{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-support-request-for-trade-adjustment-assistance-for-displaced-workers-from-lincoln-paper-and-tissue", "Senators Collins, King Support Request for Trade Adjustment Assistance for Displaced Workers from Lincoln Paper and Tissue", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Collins, King Support Request for Trade Adjustment Assistance for Displaced Workers from Lincoln Paper and Tissue\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 17, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014In a letter sent today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King urged Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez to approve a Petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the 200 workers at Lincoln Paper and Tissue, LLC, who have been displaced as a result of a significant drop in demand due to competition with foreign countries.\r\n\u201cTAA assistance is critical to helping workers who have been subjected to layoffs obtain the training and resources they need to pursue alternative job opportunities,\u201d said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. \u201cThese dedicated workers, many of whom have worked at the facility throughout their entire careers, lost their jobs as a result of increased imports and foreign competition.\u00a0 In this difficult economic time, we will continue to work together to support the Mainers impacted by this layoff and ensure that they receive the assistance and resources they need.\u201d\r\nThe purpose of the TAA program is to aid workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages decrease as a result of increased imports. If the TAA petition is approved, displaced Lincoln Paper and Tissue workers will be eligible for employment training in another job or career, income support, job search allowances, and relocation services for individuals who obtain jobs outside of their normal commuting area. \r\nThe full text of the letter follows: \r\nDecember 17, 2013\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Thomas E. Perez\r\nSecretary\r\nUnited States Department of Labor\r\n200 Constitution Avenue, NW\r\nWashington, DC 20210\r\n\r\nDear Mr. Secretary:\r\nWe are writing on behalf of 200 workers at Lincoln Paper and Tissue (LPT), LLC, of Lincoln, Maine, who have been displaced as a result of a sudden and significant drop in demand for the mill\u2019s products due to competition with foreign countries.\u00a0 Specifically, we urge your careful consideration of LPT\u2019s petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (Petition #83295).\r\nLPT has been notified that its largest customer is moving its production needs to Indonesia and will no longer purchase tissue paper from them.\u00a0 This customer purchased 50 percent of the operating capacity of the company\u2019s largest tissue machine.\r\nAs a major employer in this region of Maine, the loss of 200 well-paying jobs strikes a devastating blow to Lincoln and the surrounding communities.\u00a0 In addition, given the mill\u2019s rural location and the significant loss of jobs throughout Maine\u2019s pulp and paper industry in recent years, the likelihood of displaced workers finding comparable positions is remote.\u00a0 We believe many of these workers may require retraining for other, emerging occupations.\u00a0 It is crucial that these workers receive certification under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.\r\nWe urge that you review this petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance in a timely manner, consistent with all applicable laws and regulations, to ensure that the workers receive the assistance they need to secure work and mitigate the negative effects this action will have on these workers\u2019 financial stability.\r\nThank you for your time and consideration on behalf of the workers at Lincoln Paper and Tissue, LLC, in Lincoln, Maine.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0\r\nSusan M. Collins\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Angus S. King, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 United States Senator\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-support-request-for-trade-adjustment-assistance-for-displaced-workers-from-lincoln-paper-and-tissue"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.459416002035141, "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"}