{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Independent\", state = \"ME\" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-on-departure-of-secretary-of-defense-james-mattis", "King Statement on Departure of Secretary of Defense James Mattis", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BRUNSWICK, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement on the announcement that Secretary of Defense James Mattis would be leaving the Trump Administration at the end of February: When I first considered General Mattis's nomination to serve as Defense Secretary, I concluded that he was an experienced leader' who would serve as a moderating voice within the Administration.' After nearly two years of service, I can say with confidence that Secretary Mattis has filled this role to the best of his ability given the Administration in which he served, providing a seasoned, rational voice on national security in the midst of numerous international challenges. His departure is extremely worrisome, particularly as it comes on the heels of a number of increasingly erratic foreign policy decisions that endanger American interests abroad and undermine our nation's place as a world leader. Quite frankly, I've slept better knowing that Secretary Mattis was leading the Department of Defense and providing counsel to this President on issues of national security, and while I understand his reluctance to continue to serve in an administration that ignores his expertise, I'm unsure who  if anyone  will be able to replace his measured, thoughtful approach in these important conversations. The loss of Jim Mattis's voice is a loss for the American people. He will leave mighty shoes to fill, and I will measure any nominee the President puts forward against Secretary Mattis's distinguished record of performance, patriotism, and service to his country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-on-partial-government-shutdown", "King Statement on Partial Government Shutdown", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in advance of this evening's deadline to prevent a partial government shutdown: We shouldn't be in this situation. For months, Congress has worked on a bipartisan basis to craft spending bills that would attract support from both parties  including substantial funds for border security. Instead, the President has forced a partial government shutdown unless his demands for a wall on the southern border are met. As a result of his decision to reject a bipartisan agreement, federal employees  like law enforcement officers, park rangers, and air traffic controllers  must spend their holidays worrying if their next paycheck will be affected by political games. Everyone in the Congress is in favor of enhanced border security; the issue is whether a wall is the best and most cost-effective method of achieving this. According to the agreement reached by party leadership in the Senate Friday afternoon, there will be no more votes on the budget bills until there is a final agreement between President Trump and House and Senate leadership. Senator King will return home to Maine tonight, and will return to Washington D.C. to vote as soon as an agreement is reached. After discussions with leaders of both parties, Senator King is hopeful that a reasonable resolution can be reached in short order.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-collins-king-and-rep-pingree-announce-contract-award-to-build-additional-destroyer-at-bath-iron-works", "Sens. Collins, King and Rep. Pingree Announce Contract Award to Build Additional Destroyer at Bath Iron Works.", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree announced today that the Navy is exercising its option under the fiscal years (FY) 2018-2022 multiyear procurement contract awarded in September to build an additional DDG-51 destroyer at Bath Iron Works (BIW) for $910,723,811. This FY 2019 option ship is in addition to four ships the Navy awarded the shipyard under the multiyear contract. U.S. Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer called Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree to inform them of the award. The Navy's decision to build an additional DDG-51 at BIW is great news for the hardworking men and women at the shipyard. They can now spend the holidays with their families knowing that this additional ship will help keep the workload stable in the months and years ahead, said Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree in a joint statement. The Navy's latest contract decision is a testament to the quality work being done at BIW to produce the backbone of today's Navy. We are extremely proud to represent the best shipbuilders in the world right here in Maine and work together to support them in Congress.\" In addition to the five DDG-51s already funded in FY 2018 and FY 2019, the delegation will seek to ensure that Congress provides the necessary funding and statutory authority for the Navy to procure the six additional DDG-51s called for under the multiyear contract and up to three additional option ships. Senator Collins is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Representative Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. In September, Senators Collins and King both advocated for the passage of the FY 2019 Defense Appropriations bill, which included funding for three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in FY 2019, while also including $250 million in advanced procurement funding for an additional destroyer in FY 2020. The legislation was signed into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-call-on-president-trump-to-condemn-recent-texas-v-us-decision-on-aca", "King, Colleagues Call on President Trump to Condemn Recent Texas V. U.S. Decision on ACA", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined a group of his Senate colleagues to call on President Trump to condemn the recent decision in Texas v. United States which declared the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional. If the decision stands, 20 million Americans could be left without health insurance and millions of families across the country could see healthcare costs rise. It is not too late for you to condemn this decision by requesting a stay and taking steps to defend the Affordable Care Act moving forward, the Senators wrote. The ACA is, quite simply, the law of the land, and it is your Administration's duty to defend it. Further, even among the numerous, failed attempts to repeal the ACA, there was widespread recognition that simply repealing the law without a replacement would be too devastating to American families and to our economy to fathom. Yet that is exactly what this ruling, if upheld, would do. The full text of the letter is below and is available HERE. +++ Dear President Trump: We are writing to express our serious concerns with the December 14th decision by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in the matter of Texas v. United States and to reiterate our strong objection to the Department of Justice's refusal to defend the law of the land. Judge O'Connor's decision wrongly declares the individual mandate unconstitutional and inseverable from the remainder of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This decision is not just legally unsound, itis inhumane and cruel. If the ruling stands, nearly every American's health care will be affected. The 20 million people who receive insurance coverage through the ACA will be left without the coverage they desperately need. Furthermore, 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions will be at risk of losing access to treatment. And millions of families, women, seniors, and people with low incomes will see their health care costs rise. It is no exaggeration to say that, if upheld, this decision is a matter of life and death to many Americans. We urge you to reverse course and direct the Department of Justice to defend the law of the land and pursue a stay of this decision. It is not too late for you to condemn this decision by requesting a stay and taking steps to defend the Affordable Care Act moving forward. The ACA is, quite simply, the law of the land, and it is your Administration's duty to defend it. Further, even among the numerous, failed attempts to repeal the ACA, there was widespread recognition that simply repealing the law without a replacement would be too devastating to American families and to our economy to fathom. Yet that is exactly what this ruling, if upheld, would do. The human cost of this decision is profound. As mentioned above, tens of millions of Americans covered in the law's Health Insurance Marketplaces and by Medicaid expansion will lose their insurance, and tens of millions more with health conditions from cancer to heart disease, pregnant women, and people with costly prescriptions could lose access to care or have to pay significantly more for it. It is also alarming that in the midst of the devastating opioid epidemic, millions of Americans suffering from substance use disorders would lose access to the treatment that they need to recover. But it does not stop there. Health care makes up over one-sixth of our economy: the uncertainty for health care providers created by the dramatic upheaval that this decision will inevitably cause will have a substantial economic impact on families, rural hospitals and clinics, businesses, state governments, and more. Americans need you to work with us to defend their access to quality, affordable health care. We can work together to improve our health care system and reduce costs, but we must not let this flawed court decision stand and devastate millions of American families both physically and financially. The fight for our health care in the case of Texas v. United States is not over. We urge you and the DOJ to immediately request a stay of this order and to uphold the rule of law by defending the constitutionality of current law. Millions of Americans are relying on you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-graham-bipartisan-group-of-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-reconsider-withdrawing-us-forces-from-syria", "King, Graham, Bipartisan Group of Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Reconsider Withdrawing U.S. Forces from Syria", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) sent a letter to President Donald Trump expressing their concern regarding the consideration to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. If you decide to follow through with your decision to pull our troops out of Syria, any remnants of ISIS in Syria will surely renew and embolden their efforts in the region. However, ISIS is not the only threat. The brutal dictatorship of Bashar al Assad continues to weigh heavily upon the Syrian people, and we fear that a withdrawal of our troops may embolden Bashar al Assad to take further actions to solidify his power, the Senators wrote. They continued, The withdrawal of American presence from Syria also bolsters two other adversaries to the United States, Iran and Russia. As you are aware, both Iran and Russia have used the Syrian conflict as a stage to magnify their influence in the region. Any sign of weakness perceived by Iran or Russia will only result in their increased presence in the region and a decrease in the trust of our partners and allies. Your administration must not repeat the same mistakes that previous administrations have made and concede to these bad actors. The full text of the letter is below. +++ December 19, 2018 The Honorable Donald J. Trump The President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: We write today to express our concern regarding your Administration's consideration to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. We believe that such action at this time is a premature and costly mistake that not only threatens the safety and security of the United States, but also emboldens ISIS, Bashar al Assad, Iran, and Russia. The United States currently retains a small and limited military presence within Syria. The approximately 2,000 American troops stationed in Syria serve as a vital shield against ISIS cells operating within Northeast Syria. While you believe the threat of ISIS has dissipated, the conditions on the ground paint a very different picture. In addition, our troops provide critical support for our Kurdish partners, who have been crucial in the fight against ISIS. If our Kurdish partners in the region lose the support of the United States, we run the risk of a resurgence of ISIS and the possible capitulation or all out destruction of Kurdish resistance in the region. Furthermore, hundreds of foreign fighters being held in captivity by our Kurdish partners are at risk of being released or worse if our support is withdrawn. If you decide to follow through with your decision to pull our troops out of Syria, any remnants of ISIS in Syria will surely renew and embolden their efforts in the region. However, ISIS is not the only threat. The brutal dictatorship of Bashar al Assad continues to weigh heavily upon the Syrian people, and we fear that a withdrawal of our troops may embolden Bashar al Assad to take further actions to solidify his power. The withdrawal of American presence from Syria also bolsters two other adversaries to the United States, Iran and Russia. As you are aware, both Iran and Russia have used the Syrian conflict as a stage to magnify their influence in the region. Any sign of weakness perceived by Iran or Russia will only result in their increased presence in the region and a decrease in the trust of our partners and allies. Your administration must not repeat the same mistakes that previous administrations have made and concede to these bad actors. In conclusion, we encourage you to reconsider your proposal to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria to ensure that our nation's strategic interests are secured.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-king-legislation-to-protect-energy-grid-from-cyber-attacks", "Senate Passes King Legislation to Protect Energy Grid from Cyber-Attacks", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho). Both Senators are members of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR). The legislation would defend the U.S. energy grid by partnering with industry to utilize engineering concepts to remove vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to access the grid through holes in digital software systems.  For years we've seen the danger of cyber-attacks grow as bad actors pursue larger and more sophisticated incursions on our vital systems, but the federal government's response has not matched the severity of these threats, said Senator King. This commonsense, bipartisan bill is an important step in the right direction, and will help protect America's critical infrastructure from devastating attacks before they happen. Senators King and Risch first introduced the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act in the 115th Congress in January 2017, and the legislation has gained momentum in the months since. In March 2017, the ENR Committee held a hearing on the legislation, and in September 2017 the Western Governors' Association endorsed the proposal. In October 2017, a companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) and John Carter (R-Tex.). In March 2018, the legislation was passed by the ENR Committee. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) are also original cosponsors of the legislation. Critical infrastructure within the United States is an enticing target to malicious actors. Notably, these include industrial control systems, which are operational technologies used to measure, control, or manage industrial functions (e.g., supervisory control and data acquisition systems). Industrial control systems are used in oil and gas pipelines, in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, in the energy sector, and across other sectors such as water management and mass transit. Top officials within the intelligence, defense, and power communities have warned that the United States remains vulnerable to cyber-attacks on these systems, which could result in catastrophic damage to public health and safety, economic security, and national security. The bill was inspired in part by Ukraine's experience in 2015, when a sophisticated cyber-attack on that country's power grid led to more than 225,000 people being left in the dark.The attack's severity was limited by Ukraine's use of less complex technology to operate its grid, a concept that helped inspire the bill. The legislation would establish a two-year pilot program within the National Laboratories to partner with industry and develop ways to utilize cyber-informedengineering concepts to simplify and isolate automated systems and remove vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to access the grid through holes in digital software systems. Senator King has been a leading voice on the need for a national emphasis on cyber deterrence, and has repeatedly pressed officials in both the Obama and Trump Administrations on the importance of deterrence. During an ENR Committee Hearing in June, Senator pushed for leadership on a cyber strategy, saying in part, We know that a cyber-attack is coming at some point shame on us if we're not prepared for it. In March,he highlighted the topic in both the ENR and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). In February,Senator King questioned Admiral Mike Rogers and other top national intelligence officials on the importance of a national doctrine on cybersecurity.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-push-from-king-usda-outlines-rules-for-broadband-pilot-program-in-rural-america", "Following Push from King, USDA Outlines Rules for Broadband Pilot Program in Rural America", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today applauded an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) outlining its rules for a new rural broadband pilot program. The program, which includes several provisions supported by King, is offering up to $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. Congress created and allocated the funding for the pilot program in the March 2018 omnibus appropriations bill.\r\nIn rural states like Maine, access to broadband is essential for students to learn and for businesses to grow, Senator King said. The USDA's new pilot program will focus critical investments towards building and expanding high-speed internet for our rural communities, so people in Maine and across the country  regardless of where they choose to live or work  can have the opportunity to compete and succeed in the 21st century economy.\r\nIn September 2018, Senator King wrote a letter to the USDA seeking specific provisions in the pilot program, a number of which were included in the department's rules governing the program which were released last week. These include:\r\n \r\nAcquiring up-to-date broadband mapping data through partnerships with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and state governments, and by collecting information from on-the-ground field tests.\r\n \r\n \r\nAccounting for the scope and depth of partnerships between funding applicants and local governments, employers and other key regional institutions when making funding decisions.\r\n \r\n \r\nMaximizing the benefit of these funds by seeking projects in states like Maine that have completed robust broadband planning efforts.\r\n \r\nThe USDA pilot program, which Senator King pushed for as part of the March 2018 omnibus bill, mirrors the B-CROP Act, legislation Senator King cosponsored in August 2017 that would expand the resources available for building broadband infrastructure by bolstering an existing USDA loan program to include grant funding to help support projects in rural and tribal areas.\r\nConnectivity in rural regions is a key part ofSenator King's economic agendato help grow Maine's rural economy, support innovation and create jobs, and in January hesent a bipartisan letter to the Presidentwith his co-chairs on the Senate Broadband Caucus urging stand-alone funding for broadband deployment in any proposed infrastructure package. During his time in office, Senator King hassupportedthe modernization of federal broadband programs, including the FCC's E-rate program, which supports school and library internet access, and the USDA's Broadband Loan Program. This summer, hemet with farmers in Exeterto discuss the importance of rural broadband to fuel agricultural innovation, and he is also a cosponsor of thePrecision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018, elements of which were included in the Farm Bill.", 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-100000-for-passamaquoddy-tribes-economic-impact-study-", "Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $100,000 for Passamaquoddy Tribe\u2019s Economic Impact Study", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $100,000 to the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township to fund a study for a potential hydrogen-powered Business/Internet/Data Center on the Passamaquoddy reservation. Results of this study will identify the resources necessary for sustainable operationsincluding workforce development, capital, business management, legal services, and administrative supportwhich will help diversify the regional economy. This important funding from the EDA will assist the Passamaquoddy Tribe in assessing the feasibility of constructing a cutting-edge data center powered by clean energy, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. We welcome the EDA's continued investment in Maine's tribal communities, which supports economic development and job creation. The EDA leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. As an agency within the Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-pushes-for-bill-to-restore-national-parks-in-senate-floor-speech", "King Pushes for Bill to Restore National Parks in Senate Floor Speech", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, spoke on the Senate floor to advocate for theRestore Our Parks Act, a bipartisan bill led by that would address the$12 billion deferred maintenance backlogat the National Park Service (NPS). Senator King is a lead sponsor of the bipartisan bill along with Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). We have a wonderful park in Maine, Acadia. We had three and a half million people last year at that park. But the problem is, I've visited, I've seen leaky roofs, and roads that need repair, and if we don't do that we're not serving the public, we're not serving the next generation of Americans who want to enjoy the parks. And now we have an opportunity to do so that is supported on a bipartisan basis in this body, in the other body, and by the administration. The Restore Our Parks Act consensus proposal is the product of bipartisan discussions among the senators who had previously introduced similar bills, the National Park Service Legacy Act (Warner/Portman) and the National Park Restoration Act (Alexander/King), and has been gaining momentum since its introduction; the legislation is cosponsored by 37 Senators and is supported by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, the National Parks Conservation Association, the Pew Charitable Trusts' Restore America's Parks' campaign, and the Outdoor Industry Association, among others. In September, Senator King joined Acting Director of the National Park Service, Dan Smith, on a tour of Acadia National Park to assess the park's critical maintenance needs that would be funded if Congress passed the Restore Our Parks Act. This legislation would have a positive impact on Acadia specifically, which has a maintenance backlog of approximately $60 million, and the surrounding communities like Bar Harbor. A companion bill, theRestore our Parks and Public Lands Act,has been introduced in the House. More specifically, theRestore Our Parks Actwould establish the National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund to reduce the maintenance backlog by allocating existing revenues the government receives from on and offshore energy development. This consensus legislation has been praised by witnesses at aSubcommittee on National Parks hearing in July. Senator King is an steadfast supporter of the National Park System, and during his tenure in the Senate has pushed for modernizations to make the parks more accessible to future generations, including the implementation of a pilot program to make entrance passes for parks available online, that waslauded in a Subcommittee hearing last year. The program has been particularly successful in Acadia National Park (ANP); Acadia accounts for 72% of total sales in the pilot program, and online purchases accounted for 10% of the park's total entrance fee receipts in 2016.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-senate-floor-king-pays-tribute-to-longtime-friend-outgoing-chief-of-staff-kay-rand", "On Senate Floor, King Pays Tribute to Longtime Friend, Outgoing Chief of Staff Kay Rand", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to Kay Rand, his longtime chief of staff who will be leaving the Senator's office in January. Rand, a native of Ashland, Maine, has served as Senator King's chief of staff since he was sworn-in in 2013, and was King's chief of staff during both of his terms as Maine's governor. She also led both of Senator King's gubernatorial campaigns and his 2012 Senate campaign. After six years of traveling between Washington, D.C. and Maine, Rand will return to Maine full-time at the beginning of 2019. Anything I have achieved in mypublic life has been in manyways attributable to the work ofKay Rand, said Senator King. She has made an enormousdifference in my life and Ibelieve in the life of thepeople of Maine.She's never lost her passion forpublic service, her deepaffection and understanding forthe people of Maine, and theresponsibility that those of uswho have been entrusted with the publiccharge, the public trust, withthe responsibility we have toremember who sent us here, toremember what the values are,what the issues are, what we cando to represent the people ofMaine. Kay Rand has always always  reminded me of thatbecause that's who she is.Facetiously, I've often said mystandard for leadership can besummarized in one sentence:Hire good people and take creditfor what they do.And I've been doing that for 25years.Kay Rand is an extraordinarilyable, devoted, and seriouspublic servant. She's leaving, well deserved But I just want this Senate toknow and the people of Maine toknow that an important publicservant is leaving us but hasleft us and left me with aneverlasting legacy ofleadership, integrity,character.She in many ways has taught mehow to lead.I will miss her.I'll miss her as a friend.I'll miss her as a leader in myoffice.I'll miss her as a person whohas made such a difference in mylife, in my family's life, andthe life of the people of Maine.Kay Rand is an extraordinaryperson.She has done an amazing job forthe people of Maine, for theSenate, and for myselfKay Rand is a very special person, as all of us who know her, can attest.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-bipartisan-criminal-justice-reform-bill-backed-by-collins-king", "Senate Passes Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Bill Backed by Collins, King", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the U.S. Senate passed the FIRST Step Act, a bipartisan bill cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine), among others. The legislation, which passed by a vote of 87-12, would improve fairness in sentencing of federal crimes, promote public safety, and reduce recidivism. The bill was introduced by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and combines prison reform proposals that overwhelmingly passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year with sentencing reform provisions from the broadly bipartisanSentencing Reform and Corrections Act, which Senator King cosponsored in July and was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year. The legislation has been endorsed by the President, has strong bipartisan support in Congress, and is supported by a wide range of law enforcement organizations and criminal justice reform advocates. The FIRST Step Act is modeled after the efforts by dozens of states that have successfully reformed their criminal justice systems to rehabilitate minimum- and low-risk offenders, said Senator Collins. This legislation will make our communities safer by reducing recidivism, give a second chance to people who have committed non-violent crimes, and save taxpayers money. Right now, our criminal justice system isn't working; not for those who spend decades in prison for nonviolent offenses, not for law enforcement officers, and not for taxpayers, said Senator King. But we can create a better criminal justice system, and today we took the first step towards a solution that works for all Americans. This bipartisan bill will make our communities safer, prepare inmates to be productive members of society, and save taxpayer money  no wonder it has widespread support from across the ideological spectrum. The comprehensive package aims to reduce crime by helping low-risk inmates prepare to successfully rejoin society through participation in proven recidivism reduction and professional development programs.It also improves fairness in prison sentences by recalibrating certain mandatory minimum sentences, granting greater discretion for judges in sentencing of low-level, nonviolent drug crimes, and clarifying congressional intent on sentencing enhancements for certain crimes involving firearms. It also preserves the maximum potential sentences for violent and career criminals. In addition, the legislation allows petitions for retroactive application of theFair Sentencing Actto be considered on an individual basis to reduce historical sentencing disparities. Under this legislation, any savings generated by the reforms would automatically be reinvested into law enforcement programs to further reduce crime and improve community safety. The bill is supported by a wide range of stakeholders, from key law enforcement organizations to reform advocates, including the Fraternal Order of Police, theInternational Association of Chiefs of Police,theNational Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Cut50, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration, and the National District Attorneys Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-announces-committee-assignments-for-116th-congress", "King Announces Committee Assignments for 116th Congress", "2018-12-14", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PORTLAND, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his committee assignments for the 116th Congress, when Senator King will continue to serve on the Armed Services Committee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Intelligence Committee, and the Rules & Administration Committee. I ran for re-election for one simple reason: there's more work to be done, said Senator King. I've spent six years working to keep Maine people safe by strengthening America's national security, to defend the natural resources that support our lobstermen, forest economy and tourism industry, to keep our state beautiful by protecting our environment and finding cost-effective energy options, and to improve the way that Congress works so we can get more things done in Washington that will help Maine people. The work we do in committees is where so much of the progress that is important to Maine gets done, and I'm honored to be able to continue these efforts to improve the lives of Maine people. Committee work takes up a significant portion of Senator King's business in Washington. He has made it a priority to not miss Committee hearings, earning him praise from his colleagues and the reputation as a workhorse in the Senate. The late Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), who served as the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, once called Senator King one of the most serious and hard-working members of the Committee, and Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), who currently serves as the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has singled out Senator King for always [staying] to the bitter end of committee hearings.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-leads-colleagues-in-bipartisan-letter-urging-forest-service-to-institute-competition-to-explore-new-uses-for-mass-timber", "King Leads Colleagues in Bipartisan Letter Urging Forest Service to Institute Competition to Explore New Uses for Mass Timber", "2018-12-14", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the co-chair of the Working Forest Caucus, led a bipartisan group of his colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture supporting an award program for educational institutes who explore new potential uses for mass timber. In the letter, which was also signed by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Senators point to the previous success of similar programs through USDA and the U.S. Forest Service, and highlight that the innovative solutions developed through a potential competition would benefit both the forest products industry and the environment. In 2015, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the USDA had tremendous success in bringing attention to the potential use of wood in tall buildings with the first U.S. Tall Wood Building Prize Competition. We believe an award program utilizing an educational institution is an ideal next step to teach and demonstrate to the next generation of decision-makers, engineers, architects, planners and builders the benefits of mass timber, wrote the Senators in their letter. Mass timber technology can help colleges and universities across the nation achieve their sustainability goals. Stronger markets create an incentive for landowners to ensure forest land is managed sustainably to reduce wildfire risk and help maintain a high monetary value for timber. Further, mass timber use at our nation's colleges and universities has the additional benefit of supporting wood product markets at the local level. Mass Timber development and commercialization were key recommendations in the 2017 outlined Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT) report, which wasoriginally requested in March 2016 by Senators Collins and King and worked across federal and state agencies, industry sectors, and municipalities to create strategies for job growth and economic development in Maine's rural communities. Additionally, key provisions of theTimber Innovation Act,which Senators King and Collins cosponsored, were included in the Farm Bill which passed Congress this week. These provisions encourage investment in the manufacturing facilities needed to produce mass timber products domestically, incentivize the construction of buildings with wood, and provide designers and code officials with the research and technical support they need to embrace this new construction technology. In addition to Senators King and Collins, the letter was signed by Senators James Risch (R-Idaho), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). The full letter is available HERE, and text of the letter can be found below:  +++  The Honorable Sonny Perdue Secretary U.S. Department of Agriculture  1400 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20250 Dear Secretary Perdue: We write today to express our appreciation of the USDA's efforts to promote innovative wood uses, and to support a mass timber competition for institutions of higher education. Such a competition will not only provide opportunities for our future decision makers to utilize a remarkable new material, but also help create a stronger and healthier forest products market all while improving the environment. Colleges and universities are also well adept at leveraging seed money with other public and private funds, and could therefore make very efficient use of a federal mass timber competition award. In 2015, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the USDA had tremendous success in bringing attention to the potential use of wood in tall buildings with the first U.S. Tall Wood Building Prize Competition. We believe an award program utilizing an educational institution is an ideal next step to teach and demonstrate to the next generation of decision-makers, engineers, architects, planners and builders the benefits of mass timber. Mass timber technology can help colleges and universities across the nation achieve their sustainability goals. Stronger markets create an incentive for landowners to ensure forest land is managed sustainably to reduce wildfire risk and help maintain a high monetary value for timber. Further, mass timber use at our nation's colleges and universities has the additional benefit of supporting wood product markets at the local level. We appreciate the assistance the USDA has provided thus far, and look forward to working with you on making the mass timber higher education competition a success.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-collins-king-resolution-marking-december-15-2018-as-wreaths-across-america-day", "Senate Unanimously Passes Collins, King Resolution Marking December 15, 2018, as \u201cWreaths Across America Day\u201d", "2018-12-14", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - The Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King designating Saturday, December 15, 2018, as Wreaths Across America Day. On December 15, a convoy of volunteers is scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery to lay Maine-made balsam wreaths at the headstones of American veterans interred there. Patriot Guard Riders will once again continue their tradition of escorting the wreath trucks from Maine down the East Coast, along with other patriotic escorts including motorcycle units, law enforcement officers, and first responders. Tens of thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in this proud tradition. In its 27-year history, Wreaths Across America has become an enduring symbol of valor and sacrifice, and reaffirms our never-ending obligation to thank those who served in defense of our nation, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This Maine-led tradition is an inspiring example of the generosity and gratitude to our nation's veterans that makes the holiday season so special. We are grateful for the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who Remember, Honor, Teach' through Wreaths Across America. To honor our fallen heroes, wreaths will be laid at the graves of American servicemembers as part of a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition to Arlington National Cemetery, volunteers will place approximately 1.2 million wreaths at more than 1,200 locations in all 50 states and numerous national veteran cemeteries on foreign soil. For the first time this year, wreaths will be laid at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. The resolution is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-call-for-ferc-commissioner-mcnamees-recusal-from-future-business-involving-potential-subsidies-for-coal-and-nuclear-plants", "King, Colleagues Call for FERC Commissioner McNamee\u2019s Recusal from Future Business Involving Potential Subsidies for Coal and Nuclear Plants", "2018-12-13", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a group of his Senate colleagues in a letter calling for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner Bernard McNamee to recuse himself from any future business at FERC involving the potential subsidization of coal and nuclear plants. In the letter, the senators expressed concerns regarding Mr. McNamee's actions in his previous role at the Department of Energy (DOE) in developing and filing a rule to subsidize failing coal and nuclear plants, as well as his recent public comments implying bias against renewable energy technologies. We are concerned about positions you have taken, both while serving as the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy and in the private sector,the senators wrote. These positions and statements suggest a lack of independence and an inappropriate predisposition on a number of topics likely to be involved in proceedings that will come before you in your new role as a FERC Commissioner. The senators continued, Moving forward, and particularly as FERC considers matters related to grid resilience and reliability, we urge you to remain true to your commitment to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to be fair, objective, and impartial' and to work with your colleagues to fulfill (FERC's) mission to ensure just and reasonable rates under the law.' With that in mind, we urge you to recuse yourself from any future FERC proceedings where your impartiality could be questioned based upon your past statements, positions, or work on the DOE NOPR.              The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). A copy of the letter can be foundHEREand below: The Honorary Bernard L. McNamee Commissioner Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20426  Dear Commissioner McNamee, The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has a requirement to ensure that electric rates are just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential. As a FERC Commissioner, you will have a responsibility to uphold that requirement. We are concerned about positions you have taken, both while serving as the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy and in the private sector. These positions and statements suggest a lack of independence and an inappropriate predisposition on a number of topics likely to be involved in proceedings that will come before you in your new role as a FERC Commissioner. We were initially troubled by the implications of your involvement in the development of DOE's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) for the Grid Reliability and Resilience Pricing Rule, previously submitted to FERC. We believe that the viewpoints evident from the thrust of the NOPR, with its emphasis on propping up uneconomic coal and nuclear plants, along with statements you made more recently favoring fossil fuel and denigrating renewable resources, could present an appearance of a lack of impartiality in carrying out your responsibilities as a FERC Commissioner. In light of that, we respectfully request that you commit to recusing yourself in any future matters before FERC that might be characterized as pitting one fuel source against another. We have been troubled by this Administration's persistent efforts to interfere in our energy markets in order to subsidize coal and nuclear energy generation at the expense of ratepayers and other more economically produced forms of energy. As you know, in July 2017, a draft report prepared by DOE on the reliability of the U.S. electric grid stated: The power system is more reliable today due to better planning, market discipline, and better operating rules and standards. This draft report found two primary conclusions  that coal and nuclear plants are retiring primarily because of cheaper energy sources such as natural gas, not because of the rise of renewable energy generation or the implementation of environmental regulation, and that the retirement of coal and nuclear plants has not impacted grid reliability. Notwithstanding the conclusions of the draft report, just months later Secretary Perry submitted a proposed rule for FERC's consideration to subsidize power plants that can store 90 days of fuel on site, which only nuclear and coal plants can do, citing a critical need for enhanced grid resilience and reliability. This proposed action immediately drew condemnation from the oil, gas, and renewable energy industries. In January 2018, FERC unanimously rejected the proposed rule, noting that DOE failed to provide evidence that retiring coal and nuclear plants represented an existential threat to grid reliability and resilience. Instead, FERC Commissioners opened a new docket to push the country's grid operators to examine grid resilience from storms and floods, cyber or physical attacks, and other major disruptions. As mentioned above, our concerns over your apparent lack of impartiality are not based solely on the role you played in formulating the NOPR. Your Earth Day op-ed, and your comments during a 2018 public policy forum in Texas display a pronounced preference for fossil fuels and nuclear energy, and at a minimum suggest a strong bias against renewable energy technologies: Renewables, when they come on and off, it screws up the whole physics of the grid. So when people want to talk about science, they ought to talk about the physics of the grid and know what real science is, and that is how do you keep the lights on? And it is with fossil fuels and nuclear.\" These actions and comments suggest that you may be unable or unwilling to take a fuel-neutral approach, but rather will favor particular technologies and outcomes. Moving forward, and particularly as FERC considers matters related to grid resilience and reliability, we urge you to remain true to your commitment to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to be fair, objective, and impartial and to work with your colleagues to fulfill (FERC's) mission to ensure just and reasonable rates under the law. With that in mind, we urge you to recuse yourself from any future FERC proceedings where your impartiality could be questioned based upon your past statements, positions, or work on the DOE NOPR. Finally, at your nomination hearing on November 15, 2018, you said you would need to consult with ethics officials regarding specific topics you can and cannot participate in as a FERC Commissioner. We request that you provide us with an update about both the specific guidance you sought and the ethics guidance you have received by January 9, 2019. Thank you for your attention and consideration of this matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-votes-to-end-us-support-for-saudi-engagement-in-yemen", "King Votes to End U.S. Support for Saudi Engagement in Yemen", "2018-12-13", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, voted in support of Senate Joint Resolution 54, directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from the ongoing civil war between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in Yemen pursuant to the 1973 War Powers Resolution. This is the first time a chamber of Congress has ever voted to invoke the War Powers Resolution. This resolution, which passed by a vote of 56-41, would not impact important U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in Yemen. The civil war, which is between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in Yemen, has led to mass civilian casualties, and reports indicate that as many as 85,000 children may have died of starvation in Yemen since the war began. The civil war in Yemen is a complex civil conflict between Saudi and Iranian backed factions, but one thing is clear: the violence has had an immense and devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of Yemeni civilians, particularly children. It has killed thousands and has left millions on the brink of starvation, said Senator King. This is a humanitarian disaster and the United States should no longer be complicit. That's why I've voted to end our limited support for the Saudi-led coalition, and why I continue to urge all parties to seek a diplomatic solution to end this bloodshed that is hurting so many innocent people.  Senator King voted to advance SJ Res 54 in November, and had previously voted to advance SJ Res 54 in March, when the resolution was tabled by a vote of 55-44. The resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from the conflict in Yemen does not apply to ongoing American counter-terrorism efforts in Yemen, and would allow U.S. forces conducting counter-terrorism operations against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to continue their work. The resolution now heads to the House of Representatives for its consideration; however, due to a last-minute procedural maneuver by the House Rules Committee, a development Senator King called deeply regrettable, the resolution is no longer considered privileged in the House and is unlikely to receive a vote before the beginning of the next Congress. Today the Senate also passed a resolution introduced by Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) that includes the Senate's belief that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and demands all parties seek an immediate cease fire and negotiated political solution to the Yemen conflict. The resolution was passed by voice vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-king-led-legislation-to-measure-the-economic-impact-of-broadband-on-the-us-economy", "Senate Passes King-Led Legislation to Measure the Economic Impact of Broadband on the U.S. Economy", "2018-12-13", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SCARBOROUGH, ME Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act, a bill led by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), co-chairs of the Senate Broadband Caucus. The bipartisan bill requires the Bureau of Economic Analysis to conduct a study of the effects of broadband deployment and adoption on the U.S. economy. While the federal government measures the economic impact of many industries, it does not produce current, reliable statistics on the economic impact of broadband on the U.S. economy. Accurate, reliable data on the economic impact of broadband is a valuable tool for policymakers and business leaders and many research institutions, state broadband offices, and trade associations have highlighted the need for this data. We know that access to affordable, high-speed broadband has the ability to transform the way rural communities conduct business  but without accurate data, we don't know how much economic value it provides, said Senator King. By collecting this information, policymakers, businesses and community leaders will have the tools they need to pursue smart investments to boost connectivity and improve local economies. In conducting this analysis, the Secretary of Commerce will consider job creation, business headcount, online commerce, income, education and distance learning, telehealth, telework, agriculture, population growth, population density, broadband speed, and geography. The Secretary may consult representatives of business, including rural and urban internet service providers and telecommunications infrastructure providers; state, local, and Tribal government agencies; and consumer and community organizations. In addition to Senators King, Klobuchar and Capito, cosponsors of the bill include Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.), who also serve as co-chairs of the Senate Broadband Caucus, as well as Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.). This legislation is supported by Connected Nation, NTCA  The Rural Broadband Association, CTIA, and WIA  The Wireless Infrastructure Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/effort-from-senators-collins-king-ensures-harmful-house-amendment-not-in-farm-bill", "Effort from Senators Collins, King Ensures Harmful House Amendment Not in Farm Bill", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Following a push from U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME), the final conference report of the 2018 Farm Bill does not include an amendment harmful to Maine that would have required state and local governments to accept products from other states even if those products violate standards and regulations enacted in the importing state. The Farm Bill passed the Senate by a vote of 87-13 and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. In August, Senators Collins and King joined a bipartisan group of 32 Senators in sending a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders urging them to reject this harmful House amendment during the conference negotiations. We are delighted that the Senate bill prevailed, and that the final conference report did not include this harmful provision, said Senators Collins and King. There are a number of state laws in Maine that would have been undermined if this amendment was adopted, including those on crate bans for livestock, consumer protections for blueberry inspections, and environmental safeguards for cranberry cultivation. The final agreement comes after the Senate and House of Representatives worked for weeks to reconcile the differences between each chamber's version of the legislation. The 2018 Farm Bill received overwhelming bipartisan support and passed the Senate by a vote of 87-13, and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-applauds-fcc-move-to-boost-rural-broadband-deployment", "King Applauds FCC Move to Boost Rural Broadband Deployment", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, applauded the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) move to make affordable and reliable broadband more accessible to rural Americans. Today's vote by the FCC increases funding to rural broadband providers who serve some of the nation's most rural communities, ensuring that these providers can continue to expand access to higher-speed broadband in rural areas. Senator King has pushed for these changes, and in May 2018 and August 2017 joined bipartisan groups of his Senate colleagues in letters urging the FCC to expand rural broadband deployment. In the 21st century economy, there is no substitute for a high-speed broadband connection, said Senator King. Whether it's a small business trying to reach its global customers or a farm working to improve efficiency, internet access is a vital tool that fuels innovation and economic growth. Today's FCC vote is just one step  but it's an important step, that will help rural Maine people. Among the providers who will benefit from today's FCC vote is UniTel, a high-speed internet and phone service provider for central Maine. Senator King visited UniTel in August 2017 during his broadband listening tour of the state with FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. UniTel applauds the leadership of Senator King and other members of Congress who have consistently advocated for rural carriers and the communities they serve said Laurie Osgood, President and CEO of UniTel Inc. These efforts have resulted in reforms adopted by the FCC today to provide more predictable levels of support for small rural broadband providers as we continue our commitment to make the benefits and opportunities of broadband access available to everyone who lives in rural Maine. Connectivity in rural regions is a key part ofSenator King's economic agendato help grow Maine's rural economy, support innovation and create jobs. This week, the Senate passed a reauthorization of the Farm Bill that includes provisions of three broadband bills that he cosponsored: the B-CROP Act, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act, and the Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act. In September, he urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service to allocate funding towards investing in broadband access for Maine's underserved and rural areas, and in January hesent a bipartisan letter to the Presidentwith his co-chairs on the Senate Broadband Caucus urging stand-alone funding for broadband deployment in any proposed infrastructure package. During his time in office, Senator King hassupportedthe modernization of federal broadband programs, including the FCC's E-rate program, which supports school and library internet access, and the Senate Farm Bill Broadband Loan Program. In August, hemet with farmers in Exeterto discuss the importance of rural broadband to fuel agricultural innovation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-honors-retiring-chairman-of-northern-maine-veterans-cemetery", "King Honors Retiring Chairman of Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  In a statement submitted to the Congressional Record, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) recognized Harry Hafford, the outgoing Chairman of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery (NMVC). Hafford, an Army veteran and Maine native who returned to his home state after a career working for General Motors, was a founding member of the NMVC and has served as the Chairman since 2003. He will be stepping down from his post at the end of the year. A representative from Senator King's office presented the statement to Hafford last week during a ceremony honoring his years of service to Maine's veterans. Harry's honorable service in the United States Army is something I am very appreciative of but in addition, what is truly inspirational is the dedication Harry has shown to veterans for all of his adult life, especially in retirement, said Senator King. He was instrumental in creating and sustaining a veteran's surplus clothing organization to ensure that the needs of his fellow veterans were met. Perhaps his most notable and impressive work was as a founding member of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corporation, which developed the Maine Veterans Cemetery-Caribou People like Harry are a rare breed. They give for the right reasons and ask nothing in return. The complete statement is as follows: +++  Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Mr. Harry Hafford of Masardis, ME as he retires his gavel as Chair at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery. Harry is an extraordinary man, a passionate community leader, an honorable veteran, and a friend to me and my staff. Harry is special in so many ways and has quietly led countless efforts to improve the lives of others. Aroostook County, and the entire state of Maine, is a better place because of folks like Harry Hafford.  Harry returned to his home town of Masardis, ME to spend his retirement years quietly after a long career at General Motors, where he also served as a strong and steadfast union steward. This next chapter of Harry's life seemed ideal for some much deserved rest and relaxation. But that isn't who Harry is  instead he became an active member of his community, continuing to serve our state and its people. Harry went back to work serving others. Harry shared his lifelong love of the beautiful natural resources in Maine by advocating for more access to waterways and working with state and local officials to provide additional boat landings in Ashland, Masardis, and Oxbow in northern Aroostook County, including one that is named for him, so that the public would have more access to the beautiful Aroostook River and its native brook trout fisheries. He was a loyal member of the Ashland Rotary Club and earned a Paul Harris Fellow for his service above self. He is an active member of the Caribou American Legion, a moderator for town meetings, a lifetime member of AMVets, Ashland and Presque Isle Fish and Game Clubs, and Sportsman's Alliance of Maine.  Harry's honorable service in the United States Army is something I am very appreciative of but in addition, what is truly inspirational is the dedication Harry has shown to veterans for all of his adult life, especially in retirement. He was instrumental in creating and sustaining a veteran's surplus clothing organization to ensure that the needs of his fellow veterans were met. Perhaps his most notable and impressive work was as a founding member of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corporation, which developed the Maine Veterans Cemetery-Caribou. I was proud to be Governor of Maine when this effort began and was pleased to sign the document creating the committee to determine the cemetery's viability. Had I known Harry then as well as I do now, I could have just looked for his name on the roster of volunteers and been immediately assured of 100% success. Harry has chaired that committee since its inception in 2003 and has decided to retire his gavel at the end of 2018.  People like Harry are a rare breed. They give for the right reasons and ask nothing in return. The entire state of Maine has benefitted from Harry's hard work for many years, and while we will miss him, we hope that he can finally enjoy retirement the way it should be. Photo 1: (From left) Harry Hafford is presented with his Congressional Record statement by Sharon Campbell and Barbara Hayslett, Regional Representatives for U.S. Senator Angus King", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-votes-to-overturn-irs-rule-enabling-dark-money", "King Votes to Overturn IRS Rule Enabling Dark Money", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Angus King (I-Maine) voted to overturn the U.S. Treasury Department's controversial decision that allows special interests to hide their donors from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In July, the Treasury Department and the IRS eliminated the requirement for certain types of tax-exempt organizations to report the identities of major donors to the IRS, which allowed \"dark money\" donors to hide their contributions to tax-exempt non-profit organizations that engage in political activity. Senator King opposed this change, and in July cosponsored the Spotlight Act, which would reverse the rule and require donor information to be disclosed to both the IRS and the public. The CRA passed the Senate this afternoon by a Congressional Review Act vote of 50-49, and will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. In my opinion, Maine's town meetings are the finest examples of democracy at work, where anyone can walk in with an idea and try to sway public opinion. But not a single one of these gatherings would allow someone to stand in the middle of the room with a bag over his or her head and anonymously attack other members of the community  because Maine people believe you should stand behind your beliefs, said Senator King. The same rules should apply to our campaign finance system  let's require transparency, and make sure Americans know who's trying to influence their vote.                                                                                   Senator King has been a long-time advocate for election transparency as a means of increasing voter trust and engagement in our electoral process. Last September, Senator King announced his support for a series of campaign finance bills called theWe the People Democracy Reform Act of 2017. This bicameral legislation proposes a series of wide-ranging electoral reforms to restore integrity, accountability, and transparency to our broken political system. The legislation includes proposals to comprehensively reform campaign finance laws, increase transparency and accountability in the political system, end gerrymandering, increase voter participation, and strengthen lobbying and revolving door laws. In June 2016, Senator Kingjoined with a group of his colleagues to announce a new legislative packageaimed at reforming America's campaign finance system and making government more accountable to the people. The package includes a bill authored by Senator King that would require real-time transparency in federal elections as well as legislation that would amend the Constitution to end unlimited campaign contributions and provisions that would reform the lobbying laws to limit special interest influence on elected officials.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-collins-legislation-to-support-maine-dairy-farmers-passes-senate", "Senator Collins\u2019 Legislation to Support Maine Dairy Farmers Passes Senate", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  In a win for Maine dairy farmers, an amendment authored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) that will promote innovation and increase demand for milk products was included in the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill. The final agreement comes after the Senate and House of Representatives worked for weeks to reconcile the differences between each chamber's version of the legislation. The 2018 Farm Bill received overwhelming bipartisan support and passed the Senate by a vote of 87-13, and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senators Collins and Baldwin's amendment will provide $7 million for grants to state departments of agriculture, cooperative extension services, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations to administer programs that promote dairy product innovation, process improvement, and marketing. Senator Angus King (I-ME) was a cosponsor of their amendment. Our amendment will support Maine's hardworking dairy farmers by increasing awareness of milk's many health benefits and investing in innovative methods for processing milk and dairy products, said Senator Collins. I am pleased that an overwhelming bipartisan majority of my colleagues joined me in advancing this amendment that will help provide critical support to this integral part of our agriculture community. Maine's dairy farmers work hard to create a great product  so let's help them sell it! said Senator King. The Dairy Business Innovation Act will establish regional initiatives to spur innovation in dairy businesses, which can help add more value to the milk farmers produce and expand uses for milk to address oversupply and depressed milk prices. The legislation will also foster the development of new and innovative dairy products, modernize existing dairy plants and support new dairy entrepreneurs. Specifically, the regional initiatives created by the Dairy Business Innovation Act will provide technical assistance and grants for the purpose of:  Supporting new and expanding dairy businessesInitiatives will provide assistance with business plan development, accounting, market evaluation, and strategic planning.  Promoting innovation in dairy productsDairy businesses will be able to receive assistance with product innovation, marketing and branding, packaging, distribution, supply chain innovation, food safety training and consultation, dairy product production training.  Assisting with dairy plant modernization and process improvementDairy businesses will be able to receive assistance with processing facility improvement, including assistance with plant upgrades, food safety modernization, energy and water efficiency, byproduct reprocessing and use maximization, and waste treatment.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-farm-bill-with-king-led-provisions-to-benefit-rural-maine", "Senate Passes Farm Bill With King-Led Provisions to Benefit Rural Maine", "2018-12-11", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON,\r\nD.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted in favor of the\r\nconference report to H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, more\r\ncommonly known as the Farm Bill. The report, which passed by a vote of 87 to\r\n13, includes a number of provisions that Senator King supported that will help\r\nMaine's farmers and rural communities.   Overwhelming\r\nbipartisan votes like today's don't come easy  they're the product of a lot of\r\nhard work, compromise, and consensus-building. Fortunately, if there's one\r\nthing that everyone, Republican, Democrat, or Independent, can agree on, it's\r\nthat farmers are the backbone of our rural economy and pillars of rural\r\ncommunities across the country, said Senator King. Today's passage of\r\nthe Farm Bill means a lot to the honey or maple producers who won't have to put\r\nmisleading labels on their pure products, and to the potato and blueberry\r\nfarmers who can continue growing their superior crops  which is only right,\r\nbecause the work these farmers do every day means a lot to the state of Maine.\r\nAnd though it may be called the Farm' Bill, the fact is that this legislation\r\nwill have an important effect on rural Maine people from all walks of life\r\nthrough its provisions to support innovation the forest economy and boost rural\r\nbroadband efforts. The legislation may have taken a lot of negotiation and\r\ndebate, but in the end, we're left with a bill that will help a lot of people.  This year's Farm\r\nBill includes several major victories supported by Senator King that will\r\ndirectly benefit Maine if they remain in the final bill signed by the\r\nPresident, including:  \r\nEVALUATING\r\nAND MODERNIZING THE FORMULA USED BY USDA TO SUPPORT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION\r\nPROGRAMS: Senators\r\nKing and Susan Collins (R-Maine) successfully included an amendment that\r\ndirects USDA to use the 2017 Census of Agriculture to better understand the\r\nchanging needs of agriculture and rural communities. Specifically, this aims to\r\nhelp Cooperative Extension programs better address the challenges facing small\r\nand diverse farms and ranches, veteran farmers and ranchers, value-added\r\nagriculture, direct-to-consumer sales, and specialty crops. Despite massive\r\nshifts in agriculture in recent years, this funding formula has not been\r\nevaluated in decades. \r\nSUPPORT\r\nINNOVATION FOR DAIRY FARMERS: This amendment, supported by Senator King, will establish\r\nregional initiatives to support innovation for Maine dairy businesses, foster\r\nthe research and development of new dairy products and support new dairy\r\nfarmers. The Dairy Business Innovation Act will provide $7 million in\r\ngrants to state departments of agriculture and other local agricultural leaders\r\nto support programs that promote dairy product innovation, process improvement,\r\nand marketing. \r\nCREATING\r\nOPPORTUNITIES FOR NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS: This year's Farm Bill includes language from theNext\r\nGenerations in Agriculture Act. Senator King is a cosponsor of this\r\nlegislation, which creates permanent mandatory funding for education, training,\r\nand outreach to beginning farmers and ranchers by developing a new Farming\r\nOpportunities Training Outreach program, as well adding new authority for a\r\nNational Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator and establishing new roles to\r\nhelp beginning farmers access USDA programs. \r\nEXEMPTING\r\nSINGLE INGREDIENT PRODUCTS FROM MISLEADING LABELS: A provision in this year's\r\nbill exempts pure, single ingredient foods like honey and maple syrup from\r\nrequirements to contain an added sugar label. Earlier this year, the FDA\r\nannounced the proposed change to help consumers be aware of the amount of\r\nsugar they are consuming, but maple and honey producers expressed concerns that\r\nthe new labels could mislead consumers into believing that sugar was added\r\nafter harvesting. Senator King has spoken\r\non the Senate floor against this proposal, and after his push, the FDA\r\nannounced they would be seeking a revised approach.  \r\nPROTECTING\r\nNUTRITION PROGRAMS:\r\nUnlike in the version of the Farm Bill passed by the House of Representatives,\r\nthe Senate bill does not jeopardize important nutrition program like SNAP.\r\nAdditionally, the legislation reduces red tape and increases support for\r\nseniors by extending certification periods in SNAP and the Commodity\r\nSupplemental Food Program (CSFP). The final bill increases funding to\r\nEmployment and Training Programs, makes some administrative changes designed to\r\nreduce improper payments in the program, and rejects harmful changes to work\r\nrequirements. \r\nCONTINUING\r\nSUPPORT AND RESEARCH FOR SPECIALTY CROPS: Maine's key crops, including blueberries and potatoes, are\r\nviewed as specialty crops by USDA. This legislation continues important\r\ninvestments in Specialty Crop Block Grants and the Specialty Crop Research\r\nInitiative, and in doing so, bolsters research, pest management efforts and\r\ninitiatives to improve competitiveness in the global market.  The legislation\r\nalso includes several additional King-backed victories that benefit Maine's\r\nrural economy and environment, including:  \r\nSUPPORT\r\nFOR ENGINEERED TIMBER:\r\nKey provisions of theTimber Innovation Act,which Senator King\r\ncosponsored along with Senator Collins, are included in the bill. This language\r\nwould accelerate the research and development ofcross laminated timber\r\nand other engineeredwood for use in construction projects and also\r\nprovide grants for such projects. This legislation, along with other efforts to\r\nfind new opportunities for the forest economy, is a key part ofSenator King's economic vision to grow Maine's rural\r\ncommunities. \r\nMODERNIZING\r\nRURAL BROADBAND PROGRAMS:\r\nThe bill includes provisions from two bills that Senator King cosponsored to\r\nadvance hisRural Broadband Roadmap. TheB-CROP Act(S.1676) modernizes the USDA Broadband Loan\r\nProgram into a combination grant/loan program and thePrecision Agriculture Connectivity Act(S.2343)\r\npromotes cooperation between the USDA and FCC in identifying gaps in broadband\r\ncoverage on agricultural lands. The bill also increases the statutory minimum\r\nbroadband service definition for the Broadband Grant and Loan Program to 25\r\nMbps download and 3 Mbps upload, matching a regulatory change whichSenator King pushed for in a May 2016 letter. \r\nDRASTICALLY\r\nINCREASING FUNDING FOR RURAL BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT: This year's Farm Bill\r\nauthorizes Congress to appropriate $350 million per year for high-speed\r\ninternet deployment  a drastic increase from the previous Farm Bill, when\r\nCongress was authorized to appropriate $25 million per year for high-speed\r\ninternet deployment. \r\nREAUTHORIZING\r\nNORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION: The legislation reauthorizes the NRBC through 2023, based\r\nonlegislation authored by Senators King and Collins. In\r\naddition to reauthorizing the NRBC, the legislation establishes a state\r\ncapacity building grant program that will help develop projects that support\r\nbusiness retention and expansion, access to high-speed broadband, critical\r\ninfrastructure development, and job creation throughout the region. \r\nCONSERVING\r\nNATURAL ECOSYSTEMS:\r\nThe bill funds and improves upon the Regional Conservation Partnership Program\r\n(RCPP), which is administered by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation\r\nService. In December 2016,the\r\nRCPP awarded a $6 million grantto a Maine partnership led by the\r\nNature Conservancy to help private forestland ownersreduce the impacts\r\nthat flooding has on road networks and restore more than 250 miles of fish\r\nhabitat in northern and eastern Maine. \r\nENSURING\r\nFAIRNESS IN FEDERAL BUYING OF FOREST PRODUCTS: The legislation includes a\r\nKing-backed provision that requires federal agencies to acceptmore\r\nmethods of sustainably harvested forest products. In June 2016,Senator\r\nKing led a letterurging the Department of Energy to support all\r\nforest certification standards, as the Department of Agriculture does. \r\nREAUTHORIZING\r\nCOMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY PROGRAM: This program, which expires at the end of 2018, promotes\r\nenergy security and incentivizes new uses for low-grade and low-value wood by offering competitive grants to assist state and\r\nlocal governments with the costs of installing high-efficiency, biomass-fueled\r\nenergy systems, such as combined heat and power (CHP). Senator King is a\r\ncosponsor of the Community\r\nWood Energy Innovation Act, a bill introduced by Senators Susan Collins\r\n(R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-portland-king-urges-maine-people-to-sign-up-for-health-coverage-before-deadline", "In Portland, King Urges Maine People to Sign Up for Health Coverage Before Deadline", "2018-12-10", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PORTLAND, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined healthcare advocates and patients to urge Maine people to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act before the ACA's Open Enrollment deadline on Saturday. The press conference at Greater Portland Health highlighted the resources available to Maine people as they navigate coverage options offered through the ACA Marketplace, and emphasized the upcoming deadline. To sign up for coverage in 2019 during the Open Enrollment period, log on to http://www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 for more information before December 15, 2018. Maine people interested in additional information can also call the Consumers for Affordable Health Care, toll-free, at 1-800-965-7476, or reach out to your local Federally Qualified Health Center. Saturday is the last day to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. That's less than a week to make sure you and your family can have health insurance in 2019, said Senator King. There are a wide range of options in the marketplace, and some may be less expensive than you think. This isn't about politics  it's about making sure you can protect your family from medical or financial trouble. With only a few days left, there's no time to wait  so please, sign up today. In addition to Senator King, speakers at today's event included Kate Ende, Consumer Assistance Program Manager at Consumers for Affordable Healthcare; Kalie Hess, Health Equity Program Manager for the Maine Primary Care Association; Hillary Barter, Healthcare Navigator Coordinator for Western Maine Community Action; and Nicole Manganelli of Portland, who recently signed up for ACA coverage. Senator King has been outspoken in opposition to administration moves and legislative proposals that seek to undermine the Affordable Care Act, and has met with Maine people around the state to discuss the ACA's importance to their lives. In October,he met with Maine people in recovery in Brewerto discuss the importance of ACA protections for those with pre-existing conditions for those who have struggled with substance use disorders. Also in October, Senator Kingvoted to overturn the administration's expansion of junk plans, calling the plans that are not required to cover those with pre-existing conditions, part of the problem, not part of the solution. In September,he spoke at the Protect Our Care rally in Portlandandheld a conversation in Damariscottaon the importance of healthcare protections to Maine people who work in high risk industries.Also in September,Senator King met with seniors in Kennebunkto discuss the high cost of healthcare services in prescription drugs. In August, Senator Kingmet with Maine familieson the impact of insurance protections for children living with pre-existing conditions. In July he cosponsoreda resolution that would authorize the Senate Legal Counsel to intervene in the legal casechallenging the constitutionality of the ACA's provisions protecting people with pre-existing conditions. Also in July, he published a post on Mediumhighlighting the administration's efforts to weaken the ACA. At the end of June, Senator King spoke twice Senate floor about theimpact of ACA sabotage on Maine peopleand tohonor the 53rd anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, and earlier that month, he spoke with a panel of Maine people with pre-existing conditions, healthcare advocates and medical professionalsin South Portland, following Department of Justice's decision not to defend the guarantee of coverage for pre-existing conditions.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-anniversary-of-pearl-harbor-king-attends-veterans-holiday-open-house-in-bangor", "On Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, King Attends Veterans\u2019 Holiday Open House in Bangor", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BANGOR, ME  Today, on the 77th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) attended the Holiday Open House at the Bangor Vet Center, where he met with local veterans to honor their service and celebrate the holiday season. Today was about celebrating the holiday season with the Maine veterans who've made so many contributions to our national defense and our communities  and it was made even more special because today is the 77th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, said Senator King. The men and women who served at Pearl Harbor will forever be examples of the strength resilience of our servicemembers. We will never forget them, and today we honor not only their memory, but the service of all the men and women who've answered the call to duty. To all American veterans: I thank you for your service, and I join all of Maine in wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season. Senator King has been an advocate for veterans issues during his time in Washington. Last month, Senator Kingintroducedthe Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act, a bipartisan bill that would help improve veterans' health care. The bill seeks to increase collaboration among federal agencies and authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop new technologies that improve our understanding of the health challenges facing veterans. Earlier in November, Senator King honored Maine's veterans in a speech at Messalonskee Middle School's annual Veterans Tribute Assembly. In preparation for the assembly, students completed projects focused on learning about military service and the sacrifices of America's veterans. In October, heattendedthe 6th Annual Women Veterans' Luncheon in Rumford where he recognized and commended the attendees, who represented all branches of military service. In October,he joined Maine veterans at the 21st Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Togus VA Medical Centerto highlight services and resources for veterans who are homeless or in transitional housing. In September, hejoined a panel featuring veterans' healthcare experts and caregiversat the Portland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), to discuss common suicide risk factors and warning signs for suicide and provide information about VA mental health and suicide prevention resources. Also in September,he applauded the House and Senate's passage of the MilCon-VA Conference Report, whichaims to consolidate and improve VA community care programs and reform the VA's existing facilities to best serve veterans.In June,his bill to strengthen accountability of senior executives at the VA wassigned into law. In April, Senator Kingvisited the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, which brings injured veterans and their families to Maine in order to help the veterans overcome physical obstacles with the support of family members. Senator King also highlighted the important place of veterans in Maine by dedicating hisNovember2017andDecember2017podcasts to the subject, with Travis Mills as one of the guests on the latter show. In December 2017, theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund three new positionsinMaineto better serve justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health or substance abuse issues  a move which followed aFebruary 2017 letter from Senator King to the VAurging additional resources on the topic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-bipartisan-king-backed-bill-to-promote-high-speed-internet-for-farmers", "Senate Passes Bipartisan King-Backed Bill to Promote High-Speed Internet for Farmers", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BANGOR, ME Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) applauded last night's Senate passage of the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018, a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Senator King that promotes precision agriculture and rural broadband deployment. The legislation, which Senator King cosponsored in May, would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a task force to identify gaps in high-speed internet connectivity for the nation's agricultural land.The measure also instructs the agency to develop ways to help encourage broadband adoption and precision agriculture and to promote broadband deployment in areas where it is currently unavailable. In rural regions across Maine, our state's farmers are pillars of their communities and the foundation of the local economy, said Senator King. And, by the way  their products are second-to-none. We need to find ways to help them expand their efforts and reach new markets, and we should start by making sure they have all the technology they need to maximize their yield and reduce their costs. Through precision agriculture and rural broadband, we can help Maine farms increase efficiency and become more competitive in the global marketplace. Broadband connectivity can support our rural farmers and their farm businesses in many ways, including utilization of tools and technologies to enhance their practices, and improving access to markets and other timely information that is difficult to obtain without reliable and consistent broadband service,said Amanda Beal, President and CEO of Maine Farmland Trust, at the time of Senator King's cosponsorship in May. Precision agriculture describes the use of mobile devices, robotics, field sensors, remote monitoring, and other technologies to manage agricultural production. Farmers and ranchers who use the technology can significantly increase crop yields, streamline operations, and reduce production expenses. In many areas of the United States, reliable, high-speed internet connections are not consistently available to support precision agriculture operations. Specifically, the legislation asks the newly-created FCC task force to:  Identify and measure current gaps in the availability of broadband coverage on agricultural land;  Assemble a comprehensive guide of all federal programs or resources dedicated to expanding broadband access on cropland and ranchland;  Develop policy recommendations, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of fixed and mobile high-speed broadband on agricultural land, with the goal of achieving service on 95 percent of agricultural land in the United States by 2025;  Recommend specific steps that the FCC and other Federal agencies should take to obtain reliable and standardized data measurements of broadband coverage as may be necessary to target funding support to unserved agricultural land;  Recommend specific steps the FCC can take to ensure that available farm data from the USDA is reflected in developing Federal programs to deploy broadband to agricultural land; and  Submit an annual report to Congress detailing the status of fixed and mobile broadband coverage on agricultural land; the projected future connectivity needs of agricultural operations, farmers, and ranchers; and the steps being taken to accurately measure the availability of high-speed broadband on agricultural land and the limitations of current measurement processes. In addition to Senator King, the bill is cosponsored by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Tina Smith, (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-join-group-of-senators-in-introducing-legislation-to-honor-wwii-cadet-nurses", "Senators Collins, King Join Group of Senators in Introducing Legislation to Honor WWII Cadet Nurses", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  U.S Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing the U.S Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act, bipartisan legislation to honor women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII with honorary veteran status. The bill, which comes on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, would recognize former Cadet Nurses' service to our country and provide them with honorable discharges, ribbon and medal privileges, and burial privileges. The bill will be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-MT).  \"Whether in a hospital or overseas on a military base, nurses work on the front lines of patient care in a wide variety of health care settings and serve as critically important advocates for patients and their families,\" said Senator Collins. \"The U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps played a vital role in WWII, addressing a critical shortage of nurses during the War and providing women with an expedited nursing education in exchange for their health care services. U.S. Cadet Nurses worked tirelessly to keep America's healthcare system strong, and many went on to work in military hospitals caring for our injured troops. I am proud to cosponsor this meaningful bill, and I encourage my colleagues to join us in honoring U.S. Cadet Nurses.\" \"On this day in 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor shocked the nation and brought the United States into World War II,\" said Senator King. \"Seventy-seven years later, it is still important to remember the contributions of all Americans who answered the call to serve - including the Cadet Nurses, who saved lives, healed the injured, and in so many ways, helped save our nation.\" Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) joined the bipartisan group in recognizing the service of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps.  In the midst of WWII, a severe shortage of trained nurses threatened the nation's ability to meet domestic and military medical needs. In response, Congress established the Cadet Nurse Corps, an integrated, uniformed service of the Public Health Administration, in 1943. The Cadet Nurse Corps provided young women with expedited nursing education in exchange for \"service in essential nursing for the duration of the war.\" In total, nearly 120,000 women completed the Corps' rigorous training. Cadet Nurses served in military hospitals, VA hospitals, private hospitals, public health agencies, and public hospitals. In 1944, the Federal Security Agency identified \"national recognition for rendering a vital war service\" as a privilege of service in the Corps.  The U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act would:  Provide Cadet Nurses with veteran's status, with an honorable discharge from service where merited;  Provide Cadet Nurses with burial benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs; and  Allow the Secretary of Defense to provide honorably discharged Cadet Nurses with a service medal. The bill has been endorsed by the American Nurses Association, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/12/04/18/senators-collins-and-king-announce-maine-nominees-to-the-united-states-military-service-academies", "Senators Collins And King Announce Maine Nominees To The United States Military Service Academies", "2018-12-04", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced their nominees to the United States Military Academies. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy, also a federal service academy, does not require a congressional nomination.\r\nWe are proud to have the honor to nominate such an impressive group of Maine students to our nation's distinguished service academies, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. The young people we have nominated have earned this honor through a commitment to strong scholarship, leadership, and character.\r\nThe following students from Maine have received nominations as candidates to the military academies from Senators Collins and King:                                                  \r\nUnited States Air Force Academy  Colorado Springs\r\nName Home Town High School\r\n\r\nBrett Brown Bangor Bangor High School\r\nLogan Christian Hampden Hampden Academy\r\nWilliam Curtis Brunswick Brunswick High School\r\nTrace Cyr Presque Isle Presque Isle High School\r\nTristan Denholm          Kittery Point Robert Williams Traip Academy\r\nAspen Dyer               North Berwick Noble High School\r\nCaroline Leal              York York High School\r\nAlexander Morrison       Baileyville Woodland Jr./Sr. High School\r\nJack O'Neil                Bethel Philips Academy Andover\r\nMaxime Reznik Bar Harbor Mount Desert Island High School\r\n\r\nUnited States Merchant Marine Academy- Kings Point\r\nName Home Town High School\r\n\r\nTrace Cyr Presque Isle Presque Isle High School\r\nLouis Daukas Cape Elizabeth Cape Elizabeth High School\r\nJack Hermansen Windham Windham High School\r\nGeorge Holt Cumberland Foreside Baxter Academy for Technology & Science\r\nJ. Huffard Cape Elizabeth Cape Elizabeth High School\r\nBenjamin Jacobs Carrabassett Valley Carrabassett Valley Academy\r\nJack O'Neil Bethel Philips Andover Academy\r\nMorgan Sharp Kennebunkport Kennebunk High School\r\nAidan Willitts Cape Elizabeth Cape Elizabeth High School\r\n\r\nUnites States Military Academy  West Point\r\nName Home Town High School\r\nBrett Brown Bangor Bangor High School\r\nLogan Christian Hampden Hampden Academy\r\nRyan Fitzmaurice Bath Maine School of Science and Mathematics\r\nLuke Hill Portland Deering High School\r\nSarah Hollis Orrington Bangor High School\r\nBenjamin Jacobs Carrabassett Valley Carrabassett Valley Academy\r\nCaroline Leal York York High School\r\nMichael Manetti Freeport Cheverus High School\r\nKara Murray Yarmouth Yarmouth High School\r\nJack O'Neil Bethel Philips Andover Academy\r\nEric Quirk Scarborough Scarborough High School\r\nCaleb Richardson Augusta Cony High School\r\nNicholas Welsh Lisbon Saint Dominic Academy\r\n\r\nUnited States Naval Academy- Annapolis\r\nName Home Town High School\r\nCannon Breen Holden           John Bapst Memorial High School\r\nWilliam Cleaves Windham Windham Christian Academy\r\nWilliam Curtis Brunswick          Brunswick High School\r\nLouis Daukas Cape Elizabeth     Cape Elizabeth High School\r\nDante Delorenzo Kennebunk        Kennebunk High School\r\nTristan Denholm Kittery Point       Robert Williams Traip Academy\r\nNoah Eckersley-Ray Yarmouth         Yarmouth High School\r\nAlexander Foster  Hancock           Mount Desert Island High School\r\nMichael Guertler Yarmouth         Yarmouth High School\r\nLuke Hill                 Portland           Deering High School\r\nCaroline Leal             York               York High School\r\nMichael Manetti Freeport           Cheverus High School\r\nJack O'Neil               Bethel             Philips Academy Andover\r\nMorgan Sharp Kennebunkport    Kennebunk High School\r\n\r\nDavid Wilson Hartland Home School", 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-46-million-investment-for-water-infrastructure-in-southwest-harbor-bridgton-and-rockland", "Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $46 Million Investment for Water Infrastructure in Southwest Harbor, Bridgton, and Rockland", "2018-12-04", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development office is investing a total of $46,121,000 to upgrade water infrastructure in Southwest Harbor, Bridgton, and Rockland. USDA is providing financing through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program, which can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage, and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. Maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure is vital to ensuring the economic and environmental health of these communities, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. Southwest Harbor, Bridgton, and Rockland are renowned for their pristine beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. These significant investments will help protect the environment in the regions while creating jobs and increasing efficiencies at their wastewater treatment plants. The funding was awarded as follows:  Southwest Harbor Water and Sewer District ($15,684,000) Southwest Harbor was awarded an $8,000,000 loan and a $7,684,000 grant to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility and pump stations. The project will remove processing equipment that has exceeded its useful life, replace and expand existing structures, and improve overall efficiencies of the treatment process. The improvements include building upgrades, pump station upgrades, new blowers, sludge pumps, a dumping station, sludge dewatering, and clarifiers. These upgrades include higher efficiency equipment, which will result in more affordable operations for the users of the system. The town's wastewater treatment facility provides essential wastewater services to its 539 residential and 128 commercial and governmental customers. Upon completion of the project, the district will be in compliance with its Maine Department of Environmental Protection discharge permit. Modernization of this circa 1973 wastewater treatment plant will minimize and/or eliminate the potential for discharge of untreated sewage into the Atlantic Ocean. Maintaining a healthy waterfront is essential to this region's economy. It will aid future economic growth and it is estimated that project funds will help to create or save approximately 378 jobs. Upgrades to the sewer system play an important role in preserving Southwest Harbor as a working waterfront that relies on tourism, eco-tourism, recreational and commercial boating, and commercial fishing in order to maintain a viable economy. This means that preserving the water quality of nearby Somes Sound, a coastal waterway in the Gulf of Maine, is of the utmost importance as the Atlantic Ocean is the lifeblood of this rural community.  Town of Bridgton ($20,437,000) Bridgton was awarded a $10,437,000 loan and a $10,000,000 grant to rehabilitate its wastewater treatment system. The proposed project is to construct a new wastewater treatment facility, upgrade some aging sewer collection infrastructure, and to expand the system which will enable additional users in the greater downtown area to have access to public wastewater services. The expansion portion of the project is expected to add 448 new users, increasing the total number of users on the system from 207 to 655. The proposed project will focus on the wastewater facility as it is in need of immediate upgrades. Some of the plant's original equipment and processes are upwards of 35 years old, and the overall facility is well beyond the 20 year useful life for which it was originally designed. The plant is now at an age where it has a greater chance of equipment failure and it has incurred increased maintenance needs. Several key unit processes at the plant are inefficient, inadequate, or obsolete. The rehabilitation improvements address the aging infrastructure and capacity issues in the project area, as well as restore the design capacity of the facility at a reasonable cost. The proposed upgrades, which are long overdue, will help the system operate more effectively and efficiently, as well as address the Maine Department of Environmental Protection health and sanitary concerns. The upgrades included in this project represent the highest priorities identified in the town's Strategic Plan and will have the greatest benefit to the distribution system. Additional funding includes $2,000,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $443,000 from the Town of Bridgton.  City of Rockland ($10,000,000) Rockland was awarded an $8,028,000 loan and a $1,972,000 grant to rehabilitate the city's wastewater treatment facility, upgrade some aging sewer collection infrastructure, and correct some Combined Sewer Overflow abatement issues. The proposed project will focus on the wastewater system as it is in need of immediate upgrades. Some of the plant's original equipment and processes are upwards of 40 years old, and the overall facility is well beyond the 20-year useful life for which it was originally designed. The plant is now at an age where it has a greater chance of equipment failure and it has incurred increased maintenance needs. Several key unit processes at the plant are inefficient, inadequate, or obsolete. The rehabilitation improvements address the aging infrastructure and capacity issues in the project area, as well as restore the design capacity of the facility at a reasonable cost. The proposed upgrades, which are long overdue, will help the system operate more effectively and efficiently, as well as address the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's health and sanitary concerns. The upgrades included in this project represent the highest priorities identified in the city's Strategic Plan and Combined Sewer Overflow Master Plan and will have the greatest benefit to the distribution system, which serves 2,943 users.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-2-million-for-head-start-in-hancock-and-washington-counties", "Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $2 Million for Head Start in Hancock and Washington Counties", "2018-12-03", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that Downeast Community Partners (DCP) received $1,996,333 for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Hancock and Washington counties. Head Start programs are instrumental in ensuring that young children cultivate new skills and receive educational opportunities, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This funding will help build an educational foundation for children in Hancock and Washington counties and provide parents with access to the services they need during their children's early years. In October 2017, Washington Hancock Community Agency (WHCA) and Child and Family Opportunities (CFO) merged to form Downeast Community Partners (DCP). The two entities formerly operated as two separate local non-profits dedicated to serving the residents of Washington and Hancock counties. Child and Family Opportunities, Inc. (CFO), formed in 1970, and the Washington Hancock Community Agency (WHCA), formed in 1966, have each served the Down East region of Maine, focusing on helping low-income and at-risk residents thrive. DCP now continues this work. Head 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. This funding, which was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), funds local agencies that provide Head Start services across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-president-george-hw-bush", "King Statement on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush", "2018-12-01", "2018", "2018-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA  U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement on the passing of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush: Former President George H.W. Bush was a statesman and a leader, a man of dedication and dignity who served his nation in the military, in Congress, and in the White House. Throughout his lifetime of service, President Bush left his mark on our entire nation  but his loss will be felt even more acutely in Maine, the home of his beloved Walker's Point. For all his achievements, President Bush remained humble, kind, and warm. Like so many Maine people, I've been fortunate enough to spend time with President Bush during some of his trips to Kennebunkport  and like all who have had that opportunity, I will forever cherish the time we were able to share. His passing leaves a great hole in our nation and in our state; he will be deeply missed. During this sad time, Mary and I are keeping his family  especially his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren  in our thoughts. Senator King is at the Ronald Reagan National Library today in Simi Valley, California, to participate in the Reagan National Defense Forum.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-issue-bipartisan-call-to-protect-worship-centers", "King, Colleagues Issue Bipartisan Call to Protect Worship Centers", "2018-11-30", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined his colleagues in a bipartisan letter to push for strong community safety funding in any FY19 appropriations package. Specifically, the Senators have called for adequate allocations to the DHS Nonprofit Security Grant program which helps nonprofit organizations like religious institutions, schools, and community centers make security improvements. The Senators penned the letter as the United States continues to grieve the deadliest attack on the American Jewish community in our nation's history. We regret that nonprofit organizations  especially religious institutions, schools, and community centers  have become targets for violent attacks and believe we have a responsibility to address the motivating factors behind these threats, wrote the Senators. But as long as the threat remains, we must take steps to ensure these facilities have the necessary resources to improve their security if they wish to do so. While we recognize much more remains to be done beyond investing in security, we urge your strong support for robust funding of the Nonprofit Security Grant program in the FY19 appropriations cycle and stand ready to work with you on this issue. U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Gary C. Peters (D-Mich,), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined Senator King in this effort.                                         A full copy of the letter can be found here and more on the DHS Nonprofit Security Grant program is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-over-11-million-for-community-health-centers-in-washington-kennebec-penobscot-and-cumberland-counties", "Collins, King Announce Over $11 Million for Community Health Centers in Washington, Kennebec, Penobscot and Cumberland Counties", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C  U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a total of $11,668,486 for four community health centers throughout Maine. The funding will be awarded to Regional Medical Center in Lubec, Healthreach Community Health Centers in Waterville, Health Access Network Inc. in Lincoln, and Portland Community Health Center to improve health services and support health care professionals. Community health centers provide essential services and make a tremendous difference in the lives of Maine people, Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. This important investment will support these health professionals as they continue to help ensure access to top-quality care for our families, friends, and neighbors.   The funding is allocated as follows:  Regional Medical Center in Lubec received $1,276,277.  Healthreach Community Health Centers in Waterville received $3,987,494.  Health Access Network, Inc. in Lincoln received $2,861,773.  Portland Community Health Center received $3,542,942. This grant funding is awarded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within HHS that is tasked with improving access to health care by building healthy communities, strengthening the health care workforce, and achieving health equity. HRSA's programs target the economic and medically vulnerable as well as the geographically isolated. The grants are awarded under HRSA's Health Center Cluster program. Community health centers (CHCs) provide care to more than 200,000 people in Maine and are a critical part of the nation's primary care network. Across the nation, CHCs serve approximately 26 million patients at over 10,000 sites in both rural and urban communities in every state in the nation. In 2017, community health centers were the medical home for one in twelve Americans, one in ten children, one in six Americans living in rural areas, and more than 330,000 of our nation's veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-senate-hearing-king-urges-nominee-to-emphasize-preventive-treatment-in-effort-to-reduce-healthcare-costs", "In Senate Hearing, King Urges Nominee to Emphasize Preventive Treatment in Effort to Reduce Healthcare Costs", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) highlighted the importance of pursuing preventive healthcare measures to reduce overall healthcare costs. During his questioning of Mr. Thomas McCaffery, the nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Senator King emphasized the rising costs of healthcare nationwide, and the unique ability of the Department of Defense (DoD) to drive changes in the marketplace as a major purchaser of healthcare services. Later in the hearing, Senator King questioned Mr. William Bookless, the nominee to serve as Principle Deputy Administrator of National Nuclear Security Administration about nuclear proliferation. \r\nYou have about 10 million people in your system as I recall, about 9.4, something like that, that gives you a tremendous opportunity to talk about the cost of health care, which is a problem that's nationwide, the cost of health care is going to break us no matter who is paying, said Senator King to Mr. McCaffery. So it seems to me you have a particular opportunity with a closed population to deal with issues like prevention, and method of payment, and accountable care, and all of those kinds of things, that could seriously diminish the cost curve on health care.You are a major buyer of healthcare services and therefore you should be able to drive reforms, in everything from drugs to medical devices to care, and I just, I see this as a terrific opportunity for the, for the country, and I hope you'll pursue it aggressively.\r\nSenator King has been an advocate for the healthcare of America's servicemembers and veterans issues in Washington. Earlier this week, Senator King introduced the Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act, a bipartisan bill that would help improve veterans' health care. The bill seeks to increase collaboration among federal agencies and authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop new technologies that improve our understanding of the health challenges facing veterans. A version of the legislation passed the House of Representatives unanimously in September. In October,he joined Maine veterans at the 21st Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Togus VA Medical Centerto highlight services and resources for veterans who are homeless or in transitional housing. In September, hejoined a panel featuring veterans' healthcare experts and caregiversat the Portland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), to discuss common suicide risk factors and warning signs for suicide and provide information about VA mental health and suicide prevention resources.\r\nSenator King has also fought to emphasize preventive healthcare during his time in the Senate. In December 2017, he urged Senate leaders to continue funding the Prevention and Public Health Fund at current levels, citing the cost-effective nature of preventive healthcare spending. In November 2017, Senator King led a bipartisan group of Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) and Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) to reintroduce the Preventive Health Savings Act, legislation that would direct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to more accurately reflect the cost-savings of preventive healthcare, including health screenings.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cosponsors-bipartisan-criminal-justice-reform-bill-backed-by-white-house", "King Cosponsors Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Bill Backed by White House", "2018-11-28", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that he has cosponsored the bipartisan First Step Act, which would improve fairness in sentencing of federal crimes, promote public safety and reduce recidivism. The bill was introduced by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and combines prison reform proposals that overwhelmingly passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year with sentencing reform provisions from the broadly bipartisanSentencing Reform and Corrections Act, which Senator King cosponsored in July and was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year. The legislation has been endorsed by the President, has strong bipartisan support in Congress, and is supported by a wide range of law enforcement organizations and criminal justice reform advocates. The First Step Act can help make our communities safer, help inmates become productive community members upon release from prison, and save taxpayer money  no wonder it has broad, bipartisan support from Congress, the White House, and from law enforcement and criminal justice reform advocates across the country, said Senator King. This bill is an important chance to work across the aisle and create a better criminal justice system for all Americans  let's take this opportunity, and pass it swiftly.\" The comprehensive package aims to reduce crime by helping low-risk inmates prepare to successfully rejoin society through participation in proven recidivism reduction and professional development programs.It also improves fairness in prison sentences by recalibrating certain mandatory minimum sentences, granting greater discretion for judges in sentencing of low-level, nonviolent drug crimes and clarifying congressional intent on sentencing enhancements for certain crimes involving firearms. It also preserves the maximum potential sentences for violent and career criminals. The legislation also allows petitions for retroactive application of theFair Sentencing Actto be considered on an individual basis to reduce historical sentencing disparities. Under this legislation, any savings generated by the reforms would automatically be reinvested into law enforcement programs to further reduce crime and improve community safety. The legislation currently has 24 bipartisan cosponsors  12 Republicans, 11 Democrats, and Senator King  and is supported by a wide range of stakeholders from key law enforcement organizations to reform advocates, including the Fraternal Order of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Cut50, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration, National District Attorneys Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.                                                                                    Earlier this year, Senator King cosponsored the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, parts of which are included in this version of the First Step Act. In 2017, he cosponsored theSmarter Sentencing Reform Act, a bill to provide alternatives to mandatory minimums for non-violent drug offenses. Senator King has previously cosponsored theSecond Chance Act Reauthorization, which funds programs to assist with successful prisoner reentry into society.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-votes-to-advance-legislative-effort-to-end-us-support-for-saudi-engagement-in-yemen", "King Votes to Advance Legislative Effort to End U.S. Support for Saudi Engagement in Yemen", "2018-11-28", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, voted to advance Senate Joint Resolution 54, directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from the ongoing civil war in Yemen pursuant to the 1973 War Powers Resolution. This resolution would not impact important U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in Yemen.The resolution was advanced by a vote of 63 to 37. The civil war, which is between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in Yemen, has led to mass civilian casualties, and reports indicate that as many as 85,000 children may have died of starvation in Yemen since the war began. The civil war in Yemen has created one of the most serious humanitarian disasters in recenthistory, said Senator King. Too many civilians  especially children  have already died as a result of the war between the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and Iranian-backed Houthis. The United States should not be complicit in this tragedy  that's why I voted in March to end our limited support for the Saudi-led coalition, and why I voted the same way today. I reiterate the call for all parties to seek a diplomatic solution to resolve this political and humanitarian crisis.                                  Senator King had previously voted to advance SJ Res 54 in March, but the resolution was tabled by a vote of 55-44. The resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from the conflict in Yemen does not apply to ongoing American counter-terrorism efforts in Yemen, and would allow U.S. forces conducting counter-terrorism operations against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to continue their work. The Senate will now begin debating the resolution and possible amendments.A vote on final passage of the resolution may occur as late as next week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-leads-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-improve-veterans-health-care", "King Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Help Improve Veterans\u2019 Health Care", "2018-11-27", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) introduced the Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act, a bipartisan bill that would help improve veterans' health care. The bill seeks to increase collaboration among federal agencies and authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop new technologies that improve our understanding of the health challenges facing veterans. A version of the legislation passed the House of Representatives unanimously in September. In addition to Senator King, the bill is also supported by Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). America's veterans have made immense sacrifices for our nation. Through their service they have earned not only our eternal gratitude, but also the best support that we can possibly provide, said Senator King. In order to live up to our duty, we must strive to improve the care they receive, taking steps like utilizing cutting-edge technology and increasing communication between government agencies. By improving our overall knowledge of the healthcare challenges facing our veterans, we can improve the quality of care they receive. The Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act will build on current interagency collaborative effortslike the Million Veterans Program Computational Health Analytics of Medical Precision to Improve Outcomes initiativeby authorizing a program within the DOE to develop technologies to help solve complex data challenges by analyzing data sets from federal agencies, higher education institutions, non-profits and the private industry. In addition, this bill authorizes a DOE research program to spur development to accommodate for large data sets. Senator King has been an advocate for veterans issues during his time in Washington. Earlier this month, he honored Maine's veterans ina speech at Messalonskee Middle School's annual Veterans Tribute Assembly, where he highlighted students' work on their projects, honored veterans in the room, and underscored the importance of living up to the sacred responsibility of caring for those who have served. In October, heattendedthe 6th Annual Women Veterans' Luncheon in Rumford where he recognized and commended the attendees, who represented all branches of military service. Earlier that month,he joined Maine veterans at the 21st Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Togus VA Medical Centerto highlight services and resources for veterans who are homeless or in transitional housing. In September, hejoined a panel featuring veterans' healthcare experts and caregiversat the Portland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), to discuss common suicide risk factors and warning signs for suicide and provide information about VA mental health and suicide prevention resources. Also in September,he applauded the House and Senate's passage of the MilCon-VA Conference Report, whichaims to consolidate and improve VA community care programs and reform the VA's existing facilities to best serve veterans.In June,his bill to strengthen accountability of senior executives at the VA wassigned into law. In April, Senator Kingvisited the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, which brings injured veterans and their families to Maine in order to help the veterans overcome physical obstacles with the support of family members. Senator King also highlighted the important place of veterans in Maine by dedicating hisNovember2017andDecember2017podcasts to the subject, with Travis Mills as one of the guests on the latter show. In December 2017, theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund three new positionsinMaineto better serve justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health or substance abuse issues  a move which followed aFebruary 2017 letter from Senator King to the VAurging additional resources on the topic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-senate-hearing-king-presses-energy-nominee-to-recuse-himself-from-evaluating-costly-energy-policy-he-helped-design", "In Senate Hearing, King Presses Energy Nominee to Recuse Himself from Evaluating Costly Energy Policy He Helped Design", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  In a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) cited the United States Code in asking Bernard McNamee, a nominee to serve as a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), to recuse himself from any proceedings related to a proposed rule that Mr. McNamee worked on while serving at the Department of Energy. The proposed rule, which called for additional compensation for electric generators that hold 90 days of fuel supply on site, effectively encourages use of coal and nuclear power. The proposal was unanimously rejected by FERC in January 2018, but similar proposals may be forthcoming from the Administration.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe United States Code says, any judge, justice, or magistrate judge of the United States shall disqualify himself in any proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned.' It goes on to say, where he has served in government employment, and in such capacity participated as counsel, adviser, or material witness, considering the proceeding, or express an opinion concerning the merits of a particular case in controversy, he should disqualify himself,' said Senator King. I don't understand any argument where you would have to consult any counsel, anywhere on Earth to understand, that you have a conflict of interest when it comes to this issue of the price of the so-called grid resiliency pricing rule or any version thereof. Will you recuse yourself if that issue comes before the commission and you are a member?\r\nAfter McNamee refused to commit to recusing himself, Senator King added, I'm surprised and disappointed that you feel you have to consult with counsel on something that's so clear.\r\nToday's hearing also included the nominations of Dr. Rita Baranwal to be Assistant Secretary of Energy and Mr. Raymond David Vela to be Director of the National Park Service. Later in his questioning, Senator King, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Parks, asked Mr. Vela if he supported the Restore Our Parks Act, a bipartisan bill led by Senators King, Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). Mr. Vela reiterated his support of the proposal, which was successfully voted out of the Committee and is cosponsored by 30 Senators.\r\nSenator King has been a longtime supporter of the National Parks System, and in September he joined Acting Director of the National Park Service, Dan Smith, on a tour of Acadia National Park to assess the park's critical maintenance needs. He has also pushed for modernizations to make the parks more accessible to future generations, including the implementation of a pilot program to make entrance passes for parks available online, that waslauded in a Subcommittee hearing last year. The program has been particularly successful in Acadia National Park (ANP); Acadia accounts for 72% of total sales in the pilot program, and online purchases accounted for 10% of the park's total entrance fee receipts in 2016.\r\nSee Senator King's questioning HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-join-new-england-delegation-in-introducing-resolution-honoring-boston-red-sox-world-series-victory", "Collins, King Join New England Delegation in Introducing Resolution Honoring Boston Red Sox World Series Victory", "2018-11-14", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined members of the New England Senate delegation today in introducing a resolution to congratulate the Boston Red Sox on their 2018 World Series victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  In clinching the 2018 World Series, the Boston Red Sox stand as a testament to the New England values of hard work and perseverance, said Senator Collins. This resolution not only recognizes the commitment, skill, and leadership exhibited by the team, but it also expresses the gratitude from all of us who make up Red Sox Nation. Congratulations to the Red Sox on an extraordinary season! Since Spring Training, the Red Sox showed time and again that they were a special team, said Senator King. From the leadership of Alex Cora, to the positivity of Mookie Betts, to the exceptional performance of Steve Pearce in the World Series, the Sox had it all. It was great to watch their energy and charisma capture the hearts and minds of fans in Maine and across New England. Congratulations to the 2018 World Champions! In addition to Senators Collins and King, the resolution was introduced by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Jack Reed (D-RI).The full text of the resolution is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-in-response-to-chinas-human-rights-abuses-against-uyghurs", "King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation in Response to China\u2019s Human Rights Abuses Against Uyghurs", "2018-11-14", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues to introduce the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act in response to the gross violations of human rights in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, including the mass internment of over one million Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities, as well as China's intimidation and threats against U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (LPRs) on American soil.In addition to Senator King, the bill is sponsored by Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Human rights are not limited to certain people, or only applicable in select countries  they are universal, said Senator King. The United States must stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. That includes the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, who have been the victims of serious human rights violations at the hands of the Chinese government. These inhumane policies are unacceptable, and the United States must take steps to push China to end them.  A copy of the legislation can be found here. Key elements of the legislation include:A report by the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the State Department, regarding the regional security threat posed by the crackdown and the frequency with which Central Asian countries are forcibly returning Turkic Muslim refugees and asylum seekers. The report will also include a list of Chinese companies involved in the construction and operation of the camps.An FBI report on efforts to provide information to and protect U.S. citizens and LPRs (including Uyghurs) from Chinese government harassment and intimidation.A report by the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media regarding efforts to intimidate Radio Free Asia (RFA) employees, the status and reach of U.S. broadcasting to Xinjiang, and analysis of disinformation propaganda by the PRC targeting Uyghur communities globally. A State Department report regarding the scale and scope of the crackdown.The legislation urges high-level U.S. engagement on this issue, the establishment of a new double-hatted position at the State Department (a Special Coordinator for Xinjiang) while the crisis persists, the application of Global Magnitsky and related sanctions, the full implementation of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, a review of Commerce Department export controls and end user restrictions and the establishment of a voluntary database whereby U.S. citizens and LPRs can provide information regarding missing/detained family members with a view toward pressing for accountability.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-urge-army-secretary-to-create-uss-thresher-memorial-in-arlington-national-cemetery", "Collins, King Urge Army Secretary to Create USS Thresher Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery", "2018-11-13", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in a letter urging Secretary of the Army Mark Esper to consider the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Project to establish a monument honoring the 129 men who perished aboard the USS Thresher, a submarine that sank off the coast of New England on April 10, 1963. April 10, 2018 marked the 55th anniversary of the tragedy. As you know, on April 9, 1963, the USS Thresher, built and maintained at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, departed with a crew of 16 officers, 96 sailors, and 17 civilians. Early in the morning on April 10th, approximately 300 miles off the coast of New England, the Thresher experienced an incident during a post-maintenance sea trial dive from which she could not recover. Tragically, the boat was lost along with all 129 men on board, wrote the Senators.  In response to the Thresher tragedy, the U.S. Navy instituted a new program to ensure the health and safety of U.S. submarines, establishing the Submarine Safety and Quality Assurance Program (SUBSAFE). SUBSAFE is one of the world's most comprehensive military safety programs and has helped provide maximum protection for Navy crews. No SUBSAFE-certified submarine has ever been lost.  The Senators concluded, As we pass the 55th anniversary since we lost the Thresher, we believe a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery would be a fitting tribute to its legacy. As you know, a number of special monuments and memorials have been dedicated at Arlington, including tributes to the USS Serpens, the USS Maine, the Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger as well as those lost during the Iran rescue mission in 1980. We believe a memorial to the USS Thresher would reflect the Arlington National Cemetery's long legacy as a national shrine and a living history of freedomwhere dignity and honor rest in solemn repose.' This memorial would serve not only to honor the sacrifice of those that lost their lives but as a reminder of the dangers that all submariners face when they volunteer for duty. The Thresher tragedy had a deep impact on the New England community. Approximately two dozen families of the men lost aboard the submarine still reside in New Hampshire, and a number of other families reside in Maine. Senator Shaheen and members of the New England delegation have long worked to honor the memory of the men who perished aboard the Thresher. In 2013, Shaheen, Collins, King and former Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) introduced a resolution to honor the Thresher on the 50th anniversary of its sinking, which passed the Senate unanimously.  The letter can be read in full here.", 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-13-million-for-head-start-in-york-county-", "Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $1.3 Million for Head Start in York County", "2018-11-13", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that York County Community Action Corporation received $1,342,612 for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Head Start provides children with a strong educational foundation that allows them to grow and succeed. It also gives parents the developmental resources they need to support their children and to help them build confidence, Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. We welcome this important investment in the children and families of York County. York County Community Action Corporation seeks to alleviate and solve poverty for the people of York County by assisting families and seniors within the community. The organization helps to administer economic stability services such as Head Start, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Women with Infants and Children (WIC).  This funding, which was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), funds local agencies that provide Head Start services across the country. With this investment, the Head Start programs at York County Community Action Corporation will continue to work with community members to provide early educational and developmental resources for parents and their children. These programs offer support for children in low-income families from infancy to pre-school age. They prepare children for school, host classes with educational activities, provide health screenings, and connect families with disability and other health care services.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-honoring-veterans-day", "King Statement Honoring Veterans Day", "2018-11-11", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement from Senator King in honor of Veterans Day: On this Veterans Day, it is my privilege to recognize and thank all of the men and women who have served in our armed forces for their commitment to our country, said Senator King. Their tireless efforts and unfailing devotion to duty have kept us safe in times of peril. Today, we pause to reflect on their service and the debt of honor that we owe them and their families. One hundred years ago, members of the Allied Forces and Central Powers laid down their arms, an event recognized as the end of the First World War. Originally known as Armistice Day, November 11 became the date each year that we as a country remembered and honored the more than 116,000 Americans who lost their lives during The Great War. After World War II, this annual remembrance was expanded to honor all those who served, and became known as Veterans Day. Today, we continue to use this occasion to pay tribute to all of our Nation's veterans who have proudly served. Our veterans and their families  those who returned home, those who are still missing, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice  represent the very best of what this country has to offer and I am deeply thankful for their noble service. The people of Maine have long embraced the call to serve, and our state has a storied history of sending our sons and daughters to bravely defend the safety, security, and values of the United States of America. This spirit of service not only lives in the willingness to don the uniform, but also in the commitment of the people of Maine to care for those who have returned. I am humbled to join people throughout Maine and across the country to honor the selfless service of our Veterans and to recognize the eternal debt that we owe to them and their families. There is still much work to do to honor their sacrifices, but today we rededicate ourselves to supporting those who have served in uniform on our behalf, including those veterans who are struggling with homelessness, unemployment, poverty, and lack of access to healthcare, and those families who are left with the burden of not knowing the fate of their loved ones who remain unaccounted for overseas. We must continue to serve our veterans with the same dedication that they served us. Senator King has been a strong advocate for veterans issues during his time in Washington. Last week, he honored Maine's veterans in a speech at Messalonskee Middle School's annual Veterans Tribute Assembly, where he highlighted students' work on their projects, honored veterans in the room, and underscored the importance of living up to the sacred responsibility of caring for those who have served. In October, he attended the 6th Annual Women Veterans' Luncheon in Rumford where he recognized and commended the attendees, who represented all branches of military service. Earlier that month,he joined Maine veterans at the 21st Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Togus VA Medical Centerto highlight services and resources for veterans who are homeless or in transitional housing. In September, hejoined a panel featuring veterans' healthcare experts and caregiversat the Portland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), to discuss common suicide risk factors and warning signs for suicide and provide information about VA mental health and suicide prevention resources. Also in September,he applauded the House and Senate's passage of the MilCon-VA Conference Report, whichaims to consolidate and improve VA community care programs and reform the VA's existing facilities to best serve veterans.In June,his bill to strengthen accountability of senior executives at the VA wassigned into law. In April, Senator Kingvisited the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, which brings injured veterans and their families to Maine in order to help the veterans overcome physical obstacles with the support of family members. Senator King also highlighted the important place of veterans in Maine by dedicating hisNovember2017andDecember2017podcasts to the subject, with Travis Mills as one of the guests on the latter show. In December 2017, theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund three new positionsinMaineto better serve justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health or substance abuse issues  a move which followed aFebruary 2017 letter from Senator King to the VAurging additional resources on the topic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/newsroom/press-releases/king-addresses-students-honors-veterans-at-messalonskee-middle-schools-veterans-tribute-assembly", "King Addresses Students, Honors Veterans at Messalonskee Middle School\u2019s Veterans Tribute Assembly", "2018-11-08", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "OAKLAND, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) honored Maine's veterans in a speech at Messalonskee Middle School's annual Veterans Tribute Assembly. In preparation for the assembly, students completed projects focused on learning about military service and the sacrifices of America's veterans. During his remarks, Senator King highlighted students' work on their projects, honored the veterans in attendance, and underscored the importance of living up to the sacred responsibility of caring for those who have served. An event like today's truly epitomizes what makes Maine so special. These students at Messalonskee Middle School are not only learning about the sacrifices of our veterans, but also understanding  at their young age  the responsibility that we have as community members to ensure that these veterans are cared for, said Senator King. Maine has a long tradition of brave service, with one of the highest numbers of veterans per capita in the United States, and it's important for students to have a strong, first-hand understanding of the opportunities and challenges that veterans face in their own communities. Year after year, the students and faculty at Messalonskee Middle School honor the service of our veterans  and in doing so, remind us all about the gratitude we owe to the men and women who have served. Senator King has been a strong advocate for veterans issues during his time in Washington. Last month, he attended the 6th Annual Women Veterans' Luncheon in Rumford where he recognized and commended the attendees, who represented all branches of military service. In October,he joined Maine veterans at the 21st Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Togus VA Medical Centerto highlight services and resources for veterans who are homeless or in transitional housing. In September, hejoined a panel featuring veterans' healthcare experts and caregiversat the Portland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), to discuss common suicide risk factors and warning signs for suicide and provide information about VA mental health and suicide prevention resources. Also in September,he applauded the House and Senate's passage of the MilCon-VA Conference Report, whichaims to consolidate and improve VA community care programs and reform the VA's existing facilities to best serve veterans.In June,his bill to strengthen accountability of senior executives at the VA wassigned into law.  In April, Senator Kingvisited the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, which brings injured veterans and their families to Maine in order to help the veterans overcome physical obstacles with the support of family members. Senator King also highlighted the important place of veterans in Maine by dedicating hisNovember2017andDecember2017podcasts to the subject, with Travis Mills as one of the guests on the latter show. In December 2017, theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund three new positionsinMaineto better serve justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health or substance abuse issues  a move which followed aFebruary 2017 letter from Senator King to the VAurging additional resources on the topic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-566690-to-strengthen-rural-maines-response-to-opioid-abuse", "Senators Collins, King Announce $566,690 to Strengthen Rural Maine\u2019s Response to Opioid Abuse", "2018-11-02", "2018", "2018-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $566,690 to two rural health care organizations in Maine as part of USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. The funding will help the organizations purchase network, video-conferencing, and other telecommunications equipment for rural health care facilities that specialize in addressing opioid abuse, treatment, and recovery. Opioid abuse is one of the most serious health epidemics facing Maine, and this crisis is particularly harmful to rural areas, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. These new technology and telemedicine upgrades will help rural Maine's health care providers access the education, training, and resources necessary to help Maine people struggling with substance use disorders enter recovery. The funding was allocated as follows:  Maine Quality Counts received $479,679 to fund video-conferencing equipment that will connect partners in the opioid abuse recovery community in Kennebec, Washington, Waldo, Hancock, and Piscataquis CountiesMaine Rural Health Collaborative received $87,011 to fund telehealth network and video-conferencing equipment that will connect nine health care facilities in Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, and Washington Counties with partners in Maine and New Hampshire, increasing access to resources and training addressing opioid misuse. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. For example, this program can link medical service providers in one area to patients in another.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-poliquin-celebrate-new-defense-contract-at-new-balance-supporting-900-maine-jobs", "Collins, King, Poliquin Celebrate New Defense Contract at New Balance Supporting 900 Maine Jobs", "2018-10-30", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Norridgewock, ME  Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Bruce Poliquin visited the New Balance plant in Norridgewock in celebration of New Balance's new contract with the U.S. military to produce athletic footwear for our military recruits domestically. The Senators and Representative toured the production line and delivered remarks congratulating New Balance employees and leadership. Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin played a pivotal role in making the contract possible by securing language in the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requiring the Pentagon to consider athletic footwear subject to the Berry Amendment, which states that the U.S. military must purchase 100% American-made gear when possible. The men and women of America's armed forces exemplify the best of our nation's values, and the men and women of New Balance exemplify the best of our nation's manufacturing heritage, said Senator Collins. I am so proud of the hardworking New Balance employees in Skowhegan, Norway, and Norridgewock who have kept the Made in America' label alive and well in the footwear industry and have proven that there is no challenge that American workers cannot meet. This is a win-win that is long overdue, and frankly, it just makes sense, said Senator King. Hundreds of Maine people work hard to make New Balance athletic footwear right here in Norridgewock. And now that the Berry Amendment applies to athletic footwear, Maine-made footwear will, quite literally, continue to support our military, and American military recruits. Today, as we celebrate this legislative achievement, we should really thank the men and women who make these high-quality footwear. They are the heart and soul of New Balance and they're what make Maine such a special place to live. This is a great day for Maine jobs, said Congressman Poliquin. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of these 900 Mainers in Norridgewock, Skowhegan, and Norway, our troops are now provided with 100% American-made athletic shoes. After fighting tooth and nail, and standing up to leadership in my own party and the Pentagon for these Maine jobs, we have great news to deliver to the people of Maine today. Today we are proud to celebrate New Balance's long-standing commitment to domestic manufacturing through our first delivery of Berry Amendment Compliant, 100% American Made 950v2 athletic shoes to the U.S. Department of Defense, said Dave Wheeler, Executive Vice President of Global Value Chain, New Balance. The 950v2 is made in Norridgewock, Maine, using midsoles produced in our Boston manufacturing facility and materials from more than 15 U.S. suppliers. We thank Senator Susan Collins, Senator Angus King and Congressman Bruce Poliquin who all worked tirelessly on Capitol Hill to enact legislation that supports the preservation and growth of U.S. footwear manufacturing jobs and ensured that our talented associates in Maine would have the opportunity to build quality athletic shoes for our country's military. The provision included in the final FY 2017 NDAA was based on legislation introduced by the Senators and Representative in 2016Senators Collins and King's Buy American Act and Representative Poliquin's Stepping up for American Workers and Troops Act. 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's markup of the bill. Representative Poliquin also fought for its inclusion in the House version of the NDAA and successfully petitioned fellow members in the House, Democrats and Republicans, to vote down an amendment that would have stripped it out. The contract calls for the production of the 950v2 athletic shoe100% American-madefor recruits entering basic training. The shoes will be assembled in Norridgewock. The delivery of the first shipment is due to the Department of Defense this month.   New Balance employs about 900 Mainers in its three locations in the state, including more than 350 at its Norridgewock plant.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-advocacy-from-maine-congressional-delegation-sanford-rug-manufacturer-is-victorious-in-trade-zone-application", "Following Advocacy from Maine Congressional Delegation, Sanford Rug Manufacturer is Victorious in Trade Zone Application", "2018-10-30", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Maine's Congressional Delegation announced today that Sanford-based Flemish Master Weavers prevailed in its application for an exemption from a tariff on yarn it uses to manufacture area rugs in Maine. The ruling by the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board helps to level the playing field for Flemish Master Weavers to compete against foreign competitors and places the company in a strong position for continued growth. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin strongly advocated for Flemish Master Weavers. In November 2016, they sent a letter to the FTZ Board calling for the approval of the company's application.  As one of Southern Maine's largest manufacturing employers, Flemish Master Weavers has a vital role in our state's economy and provides good jobs for Maine families, said Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Poliquin. We are pleased that, following our advocacy, Flemish Master Weavers will now be exempt from this harmful tariff. The approval of Flemish Master Weavers' application not only increases the company's competitiveness, but puts it on track to expand operations. Johan Moulin, the President of Flemish Master Weavers of Sanford, Maine, said, This Board approval of our application to keep rug production in Maine resulted from more than three years of intense work by our Senators and Representatives, the Governor, the City of Waterville, the Central Maine Growth Council, our attorney and consulting firm and many others. Senator Collins and Senator King were incredibly strong advocates for us at the Commerce Department in Washington. Governor LePage and Representatives Pingree and Poliquin helped us in working with the many government agencies and business groups that were instrumental in our ability to remedy, at least in large part, a major impediment to our continued growth. In this time of political division, all of them strove together to achieve a positive result for the people of Maine as well as for Flemish Master Weavers. Flemish Master Weavers manufactures machine-made woven area rugs and, as the smallest of only four such producers remaining in the United States, faces competition from foreign manufacturers who increasingly dominate the area rug market here at home. Flemish Master Weavers imports yarn that carries an 8.8 percent U.S. tariff. Despite being designed to protect U.S. businesses, that tariff put Flemish Master Weavers 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. Flemish Master Weavers has eleven high-speed looms and fully-automated packing and finishing operations. The company has indicated that it could potentially increase employment as part of a 72,000 square foot building expansion. The foreign-trade zones 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 FTZ Board licenses designated sites as foreign-trade zones.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-honors-veterans-at-6th-annual-women-veterans-luncheon-in-rumford", "King Honors Veterans at 6th Annual Women Veterans\u2019 Luncheon in Rumford", "2018-10-27", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BRUNSWICK, ME  Today, U.S Senator Angus King (I-Maine) attended the 6th Annual Women Veterans' Luncheon in Rumford. At the celebration, Senator King recognized and commended the attendees, who represented all branches of military service.  In Maine, we're lucky that so many incredible veterans call our state home,said Senator King.What a privilege it is to celebrate and honor the sacrifice of Maine's women veterans. Your service kept our country safe and strong when we needed you and your contributions to our communities have made Maine a special place. We owe you more than the thanks we can offer you today, but it is my hope you know how grateful we are for your service.  Senator King has been a strong advocate for veterans issues since arriving in Washington. Earlier this month, he joined Maine veterans at the 21st Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Togus VA Medical Center to highlight services and resources for veterans who are homeless or in transitional housing. Last month, hejoined a panel featuring veterans' healthcare experts and caregiversat the Portland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), to discuss common suicide risk factors and warning signs for suicide and provide information about VA mental health and suicide prevention resources. Also in September,he applauded the House and Senate's passage of the MilCon-VA Conference Report, whichaims to consolidate and improve VA community care programs and reform the VA's existing facilities to best serve veterans.In June,his bill to strengthen accountability of senior executives at the VA wassigned into law. In May, he helda listening session with Maine veteranson the qualities and values they are looking for in a new VA Secretary, and in April, Senator Kingvisited the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, which brings injured veterans and their families to Maine in order to help the veterans overcome physical obstacles with the support of family members. Senator King also highlighted the important place of veterans in Maine by dedicating hisNovember 2017andDecember2017podcasts to the subject, with Travis Mills as one of the guests on the latter show. In December 2017, theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund three new positionsinMaineto better serve justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health or substance abuse issues  a move which followed aFebruary 2017 letter from Senator King to the VAurging additional resources on the topic. Senator King was a cosponsor of theDepartment of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which passed the Senate in June 2017 and has since beensigned into law.After the celebration, Senator King spoke at the 35th Anniversary Open House at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program in Brunswick. During his time in Washington, Senator King has fought to reduce food insecurity for Maine's most vulnerable; he's visited several food banks and nutrition centers throughout Maine, most recently the Good Shepherd Food Bank in September, to discuss the challenges facing Maine people who are struggling with the lack consistent access to heathy food due to lack of financial resources, often referred to as food insecurity.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-underscores-importance-of-maines-forest-economy-in-bangor-visits-pleasant-river-lumber-in-dover-foxcroft", "King Underscores Importance of Maine\u2019s Forest Economy in Bangor, Visits Pleasant River Lumber in Dover-Foxcroft", "2018-10-26", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DOVER-FOXCROFT,\r\nME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) addressed attendees at the\r\nForest Community Readiness Forum in Bangor, where he emphasized the\r\nimportance of the forest economy in Maine's rural communities and highlighted\r\nhis continued efforts to support Maine's rural economy. The event was hosted by\r\nthe Forest Opportunity Roadmap (FOR/Maine) and Maine & Company, and focused\r\non economic investment strategies that support rural community redevelopment\r\nefforts and included leaders from various mill communities throughout Maine,\r\nlocal, state, and federal officials, and representatives of philanthropic\r\norganizations. Following his remarks at the forum, Senator King visited\r\nPleasant River Lumber, a sawmill in Dover-Foxcroft, to hear about their ongoing\r\ninvestments, tour their new construction and meet with the management team to\r\ndiscuss job creation and economic development in rural Maine. Maine\r\nforests have powered our state's economy for generations,said Senator\r\nKing.In rural communities across our state, the forest industry has\r\nbeen  and continues to be  an important economic engine. And this industry\r\nhas a bright future here thanks in large part to forward-thinking\r\ncollaborations like the FOR/Maine Initiative and the continued investments and dedication\r\nof management and employees alike at places like Pleasant River Lumber. Maine\r\nis a special place and thanks to so many here today, it can and will be a\r\nspecial place for Maine families for generations to come. Senator\r\nKing has been a strong supporter of Maine's forest economy, which plays a vital\r\nrole in the state's rural communities. Last month, Senator King joined with\r\nSenator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to applaud the2018\r\nFOR/Maine Initiative to grow Maine's forest economy and increase workforce\r\nprosperity in rural communities, which came after Senators King and Collins\r\ncalled on theU.S. Department of Commerce in 2016 to establish the Economic\r\nDevelopment Assessment Team (EDAT). The EDAT worked across federal and\r\nstate agencies, industry sectors, and municipalities to create strategies for\r\njob growth and economic development in Maine's rural communities, and its\r\nsubsequent recommendations led to the EDA and the U.S. Forest Service providing\r\nfunding for the FOR/Maine initiative. The forest industry has been a\r\ncornerstone of rural Maine communities for generations and has recently\r\nreceived significant investments: in February, Verso Corp. announced\r\n$17 million in upgrades in their Jay\r\nAndroscoggin mill, earlier this month, ND Paper announced it will invest $111\r\nmillion in its Rumford Mill and that it will purchase\r\nthe Old Town Mill that had been idled since 2015, and in September, Sappi\r\nNorth America announced\r\nthe completion of a $200 million project at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPhoto 1: Senator King views construction at Pleasant River Lumber in Dover-Foxcroft", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-55-million-contract-for-new-crane-at-pnsy", "Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $55 Million Contract for New Crane at PNSY", "2018-10-24", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Navy awarded a $54,928,445 contract to Konecranes Nuclear Equipment and Services to provide a 140-ton portal crane to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery. This year, the Navy announced that it would refuel and extend the life of up to seven Los Angeles-class submarines, and that all of those availabilities will be performed at PNSY. The crane will allow PNSY to safely refuel the submarines with new reactor cores. PNSY is known as the gold standard' of our public shipyards due to the efforts of the thousands of hardworking and highly skilled employees, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This contract awarded today will ensure workers have the equipment necessary to perform vital maintenance on Los Angeles-class submarines both safely and efficiently. We welcome this important investment in the infrastructure at PNSY, which is integral to our national security. The funding for the new crane was provided in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Defense Appropriations Bill signed into law in September. Separately, the FY 2019 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill that was also signed into law last month included $40 million to extend Dry Dock #1's portal crane rail, which is needed to support the new crane. Senator Collins is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. Senator King is a member of the Armed Services Committee. The crane is expected to be completed by May 2021.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-15-million-for-maine-department-of-public-safety", "Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $1.5 Million for Maine Department of Public Safety", "2018-10-23", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Public Safety has been awarded $1,460,169 through the U.S. Department of Justice's National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) to replace outdated fingerprinting technology and to improve access to criminal records. Accurate and timely forensic science and access to criminal records are crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of our criminal system, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This funding will enhance the Maine Department of Public Safety's efforts to protect Maine residents and achieve justice by enhancing its database, maintaining the reliability of fingerprinting scans, and increasing resources for staff. This funding will be used for:  Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Support: The funding will help support a new Tri-State AFIS system that is shared by Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.Livescan Fingerprinting Replacement: The funding will be used to replace five Livescans in Portland, Rockland, Bangor, Caribou, and Auburn. The upgrade in Livescans across the state will ensure a more efficient and effective processing of information on the state and federal levels, including qualifying records submitted to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.Converting Criminal History Records to Electronic Format: The funding will support efforts to convert all State Bureau of Identification files from paper to an easy-to-use electronic format by purchasing scanners for staff.Correcting Court Records: The funding will allow the Maine Judicial Branch to conduct individual file research and correct criminal court records that did not meet the standards for records submission as established by the FBI.  The goal of NCHIP is to improve the nation's safety and security by enhancing the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information and by ensuring the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and noncriminal justice background check systems.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/at-bethel-area-chamber-of-commerce-annual-meeting-king-honors-contributions-of-oxford-county-small-business-leaders", "At Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, King Honors Contributions of Oxford County Small Business Leaders", "2018-10-18", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BETHEL, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) attended the Bethel Area Chamber Annual Meeting and Dinner at the Bethel Inn Resort. At the meeting, Senator King met with local business leaders to congratulate them on their success in economic development and job creation, and thank them for their economic contributions to the region.  Maine is a great place to live and work, and the men and women who make up the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce know it. That's why they've worked so hard and invested so much in their businesses  and it's why they've kept those businesses right here in Maine, said Senator King. These businesses have evolved so much in recent years, and the Chamber has evolved with its membership  from providing opportunities for networking and new businesses to setting up community events and providing workforce training, the people in Bethel know just how important the Chamberof Commerce is to the community. In Bethel and in communities across Maine, Chambers of Commerce have become a major community resource: they drive the economy, provide community investment and ingenuity, and work to secure the long-term success of the region by investing in people through training and education. Through the leadership and dedication of so many here tonight, the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce has made Oxford County a great place to live.Senator King has consistently visited small businesses throughout Maine to celebrate innovation, ingenuity and discuss challenges and obstacles to success. Earlier this month Senator King visited the Tambrands manufacturing facility in Auburn to tour the facility and meet with the company's senior leadership and employees. In August, Senator King celebrated Maine innovation and entrepreneurship at the unveiling of the newest renovations to the UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship in Orono. The Center, is Maine's longest running incubator for startup businesses and provides resources, technological support and coaching for future entrepreneurs. Also in August, he met with management at Origin Maine, a martial arts and athletics-wear manufacturer in Farmington, as well as leaders of Nine Dragons Paper LLCat the company's Rumford mill, which was recently purchased from Catalyst Paper.He also visited with a number of Lewiston businesses, including Elmet Technology and Central Distributors and ate lunch with a group of entrepreneurs who are members of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. In July, Senator King focused on agricultural innovation and visited Buck Farms in Mapleton and Michaud Farms in Fort Fairfield to discuss opportunities to diversify Maine's crop selection and clean energy production. These visits are a part of Senator King's ongoing effort to meet with Maine people throughout the state; since taking office in 2013, he has held more than 1,200 meetings and events across Maine.", 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-500000-to-support-arts-curriculum-in-portland-and-lewiston", "Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $500,000 to Support Arts Curriculum in Portland and Lewiston", "2018-10-17", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.U.S. Senators Susan Collins and\r\nAngus King announced today that Side x Side, Inc., will receive a four-year,\r\n$524,193 grant through the U.S. Department of Education. The funding will\r\nsupport Side x Side's project titled (Re)Imagining Education to promote arts\r\ncurriculum in Portland and Lewiston elementary schools. Senators Collins\r\nand King wrote a letter to the Department of Education in support of this\r\ngrant.  By creating new learning opportunities and promoting innovative\r\nteaching methods through the arts, Side x Side will help children in Portland\r\nand Lewiston unlock their full potential and achieve academic success, said\r\nSenators Collins and King in a joint statement. We believe that Side\r\nx Side is well equipped to carry out this program to enhance access to arts\r\neducation for all students, regardless of background or ability level.  (Re)Imagining Education is designed to address\r\nachievement gaps among elementary school students in Portland and Lewiston by\r\nhelping teachers integrate the arts into the curriculum and assigning trained\r\nteaching artists as mentors as part of a Master Teachers program.\r\nObjectives of the project include strengthening teachers' knowledge of arts\r\nintegration and arts appreciation; strengthening students' deeper learning and\r\nsocial-emotional skills to improve learning ability; and establishing a\r\nsustainable model for embedding arts integration into schools' professional\r\ndevelopment, school culture, and community expectations.  Side x Side is a nonprofit organization that seeks to\r\nprovide educators in the Portland and Lewiston school districts with\r\ncomprehensive arts integration strategies and tools to use in their\r\ncurricula.   The funding for this project was awarded through the\r\nAssistance for Arts Education Development and Dissemination Grants Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-15-million-for-maine-sea-grant-program", "Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $1.5 Million for Maine Sea Grant Program", "2018-10-17", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded $1,417,581 to the Maine Sea Grant College Program at the University of Maine. The funds will be used to advance the development of Maine's coastal communities by advancing ecological stewardship in commercial salmon farming and developing new high-resolution satellite technology to strengthen Maine's growing aquaculture industry. Maine's coast is a powerful economic engine that supports jobs and helps drive local communities, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This natural resource is an important part of our state's economy, and advances in aquaculture technology provide new opportunities for Maine's coastal communities. This funding will not only boost Maine's economy, but also promote environmental stewardship and sustainability. The funding is allocated to the following two projects to be carried out by the University of Maine Sea Grant program: $725,365 to fund a project to improve sea lice control in the commercial cultivation of Atlantic salmon.$692,216 to fund the development and use of new high-resolution satellite technology that will promote productive and sustainable oyster, scallop, and mussel aquaculture. In past years, funding from NOAA's Maine Sea Grant Program has had an enormous impact on Maine's coastal economy by supporting research that has benefitted fishermen, lobstermen, and all manner of ocean-based industries along Maine's coast. Earlier this year, Senators Collins and King joined a group of their colleagues in a letter urging the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies to provide full funding for the program. Designated as a Sea Grant College, the University of Maine is one of 33 NOAA Sea Grant programs throughout the coastal and Great Lakes states. The University of Maine chapter of NOAA's Maine Sea Grant Program focuses on sustainable use and stewardship of marine and coastal resources. Sea Grant receives funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce through the NOAA National Sea Grant Office, which focus on their mission through research, outreach, and education.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-attends-maine-public-health-association-annual-conference-focusing-on-opioid-epidemic", "King Attends Maine Public Health Association Annual Conference Focusing on Opioid Epidemic", "2018-10-16", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "AUGUSTA, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) attended the Maine Public Health Association's 2018 Annual Conference at the Augusta Civic Center. The yearly conference brings together hundreds of public health professionals from across Maine to discuss developments in science and policy relating to public health. This year's event focused on addiction and the state of public health in Maine.  Today's conference featured some of Maine's brightest minds coming together to share information about how to fight the serious public health challenges facing our state  what a fantastic sight to see, said Senator King. We can't end the opioid epidemic without contributions from people of all walks of life  first responders and advocates, policy-makers and treatment providers, friends and family of those struggling with substance use disorders. We need all hands on deck, and today's conference is a major part of that comprehensive effort to end the epidemic and help the people and communities who are struggling across Maine.  Senator King has made combating the opioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington. He has held roundtables throughout Maine  from Portland to Bangor to Milo to Paris  and earlier this month, he met with Maine people in recovery and treatment providers at the Bangor Area Recovery Network (BARN) in Brewer to discuss the importance of pre-existing condition protections for those seeking to recover from substance use disorders (SUDs). Also in October, Senator King voted for the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, sweeping opioid legislation which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and multiple King-backed provisions that will help Maine families and communities affected by the opioid crisis. The legislation was the result of months of bipartisan hearings and discussions on the opioid crisis.  In September, Senator King spoke on the Senate Floor in support of the Addiction Treatment Access Improvement Act, which would permanently authorize nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders. Earlier that month, he attended and gave remarks at the Rally 4 Recovery at Deering Oaks Park in Portland. The event, celebrated those who are recovering from substance use disorders, as well as their friends, families, and support systems. In July, Senator King hosted a panel at the Camden Opera House featuring medical professionals, employers and advocates to discuss ways to lessen the stigma surrounding Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in order to help more people decide to pursue treatment, and return to the workforce. Senator King has been active in working to improve public health in Maine, including by strongly opposing administration moves and legislative proposals that seek to undermine the Affordable Care Act. Last week, he voted to overturn the administration's expansion of junk plans, calling the plans that are not required to cover those with pre-existing conditions, part of the problem, not part of the solution. Last month,he spoke at the Protect Our Care rally in Portlandandheld a conversation in Damariscottaon the importance of healthcare protections to Maine people who work in high risk industries.Also in September,Senator King met with seniors in Kennebunkto discuss the high cost of healthcare services in prescription drugs. In August, Senator Kingmet with Maine familieson the impact of insurance protections for children living with pre-existing conditions, and in June hespoke with a panel of Maine people with pre-existing conditions, healthcare advocates and medical professionalsin South Portland, following Department of Justice's decision not to defend the guarantee of coverage for pre-existing conditions.In July, Senator King cosponsoreda resolution that would authorize the Senate Legal Counsel to intervene in the legal casechallenging the constitutionality of the ACA's provisions protecting people with pre-existing conditions. Also in July, he published a post on Mediumhighlighting the administration's efforts to weaken the ACA.At the end of June, Senator King spoke twice Senate floor about theimpact of ACA sabotage on Maine peopleand tohonor the 53rd anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. Senator King has also pursued agreements that would improve the Affordable Care Act to protect coverage for the millions who rely on it for affordable health care, and has developed several proposals to make common sense fixes to the legislation. During the health care debate last summer, Senator Kingoutlined aroadmap of health care prioritiesto stabilize the health care marketplace and lower the underlying costs of treatment and health coverage for people in Maine and across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-legislative-push-from-king-cms-proposes-rule-to-increase-prescription-drug-pricing-transparency", "Following Legislative Push from King, CMS Proposes Rule to Increase Prescription Drug Pricing Transparency", "2018-10-15", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BRUNSWICK, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King\r\n(I-Maine) applauded a\r\nproposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)\r\nthat would implement a piece of Senator King's bipartisan legislative efforts\r\nto require the disclosure of drug prices in advertising. The proposed rule\r\nreflects language from the King-backed Drug-Price\r\nTransparency in Communications Act, and would\r\nrequire pharmaceutical\r\ncompaniesto list pricesintheir prescription drugs in\r\ndirect-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements. If the proposed rule were to be\r\nimplemented, itwouldhelpto empower patients, promote\r\ntransparency, and lower prescription drug costs.  We've all seen the commercials for prescription medications \r\nyou know, the ones that spend half of the ad listing a variety of escalating\r\npossible side effects. But no matter how many of those commercials you watch,\r\nthere's one thing you won't hear: how much this drug will cost you, said\r\nSenator King. For decades, pharmaceutical companies have been able to sell\r\ntheir drugs to the public without disclosing their prices, and all the while,\r\nthe prices have continued to rise. These costs are hurting Maine people who\r\nrely on prescription medications, and they deserve transparency. This proposal\r\nhas significant bipartisan support, and for good reason  it's a commonsense\r\nanswer that will address a serious challenge facing millions of Americans. Senator King's bipartisan work on this issue has attracted support from the AARP,\r\nAmerican Medical Association, American Hospital Association, Federation of\r\nAmerican Hospitals, America's Health Insurance Plans, BlueCross BlueShield\r\nAssociation, and the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing. Senators King,\r\nDick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) advocated for the inclusion of\r\nan amendment based on the Drug-Price Transparency in Communications Act\r\nin last month's minibus funding bill, but the provision was stripped\r\nfrom the final bill. Last year, the pharmaceutical\r\nindustry spent more than $6 billion in DTC advertisements, which drive up\r\nhealth care costs by steering patients towards more expensivemedications.\r\nThe average American sees nine DTC prescription drug ads each day.\r\nStudies show that patients are more likely to ask their doctor for a\r\nspecific brand-name medication, and doctors are more likely to prescribe one,\r\nwhen they have been marketed directly with drug advertisements. For these\r\nreasons, most countries have banned DTC prescription drug advertising, with the\r\nUnited States and New Zealand being the only two developed countries that allow\r\nit. Senator King has supported commonsense legislation to drive\r\ndown the costs of medication in the United States. In September, he visited the\r\nCenter\r\nfor Seniors in Kennebunk to discuss the importance of lowering drug prices.\r\nDuring a July discussion at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, he announced\r\nhis support for legislation to prevent pharmaceutical companies from\r\nclaiming tax deductions related to DTC advertising. In theMay\r\nedition of his monthlyInside Mainepodcast, Senator King\r\ndiscussed programs to help Maine people save money on medications with Sarah\r\nJones, the Program Coordinator of MedAccess and Trish Riley, Executive Director\r\nof the National Academy for State Health Policy.In\r\nMarch, he discussed his legislative efforts to reduce drug prices at the\r\nMaine Veterans' Home in Augusta, highlighting his cosponsorship of both\r\ntheDrug-Price Transparency in Communications Act, which requires\r\nthe cost of medications to be disclosed to both consumers and prescribers, and\r\ntheCreating and Restoring Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act,\r\nwhich seeks to increase access to generic medications. During the health care debate in July 2017, Senator King\r\noutlined a roadmap of priorities to stabilize the marketplace and lower the\r\ncosts of treatment and coverage for people across the country. Included in his\r\nroadmap was theSafe\r\nand Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, bipartisan legislation that would\r\nallow for the importation of drugs from licensed Canadian pharmacies for\r\npersonal use if they have the same active ingredients, route of administration,\r\ndosage form, and strength as a prescription drug approved by the FDA. Senator\r\nKing also supports theMedicare\r\nPrescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, legislation that would allow\r\nthe Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prices for\r\nprescription drugs under Medicare.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-maine-tribes-receive-440011-in-opioid-and-healthcare-grants", "Senators Collins, King Announce Maine Tribes Receive $440,011 in Opioid and Healthcare Grants", "2018-10-15", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that four Maine Native communities will receive a total of $440,011 in funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to respond to substance abuse and jumpstart community health projects. These four grants will primarily address the impact of the opioid epidemic on Maine's Native communities.  No community is immune from this heartbreaking epidemic that has taken its toll on too many of our peers, friends and neighbors said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This funding will give Maine's tribes additional resources to combat the opioid crisis and protect the health of their community members. The funding will be allocated as follows Passamaquoddy Indian Township Tribal Government will receive $141,456 to fund the Passamaquoddy Tribal Opioid Response Initiative.Aroostook Micmac Council will receive $64,142 to fund the Micmac Community Health and Wellness Project.  Penobscot Indian Nation will receive $93,887 to fund Penobscot Nation Health Department Tribal Opioid Response Grant-Aftercare Services.Wabanaki Health and Wellness will receive $140,l526 to increase the capacity of both the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and Wabanaki Health and Wellness to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and develop additional substance abuse prevention initiatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-joins-vets-at-21st-annual-homeless-veterans-stand-down-at-togus", "King Joins Vets at 21st Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Togus", "2018-10-13", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "AUGUSTA, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) attended the 21st Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Togus VA Medical Center. The yearly event highlights services and resources for veterans who are homeless or in transitional housing, and helps connect at-risk veterans with the tools they need to find long-term housing. Maine's veterans answered the call to uphold our freedoms and keep our nation safe, said Senator King. Through their service, these men and women have earned our eternal gratitude and support  but unfortunately, far too many of our veterans face the challenge of homelessness. That's why events like today's are so important  there are resources, both at Togus and in communities across Maine, to help support the veterans who have made so many sacrifices on behalf of our country, and today's event helps connect veterans in need with these services. By bringing together those in need with those who can help, we can help our veterans secure the safe, stable, long-term housing they deserve. Senator King has been a strong advocate for veterans issues since arriving in Washington. Last month, he joined a panel featuring veterans' healthcare experts and caregivers at the Portland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), to highlight common suicide risk factors and warning signs for suicide, provided information about VA mental health and suicide prevention resources, and emphasized the importance of starting the conversation around veteran mental health. Also in September,he applauded the House and Senate's passage of the MilCon-VA Conference Report, whichaims to consolidate and improve VA community care programs, as well as improve VA's ability to hire high-quality healthcare professionals, expand VA caregiver benefits to veterans of all eras and establish a process to evaluate and reform VA's existing facilities to best serve veterans.In June,his bill to strengthen accountability of senior executives at the VA wassigned into law. In May, he helda listening session with Maine veteranson the qualities and values they are looking for in a new VA Secretary, and in April Senator Kingvisited the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, which brings injured veterans and their families to Maine in order to help the veterans overcome physical obstacles with the support of family members. The Senator also highlighted the important place of veterans in Maine by devoting hisNovember 2017andDecember 2017podcasts to the subject, with Travis Mills as one of the guests on the latter show. In December 2017, theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund three new positionsinMaineto better serve justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health or substance abuse issues  a move which follows aFebruary letter from Senator King to the VAurging additional resources on the topic. Senator King was a cosponsor of theDepartment of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which passed the Senate in June 2017 and has since beensigned into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/legislation-backed-by-collins-king-to-support-songwriters-signed-into-law", "Legislation Backed by Collins, King to Support Songwriters Signed into Law", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the President's signing of The Music Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill which will ensure songwriters are paid fair value for their songs. The legislation will set up a new simplified licensing entity to make it easier for digital music companies to obtain a license to play songs, and help songwriters be paid a fair market value for their music. My mother started me with piano lessons at age four, and from that young age, I cultivated a life-long appreciation for music  and its value in our society, said Senator Collins. Through their artistry, America's talented songwriters and music producers bring people together, enhance our culture, and strengthen our communities. This bipartisan legislation will provide a much needed update to our music and copyright laws and help ensure that these artists receive fair compensation for their inspiring creations. America's talented songwriters provide the soundtrack to our daily lives, and in doing so, inspire countless people across the country and around the world, said Senator King. I know that I'm not alone when I say that my life has been improved by the work of Maine musicians, who share the sound of our state at weekend festivals throughout the summer and via streaming services year-round. This bipartisan legislation will make sure that their compensation is in tune' with their immense contributions to our culture, and allow them to continue to strike a chord with fans worldwide. The Music Modernization Act updates outdated music licensing laws to make it easier for songwriters to be paid when their music is played online by a digital streaming service, or purchased online. According to Standard and Poor's, there were 86 million paying subscribers to digital streaming services, who streamed music 252 billion times in 2016. Revenues generated from online music account for half of the music industry's revenues in 2016. As digital music streaming increases, the number of individual song downloads fell 24 percent between 2015 and 2016 and compact disc sales fell below 100 million units sold  which means less royalties paid to songwriters. The Music Modernization Act seeks to remedy this effect and ensure that songwriters will be paid fair-market value for their songs by: Adopting a simple licensing system for digital music services making it easier for companies to obtain a license to play a song and reducing the likelihood of litigation.Directing the Copyright Royalty Board to set compensation according to the fair market value when songs are sold, such as through music downloads, replacing the current below-market standard.Removing a provision of law that narrows the scope of evidence the federal rate court may examine when asked to set songwriter compensation for when their song is played, such as in a restaurant or at a concert. The legislation was supported by the Recording Academy, National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), the Digital Media Association (DiMA), the American Society for Composers, Authors and Publishers, (ASCAP) the Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and the Songwriters of North America (SONA). Additional supporters include the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the American Federation of Musicians.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-maine-superior-court-justice-lance-walker-is-confirmed-by-senate-unanimously", "Senators Collins, King Announce Maine Superior Court Justice Lance Walker is Confirmed by Senate Unanimously", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington,\r\nD.C.\r\n U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Senate\r\nunanimously approved the nomination of Maine Superior Court Justice Lance\r\nWalker, a native of Piscataquis County, to serve on the U.S. District Court for\r\nthe District of Maine.  During\r\nhis nearly two decades of experience as both an attorney in private practice\r\nand as a judge in Maine's judicial system, Justice Walker has demonstrated that\r\nhe has the intelligence, temperament, and integrity required for this important\r\nposition, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.\r\nJustice Walker has made numerous contributions to Maine's legal community and\r\nwill serve our state well as a federal judge. We are pleased that the\r\nSenate unanimously approved his nomination.  Justice\r\nWalker has served on the Maine Superior Court in Portland since 2015, when he\r\nwas unanimously confirmed by the Maine Senate. He has presided over some\r\nof the state's most complex criminal and civil cases, appeals, post-conviction\r\nreviews, and jury trials.  Prior\r\nto his service on the Maine Superior Court, Justice Walker was appointed and\r\nunanimously confirmed to the Maine District Court bench, where he presided over\r\na wide variety of dockets, primarily in Androscoggin and Oxford Counties. He also worked for more than a dozen years in the Portland law firm Norman,\r\nHanson & DeTroy as an experienced trial and appellate attorney as well as a\r\nlegal consultant specializing in complex litigation and insurance law. He\r\nbecame a partner after six years. Justice\r\nWalker has tried cases before juries and judges across the state and in federal\r\ncourt. He has argued several appeals before the Maine Supreme Judicial\r\nCourt and the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. He has been\r\nselected for recognition in respected peer-reviewed legal publications such as\r\nBenchmark Litigation, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America. As a\r\njudge, he has spoken with recovering addicts and caregivers on the issue of\r\nopioid addiction and its intersection with the criminal justice system.  Justice\r\nWalker was born in Milo and raised in Dover-Foxcroft, where his parents owned\r\nand operated a hardware store and travel agency. His father was also an\r\nengineer on the Canadian Pacific Railway in Brownville Junction. After\r\ngraduating from Foxcroft Academy in 1990, Justice Walker attended the\r\nUniversity of Maine, earning a B.A. in philosophy, and the University of Maine\r\nSchool of Law, graduating with honors. Justice\r\nWalker lives in Falmouth with his wife, Heidi, and their two daughters, Ava and\r\nDylan. He will be assigned to the U.S. District Court in Bangor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-applaud-purchase-of-old-town-mill-by-nd-paper", "Collins, King Applaud Purchase of Old Town Mill by ND Paper", "2018-10-10", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King applauded an announcement that ND Paper LLC has reached an agreement to purchase the Old Town Mill, which has been idled since the previous owners ended operations at the mill in 2015. ND Paper will shift the mill's operations and invest in capital improvements to reduce manufacturing costs. The Old Town Mill is expected to reopen in early 2019 and will support more than 100 jobs in the region. This is the latest investment in Maine's forest economy from ND Paper; earlier this week, the company announced that they would invest $111 million at their Rumford Mill, which currently supports 650 jobs and is expected to add an additional 50 employees. Today's announcement is the latest in a line of important investments that will boost not just our state's forest products industry, but also the Maine families and communities that rely on this vital sector of our economy, said Senators Collins and King. We commend ND Paper for making long-term investments in the Old Town Mill that will create more than 100 jobs in the Bangor region and revitalize one of our state's most historic manufacturing sites. We will continue working with industry and community leaders to help our state's forest economy thrive for generations to come. Our acquisition of the Old Town pulp mill is supportive of ND Paper's strategic fiber sourcing initiatives, added Ken Liu, CEO of ND Paper. Beyond that, we clearly recognize the economic and community impact of this restart to Penobscot County; we are thrilled for the opportunity to create new, high-paying jobs in the State of Maine. Senators Collins and King have been strong supporters of Maine's forest economy. In 2016, they called on the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish the Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT), which would work across agencies and sectors to create strategies for job growth and economic development in Maine's rural communities. The creation of the EDAT and subsequent federal funding from the EDA and U.S. Forest Service established the 2018 FOR/Maine Initiative, an industry-led effort that last month released the following recommendations to grow Maine's forest economy: Invest, Innovate, Grow - Sustain and grow Maine's existing and emerging forest products economy.Manage Sustainability - Manage the wood resource using sustainable and responsible forest management practices.Develop Workforce - Prepare workforce for the future of the forest products economy.Support Communities - Increase prosperity in Maine forest economy communities, especially those in rural areas and those affected by mill closures.Coordinate & Persist - Organize the forest products industry with committed public sector partners, including the University of Maine, to implement the vision and goals.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-votes-to-overturn-expansion-of-junk-insurance-plans", "King Votes to Overturn Expansion of \u201cJunk\u201d Insurance Plans", "2018-10-10", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted in favor of legislation that would overturn the administration's final junk insurance plan rule, whichwouldexpand the number of insurance plans that are not required to provide health care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.The legislation, which Senator King cosponsored, fell one vote short of the 51 votes needed for passage.  I've met with Maine people with pre-existing conditions, medical professionals, and advocates across the state, and not a single one of them has told me that they want insurance plans that cover less of their medical needs. So why are we making these junk plans more common? said Senator King. It's simply wrong that we would expand the use of these junk plans, because they don't help Maine people  they are part of the problem, not part of the solution. The failure of today's vote is extremely disappointing, but it's far from the end of this fight, and I'll keep working as hard as I can to make sure that our healthcare system works for all Maine people. The administration's rule expanding these plans has beenoverwhelmingly opposed by healthcare groups, including patient and consumer advocates, physician groups, nursing associations, hospital groups, medical providers, insurance companies and more; according toan analysis by theLA Times, 98% of healthcare groups who have issued public comments on the proposal were against the new rule. A study conducted by the Urban Institute indicated that the expansion of junk plans, combined with the loss of the individual mandate, would cause healthcare premiums in Maine to rise by 15.9% in 2019. Senator King has been outspoken in opposition to administration moves and legislative proposals that seek to undermine the Affordable Care Act, and has met with Maine people around the state to discuss the ACA's importance to their lives. Earlier this week, he met with Maine people in recovery in Brewer to discuss the importance of ACA protections for those with pre-existing conditions for those who have struggled with substance use disorders. Last month, he spoke at the Protect Our Care rally in Portland andheld a conversation in Damariscotta on the importance of healthcare protections to Maine people who work in high risk industries.Also in September,Senator King met with seniors in Kennebunkto discuss the high cost of healthcare services in prescription drugs. In August, Senator Kingmet with Maine familieson the impact of insurance protections for children living with pre-existing conditions, and in June hespoke with a panel of Maine people with pre-existing conditions, healthcare advocates and medical professionalsin South Portland, following Department of Justice's decision not to defend the guarantee of coverage for pre-existing conditions. In July, Senator King cosponsoreda resolution that would authorize the Senate Legal Counsel to intervene in the legal casechallenging the constitutionality of the ACA's provisions protecting people with pre-existing conditions. Also in July, he published a post on Mediumhighlighting the administration's efforts to weaken the ACA.At the end of June, Senator King spoke twice Senate floor about theimpact of ACA sabotage on Maine peopleand tohonor the 53rdanniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. Senator King has also pursued agreements that would improve the Affordable Care Act to protect coverage for the millions who rely on it for affordable health care, and has developed several proposals to make common sense fixes to the legislation. During the health care debate last summer, Senator Kingoutlined aroadmap of health care prioritiesto stabilize the health care marketplace and lower the underlying costs of treatment and health coverage for people in Maine and across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-5-million-for-maine-organizations-supporting-those-with-substance-use-and-mental-health-disorders", "Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $5 Million for Maine Organizations Supporting Those with Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders", "2018-10-10", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that 17 community health centers in Maine will receive a total of $4,980,138 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Expanding Access to Quality Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services (SUD-MH) awards. This funding will better equip health centers to help individuals and families overcome substance use disorders and improve mental health. The opioid epidemic has already harmed far too many families and communities in Maine and throughout the country said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. Community health centers are on the front lines in fighting this epidemic. We are pleased that this funding will support their mission to help those struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders. The HRSA funding will be awarded as follows:  Sacopee Valley Health Center in Parsonsfield will receive $308,500.  Fish River Rural Health in Eagle Lake will receive $285,000.  Katahdin Valley Health Center in Patten will receive $285,000.  Sebasticook Family Doctors in Newport will receive $285,000.  Portland Community Health Center will receive $293,750.  Regional Medical Center at Lubec, Inc. will receive $300,000.  St. Croix Regional Family Health Center in Princeton will receive $289,250.  Bucksport Regional Health Center will receive $261,388.  DFD Russell Medical Center in Leeds will receive $285,000.  Healthreach Community Health Centers in Waterville will receive $391,000.  Health Access Network, Inc. in Lincoln will receive $297,250  Penobscot Community Health Center, Inc. in Bangor will receive $388,250.  Islands Community Medical Services, Inc. in Vinalhaven will receive $292,250.  Pines Health Services in Caribou will receive $142,000.  Maine Migrant Programs, Inc. in Augusta will receive $285,000  Harrington Family Health Center will receive $285,000  York County Community Action Corporation in Sanford will receive $306,500 The purpose of SUD-MH funding is to support health centers in implementing and advancing evidence-based strategies to: 1) Expand access to quality integrated substance use disorder prevention and treatment services, including those addressing opioid use disorder, to best meet the health needs of the population served by the health center; and 2) Expand access to quality integrated mental health services, with a focus on conditions that increase risk for, or co-occur with substance use disorder.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/at-umaine-king-celebrates-maine-volunteers", "At UMaine, King Celebrates Maine Volunteers", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BANGOR, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) addressed attendees at the annual Blaine House Conference on Service and Volunteerism at the University of Maine to congratulate participants and celebrate their contributions to Maine. The event was sponsored by the Maine Commission for Community Service, and included members of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. Whether it's providing healthcare to those who cannot afford coverage, ensuring our older citizens can thrive in place, or supporting our neighbors struggling with substance use disorders, our volunteers dedicate their time and skills to helping those in need, said Senator King. The volunteers I spoke with today use their efforts to build stronger communities and inspire others to do right by their neighbors. Each and every one of these volunteers makes our state a better place to live through their actions and their examples, and they deserve to be commended. During his time in the Senate, Senator King has sought to elevate the voices and support the efforts of Maine people who volunteer their time working to make Maine a better place. In September, Senator King visited the Good Shepherd Food Bank, where he met with staff members and volunteers to discuss the challenges facing Maine people who are struggling with the lack consistent access to heathy food due to lack of financial resources, often referred to as food insecurity. In May, he attended the Aroostook County Special Olympics where he spent time with members of Maine's law enforcement community who volunteered to provide security at the event. While in the County, he also met with volunteers at the nearby Co-Op where he discussed the importance of volunteer efforts to further economic development in Aroostook County and throughout Maine. In July, Senator King visited Leavitt's Mill Free Health Center in Bar Mills to meet with volunteers who provide free healthcare to Maine people who would otherwise be unable to receive care. Earlier this year, he joined with Senator Susan Collins to present a Senate-passed resolution honoring the Independent Transportation Network of America (ITN) after the organization provided its one millionth ride to older and visually impaired individuals. The organization, which was founded in Portland more than two decades ago, now operates nationwide and provides hundreds of rides every day.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/at-umaine-king-celebrates-maine-volunteers-", "At UMaine, King Celebrates Maine Volunteers", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BANGOR, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) addressed attendees at the annual Blaine House Conference on Service and Volunteerism at the University of Maine to congratulate participants and celebrate their contributions to Maine. The event was sponsored by the Maine Commission for Community Service, and included members of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. Whether it's providing healthcare to those who cannot afford coverage, ensuring our older citizens can thrive in place, or supporting our neighbors struggling with substance use disorders, our volunteers dedicate their time and skills to helping those in need, said Senator King. The volunteers I spoke with today use their efforts to build stronger communities and inspire others to do right by their neighbors. Each and every one of these volunteers makes our state a better place to live through their actions and their examples, and they deserve to be commended. During his time in the Senate, Senator King has sought to elevate the voices and support the efforts of Maine people who volunteer their time working to make Maine a better place. In September, Senator King visited the Good Shepherd Food Bank, where he met with staff members and volunteers to discuss the challenges facing Maine people who are struggling with the lack consistent access to heathy food due to lack of financial resources, often referred to as food insecurity. In May, he attended the Aroostook County Special Olympics where he spent time with members of Maine's law enforcement community who volunteered to provide security at the event. While in the County, he also met with volunteers at the nearby Co-Op where he discussed the importance of volunteer efforts to further economic development in Aroostook County and throughout Maine. In July, Senator King visited Leavitt's Mill Free Health Center in Bar Mills to meet with volunteers who provide free healthcare to Maine people who would otherwise be unable to receive care. Earlier this year, he joined with Senator Susan Collins to present a Senate-passed resolution honoring the Independent Transportation Network of America (ITN) after the organization provided its one millionth ride to older and visually impaired individuals. The organization, which was founded in Portland more than two decades ago, now operates nationwide and provides hundreds of rides every day.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-introduces-legislation-to-grow-maines-workforce", "King Introduces Legislation to Grow Maine\u2019s Workforce", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BANGOR, ME  U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) introduced the Invest in America Act, legislation that will create competitive grant programs to expand the workforce, modernize training tools, and promote job creation. Organizations that wish to apply for these grants would first apply for a planning grant to help prepare an Invest in America plan that identifies industries and occupations to be targeted as part of the implementation phase of a project. Planning grant recipients would then apply for an implementation grant to put their Invest in America plan into action to support targeted economic expansion and resilience, job creation, and associated workforce development and re-employment opportunities. The bill is also supported by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). Everywhere I go in Maine, businesses large and small tell me the same thing  they need more qualified workers,said Senator King.As our state's population ages, it becomes more important that we look for creative approaches to bolster our workforce, train our young people, and keep current workers' skills on the cutting edge  especially for the forest economy that drives so many of our rural communities.By investing in our workforce and our economic development infrastructure, our state will be able to reap the benefits for generations to come. The Maine forest economy is in the midst of a strong recovery from unprecedented challenges in recent years, said Dana Doran, Executive Director, Professional Logging Contractors of Maine. Our remaining mills are making strong investments for the future and we are poised for future growth. However, before we can take advantage of our tremendous forest resource and realize our potential, we must tackle a workforce shortage in logging and trucking that could limit our opportunities. The strategy to do this includes worker recruitment and a comprehensive approach to workforce development that encourages our youth to see logging and trucking as a viable and worthwhile career choice. This Act represents an important piece of those efforts and Senator King should be applauded for his efforts to tackle this issue as soon as possible. Specifically, the Invest in America Act will:   Target assistance to rural high-need communities. Grant amounts will be determined according to factors including long-term economic growth rates, prevalence of skill mismatches between employers and potential employees, long-term unemployment and underemployment, poverty and persistent poverty rates, and the number and percent of workers and employers impacted by economic shifts related to trade, regulation, or technological change.  Award grants to local or regional economic development agencies, local workforce development boards, Native American tribes, career and technical education centers, and postsecondary educational institutions. These grants will support economic and workforce development initiatives such as: career and technical education, broadband access, support systems (e.g., drug treatment, child care) for members of low-income families seeking employment, business incubators, transitional jobs for low-income workers, and adult education with occupational training.   Monitor results of the grants to maximize benefits. Senator King has made workforce development one of his top priorities. Last month, Senator King joined with Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) applauded the 2018 FOR/Maine Initiative, to grow Maine's forest economy and increase workforce prosperity in rural communities. In 2016, Senators King and Collins called on theU.S. Department of Commerce to establish the Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT), that would work across agencies and sectors to create strategies for job growth and economic development in Maine's rural communities, the creation of the EDAT and its subsequent research led to the EDA and the U.S. Forest Service providing funding for the initiative. This April, Senator King highlighted the importance of developing Maine's workforce in his monthly podcast. Senator King supported the March omnibus funding bill because of important benefits for economic growth, including a $75 million increase for the Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) state grant and a $15 million increase in funding for Jobs Corps.He also voted last month for a funding bill for fiscal year 2019 that maintained support for Job Corps and increased funding by $70 million for CTE and by $15 million for apprenticeships. In April 2017, Senator King outlined strategies to modernize and expand Maine's workforce in theeconomic agendahe introduced in April 2017. TheJanuary 2017 assessmentfrom the Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT),originally requested by Senators Collins and Kingin March 2016, also outlined strategies to grow Maine's economy and bolster the workforce in rural parts of the state. A wide range of forest industry, education, and workforce stakeholders have endorsed Senator King's Invest in America Act, including: the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, the Forestry and Wood Harvesting Program at Oxford Hills Technical School, Irving Woodlands LLC, the Maine Forest Products Council, Maine Woodland Owners, Milton Cat, Sappi, and the National Skills Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-brewer-king-meets-with-maine-people-in-recovery-to-discuss-importance-of-pre-existing-condition-protections", "In Brewer, King Meets with Maine People in Recovery to Discuss Importance of Pre-Existing Condition Protections", "2018-10-08", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BREWER, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) met with Maine people in recovery and treatment providers at the Bangor Area Recovery Network (BARN) in Brewer to discuss the importance of pre-existing condition protections for those seeking to recover from substance use disorders (SUDs). SUDs are considered a pre-existing condition, meaning that if allowed to discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions, insurers could refuse to cover or increase prices for individuals who have a history of substance use disorders, including opioid abuse  possibly deterring individuals battling SUDs from seeking treatment. The opioid epidemic has devastated communities across Maine, killing more than one person per day in our state  but through all of this pain, it is important to remember that addiction is not a death sentence, said Senator King. With the proper treatment and support system, those with substance use disorders can lead full, happy lives and make invaluable contributions to their communities. It's up to all of us to be a part of that support system, and the men and women of the Bangor Area Recovery Network are leading the way and changing lives. They are an example to all Maine people of how we must stand with our loved ones, friends, and neighbors as they fight to overcome this deadly disease. Senator King's visit to BARN comes following last week's Senate passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, a sweeping opioids bill that included several King-backed provisions to help support Maine communities fighting against the opioid epidemic. Among these provisions are the permanent authorization for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders, which Senator King advocated for in a speech on the Senate floor, and a removal of the Institutions for Medical Disease (IMD) Exclusion that prevents residential treatment facilities with more than 16 beds from receiving federal reimbursement through Medicaid. This provision reflects pieces of the Improving Coverage for Substance Use Disorder Recovery Expansion Act, which Senator King introduced. Senator King has made combating the opioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington, and in June he highlighted the importance of the Affordable Care Act'sprotections for individuals with pre-existing conditionsto those struggling with substance use disorders.In July, Senator Kinghosted a panel of medical professionals, employers and advocatesto discuss the opioid crisis and reduce the stigma surrounding Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). That same month, he met with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, Anne Hazlett, and a number of medical professionals, law enforcement officers, advocates and local leaders ataBangor roundtable discussing the opioid epidemic's impact on rural Maine. He has repeatedly called on Congress and both the Obama and Trump administrations to fund laws and agencies that help address the drug epidemic. Senator King has held several roundtables throughout Maine  from Portland to Bangor to Milo to Paris  and has spoken with health professionals, first responders, community members, and people in recovery to find ways to help people get better and make Maine communities safer and healthier. He has also joined a group of his Senate colleagues towrite to the nation's top health insurersurging them to do their part to combat the opioid epidemic.In an effort to hold the insurance industry accountable, the Senators asked the companies to both review their existing policies in light of the epidemic, and to take additional steps to make sure they are working actively to help curb SUDs.In the FY 2018 Omnibus Federal Appropriations bill which passed in March, Senator King supported a provision which increased funding to fight the opioid and mental health crises by $3.3 billion, including an increase of $2.8 billion in treatment, prevention and research for programs within the Department of Health and Human Services. Also, in November 2017, Senator King led aletterto the TrumpAdministration urging additional funding for the opioid epidemic, and in October 2017 he joined a group of colleagues to introduce theCombating the Opioid Epidemic Act, legislation that would invest $45 billion for prevention, detection, surveillance and treatment of opioids.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-brewer-king-meets-with-maine-people-in-recovery-to-discuss-importance-of-pre-existing-condition-protections-", "In Brewer, King Meets with Maine People in Recovery to Discuss Importance of Pre-Existing Condition Protections", "2018-10-08", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BREWER, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) met with Maine people in recovery and treatment providers at the Bangor Area Recovery Network (BARN) in Brewer to discuss the importance of pre-existing condition protections for those seeking to recover from substance use disorders (SUDs). SUDs are considered a pre-existing condition, meaning that if allowed to discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions, insurers could refuse to cover or increase prices for individuals who have a history of substance use disorders, including opioid abuse  possibly deterring individuals battling SUDs from seeking treatment. The opioid epidemic has devastated communities across Maine, killing more than one person per day in our state  but through all of this pain, it is important to remember that addiction is not a death sentence, said Senator King. With the proper treatment and support system, those with substance use disorders can lead full, happy lives and make invaluable contributions to their communities. It's up to all of us to be a part of that support system, and the men and women of the Bangor Area Recovery Network are leading the way and changing lives. They are an example to all Maine people of how we must stand with our loved ones, friends, and neighbors as they fight to overcome this deadly disease. Senator King's visit to BARN comes following last week's Senate passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, a sweeping opioids bill that included several King-backed provisions to help support Maine communities fighting against the opioid epidemic. Among these provisions are the permanent authorization for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders, which Senator King advocated for in a speech on the Senate floor, and a removal of the Institutions for Medical Disease (IMD) Exclusion that prevents residential treatment facilities with more than 16 beds from receiving federal reimbursement through Medicaid. This provision reflects pieces of the Improving Coverage for Substance Use Disorder Recovery Expansion Act, which Senator King introduced. Senator King has made combating the opioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington, and in June he highlighted the importance of the Affordable Care Act'sprotections for individuals with pre-existing conditionsto those struggling with substance use disorders.In July, Senator Kinghosted a panel of medical professionals, employers and advocatesto discuss the opioid crisis and reduce the stigma surrounding Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). That same month, he met with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, Anne Hazlett, and a number of medical professionals, law enforcement officers, advocates and local leaders ataBangor roundtable discussing the opioid epidemic's impact on rural Maine. He has repeatedly called on Congress and both the Obama and Trump administrations to fund laws and agencies that help address the drug epidemic. Senator King has held several roundtables throughout Maine  from Portland to Bangor to Milo to Paris  and has spoken with health professionals, first responders, community members, and people in recovery to find ways to help people get better and make Maine communities safer and healthier. He has also joined a group of his Senate colleagues towrite to the nation's top health insurersurging them to do their part to combat the opioid epidemic.In an effort to hold the insurance industry accountable, the Senators asked the companies to both review their existing policies in light of the epidemic, and to take additional steps to make sure they are working actively to help curb SUDs.In the FY 2018 Omnibus Federal Appropriations bill which passed in March, Senator King supported a provision which increased funding to fight the opioid and mental health crises by $3.3 billion, including an increase of $2.8 billion in treatment, prevention and research for programs within the Department of Health and Human Services. Also, in November 2017, Senator King led aletterto the TrumpAdministration urging additional funding for the opioid epidemic, and in October 2017 he joined a group of colleagues to introduce theCombating the Opioid Epidemic Act, legislation that would invest $45 billion for prevention, detection, surveillance and treatment of opioids.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-after-confirmation-of-brett-kavanaugh-to-the-supreme-court", "King Statement After Confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court", "2018-10-06", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court:  Over the past several weeks, so many Maine people  particularly women  have shared with me their stories about how they have been affected by this nomination fight. All I can say to them today is that we cannot give up hope. The work is not over; it is just beginning. Senator King originally announced his opposition to Judge Kavanaugh in September, before the allegations against him were made public, and earlier this week released a statement reaffirming his opposition to the nomination after reviewing the FBI's supplementary background investigation into Judge Kavanaugh. Last night, he spoke on the Senate floor to lay out his arguments against Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-after-reviewing-fbi-report", "King Statement After Reviewing FBI Report", "2018-10-05", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King\r\n(I-Maine) released the following statement after reviewing the FBI's\r\nsupplementary background investigation into Judge Brett Kavanaugh: The FBI report that I reviewed\r\ntoday does not confirm or contradict Judge Kavanaugh's statements, nor does it\r\nundermine the credible testimony of Dr. Ford. For me, my decision is based on\r\nJudge Kavanaugh's record, which indicates an overly rigid judicial philosophy\r\nthat would threaten protections for healthcare, personal liberty and a women's\r\nright to choose, the environment, and campaign finance laws; it is based on his\r\nrefusal to recuse himself from any cases that may come before the court\r\ninvolving presidential power as it applies to the President who nominated him\r\nfor the seat; it is based on his partisan behavior during last week's hearing,\r\nwhich does not match the temperament and impartiality needed to serve on our\r\nnation's highest court; and it is based on the voices of Maine women who in\r\nrecent weeks have shared with me their deep concern about this nomination.\r\nBased upon what I've seen, read, and witnessed, I remain a no vote on his\r\nconfirmation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-senate-floor-king-lays-out-argument-against-judge-kavanaugh", "On Senate Floor, King Lays Out Argument Against Judge Kavanaugh", "2018-10-05", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke on the Senate floor to detail his decision to vote against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court. In his speech, Senator King emphasized Judge Kavanaugh's judicial philosophy on issues such as healthcare, the environment, and a woman's right to choose, his refusal to recuse himself from cases on presidential power relating to the President that appointed him that may come before the Supreme Court, and Judge Kavanaugh's temperament during his hearing last week. I stated my opposition to Brett Kavanaugh's appointment to the United States Supreme Court before Dr. Ford's allegations became public,said Senator King in part during his speech.Before I ever heard about them  before anyone had heard about them, as far as I know, except some members of the Judiciary Committee. Therefore, I don't believe you have to believe Dr. Ford to conclude that Judge Kavanaugh should not be elevated to the Supreme Court.    I think based on judicial philosophyhis failure to say he will recuse himself from issues involving the president who appointed him, the incredible lack of documentation based upon his record, and his demeanor last week disqualifies him. No, Mr. President, you don't have to believe Dr. Ford to conclude as I have that Judge Kavanaugh should not be elevated to the Supreme Court. But Mr. President, before I close I should add one note: I do believe Dr. Ford.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-faa-reauthorization-with-collins-king-amendment-to-improve-rural-healthcare", "Senate Passes FAA Reauthorization with Collins-King Amendment to Improve Rural Healthcare", "2018-10-03", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Susan\r\nCollins (R-Maine), the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations\r\nSubcommittee, and Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the passage of legislation to\r\nreauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years. The\r\nlegislation, which passed with strong bipartisan support, authorizes funding\r\nfor all FAA programs, including FAA operations, research and development,\r\naviation programs, extension of expiring authorities, airport planning and\r\nimprovement, and noise compatibility and programs.   The legislation also includes an\r\namendment introduced by Senators Collins and King requiring any future\r\nevaluations of airport master plans to take into account the role of airports\r\nto support evacuations related to medical emergencies or natural disasters. The\r\namendment will be a boost for Maine's rural communities, which regularly use\r\ntheir airports to transport patients to larger medical centers in emergencies.   Our rural citizens should be able\r\nto access the medical care they need, and airports can help facilitate that for\r\npatients who require care in a larger or more specialized center, said\r\nSenators Collins and King. This FAA reauthorization, which passed with\r\noverwhelming bipartisan support, will help ensure that future airport\r\ninvestments will be made with the health of rural Mainers in mind.  The FAA is primarily responsible\r\nfor the advancement, safety, and regulation of civil aviation, as well as for\r\noverseeing the operation of the air traffic control system and the development\r\nof commercial space travel. The legislation passed today will now go to the\r\nPresident's desk for his signature.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-sweeping-opioid-bill-with-king-backed-provisions", "Senate Passes Sweeping Opioid Bill With King-Backed Provisions", "2018-10-03", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King\r\n(I-Maine) voted for the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which\r\npassed with overwhelming bipartisan support and includes many provisions that\r\nwill help Maine families and communities affected by the opioid crisis. The\r\nlegislation was the result of months of bipartisan hearings and discussion on\r\nthe opioid crisis. Senator King has previously supported several core\r\nprovisions of the legislation, which will improve the federal government's\r\nresponse to the opioid epidemic and lessen negative effects on children,\r\nfamilies, and communities. The bill will now head to the President's desk for\r\nhis signature.  \r\n The opioid epidemic is killing\r\nmore than one person per day in Maine, leaving communities suffering in its\r\nwake and in need of support from the federal government, said Senator King.\r\nThis bill takes a multi-pronged approach that will increase treatment\r\nopportunities, strengthen law enforcement efforts to crack down on drug dealers\r\nand smugglers, and give communities the tools they need to support their\r\ncitizens struggling with substance use disorders. I've met with Maine people in\r\nrecovery, parents of those struggling with substance use disorders, treatment\r\nproviders and law enforcement officials across the state, each of whom has\r\nshared a unique story with a common message: this disease is hurting Maine\r\npeople, families, and communities. This is not about partisanship  it's about\r\nsupporting our friends, neighbors, and loved ones who are currently caught in\r\nthe midst of a disease they cannot control. Today's legislation is a\r\nstrong step to help those battling addiction, but must not be the end of this\r\neffort  there are still too many people who need help.   Specifically, Senator King has\r\nbacked the following core values of the legislation: \r\nPermanent\r\nExpansion of Base of Opioid Treatment Professionals Allowed to Prescribe\r\nMedication-Assisted Treatment: Senator\r\nKing is a cosponsor of the Addiction Treatment Access Improvement Act, which\r\npermanently authorize nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe\r\nmedication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders. Under current\r\nlaw, these medical professionals are allowed to administer MAT until October 1,\r\n2021; this new legislation would permanently authorize these professionals to\r\nadminister MAT. This provision was not a part of the package the Senate\r\nvoted on last month, prompting Senator King to go\r\nto the Senate floor and advocate for its inclusion in the final package. \r\nReauthorization\r\nof the 21st Century Cures Act: Senator King was an outspoken advocate for funding\r\noriginally provided by the 21st Century Cures Act, which provides\r\ncritical opioid funding for states and tribes. The SUPPORT for Patients and\r\nCommunities Act will reauthorize and improve grants to states and\r\nIndiantribes for prevention, treatment, and recoveryto\r\nmitigatethe opioid crisis, authorized in 21stCentury\r\nCures, for three more years. \r\nInclusion\r\nof CRIB Act Provision:\r\nSenator King is a lead sponsor of the CRIB Act, which allows Medicaid to cover\r\ncare for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome in residential pediatric\r\nrecovery centers.  \r\nIncentives\r\nfor Students to Pursue Substance Use Disorder Work: The legislation includes a loan\r\nforgiveness program for students who agree to work as substance use disorder\r\ntreatment professionals in areas that have been hit hardest by drug overdoses.\r\nThe provision is based on the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment\r\nAct of 2018, which Senator King cosponsored.  \r\nIncreased\r\nMedicaid Coverage for Residential Treatment Programs: The legislation enables state\r\nMedicaid programs to cover care in residential treatment facilities for\r\nMedicaid beneficiaries aged 21 to 64. Under current law, the Institutions for\r\nMental Disease (IMD) Exclusion limits residential treatment facilities to 16\r\nbeds in order to receive federal reimbursement; the legislation removes the IMD\r\nexclusion, allowing residential treatment facilities to expand their treatment\r\ncapacity without losing federal reimbursement. The legislation reflects\r\nprovisions of the Improving Coverage for Substance Use Disorder Recovery\r\nExpansion Act, which Senator King introduced. \r\nEmpower\r\nCommunities to Combat Crisis:\r\nThe bill reauthorizes the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy\r\n(ONDCP) as well as its associated grant programs, such as the Drug-Free\r\nCommunities Program and the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Program. Senator\r\nKing co-sponsored the Substance Abuse Prevention Act of 2018, which included\r\nthe provision to reauthorize ONDCP. He also\r\nwrote a letter to the White House last year urging\r\nthe administration to maintain funding for the office.\r\nReduction\r\nof Use and Supply:\r\nSenator King is a co-sponsor of the STOP Act, which will help stop illegal\r\ndrugs at the border by requiring the postal service to obtain advance\r\nelectronic data for international mail and provide that data to Customs and\r\nBorder Protection.  Senator King has made combating the\r\nopioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington. In July, Senator King hosted\r\na panel of medical professionals, employers and advocates to\r\ndiscuss the opioid crisis and reduce the stigma surrounding Substance Use\r\nDisorders (SUDs). That same month, he met with the US Department of Agriculture\r\n(USDA) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, Anne Hazlett, and a\r\nnumber of medical professionals, law enforcement officers, advocates and local\r\nleaders ata Bangor\r\nroundtable discussing the opioid epidemic's impact on rural Maine.\r\nIn June, he highlighted the importance of the Affordable Care Act's protections\r\nfor individuals with pre-existing conditions to those struggling\r\nwith substance use disorders which is considered a pre-existing\r\ncondition, so those who seek treatment could then be denied coverage or charged\r\nexorbitant rates based on their past substance use. He has repeatedly called on\r\nCongress and both the Obama and Trump administrations to fund laws and agencies\r\nthat help address the drug epidemic. Senator King has held several\r\nroundtables throughout Maine  from Portland to Bangor to Milo to Paris  and\r\nhas spoken with health professionals, first responders, community members, and\r\npeople in recovery to find ways to help people get better and make Maine\r\ncommunities safer and healthier. He has also joined a group of his Senate\r\ncolleagues towrite\r\nto the nation's top health insurers urging them to do their part\r\nto combat the opioid epidemic.In an effort to hold the insurance industry\r\naccountable, the Senators asked the companies to both review their existing\r\npolicies in light of the epidemic, and to take additional steps to make sure\r\nthey are working actively to help curb addiction.In the FY 2018 Omnibus\r\nFederal Appropriations bill which passed in March, Senator King supported a\r\nprovision which increased funding to fight the opioid and mental health crises\r\nby $3.3 billion, including an increase of $2.8 billion in treatment, prevention\r\nand research for programs within the Department of Health and Human Services.\r\nAlso, in November 2017, Senator King led aletterto the Trump Administration\r\nurging additional funding for the opioid epidemic, and in\r\nOctober 2017 he joined a group of colleagues to introduce theCombating\r\nthe Opioid Epidemic Act, legislation that would invest $45\r\nbillion for prevention, detection, surveillance and treatment of opioids.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-join-bipartisan-group-urging-usda-to-direct-broadband-funding-to-high-need-rural-areas-", "Collins, King Join Bipartisan Group Urging USDA to Direct Broadband Funding to High-Need Rural Areas", "2018-10-02", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senators Susan Collins\r\n(R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine), a founder and co-chair of the Senate\r\nBroadband Caucus, joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to urge the U.S.\r\nDepartment of Agriculture (USDA) to designate a funding carve out within the\r\n$600 million rural broadband e-Connectivity Pilot Program established in the\r\nMarch 2018 omnibus appropriations bill. The senators urged the USDA to work\r\nwith states to determine eligible areas for a funding set aside within the\r\ntotal amount in the e-Connectivity program specifically to reach the high cost,\r\nrural and geographically challenged areas of the country that need it most.\r\nAccording to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), of the 24 million\r\nAmerican households that do not have reliable, affordable, high-speed internet,\r\n80 percent are located in rural areas.   As you know, rural America is\r\nlargely at a disadvantage for broadband deployment as a result of low\r\npopulation density, which makes these areas less attractive to the average\r\nbroadband provider looking for a large return on investment, the Senators\r\nwrote. Certain areas, however, face even bigger obstacles to deployment\r\nbecause of their challenging topography. Mountains and valleys, desert\r\nterrain, working forests, islands, remote coastal areas and ribbons of winding\r\nroads are central to the identity of the communities we represent, and their\r\nbeauty is what draws people to visit from around the world.\r\nUnfortunately, these same natural features make it far more expensive to\r\nconstruct critical broadband infrastructure. For example, during the first\r\nphase of the Mobility Fund, the average cost of Auction 901 greenfield sites\r\nconstructed by U.S. Cellular in West Virginia came in at about $1.2 million,\r\nthree times more expensive than flatter, easier to serve states like Oklahoma\r\nwhich only had an average cost of about $400,000.  With the additional effort and\r\nhigher costs associated with this difficult and remote terrain, it is clear why\r\nproviders would choose to avoid broadband deployment in high cost,\r\ngeographically challenging areas, the Senators continued. Many of our\r\nstates must absorb these high costs and invest their own resources into\r\nbuilding out broadband infrastructure in hopes of reducing the financial\r\nbarriers to attracting private partners, but they cannot afford to do it\r\nalone. We need a federal partner that understands these unique challenges\r\nour states face when trying to expand broadband service and we ask that USDA\r\nconsult with states to create a high-cost definition that accurately reflects\r\nthe significant additional costs associated with deploying broadband in these\r\nareas so that our states can effectively compete for grant funding with other\r\nstates that can build out for pennies on the dollar. We strongly\r\nencourage you to address this disparity and ensure our states have a fair shot\r\nat this funding by establishing a reasonable set aside within this $600 million\r\nallocation for high-cost, hard to serve areas like the places we represent.  In addition to Senators Collins and\r\nKing, the letter was signed by Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Dean Heller\r\n(R-Nev.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va), Maggie Hassan\r\n(D-N.H.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). The full text of the letter is\r\navailable here and below. +++  Dear Secretary Perdue,  As the U.S. Department of\r\nAgriculture (USDA) begins to develop the new e-Connectivity Pilot Program\r\nestablished in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-141), we\r\nappreciate this opportunity to share our perspective on what needs to be done\r\nto ensure this program is a success. We were proud to help lead the\r\nbipartisan effort to dedicate $600 million for this program, but we remain\r\nconcerned that  absent a dedicated high cost set aside  these funds will fail\r\nto reach the rural, geographically challenging areas of the country that need\r\nit most.  A child should never have to sit\r\noutside their school or neighborhood library in order to get online and do\r\ntheir homework. No working adult should have to choose between living\r\nnear their family and friends and having gainful employment because they cannot\r\nget an adequate internet connection where they live. A state should never\r\nhave to fear being under-represented in the upcoming Census because they do not\r\nhave the broadband infrastructure for their citizenry to fully participate in\r\nthe increasingly important online portions of it. Unfortunately, while we\r\nknow these things should never happen, we know that they do. Our states\r\ndeal with these and the other negative consequences that accompany a lack of\r\nreliable broadband access day after day. The longer this issue persists,\r\nthe further we will fall behind, making it impossible to participate in a 21stcentury\r\neconomy.  According to the Federal\r\nCommunications Commission (FCC), of the 24 million American households that do\r\nnot have reliable, affordable, high-speed internet, 80 percent are located in\r\nrural areas. For far too long, our states have been on the wrong side of\r\nthe digital divide. We are hopeful that the USDA's new pilot program will help\r\nour children have the tools they need to finish their school work, assist our\r\nstates in attracting new residents and businesses, support seniors aging in\r\nplace, strengthen digital literacy and inclusion, and ensure our communities\r\nare receiving their fair share of federal funding for important services like\r\nhealthcare and telemedicine, job training, education and distance learning,\r\ntourism, and connectivity that supports rural economic development.  As you know, rural America is\r\nlargely at a disadvantage for broadband deployment as a result of low\r\npopulation density, which makes these areas less attractive to the average\r\nbroadband provider looking for a large return on investment. Certain\r\nareas, however, face even bigger obstacles to deployment because of their challenging\r\ntopography. Mountains and valleys, desert terrain, working forests,\r\nislands, remote coastal areas and ribbons of winding roads are central to the\r\nidentity of the communities we represent, and their beauty is what draws people\r\nto visit from around the world. Unfortunately, these same natural\r\nfeatures make it far more expensive to construct critical broadband\r\ninfrastructure. For example, during the first phase of the Mobility Fund,\r\nthe average cost of Auction 901 greenfield sites constructed by U.S. Cellular\r\nin West Virginia came in at about $1.2 million, three times more expensive than\r\nflatter, easier to serve states like Oklahoma which only had an average cost of\r\nabout $400,000.   With the additional effort and\r\nhigher costs associated with this difficult and remote terrain, it is clear why\r\nproviders would choose to avoid broadband deployment in high cost,\r\ngeographically challenging areas. Many of our states must absorb these\r\nhigh costs and invest their own resources into building out broadband infrastructure\r\nin hopes of reducing the financial barriers to attracting private partners, but\r\nthey cannot afford to do it alone. We need a federal partner that\r\nunderstands these unique challenges our states face when trying to expand\r\nbroadband service and we ask that USDA consult with states to create a\r\nhigh-cost definition that accurately reflects the significant additional\r\ncosts associated with deploying broadband in these areas so that our states can\r\neffectively compete for grant funding with other states that can build out for\r\npennies on the dollar. We strongly encourage you to address this\r\ndisparity and ensure our states have a fair shot at this funding by\r\nestablishing a reasonable set aside within this $600 million allocation for\r\nhigh-cost, hard to serve areas like the places we represent.  Once considered a luxury, access to\r\nthe internet has now become a critical lifeline to society and the future of\r\nour economy. We need your help to ensure that all Americans, no matter their\r\narea code, have access to a high-speed, reliable internet connection. We\r\nthank you for carefully considering this request and look forward to working\r\ntogether to ensure that this program helps those that need it most.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/enr-committee-passes-king-legislation-on-national-parks-deferred-maintenance-bill-advances-permanent-reauthorization-for-lwcf", "ENR Committee Passes King Legislation on National Parks Deferred Maintenance Bill, Advances Permanent Reauthorization for LWCF", "2018-10-02", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King\r\n(I-Maine), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on\r\nNational Parks, applauded the ENR Committee's passage of the Restore\r\nOur Parks Act, a bipartisan bill led by Senators King, Rob Portman\r\n(R-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) that aims to\r\naddress the $12\r\nbillion deferred maintenance backlog at the National Park Service (NPS).\r\nThe Committee also approved legislation cosponsored by Senator King to\r\npermanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Wildlife Conservation Fund\r\n(LWCF). Both pieces of legislation will now be sent to the full Senate for\r\nconsideration.  Last month, I accompanied the\r\nActing Director of the National Park Service to Acadia National Park  and\r\nwhile the views were as beautiful as ever, the situation behind the scenes is\r\nnot so picturesque as the park grapples with serious maintenance backlogs, said\r\nSenator King. Acadia has delayed a number of important projects worth a\r\ntotal of $60 million that are vital to ensuring that visitors can continue to\r\nenjoy the park's natural wonders with a high quality visitor experience.\r\nIt's not alone in that struggle, as national parks across the country currently\r\nface a backlog of $12 billion. These lands are a national promise to leave\r\nbehind a better world than we received, but these massive backlogs show that\r\nwe're not currently living up to that responsibility. Today's markup is a step\r\nin the right direction for a bipartisan bill that will address this backlog and\r\nprotect our national parks for future generations.\" The Restore Our Parks Act consensus\r\nproposal is the product of bipartisan discussions among the senators who had\r\npreviously introduced similar bills, the National Park Service Legacy Act\r\n(Warner/Portman) and the National Park Restoration Act (Alexander/King), and\r\nhas been gaining momentum since its introduction; the legislation is\r\ncosponsored by 30 Senators and is supported by U.S. Secretary of the Interior\r\nRyan Zinke, the National Parks Conservation Association, the Pew Charitable\r\nTrusts' Restore America's Parks' campaign, and the Outdoor Industry\r\nAssociation, among others. Last month, Senator King joined Acting Director of\r\nthe National Park Service, Dan Smith, on a tour of Acadia National Park to\r\nassess the park's critical maintenance needs that would be funded if Congress\r\npassed the Restore Our Parks Act. This legislation would have a positive\r\nimpact on Acadia specifically, which has a maintenance backlog of approximately\r\n$60 million, and the surrounding communities like Bar Harbor. A companion bill,\r\ntheRestore our Parks and Public Lands Act,has been introduced in\r\nthe House.  More specifically, theRestore\r\nOur Parks Actwould establish the National Park Service Legacy\r\nRestoration Fund to reduce the maintenance backlog by allocating existing\r\nrevenues the government receives from on and offshore energy development. This\r\nconsensus legislation has been praised by witnesses at aSubcommittee\r\non National Parks hearing in July. Senator King is an steadfast supporter\r\nof the National Park System, and during his tenure in the Senate has pushed for\r\nmodernizations to make the parks more accessible to future generations,\r\nincluding the implementation of a pilot program to make entrance passes for\r\nparks available online, that waslauded\r\nin a Subcommittee hearing last year. The program has been particularly\r\nsuccessful in Acadia National Park (ANP); Acadia accounts for 72% of total\r\nsales in the pilot program, and online purchases accounted for 10% of the\r\npark's total entrance fee receipts in 2016.Additionally, today we took an\r\nimportant step to defend our public lands by approving a permanent\r\nreauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Senator King\r\nadded. LWCF has been a vital protection for public lands for the last half\r\ncentury, helping Americans from all walks of life access the natural beauty of\r\nour country. This is important legislation that transcends partisanship, as\r\nshown by the overwhelming support within the Committee for this permanent\r\nreauthorization. In all of the noise, sometimes quieter work can go unnoticed,\r\nbut today's step to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the LWCF should be\r\ncommended as an important, bipartisan accomplishment.Senator King has been a strong\r\nsupporter of the LWCF, and in August joined a bipartisan group of Senators in\r\nsending a letter to the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders requesting\r\na permanent reauthorization of the program before its expiration on\r\nSeptember 30, 2018. The LWCF has supported more than 42,000 state and local\r\nprojects in communities across the country. The program is funded by a\r\nportion of federal oil and gas royalties, operating without any taxpayer\r\nfunding. However, according to the letter, since its founding in 1965\r\nmore than $21 billion has been diverted from the LWCF trust fund to other\r\npurposes.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-and-representative-pingree-announce-nearly-300000-for-usms-trio-veterans-upward-bound-program", "Senators Collins, King, and Representative Pingree Announce Nearly $300,000 for USM\u2019s TRIO Veterans Upward Bound Program", "2018-10-02", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington,\r\nD.C. \r\nToday, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie\r\nPingree announced that the University of Southern Maine's Veterans Upward Bound\r\nprogram has been awarded $275,155 from the U.S. Department of Education.   USM's\r\nVeterans Upward Bound program is the only one of its kind in the State of\r\nMaine, and one of two such programs in New England. Since being awarded\r\nfunds, USM has been working diligently to recruit veterans for the program, said\r\nSenators Collins and King and Representative Pingree in a joint statement.\r\nWe are pleased that this essential program that gives veterans the resources\r\nand support they need to succeed in postsecondary education will continue to be\r\noffered across Maine.  The\r\nTRIO Veterans Upward Bound grant is so important to supporting the college\r\naspirations of veterans across Maine, said Dr. Glenn Cummings, President of\r\nthe University of Southern Maine. I want to thank Senators Collins\r\nand King and Representative Pingree for their successful effort to ensure this\r\nessential grant for Maine veterans continues. Last\r\nmonth, Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree sent a letter to the U.S.\r\nDepartment of Education in support of USM's grant application.  The\r\nUniversity of Southern Maine's Veterans Upward Bound program will serve\r\nlow-income, first-generation veterans from across the State of Maine. Of\r\nMaine's 119,058 veterans, 7,954 are low-income and 89,179 do not have a\r\nbachelor's degree and are highly likely to be potential first-generation\r\ncollege students. The program provides assessment and enhancement of\r\nbasic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and academic instruction\r\nin the core subject areas.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-applaud-53-million-investment-for-katahdin-non-profit", "Collins, King Applaud $5.3 Million Investment for Katahdin Non-Profit", "2018-10-01", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \r\nToday, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) applauded\r\nan announcement that Millinocket-based nonprofit Our Katahdin has been awarded\r\n$5.3 million from the Economic Development Administration. The funding will\r\nhelp Our Katahdin build critical infrastructure, including roads, water, sewer,\r\npower and broadband on the 1,400-acre former Great Northern Paper mill site in\r\nMillinocket. In June, Senators\r\nCollins and King wrote in support of Our Katahdin's grant application,\r\nciting the impact that the significant job losses resulting from the\r\nMillinocket paper mill's closure would have on Maine's rural economy. This funding for an array of\r\nsignificant infrastructure improvements will help Millinocket attract new,\r\ninnovative companies that will create much-needed jobs in the region, said\r\nSenators Collins and King in a joint statement.We welcome this\r\nimportant investment, which will strengthen the community of Millinocket and\r\nlay the foundation for future economic growth. In 2016, Senators Collins and King\r\ncalled on the U.S.\r\nDepartment of Commerce to establish the Economic Development Assessment Team\r\n(EDAT), that would work across federal agencies and industry sectors to\r\ncreate strategies for job growth and economic development in Maine's rural\r\ncommunities. The creation of the EDAT and its subsequent report and\r\nrecommendations led to the EDA providing funding for Our Katahdin's work to\r\nredevelop the former mill site. Our Katahdin, a volunteer based\r\n501(c)3 non-profit that works to promote community and economic development in\r\nthe Katahdin region. Our Katahdin purchased the former paper mill site in early\r\n2017, and intends to develop the site into a multi-tenant industrial park hosting\r\nboth traditional and innovative forest products businesses such as\r\ncross-laminated timber (CLT) manufacturing, biorefining and nanocellulose\r\nproduction. The site has also been of interest to potential tenants in the\r\naquaculture, food production and data center industries.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-visits-with-employees-at-tambrands-manufacturing-facility", "King Visits with Employees at Tambrands Manufacturing Facility", "2018-10-01", "2018", "2018-10", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PORTLAND, ME\r\n Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) visited the Tambrands\r\nmanufacturing facility in Auburn to tour the facility and meet with the\r\ncompany's senior leadership and employees. The company is owned by Proctor\r\n& Gamble and recently celebrated 50 years in business; with approximately\r\n400 employees, Tambrands is Auburn's largest private employer and produces\r\nbetween 8 and 9 million Tampax tampons per day, which are shipped all over the\r\nworld. Tambrands has\r\nbeen investing in Maine's workforce and our state's economy for the past fifty\r\nyears  it is not only an economic success story, but also an important part of\r\nthe Auburn community, said Senator King. The success of Tambrands'\r\nAuburn facility is not only a testament to great leadership, but also to the generations\r\nof the diligent and innovative Maine folks who have worked there. When people\r\nfrom away hear the phrase Made in Maine', they expect high-quality products \r\nthat's thanks to the hard work of Maine's manufacturing workers like those at\r\nTambrands.In recent\r\nmonths, Senator King has visited several small businesses and manufacturing\r\nfacilities throughout Maine to celebrate innovation, ingenuity and discuss a\r\nfew challenges and obstacles to success. In August, Senator King\r\ncelebrated Maine innovation and entrepreneurship at the unveiling of the\r\nnewest renovations to the UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship in Orono. The\r\nCenter, is Maine's longest running incubator for startup businesses and\r\nprovides resources, technological support and coaching for future\r\nentrepreneurs. Also in August, he\r\nmet with management at Origin Maine, a martial arts and athletics-wear\r\nmanufacturer in Farmington, as well as leaders of Nine Dragons Paper\r\nLLCat the company's Rumford mill, which was recently purchased from\r\nCatalyst Paper.He\r\nalso visited with a number of Lewiston businesses, including Elmet\r\nTechnology and Central Distributors and ate lunch with a group of entrepreneurs\r\nwho are members of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. In\r\nJuly, Senator King\r\nfocused on agricultural innovation and visited Buck Farms in Mapleton and\r\nMichaud Farms in Fort Fairfield to discuss opportunities to diversify\r\nMaine's crop selection and clean energy production. These visits are a part of\r\nSenator King's ongoing effort to meet with Maine people throughout the state;\r\nsince taking office in 2013, he has held more than 1,200 meetings and events\r\nacross Maine.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-south-portland-king-speaks-on-importance-of-dementia-research", "In South Portland, King Speaks on Importance of Dementia Research", "2018-09-28", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PORTLAND, ME\r\n Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine)\r\nprovided remarks at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA)'s Charting the\r\nFuture: Innovation in Dementia Research, Treatment and Care symposium\r\nin South Portland. The symposium featured 200 policymakers and researchers who\r\nwork to find treatments for dementia.   Dementia\r\naffects 27,000 Maine people, robbing our family, friends, and neighbors of\r\ntheir memories and their independence. It is heartbreaking to watch, and\r\nrequires a strong response from all corners of our communities, said\r\nSenator King. That's why the work the Southern Maine Agency on Aging has\r\ndone is so important. By fighting this debilitating disease from all angles,\r\nand by working collaboratively, they've changed lives and given hope to\r\nthousands of Maine people and their families.  As the state with the oldest median age,\r\nseniors are a vital part of Maine's population. In September, Senator King visited The Center for Seniors in Kennebunk to meet with members and discuss a number\r\nof issues facing Maine seniors such as, Medicare, the high costs of\r\nprescription drugs, and the importance of finding solutions that help Maine\r\npeople age in place.In June, Senator King convened a roundtable discussion of strategies to\r\ncombat Alzheimer's Disease\r\nat the Bangor Public Library. During a visit toWoodlands Memory Care of Farmington in\r\nFebruary, Senator King announced his support for\r\ntheBuilding Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's\r\nAct, which would create a public health infrastructure for the treatment of\r\nAlzheimer's patients. In 2015, he introducedthe Ensuring Useful Research\r\nExpenditures is Key for Alzheimer's (EUREKA) Act, bipartisan legislation that would create\r\nprize-based incentives to encourage more public-private collaboration in the\r\nfight against Alzheimer's disease and other causes of dementia. A provision based on the EUREKA Act was\r\nsigned into law as part of the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016. Senator King cosponsored the Health Outcomes, Planning, and\r\nEducation (HOPE) for Alzheimer's Act, a bill that would ensure patients and families have all the\r\nnecessary information to fight the disease. The legislation was implemented by\r\nCMS in 2016. Senator King is also a strong proponent of strengthening\r\ntelehealth, and is a cosponsor of the ECHO Act, which was enacted in 2016 and expands access to healthcare\r\nthrough telemedicine in rural and underserved areas.  Following\r\nSMAA's symposium, Senator King will travel to Portland to celebrate PHA's 75th\r\nanniversary at a celebration that will include staff members, community\r\npartners and approximately 300 residents of Sagamore Village as well as\r\nPortland city officials and Maine state legislators.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-celebrates-portland-housing-authoritys-75th-anniversary", "King Celebrates Portland Housing Authority\u2019s 75th Anniversary", "2018-09-28", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PORTLAND, ME\r\n Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke at the Portland Housing\r\nAuthority's (PHA) 75th Anniversary Celebration at Sagamore Village\r\nin Portland. The celebration included staff members, community partners and approximately\r\n300 residents of Sagamore Village, a PHA facility, as well as Portland city\r\nofficials and Maine state legislators.   For 75 years,\r\nthe Portland Housing Authority has brought stability into the lives of the\r\nregion's families, seniors, and those living with disabilities, said\r\nSenator King. The PHA's long history of lending a helping hand to our\r\nneighbors should be an example for all of us on how to take care of each other\r\n an example that I hope the organization will continue to set for the next 75\r\nyears.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-collins-king-and-reps-pingree-poliquin-announce-contract-award-to-build-four-destroyers-at-bath-iron-works", "Sens. Collins, King and Reps. Pingree, Poliquin Announce Contract Award to Build Four Destroyers at Bath Iron Works", "2018-09-27", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington,\r\nD.C. U.S. Senators Susan\r\nCollins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin\r\nannounced today that Bath Iron Works (BIW) has been awarded four ships, in the\r\namount of $3,904,735,559, over the next five years pursuant to the Navy's multiyear\r\nprocurement contract. The contract includes potential options for\r\nadditional ships, including one that will be awarded in fiscal year 2019.\r\nU.S. Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer called Senators Collins and King and\r\nRepresentative Pingree today to inform them of the award.  We are proud of the hardworking and highly skilled men and\r\nwomen at Bath Iron Works who have earned the reputation that Bath built is\r\nbest built,'said Senators Collins and King and Representatives\r\nPingree and Poliquin in a joint statement. The award of these\r\nfour ships over the next five years, including the potential for additional\r\nships, demonstrates the Navy's recognition of the high-quality destroyers BIW\r\nproduces that are critical to our national security. At a time when\r\nthreats to our nation are increasing, we will continue to push for an\r\naggressive rate of growth for large surface combatants to ensure our nation's\r\nsailors have the resources they need to carry out their national securitymissions. The delegation will work to help ensure that Congress\r\nprovides the necessary funding and statutory authority for the Navy to procure\r\nten DDG-51's and all possible option ships over the next five years. Senator Collins is a senior member of the Senate Defense\r\nAppropriations Subcommittee, Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed\r\nServices Committee, and Representative Pingree is a member of the House\r\nAppropriations Committee. Earlier this month, Senators Collins and King\r\nboth advocated for the passage of the Fiscal Year 2019 Defense Appropriations\r\nbill, which included funding for three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in fiscal\r\nyear 2019, while also including $250 million in advanced procurement funding\r\nfor an additional destroyer in fiscal year 2020. The legislation passed\r\nthe Senate and House and is headed to the President's desk to be signed into\r\nlaw.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-applaud-sappi-north-americas-investment-in-skowhegan-paper-mill", "Senators Collins, King Applaud Sappi North America\u2019s Investment in Skowhegan Paper Mill", "2018-09-26", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins\r\n(R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the announcement\r\nfrom SappiNorth America, Inc.that the company has completed an\r\ninvestment project at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan. The investment of more\r\nthan $200 million will help the mill diversify its manufacturing line by\r\nexpanding into paperboard packaging, while retaining its leadership position in\r\nthe graphic paper market. The mill will now have an annual production capacity\r\nof almost one million tons per year. The Somerset Mill supports approximately\r\n800 jobs in Skowhegan, and 1,300 jobs in Maine. The forest products industry\r\ncontinues to be a vital part of our state's economy, particularly in rural\r\ncommunities, said Senators Collins and King. It is critical that\r\ncompanies make long-term investments and pursue forward-thinking strategies to\r\nrespond to changing market demands. Sappi has done just that with their recent\r\ninvestment and upgrades at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, which supports\r\nhundreds of jobs across Maine. We are thrilled by the completion of this\r\nproject and look forward to working alongside Sappi and other community and industry\r\nleaders to find new market opportunities for Maine's forest-products industry\r\nto thrive. Senators Collins and King have been\r\nstrong supporters of Maine's forest economy.In 2016, they called on\r\ntheU.S. Department of Commerce to establish the Economic\r\nDevelopment Assessment Team (EDAT), which would work across agencies and\r\nsectors to create strategies for job growth and economic development in Maine's\r\nrural communities. The creation of the EDAT and subsequent federal funding from\r\nthe EDA and U.S. Forest Service established the 2018\r\nFOR/Maine Initiative, an industry-led effort that released the following\r\nrecommendations earlier this week to grow Maine's forest economy: \r\nInvest, Innovate, Grow-\r\nSustain and grow Maine's existing and emerging forest products economy. \r\nManage Sustainably-\r\nManage the wood resource using sustainable and responsible forest management\r\npractices. \r\nDevelop Workforce-\r\nPrepare workforce for the future of the forest products economy. \r\nSupport Communities-\r\nIncrease prosperity in Maine forest economy communities, especially those in\r\nrural areas and those affected by mill closures. \r\nCoordinate & Persist-Organize\r\nthe forest products industry with committed public sector partners, including\r\nthe University of Maine, to implement the vision and goals.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-applaud-sappi-north-americas-investment-in-skowhegan-paper-mill-", "Senators Collins, King Applaud Sappi North America\u2019s Investment in Skowhegan Paper Mill", "2018-09-26", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins\r\n(R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the announcement\r\nfrom SappiNorth America, Inc.that the company has completed an\r\ninvestment project at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan. The investment of more\r\nthan $200 million will help the mill diversify its manufacturing line by\r\nexpanding into paperboard packaging, while retaining its leadership position in\r\nthe graphic paper market. The mill will now have an annual production capacity\r\nof almost one million tons per year. The Somerset Mill supports approximately\r\n800 jobs in Skowhegan, and 1,300 jobs in Maine. The forest products industry\r\ncontinues to be a vital part of our state's economy, particularly in rural\r\ncommunities, said Senators Collins and King. It is critical that\r\ncompanies make long-term investments and pursue forward-thinking strategies to\r\nrespond to changing market demands. Sappi has done just that with their recent\r\ninvestment and upgrades at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, which supports\r\nhundreds of jobs across Maine. We are thrilled by the completion of this\r\nproject and look forward to working alongside Sappi and other community and industry\r\nleaders to find new market opportunities for Maine's forest-products industry\r\nto thrive. Senators Collins and King have been\r\nstrong supporters of Maine's forest economy.In 2016, they called on\r\ntheU.S. Department of Commerce to establish the Economic\r\nDevelopment Assessment Team (EDAT), which would work across agencies and\r\nsectors to create strategies for job growth and economic development in Maine's\r\nrural communities. The creation of the EDAT and subsequent federal funding from\r\nthe EDA and U.S. Forest Service established the 2018\r\nFOR/Maine Initiative, an industry-led effort that released the following\r\nrecommendations earlier this week to grow Maine's forest economy: \r\nInvest, Innovate, Grow-\r\nSustain and grow Maine's existing and emerging forest products economy. \r\nManage Sustainably-\r\nManage the wood resource using sustainable and responsible forest management\r\npractices. \r\nDevelop Workforce-\r\nPrepare workforce for the future of the forest products economy. \r\nSupport Communities-\r\nIncrease prosperity in Maine forest economy communities, especially those in\r\nrural areas and those affected by mill closures. \r\nCoordinate & Persist-Organize\r\nthe forest products industry with committed public sector partners, including\r\nthe University of Maine, to implement the vision and goals.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-applaud-initiative-to-revitalize-and-diversify-forestry-industry", "Collins, King Applaud Initiative to Revitalize and Diversify Forestry Industry", "2018-09-25", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins\r\n(R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine), a cofounder of the Working Forest Caucus,\r\napplauded an action plan released by the Forest Opportunity Roadmap (FOR/Maine)\r\nInitiative to grow Maine's forest economy and increase economic prosperity in\r\nrural communities. Supported by funding from the U.S. Economic Development\r\nAdministration (EDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Maine\r\nTimberlands Charitable Trust, the industry-led initiative rolled out a plan to\r\ndiversify the state's wood products businesses, attract investments, and\r\ndevelop greater economic prosperity for rural communities impacted by mill\r\nclosures. The FOR/Maine Coalition includes a strategic plan to grow Maine's\r\nforest economy by 40% by building on traditional industry strengths like saw\r\nlogs and paper, and add new layers of innovative products  including\r\neco-friendly chemicals, bio-degradable plastics, and medical and technical\r\nproducts made from nanocellulose  which can be made from the residuals of\r\nother wood manufacturing processes.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMaine's forests continue to be a\r\nvital part of our state's economy, said Senators Collins and King in a\r\njoint statement. The FOR/Maine Initiative is the product of collaboration\r\nbetween industry and community leaders, the Economic Development\r\nAdministration, and all levels of government, and the resulting recommendations\r\nwill support job creation and economic growth in our rural communities. We\r\napplaud the Forest Opportunity Roadmap partners for their hard work,\r\ncreativity, and steadfast commitment to strengthening the future of the forest\r\neconomy in our state, and we look forward to continuing to support their\r\nefforts to help Maine's forest economy thrive for generations to come.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFOR/Maine outlines five goals to\r\nbuild a more diverse forest economy:\r\n\r\n\r\nInvest,\r\nInnovate, Grow\r\n- Sustain and grow Maine's existing and emerging forest products economy. \r\n\r\n\r\nManage\r\nSustainably -\r\nManage the wood resource using sustainable and responsible forest management\r\npractices.\r\n\r\n\r\nDevelop\r\nWorkforce -\r\nPrepare workforce for the future of the forest products economy. \r\n\r\n\r\nSupport\r\nCommunities -\r\nIncrease prosperity in Maine forest economy communities, especially those in\r\nrural areas and those affected by mill closures. \r\n\r\n\r\nCoordinate\r\n& Persist -\r\nOrganize the\r\nforest products industry with committed public sector partners, including the\r\nUniversity of Maine, to implement the vision and goals. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe EDA leads the federal economic\r\ndevelopment agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's\r\nregions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. As an agency within\r\nthe Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed\r\ncommunities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American\r\ninnovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-600000-for-workforce-development-efforts-in-biddeford", "Senators Collins, King Announce $600,000 for Workforce Development Efforts in Biddeford", "2018-09-25", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins\r\n(R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the U.S. Department of Health\r\nand Human Services (HHS)'s Office of Community Services' Community Economic\r\nDevelopment Project Program will award $600,000 to Coastal Enterprises, Inc.,\r\n(CEI), a non-profit based in Brunswick that helps to grow economic development\r\nin Maine. The funding will support a partnership between CEI and Junora LTD, a\r\nstart-up manufacturing company based in Biddeford, to provide job training and\r\nsupport for low-income individuals in the region.   For over 40 years, CEI has been a\r\nnational leader in rural economic development and financing environmentally\r\nsustainable business practices, said Senators Collins and King said in a\r\njoint statement. Maine needs qualified workers, and these funds will help\r\nMaine people acquire the skills they need to succeed in the 21st\r\ncentury economy. We are proud to support this partnership between CEI and\r\nBiddeford-based Junora to bolster our state's economy, develop our workforce\r\nand create promising job opportunities for Maine people. Last spring, Senators Collins and\r\nKing sent a letter to the HHS in support of CEI's grant application.  Coastal Enterprises, Inc. is\r\na non-profit in Brunswick with a joint focus on economic growth and\r\nenvironmental health. Established 40 years ago, CEI works with Maine start-ups\r\nand entrepreneurs to provide support and create jobs for Maine people. Junora\r\nLTD is a start-up manufacturing company that provides advanced metallurgical\r\nproducts to produce products such solar panels and lithium batteries.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-portland-king-speaks-at-protect-our-care-rally", "In Portland, King Speaks at \u2018Protect Our Care\u2019 Rally", "2018-09-24", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PORTLAND, ME\r\n Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke at the Protect Our Care'\r\nBus Tour event at Portland's City Hall in defense of the Affordable Care Act.\r\nProtect Our Care is a group of healthcare activists that are currently\r\ntraveling the country via bus to share stories, testimonies and represent\r\nAmericans whose health is being put at risk by continued attacks on the\r\nAffordable Care Act. In addition to Senator King, attendees included\r\nRepresentative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), people who suffer from pre-existing\r\nconditions, healthcare providers, seniors, local elected officials, people with\r\ndisabilities and others. During their 48 stop, country-wide tour, the Protect\r\nOur Care activists work to bring humanity to the policy decisions of the\r\nadministration, which could potentially result in millions of Americans losing\r\ntheir health care coverage.  Healthcare is\r\nnot a privilege that can be revoked from those who are too poor or too sick \r\nit is a prerequisite for Americans seeking to live happy, healthy and productive\r\nlives, said Senator King. This isn't a radical idea  it's a\r\ncompassionate one. Maine people, and people across the country, should not be\r\ndenied access to the medical care they need. In response to those who would\r\nrevoke this care from millions of Americans, those of us who care about\r\ndefending healthcare access need to speak up. All those involved in the Protect\r\nOur Care Bus Tour are leading the charge in this fight, and I'm proud to stand\r\nalongside them to defend the health insurance of Maine people.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-damariscotta-king-highlights-importance-of-healthcare-protections-to-maine-people-working-in-high-risk-industries-", "In Damariscotta, King Highlights Importance of Healthcare Protections To Maine People Working in High Risk Industries", "2018-09-21", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BRUNSWICK, ME\r\nToday, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) met with Maine people at Lincoln\r\nHealth Education Center in Damariscotta to highlight the impact of protections\r\nfor individuals with pre-existing conditions, as well as the importance of\r\ncommunity rating, another provision of the\r\nAffordable Care Act (ACA) which requires health insurance providers to offer\r\npolicies within a given territory at the same price to all potential customers.\r\nThese protections are particularly important to workers involved in the\r\nnatural resource industries that drive Maine's rural economy; while Maine law\r\ndoes include some protections that would remain in place if the ACA's\r\nprotections were overturned, it does not prohibit health insurance companies\r\nfrom increasing prices for people based on their occupation, creating increased\r\nrisks for those working in industries such as fishing, forestry and farming.   Maine people\r\nliving with medical conditions should be able to get health insurance at a reasonable\r\nprice, rather than charged astronomical prices simply because of what they do\r\nfor a living,said Senator King. The lobstermen and farmers I met\r\ntoday are a vital part of our state's economy  we should be supporting them,\r\nnot allowing health insurance companies to discriminate against them. This\r\nisn't a matter of ideology  it's about keeping our citizens healthy, and\r\nsupporting Maine workers. I'll keep fighting to defend the health insurance of\r\nMaine people, however, whenever, and as strongly as I possibly can.  Following the\r\nevent, Senator King released a video sharing his thoughts on the event, which\r\ncan be seen HERE. Today's\r\ndiscussion is a continuation of a series of conversations on healthcare around\r\nthe state. Earlier this month, Senator\r\nKing met with seniors in Kennebunk to discuss the high cost of healthcare\r\nservices in prescription drugs. In August, Senator King\r\nmet\r\nwith Maine families on the impact of insurance protections for\r\nchildren living with pre-existing conditions, and in June he spoke\r\nwith a panel of Maine people with pre-existing conditions, healthcare advocates\r\nand medical professionals in South Portland, following Department of\r\nJustice's decision not to defend the guarantee of coverage for pre-existing\r\nconditions.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSenator King has\r\nbeen outspoken in opposition to administration moves and legislative proposals\r\nthat seek to undermine the Affordable Care Act, and last month joined a group\r\nof his colleagues to introduce\r\nlegislation that would overturn the administration's final junk insurance\r\nplan rule, which would expand the number of insurance plans that are not\r\nrequired to provide health care coverage for people with pre-existing\r\nconditions. In July, Senator King cosponsored a\r\nresolution that would authorize the Senate Legal Counsel to intervene in the\r\nlegal case challenging the constitutionality of the ACA's provisions\r\nprotecting people with pre-existing conditions. Also in July, he published a\r\npost on Mediumhighlighting\r\nthe Administration's efforts to weaken the ACA. At the end of June, Senator King spoke twice Senate floor\r\nabout the impact\r\nof ACA sabotage on Maine people and to honor\r\nthe 53rd anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. Senator\r\nKing has also pursued agreements that would improve the Affordable Care Act to\r\nprotect coverage for the millions who rely on it for affordable health care,\r\nand has developed several proposals to make common sense fixes to the\r\nlegislation. During the health care debate last summer, Senator Kingoutlined\r\naroadmap of health care prioritiesto stabilize the health care\r\nmarketplace and lower the underlying costs of treatment and health coverage for\r\npeople in Maine and across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-honoring-pow/mia-day", "King Statement Honoring POW/MIA Day", "2018-09-21", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BRUNSWICK, ME Today U.S. Senator Angus King\r\n(I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the\r\nfollowing statement in observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day. This day\r\nrecognizes and shows solidarity with America's servicemembers who have been\r\nPrisoners of War, those still Missing in Action, and their families:\r\n\r\nWe join today to honor the brave\r\nmembers of our Armed Forces who were held as Prisoners of War and those who\r\nremain Missing in Action. I am humbled to join families in Maine and across the\r\nNation to recognize their courage, patriotism, and immeasurable sacrifices.\r\nThis day is a solemn reminder of these sacrifices, but it is also a call to\r\naction. In recognizing the sacrifices made by our family and community members\r\nwho are or have been POW/MIA, we must recommit ourselves to working to bring them\r\nhome and to caring for those among us they have left behind.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe POW/MIA flag is emblazoned\r\nwith the phrase, You Are Not Forgotten.' This serves as a stark reminder to us\r\nall that we must bear witness to the sacrifice of those still unaccounted for\r\nby joining together in our unyielding efforts to ensure that no one is left\r\nbehind. This is also a reminder of our commitment and obligation to those who\r\nhave returned and to ensure that they receive the support and compassionate\r\ncare they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThis national day of recognition\r\nis a day we gather as a country to remember, but the families of POW/MIA must\r\nquietly endure the pain of a missing loved one every day. We must commit to\r\nstand by these families as a community, state, and Nation, to pay tribute to\r\nthe sacrifices of those who are or have been POW/MIA. We vow to continue our\r\nefforts not only to bring them home, but also to care for their families and\r\ntheir comrades who have returned.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOn this day, I am honored to\r\nexpress my deepest gratitude to the brave members of our community who are or\r\nhave been POW/MIA. To the families who have quietly borne the pain of a missing\r\nloved one, know that we will continue to stand with you and honor their\r\nselflessness to ensure the safety of our nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-cape-elizabeth-king-joins-usda-secretary-sonny-perdue-to-discuss-maine-agriculture-with-industry-leaders", "In Cape Elizabeth, King Joins USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to Discuss Maine Agriculture with Industry Leaders", "2018-09-20", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CAPE\r\nELIZABETH, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined U.S.\r\nDepartment of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue at the William H.\r\nJordan Farm in Cape Elizabeth. Senator King and Secretary Perdue toured the farm\r\nand met with Maine agricultural leaders representing a variety of important\r\nsectors of the state's agricultural economy and discuss the challenges they\r\nface. Senator King and Secretary Perdue were also joined by Representative\r\nChellie Pingree (D-Maine).   Maine farmers\r\nfeed our people, drive our economy, and carry on traditions dating back\r\ngenerations, said Senator King. Our farmers are a vital part of Maine,\r\nand it's critical that the USDA understands the significant role they play in\r\nour rural economy, the challenges they're facing and the opportunities the\r\nDepartment can provide to help Maine agriculture grow and innovate. Today's\r\nvisit allowed Secretary Perdue to see what made in Maine' really means  that\r\nboth our products and our people are second-to-none.  Senator King has\r\nbeen a strong advocate for Maine farmers, and in June, the Senate passed its\r\nversion of the Farm Bill witha\r\nnumber of King-backed provisionsto support innovation and create new\r\nopportunities for the Maine's agricultural communities, including a\r\nmodernization of rural broadband programs, permanent funding to educate and\r\ntrain beginning farmers and ranchers, and continuing support for important\r\nMaine products like dairy, blueberries and potatoes. In the months since the\r\nSenate Farm Bill passed, Senator King has met with agricultural leaders around\r\nthe state to discuss its provisions and other challenges facing Maine farmers,\r\nmeeting with farmers in Aroostook\r\nCounty in July and Penobscot\r\nCounty in August to discuss their efforts to innovate. Earlier this month\r\nhe also highlighted the challenge of food insecurity in Maine during a\r\nvisit to Good Shepherd Food Bank.  Senator King has\r\nalso pushed to help Maine farms in a variety of ways, including introducing the\r\nPRIME\r\nAct to help small farmers bypass burdensome federal regulations for\r\nlocally produced meats. He has also introduced the CREAATE\r\nAct, which would expand export opportunities for agricultural producers by\r\nrevitalizing the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program;\r\nboth of these programs aim to increase American agricultural exports, and\r\ngenerate a net return of $28.30 for every dollar invested. Senator King has\r\nalso been a vocal advocate in favor of clear FDA labels for pure, single\r\ningredient products like maple syrup and honey, and spoke\r\non the Senate floor about this topic in June.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-address-suicide-crisis-in-native-communities", "King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Suicide Crisis in Native Communities", "2018-09-19", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BRUNSWICK, ME  U.S Senator Angus King (I-Maine)\r\njoined a bipartisan group of his Senate colleagues to introduce the Native\r\nAmerican Suicide Prevention Act. This legislation would help address the\r\nsuicide crisis in Indian Country by ensuring collaboration among states and\r\ntribal communities to design and implement statewide suicide intervention and\r\nprevention strategies that work for their communities. The Native American\r\nSuicide Prevention Act is the Senate companion to H.R. 3473, a bipartisan bill\r\nintroduced by Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Congressman Tom Cole\r\n(R-Okla.), and 27 other House cosponsors. \r\n One suicide in Maine is one too\r\nmany  and in order to tackle a problem as serious as this, we need to have\r\neveryone at the table discussing solutions, said Senator King. Native\r\ncommunities have some of the highest rates of suicide in the nation, which is\r\nwhy including them in discussions about suicide prevention is so important \r\nit's just commonsense, and it can save lives.\r\n  Native American reservations are\r\nexperiencing an epidemic of suicide that is claiming the lives of countless\r\nyoung people. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Native\r\npeople ages 10-34. For American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 15-34, the suicide\r\nrate is 1.5 times higher than the national average. In some tribal\r\ncommunities, the youth suicide rate is 10 times greater than the national\r\naverage. Despite the devastating scope of this crisis and the clear need\r\nfor Native communities' involvement in the development of suicide prevention\r\nstrategies, tribes and tribal organizations are too often left out of planning\r\nand execution of statewide suicide prevention programs.  The Native American Suicide\r\nPrevention Act would help address this epidemic by amending the Public Health\r\nService Act to require states or state-designated entities to collaborate with\r\ntribes in an effort to curtail the alarming suicide rate in Native\r\ncommunities. Specifically, the bill would mandate that state governments\r\ncollaborate with each federally recognized Indian tribe, tribal organization,\r\nurban Indian organization, and Native Hawaiian health care system in the state\r\nin developing and implementing statewide suicide early intervention and\r\nprevention strategies.  In addition to Senator King, this\r\nlegislation is supported by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Lisa Murkowski\r\n(R-Alaska) Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Catherine Cortez-Masto\r\n(D-Nev.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal\r\n(D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jon Tester\r\n(D-Mont.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tina Smith\r\n(D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).   Organizations that support the\r\nNative American Suicide Prevention Act include the American Foundation for\r\nSuicide Prevention, Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health, the\r\nAssociation on American Indian Affairs, the National Council of Urban Indian\r\nHealth, the Alaska Native Health Board, the Alaska Native Tribal Health\r\nConsortium, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Papa Ola Lokahi, and the Association For\r\nBehavioral Healthcare.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-tours-acadia-national-park-with-acting-director-of-nps-highlights-need-for-restore-our-parks-act", "King Tours Acadia National Park with Acting Director of NPS, Highlights Need for \u2018Restore Our Parks Act\u2019", "2018-09-19", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BAR HARBOR, ME  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King\r\n(I-Maine), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Senate\r\nSubcommittee on National Parks, joined Acting Director of the National Park\r\nService, Dan Smith, on a tour of Acadia National Park to assess the park's\r\ncritical maintenance needs. The visit highlights the need for Congress to pass\r\nthe Restore Our Parks Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by\r\nSenator King along\r\nwith Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Lamar Alexander\r\n(R-Tenn.) that would reduce the $12 billion maintenance backlog facing National\r\nParks around the country. This legislation would have a positive impact on\r\nAcadia, which has a maintenance backlog of approximately $60 million, and the\r\nsurrounding communities. a companion bill, the Restore our\r\nParks and Public Lands Act, has been\r\nintroduced in the House.   Mary and I have gone with our kids\r\nto almost two dozen national parks across the country, but Acadia will forever\r\nhold a special place in our hearts, said Senator King. Acadia, like\r\nall of our treasured national parks, represents a responsibility that is passed\r\nfrom generation to generation: our responsibility to leave behind a better\r\nworld for those who come next. Unfortunately, we've fallen behind on that\r\ncommitment, putting off $12 billion of important maintenance projects required\r\nto fulfill the promise of these parks. Our bipartisan bill will address this\r\nbacklog, and ensure that our children and grandchildren can experience Cadillac\r\nMountain sunrises for years to come.  Senator King and Acting Director\r\nSmith were led through the park by Acadia National Park Superintendent Kevin\r\nSchneider. Also joining the tour were U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin\r\n(R-Maine); Town Manager of Bar Harbor, Cornell Knight; President and CEO of\r\nFriends of Acadia, David MacDonald; Maine State Senator, Brian Langley\r\n(R-Ellsworth); Maine State Representative, Brian Hubbell (D-Bar Harbor);\r\nExecutive Director of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Martha Searchfield;\r\nas well as other staff members from Acadia National Park and the park's non-profit\r\npartner, Friends of Acadia.  More specifically, theRestore\r\nOur Parks Actwould establish the National Park Service Legacy\r\nRestoration Fund to reduce the maintenance backlog by allocating existing\r\nrevenues the government receives from on and offshore energy development. This\r\nconsensus legislation has been praised by witnesses at a Subcommittee on National Parks\r\nhearing in July,\r\nand is supported by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, the National\r\nParks Conservation Association, the Pew Charitable Trusts' restore America's\r\nparks campaign, and the Outdoor Industry Association, among others. In addition\r\nto Senators King, Portman, Warner, and Alexander, the legislation is supported\r\nby Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Cory\r\nGardner (R-Colo.), Steve Daines (R-S.D.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.),\r\nJoe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).  Senator King is an steadfast\r\nsupporter of the National Park System, and during his tenure in the Senate has\r\npushed for modernizations to make the parks more accessible to future\r\ngenerations, including the implementation of a pilot program to make entrance\r\npasses for parks available online, that waslauded in a Subcommittee hearing\r\nlast year. The\r\nprogram has been particularly successful in Acadia National Park (ANP); Acadia\r\naccounts for 72% of total sales in the pilot program, and online purchases\r\naccounted for 10% of the park's total entrance fee receipts in 2016.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-joins-colleagues-to-secure-5-million-for-textbook-grants", "King Joins Colleagues to Secure $5 Million for Textbook Grants", "2018-09-18", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\r\n Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today applauded the inclusion of a\r\nprovision allocating $5 million in additional funding for the continued\r\nimplementation of the Open Textbooks Pilot in the FY19 Departments of Defense, Labor,\r\nHealth and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Package. The Open Textbooks Pilot is a competitive grant program to\r\nsupport the creation and expand the use of open college textbooks textbooks\r\nthat are available under an open license, allowing professors, students,\r\nresearchers, and others to freely access the materials.  College is\r\nexpensive enough  textbooks shouldn't drive the price even higher, said\r\nSenator King. The Open Textbooks Pilot is an important opportunity to\r\nexpand the use of free educational resources at schools across the country,\r\nmaking sure that students have affordable access to the tools they need to\r\nsucceed.  Senator King has been a leader on this issue, along with\r\nSenators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).In April, King,\r\nDurbin, and Smith led 23 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to the Chairman\r\nand Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health\r\nand Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-H) pressing them to\r\nprovide additional funding for the program in the FY19 funding bill.  The program was created with an initial $5 million\r\ninvestment in the FY18 Omnibus.The Department is in the process of\r\nreviewing applications for FY18 grants under the Pilot and is expected to\r\nannounce the first awards soon.  Durbin, King, and Smith, along with Representatives Jared\r\nPolis (D-Colo.) andKyrstenSinema(D-Ari.) in the House, have been working to ensure the program is\r\neffectively implemented by the Department of Education  sending letters to\r\nSecretary Betsy DeVos in April and August. Today's bill also includes report\r\nlanguage to ensure that the Department:  \r\nAwards FY19 funds through a new grant competition; \r\nUses the funds to\r\nprovide a greater number of grants in FY19  at least 20 grants with individual\r\ngrants amounting to $100,000 to $1 million; \r\nProvides institutions at\r\nleast 60 days to apply for grant funds; and \r\nRequires any tools,\r\ntechnologies, or other resources developed with grant funds for use with an\r\nopen textbooks to also be open and freely available.  The College Board estimates that the average student at a\r\nfour-year public institution of higher education should budget$1,250\r\nforcollege books and supplies during the 2017-18 academic year and $1,420\r\nfor students at community colleges. According to a survey by U.S. PIRG,\r\n65 percent of students decided not to buy a textbook because of the cost and 94\r\npercent of those students worried it would negatively affect their grade.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-portland-king-joins-experts-for-panel-discussion-on-preventing-veterans-suicide", "In Portland, King Joins Experts for Panel Discussion on Preventing Veterans Suicide", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PORTLAND, ME\r\n Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a\r\npanel featuring veterans' healthcare experts and caregivers at the\r\nPortland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). The panel included: Russell\r\nArmstead, Assistant Medical Center Director at the VA Maine\r\nHealthcare System; Tracy Charette, Suicide Prevention Coordinator\r\nat Togus VA Medical Center; David Richmond, Interim Director at Bureau\r\nof Veterans' Services; Greg Marley, Clinical Director & Senior\r\nTrainer at Maine Chapter National Alliance on Mental Illness\r\n(NAMI); Shamera Simpson, Area Director of the American Foundation for\r\nSuicide Prevention; Suzanne Fox, Founder of The Yellow Tulip\r\nProject; and veterans Camden Ege and Jeremy Kendall. The discussion\r\nhighlighted common suicide risk factors and warning signs for suicide, provided\r\ninformation about VA mental health and suicide prevention resources, and\r\nemphasized the importance of starting the conversation around veteran mental\r\nhealth.   Our veterans\r\nhave made immense sacrifices on behalf of our national security, and we have a\r\nnational responsibility to care for them  both physically and mentally, said\r\nSenator King. Unfortunately, far too many of our veterans still carry the\r\nweight of their service, and feel like they cannot access the help they need.\r\nThat needs to change, and one of the ways to bring about that change is through\r\na dialogue, speaking directly to veterans to tell them that we are here to\r\nhelp. I'm grateful for the insight of today's excellent panel, and for their\r\ndedication to supporting the mental health of our veterans.  Senator King has\r\nbeen a strong advocate for veterans issues since arriving in Washington.\r\nEarlier this week, he\r\napplauded the House and Senate's passage of the MilCon-VA Conference Report,\r\nwhich aims to consolidate and\r\nimprove VA community care programs, as well as improve VA's ability to hire\r\nhigh-quality healthcare professionals, expand VA caregiver benefits to veterans\r\nof all eras and establish a process to evaluate and reform VA's existing\r\nfacilities to best serve veterans. In\r\nJune,his bill to strengthen accountability of senior executives at the VA\r\nwassigned\r\ninto law. In May, he helda\r\nlistening session with Maine veteranson the qualities and values they\r\nare looking for in a new VA Secretary, and in April Senator Kingvisited\r\nthe Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, which brings injured\r\nveterans and their families to Maine in order to help the veterans overcome\r\nphysical obstacles with the support of family members. The Senator also\r\nhighlighted the important place of veterans in Maine by devoting hisNovemberandDecemberpodcasts\r\nto the subject, with Travis Mills as one of the guests on the latter show. In\r\nDecember, theU.S.\r\nDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund three new positionsinMaineto\r\nbetter serve justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental\r\nhealth or substance abuse issues  a move which follows aFebruary\r\nletter from Senator King to the VAurging additional resources on the\r\ntopic. Senator King was a cosponsor of theDepartment of Veterans\r\nAffairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which\r\npassed the Senate in June 2017 and has since beensigned\r\ninto law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-inhofe-push-to-expand-civics-education", "King, Inhofe Push to Expand Civics Education", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S.\r\nSenators Angus King (I-Maine) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced the\r\nConstitution education Is Valuable In Community Schools (CIVICS) Act, to\r\nsupport the development of Constitution and civics education curriculum for\r\nstudents across the country. The Senators' legislation comes on Constitution\r\nDay, which was established in 1952 to recognize the importance of the United\r\nStates Constitution and the importance of citizenship and civics in our daily\r\nlives. In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln\r\ncalled upon the American people to take up the cause of our nation, and fight\r\nfor the continued success of Government of the people, by the people, for the\r\npeople,' said Senator King. But Lincoln's plea doesn't only apply to his\r\ncontemporaries  it is the responsibility of each successive generation to\r\ncarry the mantle of American civic life forward. In order to live up to the\r\nideals of our nation, it is important to first fully understand them; civics\r\neducation is one of the most important ways we can teach our future leaders\r\nabout our past, and I'm proud to support any effort to expand its presence in\r\nschools. The Constitution established the\r\nbasis and formation of our nation: that we are a government of the people, by\r\nthe people and for the people. Yet, too often, students aren't taught about the\r\nConstitution, its history or its principles  including the Bill of Rights,\r\nInhofe said. By restoring an emphasis on the Constitution in civics education,\r\nwe can encourage more young Americans to be active participants in our\r\ndemocracy by communicating with their elected officials, engaging in advocacy\r\nand, when eligible, voting in state, local and federal elections. First established in 1952, Congress\r\nexpanded the recognition of Constitution Day in 2004, requiring public schools\r\nand federal agencies teach the Constitution and civics lessons. While the\r\nAmerican History and Civics Education program under the Elementary and\r\nSecondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, created grants for institutions of\r\nhigher education and other organizations to develop evidence based approaches\r\nto improve the quality of American history, civics and government, or geography\r\nlearning and teaching, schools who receive these grants are not required to\r\nteach the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. The CIVICS Act would require\r\ngrant recipients to teach the Constitution.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-urges-usda-to-target-600-million-investment-in-rural-broadband-to-maximize-impact-for-maine-communities", "King Urges USDA to Target $600 Million Investment in Rural Broadband to Maximize Impact for Maine Communities", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PORTLAND, ME\r\n U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a founder and co-chair of the Senate\r\nBroadband Caucus, urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Rural\r\nUtilities Service (RUS) to allocate funding towards investing in broadband\r\naccess for Maine's underserved and rural areas by submitting a letter during\r\nRUS's comment period. The RUS's funding was included in the March\r\n2018 omnibus, which was supported by Senator King in large part because\r\nCongress funded a $600 million broadband pilot program to help private,\r\nnon-profit and public entities that provide rural broadband services.  Access to\r\naffordable, high-speed broadband is increasingly an economic development\r\nimperative for rural communities in Maine and across the country that are\r\nseeking to attract business investment, increase economic prosperity, and\r\nreverse outmigration by drawing in younger residents, Senator King wrote in\r\nhis letter. This Pilot offers tremendous potential for catalyzing\r\nbroadband investment in rural areas.[USDA Rural Utilities Service] should\r\nencourage the best use of limited Pilot funding by coordinating with states\r\nthat have completed robust broadband planning efforts and continue to modernize\r\nthe program to meet the connectivity needs of rural America.   In his letter,\r\nSenator King highlighted key criteria the USDA should consider when structuring\r\nthis program, including:  \r\nDefining sufficient access to broadband in a\r\nway that accounts for affordability and common business practices including\r\ntwo-way video conferencing. This will ensure that what is deemed as sufficient\r\naccess will actually reflect the needs of local businesses and consumers.  \r\nAcquiring up-to-date broadband mapping data\r\nthrough partnerships with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), state governments,\r\nand local governments, as well as seeking input from consumers. This will allow\r\nthe government to make informed decisions about where to target broadband\r\nfunding with the most recent data. \r\nAccounting for the scope and depth of\r\npartnerships between funding applicants and local governments, employers and\r\nother key regional institutions. These partnerships are vital to the success of\r\nbroadband projects.  \r\nMaximizing the benefit of these initial funds by\r\nworking with states that have completed robust broadband planning efforts. In\r\nstates like Maine where a foundation has been laid, the funds will have the\r\nlargest impact on communities.   Connectivity in\r\nrural regions is a key part ofSenator\r\nKing's economic agendato help grow Maine's rural economy, support\r\ninnovation and create jobs, and in January he sent\r\na bipartisan letter to the President with his co-chairs on the Senate\r\nBroadband Caucus urging stand-alone funding for broadband deployment in any\r\nproposed infrastructure package. During his time in office, Senator King\r\nhassupportedthe\r\nmodernization of federal broadband programs, including the FCC's E-rate\r\nprogram, which supports school and library internet access, and the Senate Farm\r\nBill. Senator King is a cosponsor of the B-CROP Act, which was included in the\r\nSenate Farm Bill and would modernize the USDA's rural broadband loan program;\r\nthis bill's grant-loan model provides the basis for the rules of the $600\r\nmillion pilot in the March omnibus. Last month, he met\r\nwith farmers in Exeter to discuss the importance of rural broadband to fuel\r\nagricultural innovation, and he is also a cosponsor of the Precision\r\nAgriculture Connectivity Act of 2018, elements of which were included in\r\nthe Senate Farm Bill.   Senator King's full\r\ncomments are available here\r\nand below. +++  Ms. Michele\r\nBrooks Regulations Team\r\nLead Rural\r\nDevelopment Innovation Center U.S. Department\r\nof Agriculture 1400\r\nIndependence Ave. SW Stop 1522, Room\r\n1562 Washington, DC\r\n20250   Subject: Docket\r\nNo. RUS-18-TELECOM-0004  Dear Ms. Brooks:  I write to offer\r\ncomments on the notice of inquiry (NOI) and request for comments (RFC) published\r\nby the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) regarding the e-Connectivity Pilot\r\ncreated in section 779 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (Pub. L.\r\n115-141). I commend RUS's interest in hearing from the public as it crafts the\r\nrules governing this important program and encourage your careful consideration\r\nof these comments and those submitted by broadband stakeholders in Maine.   Access to\r\naffordable, high-speed broadband is increasingly an economic development\r\nimperative for rural communities in Maine and across the country that are\r\nseeking to attract business investment, increase economic prosperity, and\r\nreverse outmigration by drawing in younger residents. This Pilot offers\r\ntremendous potential for catalyzing broadband investment in rural areas, so I\r\nam pleased to offer the following responses to this NOI and RFC.   I. Defining\r\nsufficient access  Given the\r\nimportance of broadband to the economic future of rural America, the Pilot's\r\nsufficient access definition deserves special attention. The Pilot must not\r\nbypass rural areas where access and affordability of broadband service fails to\r\nactually and consistently meet the needs of employers, students, farmers, and\r\ntelehealth patients. With this in mind, the term sufficient access should be\r\nunderstood to include metrics related to quality of service, affordability, and\r\nqualitative feedback from community and business stakeholders. Quality of\r\nservice benchmarks should include a minimum-allowable data cap or usage\r\nallowance, as well as a maximum latency amount. These benchmarks should be set\r\nat levels needed to enable regular two-way video conferencing, support content\r\ncreation, and common activities undertaken by rural businesses and remote\r\nworkers connecting with clients and employers in urban centers. In addition,\r\nthese benchmarks should support the connectivity needs for enabling seniors to\r\nage in place and the delivery of telehealth services. Both quality of service\r\nmeasures and the statutorily-defined 10/1 Mbps capacity should be measured at\r\nhours of peak usage and revaluated on an ongoing basis. If a metric fails to\r\nhold up when the highest number of users are on a network, it fails to have\r\npractical meaning.   Affordability\r\nshould also be noted in RUS's evaluation of whether an area has sufficient\r\naccess to broadband. RUS should consider whether the annual urban rate survey\r\nconducted by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) could be the basis of\r\nan affordability benchmark. When evaluating prices against a benchmark, RUS\r\nshould use the cost of a standalone broadband subscription, rather than the\r\nportion of a bundled bill that an internet service provider (ISP) attributes to\r\nbroadband. Additionally, the measured price should include any ISP-imposed fees\r\nthat are not directly required by regulators or the law. Further, RUS should\r\ncreate a rebuttable presumption that open-access dark fiber projects are\r\naffordable due to the likelihood of competitive service options.   While\r\nquantitative measures should be the primary means for RUS to determine whether\r\nsufficient access exists, RUS should also consider any qualitative feedback\r\nsubmitted by community members, employers, economic development organizations,\r\nproviders, and local governmentsparticularly those organizations and\r\ngovernments that have completed broadband plansas part of an application. They\r\ncan provide specific examples of whether economic development is being hindered\r\nby insufficient broadband availability.   Finally,\r\nalthough RUS is bound to the 10/1 Mbps standard for the Pilot's initial\r\napplication window, RUS should strongly consider modernizing this threshold in\r\nsubsequent years, as allowed under the law. In so doing, RUS should recognize\r\nthe importance of adequate upload speeds for enabling content creators and\r\nemployers and individuals working on increasingly ubiquitous cloud computing\r\nplatforms to compete in the global economy from a rural address. Further, RUS's\r\nmodernization of this standard should ensure that taxpayer funds are not spent\r\nbuilding broadband infrastructure that will be obsolete prior to the end of its\r\nuseful life.   II. Acquiring\r\naccurate broadband mapping data  Existing federal\r\nbroadband data is either too out-of-date or too imprecise to be useful to\r\npolicymakers. Therefore, I support further data-gathering efforts by federal\r\nagencies and additional funding by Congress to improve the accuracy of\r\nbroadband data on an ongoing basis. In the near-term, I recommend that RUS take\r\nadvantage of additional sources of data beyond the National Broadband Map,\r\nincluding:  a.\r\nAny ISP-submitted data that is more recent than\r\nthe most recent National Broadband Map, including ISP data submitted indirectly\r\nvia a state, county, or local government that has compiled such data. Any such\r\ndata should represent actual end-user speeds during peak usage hours. This data\r\nshould be discounted if the ISP has previously submitted inaccurate data to\r\nUSDA.  b.\r\nAny broadband infrastructure surveys or maps\r\nconducted by a state, county, or local governmentor economic development\r\norganizationthat can demonstrate maximum possible speeds based on the\r\navailability of certain types of infrastructure in a given location. c.\r\nActual end-user speeds measured according to a\r\nmethodologically-robust process that is resistant to gaming by ISPs and that\r\ndoes not reflect bottlenecks caused by equipment internal to the user's\r\nnetwork.  III.\r\nMeasuring project benefits and judging utility partnership viability  When evaluating\r\nthe likely benefits of a project, RUS should take note of the scope and depth\r\nof partnerships between the applicant and local governments, employers, anchor\r\ninstitutions, providers, and economic development organizations. When all of\r\nthese stakeholders have input into a project, the odds of a successful network\r\ndeployment likely increase. The presence of a digital inclusion plan paired\r\nwith a network deployment is also likely to boost take rates and increase the\r\nlikelihood of a self-sustaining network that creates a meaningful community and\r\neconomic benefit. In addition to direct grant or loan funding, RUS should look\r\nat innovative financial models and public-private partnerships that maximize\r\nthe leveraging of public funds to spur private sector investment in broadband\r\ninfrastructure.  Local utility\r\npartnerships, including electric, water, and sewer utilities should also be\r\nviewed favorably, given the long history of success of the local utility model\r\nin bringing other vital infrastructure to rural America. RUS should look to\r\nsupport efforts to deploy open access dark fiber optic networks that support\r\nboth digital inclusion and advanced smart grid technologies. These types of\r\ntelecommunications-utility partnerships have great potential to maximize the\r\nasset life of the RUS investment by enabling deployment of other complementary\r\nsmart infrastructure and opening up the provision of digital services to\r\ncompete from a broad array of internet service providers, resulting in greater\r\nchoice and lower costs.  IV.\r\nAdditional feedback  RUS should\r\nencourage the best use of limited Pilot funding by coordinating with states\r\nthat have completed robust broadband planning efforts. This coordination could\r\nbe achieved by allowing states to apply for RUS grant funding that they would\r\nbe allowed to pass through to projects the states select, with appropriate\r\neligibility rules and regulations. In order to retain the program's financial\r\ncontrols, loan funding would be excluded from this option and states would be\r\nliable to reimburse RUS for any funds used for purposes outside RUS's\r\neligibility guidelines.   Thank you for\r\nyour consideration of these comments and your efforts to ensure that the\r\ne-Connectivity pilot improves broadband infrastructure in rural America. If you\r\nhave any questions about this letter, please direct your staff to contact Adam\r\nLachman or Will Woodworth in my office at 202-224-5344.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-senate-floor-king-speaks-in-support-of-expanding-base-of-opioid-treatment-professionals", "On Senate Floor, King Speaks in Support of Expanding Base of Opioid Treatment Professionals", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King\r\n(I-Maine) spoke on the Senate Floor in support of the Addiction Treatment\r\nAccess Improvement Act, which would permanently authorize nurse\r\npractitioners and physician assistants to prescribe medication-assisted\r\ntreatment for opioid use disorders. Though this legislation is not a part of\r\nthe Senate opioid package that is expected to be taken up today, it was\r\nincluded in the House of Representatives' version, and Senator King is hopeful\r\nit will be included in the conference committee's final report.   Click HERE to watch Senator King's remarks. The discussion today is about the\r\nopioid crisis, one of the most serious public health crises I have seen in my\r\nadult life, certainly in the state of Maine. said Senator King in his\r\nspeech. It's an enormous problem across the country, particularly in rural\r\nareas. In my state we are losing more than one person a day to an overdose\r\ndeath. That is an epidemic by anybody's definition[and] the numbers continue\r\nto get worse. More and more families are being devastated by this crisis, and\r\nthere aren't many answers being provided. There is, however, one ray of hope\r\nthat this bill that we're going to be discussing and voting on this afternoon\r\ndoes provide, and that is: Treatment works. Recovery is possible.\"  Now, the problem is that\r\ntreatment, particularly in rural areas, is short on infrastructure. It's short\r\non people who can deliver the treatment. And we can fund programs and talk\r\nabout them here, but if you are talking about a rural county  about Milo,\r\nMaine in Piscataquis County  you're not talking about a tremendous amount of\r\ninfrastructure. But there is available an army of people who can contribute to\r\nthe solution of this problem. The people I'm talking about are nurse\r\npractitioners. Nurse practitioners are, in many ways, among the unsung heroes\r\nin the health care discussion  particularly, in rural areas where there aren't\r\na lot of physicians. But nurse practitioners were enabled in the CARA bill to\r\nprovidemedicine assisted treatment, but the problem is that authority expires\r\nin 2021....We need to fix that. It's working  it's an important part of our\r\nability to deliver these life-saving services. And we've got people in Maine,\r\nnurse practitioners who are ready, willing, and more-than ableto deliver these\r\nlife-saving services. 1,700 of them in the State of Maine.   Now, the bill we're going to be\r\nvoting on this afternoon unfortunately does not have this extension in it, but\r\nI'm here this afternoon to urge those who are going to be supporting the bill\r\nand then working on it in conference with the other body to [make] this small\r\nchangeLet's for once, do something before it's a deadline. Let's do it nowI\r\nrise to support the bill, but also to suggest this small change that I think\r\nwill dramatically increase the effectiveness of the treatment that the bill\r\nenables, and will allow it to be delivered in an equitable and direct and\r\nimportant way to people all across the country, no matter where they live...  Senator King has made combating the\r\nopioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington. During his speech,\r\nSenator King referenced the Portland Rally\r\n4 Recovery, which he attended last week to celebrate those who are\r\nsuccessfully recovering from Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). In July, Senator\r\nKing hosted\r\na panel of medical professionals, employers and advocates to discuss\r\nthe opioid crisis and reduce the stigma surrounding SUDs. That same month, he\r\nmet with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Assistant to the Secretary for\r\nRural Development, Anne Hazlett, and a number of medical professionals, law\r\nenforcement officers, advocates and local leaders ata Bangor\r\nroundtable discussing the opioid epidemic's impact on rural Maine. In\r\nJune, he highlighted the importance of the Affordable Care Act's protections\r\nfor individuals with pre-existing conditions to those struggling with\r\nsubstance use disorders which is considered a pre-existing condition, so\r\nthose who seek treatment could then be denied coverage or charged exorbitant\r\nrates based on their past substance use. He has repeatedly called on Congress\r\nand both the Obama and Trump administrations to fund laws and agencies that\r\nhelp address the drug epidemic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-legislation-to-fight-the-opioid-crisis-including-multiple-king-backed-provisions", "Senate Passes Legislation to Fight the Opioid Crisis Including Multiple King-Backed Provisions", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King\r\n(I-Maine) voted for the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018, a bipartisan\r\npackage which passed today by a vote of 98 to 2 and includes many provisions\r\nthat will help Maine families and communities affected by the opioid crisis.\r\nThe legislation was the result of months of bipartisan hearings and discussion\r\non the opioid crisis. Senator King has previously supported several core\r\nprovisions of the legislation, which will improve the federal government's\r\nresponse to the opioid epidemic and lessen negative effects on children,\r\nfamilies, and communities.  This legislation isn't perfect \r\nbut it's an important step in the right direction on an issue that desperately\r\nneeds progress, said Senator King. The severity of the opioid crisis\r\nisn't a partisan issue; it's about protecting our families, friends, neighbors,\r\nloved ones, and ensuring the safety of our young people. In Maine, the opioid\r\nepidemic takes away the lives of our community members at a rate of one person\r\nper day. This pain is being felt not only across our state, but also across our\r\nnation, and this bill will work to solve this problem through a multi-pronged\r\nlegislative approach that increases support systems for victims, strengthens\r\nlaw enforcement efforts to crack down on those who smuggle and deal drugs, and\r\nempowers communities with the tools they need to help their citizens fight\r\naddiction. As I said, this is not perfect bill, and there are a number of\r\nprovisions that I hope will be added during the conference committee, so we can\r\nbuild on the already strong gains made in this legislation.  Earlier\r\ntoday on the Senate floor, Senator King highlighted one specific provision\r\nthat he hopes will be included in the conference report: The Addiction\r\nTreatment Access Improvement Act, which would permanently authorize nurse\r\npractitioners and physician assistants to prescribe medication-assisted\r\ntreatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders. Under current law, these medical\r\nprofessionals are allowed to administer MAT until October 1, 2021; this new\r\nlegislation would permanently authorize these professionals to administer MAT.   Senator King has made combating the\r\nopioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington. In July, Senator King hosted\r\na panel of medical professionals, employers and advocates to\r\ndiscuss the opioid crisis and reduce the stigma surrounding Substance Use\r\nDisorders (SUDs). That same month, he met with the US Department of Agriculture\r\n(USDA) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, Anne Hazlett, and a\r\nnumber of medical professionals, law enforcement officers, advocates and local\r\nleaders ata Bangor\r\nroundtable discussing the opioid epidemic's impact on rural Maine.\r\nIn June, he highlighted the importance of the Affordable Care Act's protections\r\nfor individuals with pre-existing conditions to those struggling\r\nwith substance use disorders which is considered a pre-existing\r\ncondition, so those who seek treatment could then be denied coverage or charged\r\nexorbitant rates based on their past substance use. He has repeatedly called on\r\nCongress and both the Obama and Trump administrations to fund laws and agencies\r\nthat help address the drug epidemic.   Senator King has held several\r\nroundtables throughout Maine  from Portland to Bangor to Milo to Paris  and\r\nhas spoken with health professionals, first responders, community members, and\r\npeople in recovery to find ways to help people get better and make Maine\r\ncommunities safer and healthier. He has also joined a group of his Senate\r\ncolleagues towrite\r\nto the nation's top health insurers urging them to do their part\r\nto combat the opioid epidemic.In an effort to hold the insurance industry\r\naccountable, the Senators asked the companies to both review their existing\r\npolicies in light of the epidemic, and to take additional steps to make sure\r\nthey are working actively to help curb addiction.In the FY 2018 Omnibus\r\nFederal Appropriations bill which passed in March, Senator King supported a\r\nprovision which increased funding to fight the opioid and mental health crises\r\nby $3.3 billion, including an increase of $2.8 billion in treatment, prevention\r\nand research for programs within the Department of Health and Human Services.\r\nAlso, in November 2017, Senator King led aletterto the Trump Administration\r\nurging additional funding for the opioid epidemic, and in\r\nOctober 2017 he joined a group of colleagues to introduce theCombating\r\nthe Opioid Epidemic Act, legislation that would invest $45\r\nbillion for prevention, detection, surveillance and treatment of opioids.  Specifically, Senator King has\r\nbacked the following core values of the legislation: \r\nReauthorization of the 21st\r\nCentury Cures Act: Senator King was an outspoken\r\nadvocate for funding originally provided by the 21st Century Cures\r\nAct, which provides critical opioid funding for states and tribes. The\r\nOpioid Crisis and Response Act of 2018 will reauthorize and improve grants\r\nto states and Indiantribes for prevention, response, and\r\ntreatmentto mitigatethe opioid crisis, authorized in 21stCentury\r\nCures, for three more years. \r\nInclusion of CRIB Act provision:\r\nSenator King is a lead sponsor of the CRIB Act, which allows Medicaid to cover\r\ncare for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome in residential pediatric\r\nrecovery centers.  \r\nEmpower Communities to Combat\r\nCrisis: The bill reauthorizes the White House Office of National\r\nDrug Control Policy (ONDCP) as well as its associated grant programs, such as\r\nthe Drug-Free Communities Program and the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking\r\nProgram. Senator King co-sponsored the Substance Abuse Prevention Act of 2018,\r\nwhich included the provision to reauthorize ONDCP. He also\r\nwrote a letter to the White House last year urging\r\nthe administration to maintain funding for the office. \r\nReduction of Use and Supply:\r\nSenator King is a co-sponsor of the STOP Act, which will help stop illegal\r\ndrugs at the border by requiring the postal service to obtain advance\r\nelectronic data for international mail and provide that data to Customs and\r\nBorder Protection.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/at-center-for-seniors-in-kennebunk-king-addresses-reigning-in-high-cost-of-health-care-and-prescription-drugs", "At Center for Seniors in Kennebunk, King Addresses Reigning in High Cost of Health Care and Prescription Drugs", "2018-09-14", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "KENNEBUNK, ME\r\n Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) visited The Center for Seniors\r\nin Kennebunk to meet with members and discuss a number of issues facing Maine\r\nseniors. Throughout the conversation, Senator King touched on topics including\r\nMedicare, the high costs of prescription drugs, and the importance of finding\r\nsolutions that help Maine people age in place.   I think all of\r\nus need to be concerned in this country about how much healthcare costs. We can\r\ntalk about policy and which approach works better, but when it comes right down\r\nto it: we have to reign in the cost of healthcare, said Senator King.\r\nThe cost of prescription drugs is one of the first places we ought to start to\r\naddress costs. If we let Medicare negotiate a volume discount on behalf of\r\nMaine seniors, can you imagine how much we'd save? Today's conversation with\r\nthe men and women who frequent The Center for Seniors was productive,\r\ninsightful and reminded me that what makes Maine great isn't just our coast or\r\nour mountains; it's our people. And the folks who've been here for decades or\r\nwho have moved to Maine to enjoy our state in their retirement are an essential\r\n maybe even the essential element  that makes our home such a great\r\nplace to live.   As Maine is the\r\nstate with the oldest median age, Senator King has made senior issues one of\r\nhis top priorities. In June, he\r\nmet with seniors and staff at Cohen Community Center in Hallowell to discuss\r\naging in place.Earlier this year, Senator\r\nKing joined Maine seniors and healthcare providers in Machias to discuss\r\nstrategies to help seniors age safely and comfortably. In March 2017,\r\nSenator King introduced theSenior\r\nHome Modification Assistance Initiative Act, bipartisan legislation\r\nthat would establish a process to better coordinate the many existing federal\r\nhome modification programs and provide more consumer-friendly information on\r\nhow those programs can benefit older Americans. He also introduced theDELIVER\r\nAct, which would promote volunteerism within meal delivery programs and\r\nhelp provide meals to more seniors across America. Senator King is also a\r\nstrong proponent of strengthening telehealth, and earlier this yearannounced\r\nhis support for theCONNECT for Health Act.   Senator King is\r\na strong supporter of Medicare and Medicaid, andin July spoke\r\non the Senate floor to honor the 53rd anniversary of these programs\r\nand commit to defending the programs from those who would seek to\r\nprivatize them. He is an original cosponsor of theMedicare\r\nPrescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, legislation that would lower\r\nprescription drug prices for seniors by allowing Medicare to negotiate the\r\nprice of prescription drugs.This legislation would help cut costs for\r\nnearly 41 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D and boost Medicare\r\nsavings. He has also supported theMedicare\r\nDrug Savings Act, legislation that would eliminate a special deal for\r\nbrand-name drug manufacturers that allows them to charge Medicare higher prices\r\nfor prescription drugs for some seniors and people with disabilities, including\r\nabout 97,000 Mainers. Senator King has\r\nalso been outspoken on a number of healthcare challenges facing Maine people.\r\nHe has strongly opposed the Administration's moves and legislative proposals\r\nthat seek to undermine the Affordable Care Act, and is a cosponsor of a\r\nresolution that would authorize\r\nthe Senate Legal Counsel to intervene in the legal case challenging the\r\nconstitutionality of the ACA's provisions protecting people with pre-existing\r\nconditions. In July, he published a post on Mediumhighlighting\r\nthe Administration's efforts to weaken the ACA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-applauds-passage-of-milcon-va-conference-report", "King Applauds Passage of MilCon-VA Conference Report", "2018-09-14", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BRUNSWICK, ME\r\n Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) applauded Congressional passage of\r\nbipartisan legislation to fund the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), the Department\r\nof Energy (DOE), and the Department of Defense (DoD). The package includes full\r\nfunding for the VA Mission Act, a bipartisan effort that seeks to improve the\r\navailability and quality of care through the VA. The legislation, which passed\r\nthe Senate last night and the House of Representatives this evening, now heads\r\nto the President's desk for signature.  America's\r\nveterans have earned our nation's eternal gratitude, and their dedicated\r\nservice deserves nothing less than the best care we can possibly provide, said\r\nSenator King. As a result of this week's overwhelmingly bipartisan votes,\r\nthe VA will have the funds it needs to look after our veterans. I'm\r\nparticularly pleased by the inclusion of funds for the VA MISSION Act, which\r\nwill strengthen the VA's status as a unique healthcare provider and help rural\r\nveterans to receive community care closer to home.  TheVA\r\nMISSION Actaims to consolidate and improve VA community care\r\nprograms, as well as improve VA's ability to hire high-quality healthcare\r\nprofessionals, expand VA caregiver benefits to veterans of all eras and\r\nestablish a process to evaluate and reform VA's existing facilities to best\r\nserve veterans. TheVA MISSION Acthas received broad support\r\nfrom leading veterans groups that represent millions of veterans in the United\r\nStates; in May,agroup\r\nof 38 veteran and military advocacy organizationswrote to the House\r\nand Senate in support of theVA MISSION Act.   Senator King has\r\nbeen a strong advocate for veterans issues since arriving in Washington. In\r\nJune,his bill to strengthen accountability of senior executives at the VA\r\nwas signed\r\ninto law. In May, he helda\r\nlistening session with Maine veteranson the qualities and values they\r\nare looking for in a new VA Secretary, and in April Senator Kingvisited\r\nthe Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, which brings injured\r\nveterans and their families to Maine in order to help the veterans overcome\r\nphysical obstacles with the support of family members. The Senator also highlighted\r\nthe important place of veterans in Maine by devoting hisNovemberandDecemberpodcasts\r\nto the subject, with Travis Mills as one of the guests on the latter show. In\r\nDecember, theU.S.\r\nDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund three new positionsinMaineto\r\nbetter serve justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental\r\nhealth or substance abuse issues  a move which follows aFebruary\r\nletter from Senator King to the VAurging additional resources on\r\nthe topic. Senator King was a cosponsor of theDepartment of Veterans\r\nAffairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which\r\npassed the Senate in June 2017 and has since beensigned\r\ninto law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-2-million-for-maine-legal-assistance-programs-for-victims-of-domestic-violence", "Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $2 Million for Maine Legal Assistance Programs for Victims of Domestic Violence", "2018-09-14", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \r\n  U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced a total of $1,117,794\r\n  for Next Step Domestic Violence Project in Ellsworth and Caring Unlimited\r\n  Corporation in Sanford. The funding was awarded through the Department\r\n  of Justice's (DOJ) Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program and Improving\r\n  Criminal Justice Responses Program. \r\n  \r\n  Survivors of sexual assault and\r\n  domestic violence should have access to every resource available to ensure\r\n  their safety, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.\r\n  Next Step Violence Project and Caring Unlimited have each spent decades\r\n  working to coordinate local programs, improve awareness, and identify gaps in\r\n  services to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence. We are\r\n  pleased that these investments will help both coalitions continue their vital\r\n  work to protect victims in Maine.\r\n  \r\n  Next Step is thrilled and\r\n  relieved to receive this grant, which will sustain our ability to provide pro\r\n  bono legal representation to survivors of domestic violence in Washington and\r\n  Hancock Counties for the next three years, said Dorathy Martel,\r\n  Executive Director of Next Step Domestic Violence Project.\r\n  Our attorneys work closely with domestic violence advocates to ensure\r\n  that safety planning is at the center of every interaction, and this approach\r\n  saves lives.\r\n  \r\n  The funding was awarded as\r\n  follows:\r\n  \r\n  \r\n   Next Step Domestic\r\n       Violence Project of Ellsworth will receive $578,268 to provide\r\n       attorney representation and consultation as well as legal advocacy and\r\n       court accompaniment for matters related to and/or arising from domestic\r\n       violence. The Next Step Domestic Violence Project will partner\r\n       with Husson University to recruit and hire legal interns. The goal\r\n       is to expand the knowledge base of future legal practitioners regarding\r\n       domestic violence and related matters, potentially expanding the pool of\r\n       people it can recruit for future positions.\r\n  \r\n  \r\n   Caring Unlimited\r\n       Corporation\r\n       of Sanford will receive $599,526 to increase safety from intimate\r\n       violence by effectively ensuring continued access to civil legal\r\n       assistance for low-income and rural victims of domestic violence, sexual\r\n       assault, and stalking who need, but cannot afford, to hire a lawyer to\r\n       protect themselves.\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  This funding was awarded through\r\n  the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), an agency within the U.S.\r\n  Department of Justice.\r\n  \r\n  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 409, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Independent", "p1": "ME", "p2": "2018"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "Independent", "label": "Independent", "count": 409, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=ME&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 409, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2018&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "ME", "label": "ME", "count": 409, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "2018", "label": "2018", "count": 409, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2018-09-14,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eking~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress-releases~2Fsenators-collins-king-announce-nearly-2-million-for-maine-legal-assistance-programs-for-victims-of-domestic-violence", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2018&_next=2018-09-14%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eking~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress-releases~2Fsenators-collins-king-announce-nearly-2-million-for-maine-legal-assistance-programs-for-victims-of-domestic-violence&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 180.98918721079826, "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"}