border security and protect Maine people.\u201d\r\nToday\u2019s classified briefing featured witnesses from several government agencies working on border protection, including Mark Morgan, the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol; Derek Banner, Deputy Executive Associate Director of the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement; and Raymond Villanueva, International Operations Assistant Director of the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. \r\n\u00a0\r\nAt 5,500 miles long \u2013 including 1,500 miles between Alaska and Canada \u2013 the Northern Border has 120 border crossings, many of which are small and in rural areas. Approximately 300,000 people and $910 million in trade cross the Northern Border every day, representing the largest bilateral flow of goods and people in the world.\r\nThe Senate recently passed the Northern Border Security Review Act, which would require a comprehensive examination of the following issues:\r\n \r\nRecruiting and retaining border security officials to cover the Northern Border, including at more remote areas of the border;\r\nDetermining tools border security officials need to effectively combat drug and human trafficking at the Northern Border;\r\nIdentifying technology that could expand the reach of border agents; and\r\nFinding vulnerabilities in cooperation between Canadian, state, county, local, and tribal law enforcement.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-bill-to-boost-telehealth-in-rural-areas-", "Senate Passes Bill to Boost Telehealth in Rural Areas", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Passes Bill to Boost Telehealth in Rural Areas \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tECHO Act aims to build on innovative medical education model involving videoconferencing\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, November 29, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate today overwhelmingly passed legislation that would expand on successes in telemedicine to improve access to health care in rural and underserved communities across America. Telehealth technologies such as videoconferencing are already making an impact in Maine, particularly for seniors, helping connect people with medical professionals while remaining within the comfort of their homes and supporting medical education efforts within the health care community.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019ve already seen how telemedicine can help revolutionize the delivery of health services in rural Maine. Videoconferencing, along with other advanced technologies, are bridging rural divides and connecting people to medical professionals, making health care services more accessible and more convenient than ever before,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cBy advancing the innovative education and training model known as Project ECHO, this legislation will help us expand the encouraging telehealth trends that we are already seeing across rural America.\u201d\u00a0\r\nThe bipartisan legislation, the Expanding Connectivity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act, seeks to expand the positive impact of a medical education model, the Project Extension for Community Health Outcomes \u2013 known as Project ECHO \u2013 which utilizes interactive videoconferencing to connect primary health care providers in rural areas with specialist teams that provide teaching and mentoring.\r\nProject ECHO has already been used to address conditions like Diabetes, Hepatitis C, chronic pain, and addiction. The ECHO Act aims to better integrate this model into health care systems across the country by requiring the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on the model and its potential impact for rural and underserved areas \u2013 as well as an analysis of the opportunities and barriers to implementation.\r\nRural communities face several challenges when it comes to health care, including higher rates of some chronic diseases, isolation, lack of transportation options, and decreased connectivity. And despite the fact that nearly one fourth of America\u2019s population lives in rural areas, only about 10 percent of physicians are estimated to practice in those areas. The videoconference education and training provided through the Project ECHO model works to address some of those challenges by increasing knowledge for local primary care providers on the ground in rural communities, improving access to high quality care for patients, and decreasing health care system costs by promoting better quality of care closer to home.\r\nAs a member of the Health Information and Management Systems Society\u2019s Capitol Hill\u00a0Steering Committee on Telehealth and Healthcare Informatics, Senator King works with his colleagues to support technology developments that are revolutionizing the delivery of rural health care services. He is also a strong proponent of rural broadband \u2013 a critical component in the effort to expand telemedicine technology. In 2015, he held a roundtable discussion at the University of Maine that brought together state leaders from the health care, telecommunications, and education sectors to focus on the benefits of this innovative technology and how its delivery can be improved across Maine and the country.\r\nA one-page summary of the ECHO Act is available HERE. A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-the-21st-century-cures-act", "Sanders Statement on the 21st Century Cures Act", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on the 21st Century Cures Act\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, November 29, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Nov. 29 \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Tuesday on the 21st Century Cures Act:\r\n\"At a time when Americans pay, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, this bill provides absolutely no relief for soaring drug prices. The greed of the pharmaceutical industry has no limit, and this bill includes numerous corporate giveaways that will make drug companies even richer. Further, this bill cuts Medicare and Medicaid by $1 billion, while not even guaranteeing funding for medical research or substance abuse treatment.\r\n\"This is a bad bill which should not be passed in its current form. It's time for Congress to stand up to the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies, not give them more handouts.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-trumps-hhs-pick", "Sanders Statement on Trump's HHS Pick", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 \u2013\u00a0Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Tuesday after it was reported that President-elect Donald Trump will name Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) to serve as secretary of health and human services:\r\n\u201cDonald Trump asked workers and seniors to vote for him because he was the only Republican candidate who\u00a0would not cut\u00a0Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid \u2013 programs that are of life-and-death importance for millions of Americans. Now, he has nominated a person for secretary of Health and Human Services, Rep. Tom Price, who has a long history of wanting to do exactly the opposite of what Trump campaigned on. Rep. Price has a long history of wanting to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. What hypocrisy! Mr. Trump needs to tell the American people that what he said during the campaign were just lies, or else appoint an HHS secretary who will protect these programs and do what Trump said he would do.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/trump-vows-to-protect-social-security-medicare-and-medicaid", "Trump Vows To Protect Social Security, Medicare  Medicaid", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Trump Vows To Protect Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid \n            Speaking at the New Hampshire Republican Leadership Summit, Donald Trump scolded Republicans for trying to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.\n            \n                \n                    \n                       \t\n        \t\t\t\t\n                        \n                            \n                                \n                                \n                                    \n                                    \n                                    \n                                \n                                \n        \t\t\t\t\t\t\n                            \n                        \n                        \n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\n                            \t\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\t\n                    \n                \n            \n        \t\n            \n            \n            \n                \n                \n                \n                \n                    \n                   \tSee Video on YouTube\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n                    Copy Link", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-nyts-editorial-applauds-pentagon-cyber-program-king-and-heinrich-want-expanded", "ICYMI: NYTs Editorial Applauds Pentagon Cyber Program King & Heinrich Want Expanded", "2016-11-28", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ICYMI: NYTs Editorial Applauds Pentagon Cyber Program King & Heinrich Want Expanded\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, November 28, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tIn case you missed it, an editorial from the New York Times today applauded the Department of Defense for once again pursuing a \u201cBug Bounty\u201d program, which rewards so-called \u201cwhite hat\u201d hackers who detect and report security vulnerabilities within the Pentagon\u2019s cyber-networks. On October 24, 2016, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, also commended the program in a letter to President Obama and urged him to expand it across the entire government.\r\n\u201cWe believe such programs represent a cost-effective way to supplement and support the people who defend our government\u2019s IT systems \u2013 and these efforts should not be limited to the Pentagon\u2019s networks,\u201d Senators King and Heinrich wrote in their October letter.\u00a0 \u201cAs such, we request that your administration work with us to establish standards and appropriate coordination platforms to build on the success of the Department\u2019s pilot and promote government-wide bug bounty programs.\u201d\r\n+++\r\nNew York Times Editorial: Pentagon: Looking for a Few Good Hackers\r\nBy\u00a0THE EDITORIAL BOARD| NOV. 28, 2016\r\n\r\nIn June 2015, the Office of Personnel Management announced that foreign hackers\u00a0had stolen the personnel records\u00a0of millions of federal employees, one of the most damaging cyberattacks in history. Just weeks later, the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shut down its unclassified email system for several days after officials detected that it had been breached.\r\nThese serious intrusions came months after a group affiliated with the Islamic State briefly commandeered\u00a0the Central Command\u2019s Twitter account\u00a0and rebranded it as the \u201cCyber Caliphate.\u201d\r\nGiven the enormity of the problem, one of the responses by the Department of Defense might seem befuddling. They\u2019ve asked hackers willing to play by strict rules to find vulnerabilities in some of the Pentagon\u2019s unclassified computer system.\r\nWell-intentioned computer security experts routinely scan the internet in search of vulnerabilities, which they often map out and report. Until now, doing that on Pentagon sites carried the considerable legal risk of running afoul of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.\r\n\u201cHack the Pentagon\u201d kicked off in April with a monthlong trial program that attracted 1,400 so-called white hackers to fiddle with Department of Defense websites on the hunt for weak points that could be exploited to steal data or jam systems. Those hackers spotted 138 weaknesses, according to the Pentagon, and were paid $75,000 in rewards.\r\nEncouraged by the results, the Defense Department last week\u00a0announced a formal policy\u00a0permitting outside computer experts to test for vulnerabilities in the system and report them to the department. Secretary of Defense\u00a0Ashton Carter called the initiative\u00a0\u201ca \u2018see something, say something\u2019 policy for the digital domain.\u201d Those hackers won\u2019t be paid for their reports, but officials hope they will do it out of a sense of duty.\r\nIn addition, the department has started \u201cHack the Army,\u201d a program asking hackers who have been approved by the government to test the Army\u2019s recruiting websites for weaknesses.\r\nWhile these efforts represent just one aspect of the federal government\u2019s effort to protect secret data more rigorously, Mr. Carter deserves credit for championing an unconventional approach.\r\n\u201cHack the Pentagon\u201d and \u201cHack the Army\u201d allows defense officials to draw from a talent pool that includes people who would not ordinarily feel at home in the military\u2019s hierarchical culture. It may well turn into an unconventional recruitment pipeline for an organization that always benefits from outside perspectives and carefully calibrated disruption.\r\nhttp://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/28/opinion/pentagon-looking-for-a-few-good-hackers.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&_r=0\r\n+++\r\n\r\nKing, Heinrich Urge President to Strengthen Cybersecurity Networks\r\nIn a letter that comes days after complex cyber-attack, the Senators call on the President to adopt government-wide policies that will help detect vulnerabilities and communicate them to private sector\r\nBRUNSWICK, ME \u2013 In the wake of a complex cyber-attack that disrupted service to Twitter, Spotify, The New York Times and other major websites, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today called on President Barack Obama to work with Congress to strengthen the federal government\u2019s ability to detect and repair cyber-vulnerabilities within U.S. networks. In a letter sent today, the two members of the Senate Intelligence Committee urged the President to help establish uniform policies across the government that would secure U.S. networks and establish a comprehensive process that would relay any detected vulnerabilities to private sector companies for repair.\r\n\u201cGiven the growing threat to our nation\u2019s networks and digital services, we write to urge you to work with us to establish enduring government policies for the discovery, review, and sharing of security vulnerabilities. The recent intrusions into United States networks and the controversy surrounding the Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s efforts to access the iPhone used in the San Bernardino attacks have underscored for us the need to establish more robust and accountable policies regarding security vulnerabilities,\u201d Senators King and Heinrich wrote in their letter.\r\nSenators King and Heinrich pointed specifically to the success of the Department of Defense\u2019s (DOD) \u201cBug Bounty\u201d program, which rewards so-called \u201cwhite hat\u201d hackers who detect and report security vulnerabilities within the DOD\u2019s networks. Of the 1,410 vetted U.S.-based hackers who registered for the Pentagon\u2019s program, 250 successfully found vulnerabilities and 138 submissions were found to be \u201clegitimate, unique and eligible for a bounty.\u201d\r\n\u201cWe believe such programs represent a cost-effective way to supplement and support the people who defend our government\u2019s IT systems \u2013 and these efforts should not be limited to the Pentagon\u2019s networks,\u201d the Senators wrote.\u00a0 \u201cAs such, we request that your administration work with us to establish standards and appropriate coordination platforms to build on the success of the Department\u2019s pilot and promote government-wide bug bounty programs.\u201d\r\nThe Senators also encouraged the President to continue to strengthen the Vulnerabilities Equities Process, otherwise known as VEP, which serves as the primary process for deciding whether a government entity must disclose to private companies\u2019 information about security vulnerabilities in their products, or whether the government may withhold the information for law enforcement or intelligence purposes. The Senators requested that the Administration establish a comprehensive policy that includes standard criteria for reporting vulnerabilities to the VEP, guidelines for making VEP determinations, clear time limits for each stage of the process, adequate participation of all relevant government agencies, and regular reporting to Congress.\r\n\u201cWe believe the VEP framework is vital to ensuring that security vulnerabilities are either disclosed immediately so the relevant companies can strengthen consumer security, or put through a robust, accountable, and expeditious review process in the exceptional circumstances when the government may wish to delay disclosure for a limited amount of time,\u201d they wrote.\r\nThe complete text of the letter can be read below:\r\n+++\r\nOctober 24, 2016\r\n\r\nThe President\r\nThe White House\r\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\r\nWashington, DC\u00a0 20500\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Mr. President:\r\n\u00a0\r\nGiven the growing threat to our nation\u2019s networks and digital services, we write to urge you to work with us to establish enduring government policies for the discovery, review, and sharing of security vulnerabilities.\u00a0\r\nThe recent intrusions into United States networks and the controversy surrounding the Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s efforts to access the iPhone used in the San Bernardino attacks have underscored for us the need to establish more robust and accountable policies regarding security vulnerabilities.\u00a0 Specifically, we are exploring whether legislation is needed to establish government-wide policies with respect to two lines of effort: \u201cbug bounty\u201d programs that would help secure government networks like those used by the Office of Personnel Management, and formalizing the vulnerabilities equities process, which notifies software and hardware manufacturers of vulnerabilities discovered in their products.\r\nBug Bounty Programs: The private sector has been using bug bounty programs for decades to reward people who report security vulnerabilities in companies\u2019 applications, websites, and networks.\u00a0 Earlier this year, the Department of Defense launched \u201cHack the Pentagon,\u201d the first cyber bug bounty program in the history of the federal government.\u00a0 Of the 1,410 vetted U.S.-based hackers who registered for the Pentagon\u2019s program, 250 successfully found vulnerabilities and 138 submissions were found to be \u201clegitimate, unique and eligible for a bounty.\u201d\u00a0\r\nWe believe such programs represent a cost-effective way to supplement and support the people who defend our government\u2019s IT systems \u2013 and these efforts should not be limited to the Pentagon\u2019s networks.\u00a0 As such, we request that your administration work with us to establish standards and appropriate coordination platforms to build on the success of the Department\u2019s pilot and promote government-wide bug bounty programs.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nVulnerabilities Equities Process (VEP): Over the last several years, your administration, led by White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Michael Daniel, has made progress in establishing the VEP as the primary process for deciding whether a government entity must disclose to private companies\u2019 information about security vulnerabilities in their products, or whether the government may withhold the information for law enforcement or intelligence purposes.\u00a0 We believe the VEP framework is vital to ensuring that security vulnerabilities are either disclosed immediately so the relevant companies can strengthen consumer security, or put through a robust, accountable, and expeditious review process in the exceptional circumstances when the government may wish to delay disclosure for a limited amount of time.\u00a0\r\nDuring a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on September 13th, Admiral Rogers said the NSA has utilized a \u201cvulnerability evaluation process\u201d since 2014 and that its \u201coverall disclosure rate [of vulnerabilities to companies] has been 93 percent or so.\u201d\u00a0 However, as of today, there is no legal obligation on government agencies to report the security vulnerabilities they discover or acquire to the White House-led VEP, nor is the VEP codified in law.\u00a0 In fact, it is unclear to us if all security vulnerabilities acquired by our government currently go through the VEP.\u00a0\r\nTherefore, we request that your administration work with us to establish comprehensive and enduring policies governing the VEP process, including standard criteria for reporting vulnerabilities to the VEP, guidelines for making VEP determinations, clear time limits for each stage of the process, adequate participation of all relevant government agencies, and regular reporting to Congress.\r\nFinally, last year Congress passed, and you signed, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA).\u00a0 We were early proponents of this legislation, which directs the federal government to increase its sharing of cyber information with the private sector to assist companies in protecting their systems, and provides clear authority and liability protection for private sector entities to share information with the government.\u00a0 We encourage your administration to use all of the authorities available under CISA to make progress on the lines of effort we have outlined above.\u00a0\r\nThank you for your attention to these important issues.\u00a0 We look forward to working closely with your administration on these vital national security challenges in the weeks ahead.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-republicans-are-threatening-american-democracy", "Sanders: Republicans Are Threatening American Democracy", "2016-11-28", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders: Republicans Are Threatening American Democracy\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, November 28, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 28 \u2013 U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Monday after Donald Trump claimed\u00a0\"millions of people...voted illegally\" and made unfounded allegations of \"serious\u00a0voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California\":\r\n\"The threat to American democracy under Republican control is two-fold. First, they will likely move to go beyond the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision and end\u00a0all\u00a0campaign finance limitations. Right now, the Koch brothers and the billionaire class can spend as much as they want only on\u00a0independent expenditures. The Republican leadership wants more. They want billionaires to be able to contribute\u00a0directly\u00a0to the candidate and, in essence, make the candidate a full-fledged\u00a0employee\u00a0of wealthy contributors.\u00a0\r\n\"Secondly, the Republicans will likely move aggressively to expand their current\u00a0voter\u00a0suppression\u00a0efforts. When Trump talks his disgraceful and unfounded nonsense about millions of people voting illegally, he is sending a very clear signal that the Republicans will move to make it harder for people of color, the elderly, immigrants, young people and poor people to participate in elections.\r\n\"Our job: State by state and at the federal level, resist all efforts at voter suppression. We must do everything we can to make it\u00a0easier\u00a0for people to participate in the political process, not harder.\u00a0States like California, Vermont and others have already moved effectively in that direction. Others must follow.\r\n\"For many Republicans leaders, 'democracy' means billionaires buying elections and poor and working people being disenfranchised. Too many Americans have fought and died to defend American democracy.\u00a0The Republican anti-democratic vision is not a future we will allow to happen.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/-sanders-statement-on-carrier-and-outsourcing", "Sanders Statement on Carrier and Outsourcing", "2016-11-26", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Carrier and Outsourcing\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tSaturday, November 26, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 26 \u2013 U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Saturday:\r\n\u201cDuring the campaign, Donald Trump made a 100 percent commitment to prevent United Technologies from shipping 2,100 jobs from Indiana to Mexico. All of us need to hold Mr. Trump accountable to make sure that he keeps this promise.\r\n\u201cLet\u2019s be clear: it is not good enough to save some of these jobs. We cannot rest until United Technologies signs a firm contract to keep all of these good-paying jobs in Indiana without slashing the salaries or benefits workers have earned.\r\n\u201cUnited Technologies is not going broke. Last year, it made a profit of $7.6 billion and received over $6 billion in defense contracts.\u00a0 It has also received more than $50 million in corporate welfare from the Export-Import Bank and very generous tax breaks.\r\n\u201cIn 2014, United Technologies gave its former CEO Louis Chenevert a golden parachute worth over $172 million. Last year, the company\u2019s five highest paid executives made over $50 million. The firm also spent $12 billion to inflate its stock price instead of using that money to invest in new plants and workers.\r\n\u201cI call on Mr. Trump to make it clear to the CEO of United Technologies that if his firm\u00a0wants to receive another defense contract from the taxpayers of this country, it must not move these plants to Mexico.\r\n\u201cWe need to send a very loud and very clear message to corporate America: the era of outsourcing is over. Instead of offshoring jobs, the time has come for you to start bringing good-paying jobs back to the United States of America.\r\n\u201cIf United Technologies or any other company wants to keep outsourcing decent-paying American jobs, those companies must pay an outsourcing tax equal to the amount of money it expects to save by moving factories to Mexico or other low-wage countries. They must pay back all of the tax breaks and other corporate welfare they have received from the federal government. And they must not be allowed to reward their executives with stock options, bonuses or golden parachutes for outsourcing jobs to low wage countries.\r\n\u201cI will soon be introducing legislation to make sure that Donald Trump keeps his promise to prevent the outsourcing of American jobs. For the sake of American workers, this is a promise that cannot and must not be broken.\u201d\r\nSummary of the Outsourcing Prevention Act\r\nIn February, Carrier and UTEC announced that it would be closing two plants in Indianapolis and Huntington, Indiana shipping 2,100 jobs to Monterrey, Mexico, where workers are paid just $3 an hour.\u00a0\u00a0Both of these plants are owned by United Technologies. This legislation will provide a comprehensive solution to address this problem. United Technologies is not an outlier; it is representative of how so many multi-national corporations are taking advantage of our rigged economic system to pad their profits while hurting American workers. President-elect Trump made a promise during the campaign that he would prevent all of these jobs from being shipped overseas. The Outsourcing Prevention Act would make sure that Donald Trump keeps this promise by:\r\n1.\u00a0Preventing companies that outsource jobs from receiving federal contracts, tax breaks, grants or loans.\r\nLast year, United Technologies received over $6 billion in federal contracts, making it the seventh\u00a0largest recipient of federal contract funds. Over the past 15 years, this Fortune 500 company has used loopholes in the tax code to shelter more than two-thirds of its $38 billion in profits from federal taxation. It has also received over $50 million in corporate welfare from the Export-Import Bank. Under this legislation, companies would be barred from receiving future contracts, tax breaks, grants or loans from the federal government if they have announced plans to outsource more than 50 jobs overseas.\r\n2. Clawing back federal benefits from companies that outsource jobs have received over the last decade.\r\nThis legislation would require all companies that outsource more than 50 jobs in a given year to pay back all federal tax breaks, grants and loans they have received from the federal government over the last decade.\r\n3.\u00a0Establishing an outsourcing tax on companies that move U.S. jobs offshore.\r\nThis legislation would impose a tax on all companies that outsource jobs. The tax would be equal to the amount of savings achieved by outsourcing jobs or 35 percent of its profits, whichever is higher. United Technologies estimated that it would save $65 million a year by moving its jobs in Indiana to Mexico. Under this legislation, the company would be required to pay a tax of no less than $65 million a year. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\n4.\u00a0Prohibiting executives from profiting off of the outsourcing of U.S. jobs.\u00a0\r\nThis legislation would prohibit companies that offshore jobs from enriching executives through golden parachutes, stock options, bonuses, or other forms of compensation by imposing stiff tax penalties on this compensation.\u00a0 In addition, companies that outsource jobs overseas would be prevented from buying back its own stock. In 2014, United Technologies gave its former CEO a golden parachute worth over $172 million. Last year, the company\u2019s five highest paid executives made over $50 million. The firm also spent $12 billion to inflate its stock price instead of using that money to invest in new plants and workers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-slams-court-ruling-against-overtime-pay", "Sanders Slams Court Ruling Against Overtime Pay", "2016-11-23", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Slams Court Ruling Against Overtime Pay\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, November 23, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\r\nBURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 23 \u2013 U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday criticized a federal court injunction against a new overtime rule that would have made millions of workers eligible for time-and-a-half pay.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe disastrous district court decision will unfairly harm millions of workers who are working longer hours for lower wages and have gone far too long without a raise. No employer should be allowed to deny overtime pay to Americans, many of whom are working 50 or 60 hours a week by labeling workers earning as little as $24,000-a-year as 'supervisors.' If we are serious about expanding the middle class, we must ensure that workers are paid fairly for all the work they do,\u201d Sander said.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe Obama administration did the right thing by updating labor rules to make sure that anyone who makes less than $47,476 a year will receive time-and-a-half pay for working overtime. This is not without precedent. Since 1938, 10 different presidents \u2013 Democrats and Republicans \u2013 have exercised the authority their administrations have to update our nation\u2019s overtime rules,\u201d Sanders added.\r\n\r\nA preliminary injunction issued Tuesday blocks a new U.S. Labor Department rule, set to take effect next week, which would have required employers to pay overtime to workers earning less than $47,476 a year. The previous cutoff for workers to qualify for overtime pay, set in 2004, was $23,660.\r\n\r\n\u201cAnyone who claims to be a champion of working families should be outraged by the misguided and irresponsible court decision. I urge the Obama administration and President-elect Trump to do everything they can to vigorously defend this rule,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cDuring this time of Thanksgiving we must fight to make sure that all Americans receive the pay they have earned and deserve.\u201d\r\n\r\nSanders this year led a push in the Senate to extend overtime pay. To read Sanders\u2019 Feb. 29 letter, signed by 23 Senate colleagues, to Labor Secretary Tom Perez, click\u00a0here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-vermont-air-national-guard-deployment", "Sanders Statement on Vermont Air National Guard Deployment", "2016-11-22", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Vermont Air National Guard Deployment\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, November 22, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 22 \u2013 U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) released the following statement Tuesday after the Vermont Air National Guard announced it would be deploying overseas:\r\n\"The Vermont Air Guard has been recognized for its high degree of training and readiness. As is the case with any deployment, my thoughts are with the service members being sent overseas and their families. In Vermont, I am confident that we will all do everything we can to support those families in their time of need, as we look forward to the safe and speedy return of the Guard members.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-nearly-30-million-navy-contract-for-cianbro-for-pnsy-repairs-", "Collins, King Announce Nearly $30 Million Navy Contract for Cianbro for PNSY Repairs", "2016-11-21", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Announce Nearly $30 Million Navy Contract for Cianbro for PNSY Repairs \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, November 21, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Cianbro Corp. of Pittsfield has been awarded a $28,860,243 contract from the U.S. Navy to perform structural repairs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery.\r\n\u201cPortsmouth Naval Shipyard plays a critical role in the defense of our country, and it\u2019s important that the shipyard has the tools and infrastructure needed to continue in that mission,\u201d said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. \u201cWe applaud Cianbro for securing this competitive contract from the Navy and expect that their work on repairs will provide valuable support to the daily operations at PNSY.\u201d\u00a0\r\nThis competitively-awarded contract will support repairs and modernization of pile supported open wharf structures at PSNY\u2019s Berth 11. The project aims to restore the load carrying capacity of the crane rail system on the shipyard\u2019s waterfront, while providing corrosion protection to the wharf. The work is expected to be completed by March 2019.\r\nCianbro is a construction and construction services company based in Pittsfield.\r\nSenator Collins is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-statement-on-leadership-transition-at-bath-iron-works", "Collins, King Statement on Leadership Transition at Bath Iron Works", "2016-11-21", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Statement on Leadership Transition at Bath Iron Works\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, November 21, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement today in response to the announcement that Dirk A. Lesko will succeed Fred Harris as President of Bath Iron Works on January 1, 2017:\r\n\u201cWe commend the selection of Dirk Lesko to serve as the next President of Bath Iron Works. We have both worked with Dirk very closely over the years and are confident that his depth of experience, proven track record, and longstanding commitment to the yard will make him good leader who will work well with the talented and skilled employees at BIW. We look forward to continuing to work with him in his new capacity to help position the shipyard for success in the future,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cWe also want to thank Fred Harris for his years of dedicated service to Bath and wish him well as he enters retirement this January.\u201d\r\nSenator Collins is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-celebrates-expansion-of-downeaster-service", "King Celebrates Expansion of Downeaster Service", "2016-11-21", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Celebrates Expansion of Downeaster Service\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tIncreased service will provide more options to southbound travelers and enable weekend day-trips to Boston\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, November 21, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBRUNSWICK, ME \u2013 U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined with local citizens, Amtrak and Downeaster officials and state business leaders to celebrate the launch of Amtrak\u2019s new schedule with more convenient travel options, including the addition of a third daily roundtrip from Boston to Freeport and Brunswick, which officially begins today.\r\n\u201cThe Downeaster is one of the best trains in the Amtrak system, and from my time as Governor to today, it\u2019s been incredible to witness its continued growth and success,\u201d Senator King said. \u201cNot only does the Downeaster connect Maine to the greater Boston area, but it also links us to the rest of the nation, and the addition of this third trip daily roundtrip will only help strengthen those connections by making travel options more convenient for passengers. I look forward to the Downeaster\u2019s continued success in the years to come.\u201d\r\nCurrently, the Amtrak Downeaster makes five round-trips each day between Portland and Boston.\u00a0 Since November 2012, two of those round-trips have extended to Freeport and Brunswick. Beginning on November 21, 2016, the frequency of service to Freeport and Brunswick will increase to three round-trips each day with the addition of a new late morning southbound departure and new evening arrival times. The increased service will provide more options to southbound travelers and enable weekend day-trips to sporting events at Boston\u2019s TD Garden. The schedule changes also provide more convenient options for business travelers by introducing an early afternoon northbound departure from Boston.\r\nThe Amtrak Downeaster set ridership and revenue records for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2017 (July\u2013September 2016) and continues to have one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the entire Amtrak network. Since service operation began on December 15, 2001, the Downeaster has transported more than 6 million passengers the equivalent of 500 million passenger miles and has generated more than $90 million in ticket revenue.\r\nThis evening, Senator King will deliver the 1st Annual Purpoodock Lecture at the Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth. Senator King\u2019s remarks are titled \u201cISIS, Russia, and the Korean Bomb: The View from Maine\u201d and will focus on international relations and U.S. foreign policy. The lecture is free and open to the public.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-calls-on-trump-to-keep-his-promise-to-defend-social-security", "Sanders Calls on Trump to Keep His Promise to Defend Social Security", "2016-11-21", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Calls on Trump to Keep His Promise to Defend Social Security\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, November 21, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Nov. 21 \u2013\u00a0Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Monday on President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s promise to protect Social Security:\r\n\u201cThere are many seniors, disabled vets and people with disabilities who are very nervous about Republican proposals to cut Social Security. In my view we should be expanding Social Security, not cutting it.\u00a0But, at the very least, now is the time for Mr. Trump to reassure the American people that he will keep the campaign promise he made when he said, \u2018I was the first & only potential GOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.\u2019 Mr. Trump, keep your promise.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-join-colleagues-calling-for-improved-mail-service-protections-in-comprehensive-postal-reform-legislation", "Collins, King Join Colleagues Calling for Improved Mail Service Protections in Comprehensive Postal Reform Legislation", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Collins, King Join Colleagues Calling for Improved Mail Service Protections in Comprehensive Postal Reform Legislation\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, November 18, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of more than 80 legislators from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in calling for adding lasting solutions to improve and protect mail delivery and service in comprehensive U.S. Postal Service reform legislation introduced in the House.\r\nIn the letter, which was led by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), Senators Collins and King pressed leaders of the House and Senate for better, more reliable mail service \u2013 which is often a critical lifeline for families and businesses across the country in both rural and urban areas. To address a significant decline in U.S. Postal Service performance \u2013 including a complete elimination of the overnight service standard \u2013 as well as mail processing plant consolidations and post office hour reductions, the senators and members called for improvements to the current postal reform legislation in the House so it would better protect and boost the reliability, accountability and transparency of the U.S. Postal Service. The legislators also encouraged the enforcement of improved mail delivery standards in part through continual review of affordable mail service options that will help keep the Postal Service strong for years to come.\r\n\u201cThe Postal Service and its employees play a vital role in our nation,\u201d Senators Collins and King and their colleagues wrote. \u201cIt is essential that we preserve the Postal Service\u2019s commitment to the American public.\u00a0For this reason, improving service needs to be a critical piece of any comprehensive postal reform bill, along with the needed reforms to return the Postal Service to fiscal sustainability.\u00a0Continued poor mail service hurts rural America, businesses, and our economy.\u00a0 Congress should take action to preserve and protect the vibrant institution that is our Postal Service so it, in turn, can help our communities and families truly thrive.\u201d\r\nA copy of the letter can be read HERE.\r\nTogether, the members of Congress are calling on congressional leaders to build on the progress of the current U.S. House of Representatives\u2019 bipartisan Postal Reform Act of 2016, which would help improve the Postal Service\u2019s financial condition. Additionally, the group is pushing for key provisions to strengthen mail service, improve delivery, and protect Postal Service customers, including:\r\n \r\nMaking mail service and delivery more reliable \u2013 The Postal Service needs a performance target system to make sure measurements of mail delivery are accurate across the country in urban and rural communities through an in-depth classification system.\r\n \r\n \r\nImproving accountability and transparency at the Postal Service \u2013 Performance information must be published online and operational plans developed when mail service and delivery targets are not met.\r\n \r\n \r\nBoosting enforcement to make sure the Postal Service meets mail delivery and service standards \u2013 The Postal Service must take action to meet its operational plans and not be able to lower mail service standards to come into compliance with performance targets.\r\nContinuing to review the fiscal state of the Postal Service to help it remain solvent \u2013 Provide regular updates of a long-term solvency plan that would analyze the Postal Service\u2019s finances and make recommendations regarding affordable service options.\r\n \r\nIn addition to Senators Collins, King, Heitkamp, and Moran, the following Senators signed the letter: Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Pat Roberts (R-Kans.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.).\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-trumps-reactionary-agenda", "Sanders Statement on Trump's Reactionary Agenda", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Trump's Reactionary Agenda\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, November 18, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Nov. 18 \u2013\u00a0Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) released the following statement Friday:\r\n\u201cHere is the simple truth. Trump\u2019s reactionary agenda will not be defeated in the halls of Congress. It will be defeated when millions of Americans, at the grassroots level, come together to oppose xenophobia and attacks on the immigrant community. It will be defeated when we stand together against racism, sexism, homophobia and Islamophobia. It will be defeated when working people throughout our country \u2013 black, white, Latino, Asian-American and Native American \u2013 demand a government and economy which works for all, and not just the one percent. Our political task now is to educate, organize and mobilize.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/vermont-viewpoint", "Vermont Viewpoint", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Vermont Viewpoint \n            Torin Kearns, 22, of Lincoln, Vermont, said considering the cost of college is stressful. \"When you get out of college -- having all this debt pile up and a job that might not necessarily make you back all that money in a decent amount of time -- it\u2019s scary,\" he said. \"If kids want education, they should be able to have it.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20161208092713/http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/the-peoples-rally-in-washington", "The People's Rally in Washington", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-bill-cosponsored-by-collins-king-to-protect-northern-border-unanimously-passes-senate", "Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King to Protect Northern Border Unanimously Passes Senate", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King to Protect Northern Border Unanimously Passes Senate\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBill would require examination of threats & needs along Northern Border to improve resources, security\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, November 17, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that a bipartisan bill they cosponsored to help assess and strengthen American security at the Northern Border \u2013 the longest common land border in the world \u2013 passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate.\r\nThe bipartisan legislation, the Northern Border Security Review Act, would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a comprehensive examination of the current resources and personnel levels \u2013 as well as fully evaluate security threats and challenges at the border. At 5,500 miles long, including 1,500 miles between Alaska and Canada, the Northern Border has 120 border crossings, many of which are small and in rural areas. \u201cMaine law enforcement officers and border patrol agents are the first line of defense in maintaining the security of our border with Canada and protecting Maine from threats,\u201d Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. \u201cBy understanding the northern border's needs, strengths, and vulnerabilities, addressing recruiting and retention issues, and ensuring access to critical resources in rural areas, this legislation will play a significant role in bolstering our border security, supporting law enforcement, and keeping Maine citizens safe.\u201dApproximately 300,000 people and $910 million in trade cross the Northern Border every day, representing the largest bilateral flow of goods and people in the world. The Northern Border Security Review Act would require a comprehensive examination of the following issues:\r\n \r\nRecruiting and retaining border security officials to cover the Northern Border, including at more remote areas of the border;\r\nDetermining tools border security officials need to effectively combat drug and human trafficking at the Northern Border;\r\nIdentifying technology that could expand the reach of border agents; and\r\nFinding vulnerabilities in cooperation between Canadian, state, county, local, and tribal law enforcement.\r\n \r\nThe legislation was introduced by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). Additional cosponsors include Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Click here to view a summary of the bill.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-calls-on-appropriations-committee-to-fully-fund-comprehensive-addiction-and-recovery-act", "King Calls on Appropriations Committee to Fully Fund Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Calls on Appropriations Committee to Fully Fund Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tlso urges fellow lawmakers to prioritize funding for health and education programs that will benefit Maine people\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, November 17, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In the wake of an announcement that Maine has experienced a record number of drug-related deaths this year, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) is calling on the leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee to fully fund the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act as they work on additional spending bills related to the remainder of the fiscal year. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which is aimed at bolstering treatment, recovery, education, and prescription monitoring programs to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic raging across Maine and the nation, has not been fully funded by Congress yet. In his letter today, Senator King urged the Appropriations Committee to finally fund the law.\r\n\u201cAs the nation\u2019s opioid epidemic continues to worsen, it is imperative that we fund authorized HHS provisions in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA),\u201d Senator King said in his letter, \u201cI believe that the provisions authorized in CARA addressing these issues can make a significant impact. Therefore, I urge you and your colleagues to fund the HHS components in CARA so that we can make progress in addressing this public health crisis.\u201d\r\nSenator King has been a tireless advocate for federal funding to fight the heroin and opioid epidemic that is affecting communities across Maine and the country. As a cosponsor of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), he was encouraged to see the bill signed into law. However, he has repeatedly encouraged his colleagues and the Obama Administration to meet words with action and fully fund CARA programs.\r\nAlong with his call for opioid funding, Senator King\u2019s letter also advocates for additional Maine health and education priorities that either went underfunded or unfunded in the related appropriations bill passed earlier in 2016. Those programs include the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (SSAEG) program, the Assets for Independence (AFI) program, the Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and federal TRIO programs.\r\nThe SSAEG program is a formula-funded block grant intended to support school districts in their efforts to bolster student learning and success. SSAEG is designed in part to provide specific funding for education technology and professional development opportunities for teachers using technology in the classroom.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\r\nThe AFI program helps low-income workers save money and build assets for the future. It has made a significant difference in Maine and provides tens of thousands of families across the country with support and financial education to help lift them out of poverty.\r\nSHIP-funded programs provide one-on-one assistance to millions of Medicare beneficiaries throughout America.\u00a0 Because signing up for Medicare can be complicated, this support can be critical to making sure beneficiaries receive coverage that fits their needs.\r\nBy enabling low-income and first-generation college students to succeed in postsecondary education, TRIO programs work to end generational cycles of poverty. In Maine, 6,000 students benefit from the TRIO programs each year.\r\nSenator King\u2019s letter to appropriators is available HERE and the text is below:\r\n+++\r\nNovember 17, 2016\r\nThe Honorable Thad Cochran\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Barbara Mikulski\r\nChairman\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vice Chairwoman\r\nCommittee on Appropriations\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Committee on Appropriations\r\nUnited States Senate\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 United States Senate\r\nWashington, DC 20510\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Washington, DC 20510\r\nDear Chairman Cochran and Vice Chairwoman Mikulski,\r\nAs you work with your colleagues in the House of Representatives to make additional spending decisions related to Fiscal Year 2017, I urge you to prioritize a few key items in the jurisdiction of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Subcommittee. The items I highlight below would have a tremendous impact in Maine and deserve your full consideration.\u00a0\r\n \r\nFull Funding for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. As the nation\u2019s opioid epidemic continues to worsen, it is imperative that we fund authorized HHS provisions in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). While I am encouraged that the Senate Appropriations Committee\u2019s Labor-HHS FY17 bill provides $261 million to combat opioid abuse, an increase of 93 percent from FY16, funding for CARA will further bolster our response by expanding access to treatment, recovery services and education programs, overdose reversal medication, as well as strengthening or establishing new prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). I believe that the provisions authorized in CARA addressing these issues can make a significant impact. Therefore, I urge you and your colleagues to fund the HHS components in CARA so that we can make progress in addressing this public health crisis.\r\n \r\nIn addition to providing funding to fight the opioid epidemic, I ask that you give attention to four additional priorities that were either underfunded or unfunded in the Labor-HHS Subcommittee bill that passed the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this year. These priorities are:\r\n \r\nFull Funding for Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants. Title IV-A of the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) authorized the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (SSAEG) program, which consolidates more than 20 existing education programs into a single, formula-funded block grant. The intention of this grant is to support school districts in a range of critical programs and services that enrich student learning and success, including providing students with access to education technology as well as professional development opportunities for educators using technology in the classroom. \r\n \r\nIn recognition of the broad range of supports funded by the SSAEG program, ESSA authorized SSAEG at $1.65 billion for FY17. Unfortunately, the Committee-approved Labor-HHS bill funds the program at just $300 million, dramatically less than what was authorized. If this low funding level is carried over into a final FY17 funding bill, states and school districts will find it extremely challenging to implement high-quality programming that promotes the range of opportunities SSAEG is intended to support. Underfunding this program in its first year would set a troubling precedent and run counter to the intent of the program\u2019s authorizers, who intended a robust funding level that would enable a meaningful distribution of funds across our nation\u2019s school districts.\r\nSmall districts like those in Maine would be particularly impacted by insufficient SSAEG distributions. The House Appropriations Committee approved FY17 SSAEG funding at $1 billion \u2013 much closer to the recommendation in ESSA. I strongly urge you and your colleagues to increase the SSAEG allocation to ensure that implementation of the new education law is a success.\u00a0\r\n \r\nContinued Funding for the Assets for Independence Program. The Assets for Independence (AFI) program, which funds and supports Individual Development Accounts nationwide, is a critical program that helps low-income workers save money and build assets for the future. Unfortunately, your committee moved to defund the AFI program in its FY17 Labor-HHS bill. The AFI program has made a real difference in my home state of Maine and provides tens of thousands of families across the country with the support and financial education to help them leave poverty behind for good, and I continue to believe that a modest ongoing federal investment in the program will reap significant rewards. To that end, I strongly urge you and your colleagues to reinstate funding for AFI in any longer-term FY17 funding bill.\r\n \r\n \r\nContinued Funding for the Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program. SHIP-funded programs provide one-on-one assistance to millions of Medicare beneficiaries across the country. Due to the complex nature of signing up for Medicare, the support provided by SHIP is vital to ensuring these beneficiaries receive coverage that fits their needs. These personalized services surpass what is offered by other programs, such as 1-800-MEDICARE and Medicare.gov, particularly for beneficiaries who live in rural areas or have complex chronic care needs. I was disappointed to see that your committee proposed eliminating funding for this program altogether. As the House Appropriations Committee approved level funding for SHIP at $52.1 million, I strongly encourage you and your colleagues to consider doing the same.\r\n \r\n \r\nIncreased Funding for Federal TRIO Programs. As our country looks for ways to increase economic growth amidst a slow recovery from the Great Recession, it is important that we increase the number of disadvantaged students entering higher education. The TRIO programs are key to these efforts and are aimed at ending generational cycles of poverty by enabling low-income and first-generation college students to succeed in postsecondary education, putting them on a path to a prosperous future. Over 6,000 Maine students benefit from the TRIO programs each year. I visit with groups of them annually, and I am consistently inspired by their compelling stories and impressive success. I am pleased to see that your committee approved level funding of $900 million to support federal TRIO programs in FY17. Given that the House Appropriations Committee approved an increase in TRIO funding, to $960 million, I respectfully request that you consider additional investments to broaden the reach of TRIO programs to students across the country.\r\n \r\nI understand that many challenging questions face you and your colleagues as additional spending decisions are made regarding the remainder of Fiscal Year 2017. I appreciate your consideration of these requests and look forward to working together in the coming weeks and months to continue our support for these vital programs and services.\r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-lankford-urge-president-elect-trump-to-quickly-nominate-director-of-national-intelligence", "King, Lankford Urge President-elect Trump to Quickly Nominate Director of National Intelligence", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King, Lankford Urge President-elect Trump to Quickly Nominate Director of National Intelligence\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, November 17, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and James Lankford (R-Okla.), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump urging him to prioritize the nomination of the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and to select an experienced, collaborative individual who can advise on the nominations of other intelligence agency leaders.\r\n\u201cA successful DNI makes the intelligence community more efficient, more collaborative, limits redundancies, and advances seamless information sharing across our intelligence agencies,\u201d Senators King and Lankford wrote in their letter. \u201cAs members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, we strongly encourage you to nominate an experienced DNI that can serve these functions and build an intelligence community leadership team that will put a high value on collaboration.\u00a0 Most importantly, if selected early, your DNI could advise on candidates for directors of the intelligence agencies he or she will work with most often.\u201d\r\nThe complete text of the letter can be read HERE and is below:\r\n+++\r\nNovember 17, 2016\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Donald J. Trump\r\nThe President-elect\r\n1717 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\r\nWashington, DC\u00a0 20006\r\n\r\nDear Mr. Trump:\r\nCongratulations on your recent election.\u00a0 As you undertake the important work of preparing for the presidential transition and your future intelligence team, we are writing to ask that you prioritize the nomination of the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI).\u00a0\r\nIn response to the 9/11 attacks, Congress created the position of the DNI to serve as the head of the intelligence community and establish an integrated framework to promote a more effective intelligence apparatus for our country.\u00a0 A successful DNI makes the intelligence community more efficient, more collaborative, limits redundancies, and advances seamless information sharing across our intelligence agencies.\u00a0\r\nAs members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, we strongly encourage you to nominate an experienced DNI that can serve these functions and build an intelligence community leadership team that will put a high value on collaboration.\u00a0 Most importantly, if selected early, your DNI could advise on candidates for directors of the intelligence agencies he or she will work with most often.\r\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\u00a0 We look forward to carefully considering all of your intelligence community nominees.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 507, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"party\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "Independent", "p2": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Independent", "label": "Independent", "count": 507, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 507, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "VT", "label": "VT", "count": 257, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&year=2016&state=VT", "selected": false}, {"value": "ME", "label": "ME", "count": 250, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&year=2016&state=ME", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 507, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2016-11-17,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eking~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress-releases~2Fking-lankford-urge-president-elect-trump-to-quickly-nominate-director-of-national-intelligence", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&year=2016&_next=2016-11-17%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eking~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress-releases~2Fking-lankford-urge-president-elect-trump-to-quickly-nominate-director-of-national-intelligence&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 397.52729097381234, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}