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334 rows where party = "Independent", state = "ME" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending

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https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-bill-signed-into-law-curbing-plastic-marine-debris Collins, King Bill Signed Into Law, Curbing Plastic Marine Debris 2020-12-23 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) are applauding the signing into law of theirSave Our Seas 2.0 Act. The bipartisan bill,introduced in June, seeks to tackle the problem of plastic waste on a global scale by spurring innovation and finding uses for the plastic waste that already exists to keep it from entering the oceans. The legislation builds on the initial progress made by theSave Our Seas Act, which was signed into law in October 2018. Countless jobs in Maine and in coastal communities across our country rely on the health of the ocean. The Maine lobster, aquaculture, and tourism industries are among the many critical sectors of our economy that are dependent on Maine's pristine waters,said Senator Collins. I am pleased to see this legislation become law, which will help to accelerate the removal of plastic waste and prevent future marine debris, protecting this vital resource for generations to come. Maine's waters and Maine's well-being are inextricably linked meaning any threat to our oceans is also a threat to the livelihood of Maine people,said Senator King.By enacting this bipartisan legislation into law, we are building on our vital work to protect our oceans and allow future generations can access its widespread economic potential and its unparalleled beauty. Roughly eight million metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste from land enters the oceans each year. Ninety percent of this plastic enters the oceans from ten rivers, eight of which are in Asia. The plastic breaks down into tiny pieces that can enter the marine food chain and harm fish and wildlife and wash ashore on even the most isolated stretches of coastline. Plastic has been found in areas as remote as the Mariana Trench, the deepest known point in the ocean. TheSave Our Seas 2.0 Actis also cosponsored by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tom Carper (D… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-voices-concern-after-president-trump-vetoes-ndaa King Voices Concern After President Trump Vetoes NDAA 2020-12-23 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy BRUNSWICK, ME Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, expressed his frustration after President Trump vetoed the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021.The legislation previously passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives by overwhelmingly bipartisan, veto-proof majorities; the legislation will now return to Congress, which will hold a vote to override the President's veto. By vetoing the overwhelmingly-bipartisan NDAA, President Trump is denying a pay raise for our nation's servicemembers, undermining our national security, and threatening Maine jobs at facilities like Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, said Senator King. The President has cited a variety of different reasons to explain why he opposes this bill, but each excuse is either patently false, wholly unrelated to the military, or antithetical to America's values. What should raise grave concern in every American, regardless of political beliefs, is that this NDAA is the single-most comprehensive piece of cybersecurity legislation ever passed by Congress; as we work to determine the harm done by the recent cyber incursion, the provisions in this NDAA would be a shield against future tactics by our foes worldwide. In the days ahead, I hope that the large, veto-proof majorities which initially supported this legislation will come together once again to override the President's veto for the good of our servicemembers and our nation. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/year-end-appropriations-bill-passes-senate-with-king-backed-initiatives-to-support-maine-jobs-bolster-national-defense Year-End Appropriations Bill Passes Senate with King-Backed Initiatives to Support Maine Jobs, Bolster National Defense 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Last night, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted in favor of the 2021 omnibus appropriations bill, which funds government programs through next September and advances a number of Senator King's top priorities to support Maine jobs, increase affordability for working families, and invest in our national security. This year-end legislation includes a wide range of provisions that will improve life for Maine people, said Senator King. The bill includes provisions to support good, high-paying jobs for Maine people, whether it be at Bath Iron Works or one of our craft breweries. In addition, the legislation will help working Maine families afford essential needs, including housing and child care, while also encouraging employers to offer paid family leave. Finally, the legislation will take important steps to enhance our national security by funding shipbuilding priorities and reestablishing America's leadership in global public health. The coming year will continue to present challenges as our nation grapples with the impacts of the coronavirus, and this legislation will help our nation confront these difficulties. I'm grateful to see this bipartisan product pass the Senate, and I am eager to continue working across the aisle with my colleagues in the coming year. Provisions supported by Senator King included in the legislative package include: Funding shipbuilding priorities.The legislation appropriates $3.2 billion for the procurement of DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in fiscal year 2021, which Bath Iron Works (BIW) can compete to build. It also authorizes $159.3 million to fund future year DDG-51 procurements. In addition, the legislation authorizes funds $78.2 million for the completion of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers, all of which are being built at BIW.Funding construction at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.The 2021 NDAA appropriates $160 million for construction of Dry Dock One at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard installation at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery. Incentivizing employ… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-cosponsor-bipartisan-legislation-to-support-americas-small-food-processors Collins, King Cosponsor Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Small Food Processors 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) have introduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide much-needed federal support to America's small meat and poultry processors and help strengthen and streamline their operations. The legislation would give small food processors more access to information that is critical to food safety planning, allow more inspector-approved meat products to be sold across state lines, and funnel federal dollars toward training, education, and technical assistance grants. In addition to Senators Collins and King, this legislation's original sponsors are Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). The supply chain disruptions and restaurant closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have placed increasing financial pressure on Maine's rural farming communities, including our small farms that raise livestock,said Senator Collins.This bipartisan bill would provide some relief by clearing unnecessary, bureaucratic hurdles, which would ensure that the livestock raised in Maine can also be processed right here in our state by local, family-owned food processors and butchers. Maine's small family farms and meat and poultry processors are key building blocks of communities across our state, providing healthy, locally raised meat for their neighbors and making important contributions to the local economy, said Senator King. I'm proud to work with Senators Thune and Merkley to empower small processors to do their jobs and grow their businesses. It's our hope that this legislation will act as a helping hand in these difficult times by directing resources and investments to where they can do much good and bolster local economies around the country. As both a farmer and as an owner operator of a small meat processing facility, I feel reform is greatly needed in the industry, said Jason Tessier of Tessiers Farm in Skowhegan. During a time of continued uncertainty and volatility in the industry, these small pl… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-covid-relief-legislation-that-king-bipartisan-coalition-shaped Senate Passes COVID Relief Legislation that King, Bipartisan Coalition Shaped 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted in favor of a coronavirus relief package that will increase unemployment benefits, provide another round of support for small businesses, send another economic impact payment to working Americans, and deliver much-needed funds to strengthen our public health infrastructure as vaccines begin to deploy across the country. In addition, the legislation includes a number of other key priorities to bolster the nation's response to the ongoing public health and economic crises. This legislation is based on the bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, which was negotiated by Senator King and a bipartisan group of his colleagues earlier this month. For months, the American people have been calling for a new coronavirus relief package. Today, after extensive bipartisan efforts and negotiation, we have reached an agreement to help our citizens in need weather the cold, dark winter ahead, said Senator King. This legislation includes critical unemployment funds to help Americans who've lost work through no fault of their own, along with an economic impact payment to help families make ends meet; an additional lifeline for small businesses who've been hit hard by the economic slowdown; and vital investments in the public health infrastructure that will be essential to controlling and defeating this pandemic. Beyond that, it increases funding to help families struggling to make rent catch up on overdue payments, supports emergency broadband service for low-income families, and increases SNAP benefits so families facing hard times can keep food on the table. This bill will do a lot of good, for a lot of people, but it is not enough for us to fully overcome the health and economic challenges our nation faces when this bill expires, continued Senator King. There is more work to do for families, for businesses, and for state and local governments who have led the response to this crisis at the local level. It is my hope that this legislation will provide a b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cyberspace-solarium-commission-statement-on-dual-hat-considerations Cyberspace Solarium Commission Statement on "Dual-hat" Considerations 2020-12-20 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Ben Sasse (R-NE) and Congressmen Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Jim Langevin (D-RI), the four legislators serving on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, released the following statement regarding reports that the Department of Defense is considering ending the dual-hat arrangement that sees the Commander of United States Cyber Command jointly appointed to be the Director of the National Security Agency: Congress laid out clear criteria about when it would be appropriate to consider whether to split the dual-hat worn by the commander of USCYBERCOM and the Director of the NSA. To our knowledge, these criteria have not been met. The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to certify to Congress that splitting of the dual-hat will not pose unacceptable risks to the national security interests of the United States. This certification has not been made, and any attempt to split the dual-hat arrangement before this certification is made would clearly violate the law. Our government is currently responding to a cyber incident where a sophisticated adversary had access to thousands of U.S. networks. Regardless of whether it's better to keep or end the dual-hat arrangement between NSA and CYBERCOM, now is not the time to do it. We believe in continuing policy discussions about this arrangement, but it is unwise for any decisions to be made in the immediate future. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/final-covid-19-emergency-relief-package-based-on-original-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation FINAL COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF PACKAGE BASED ON ORIGINAL BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL LEGISLATION 2020-12-20 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, DC Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) applauded the final COVID-19 emergency relief package. Following months of deadlock in Congress while millions of Americans were at risk of losing their lifelines, we put our heads down and worked around the clock for nearly a month to produce a bipartisan, bicameral bill to address the emergency needs of our country. We are relieved Congress has finally agreed on a COVID-19 emergency relief package. Our consensus bill was the foundation of this final package and we applaud Congressional leadership for finishing what we started. Workers, businesses, and families need help right now and we urge our colleagues to quickly pass this bill and President Trump to immediately sign the legislation to provide Americans with relief. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-32-million-for-maine-head-start-programs Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $3.2 Million for Maine Head Start Programs 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded two organizations in Maine a total of $3,188,676 for their Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. Head Start programs are instrumental in ensuring that children cultivate new skills and receive educational opportunities that prepare them for a lifetime of success,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. We welcome this investment for families in Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, and Cumberland counties, which will encourage our children to grow and thrive and support Maine's working families during the current public health and economic crisis. The funding will be allocated as follows: Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care in Lewiston will receive $1,641,177. Midcoast Maine Community Action in Bath will receive $1,547,499. 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. Early Head Start services are available for eligible children age zero to three and pregnant women. Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bill-to-expand-access-to-care-for-veterans-with-early-stage-dementia-protect-state-veterans-homes-to-be-signed-into-law Bill to Expand Access to Care for Veterans with Early-Stage Dementia, Protect State Veterans Homes to be Signed into Law 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Following unanimous passage by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act will be sent to the President to be signed into law. The legislation was ultimately passed as part of a broad veteran benefits improvements package, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. The bipartisan legislation, authored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), will address a current gap in care for veterans in Maine living with early-stage dementia. Representatives Jared Golden (D-ME) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced companion legislation in the House. The State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act also passed the Senate as stand-alone legislation on December 8. Maine Veterans' Homes(MVH) has provided domiciliary care for veterans with early-stage dementia in its homes since 2004, but newly enforced Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) eligibility requirements have limited access for many of these veterans. TheState Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Actwill address this by providing the VA with additional flexibility to allow veterans with early-stage dementia to receive this care. In Maine, we lead the way in caring for our veterans. For more than 40 years, Maine Veterans' Homes has been a vital part of our State's commitment to our heroes. My father, Donald Collins, a decorated World War II veteran, was cared for by the Veterans' Home in Caribou at the end of his life, so I know firsthand the compassion and care that Maine Veterans' Homes provide, said Senator Collins. This bipartisan legislation will provide the flexibility needed to ensure that veterans with early-stage dementia do not fall through the cracks and that the VA can help address the growing needs for assistance for these patients. Maine's veterans stepped up and answered the call to protect our state and our nation, and we have a responsibility to repay them with gratitu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-bicameral-group-urges-leadership-to-continue-moving-forward-on-covid-19-emergency-relief-package Bipartisan, Bicameral Group Urges Leadership to Continue Moving Forward On COVID-19 Emergency Relief Package 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, DC Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) urged Senate and House Leadership to continue moving forward to finalize a COVID-19 emergency relief package. Earlier this week, the Senators and the Problem Solvers Caucus shared two bills, one of which, the bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, is serving as the framework for the final COVID-19 relief package. This pandemic has been devastating for millions of Americans and without Congressional action they will lose the lifelines that are keeping them afloat. We appreciate the ongoing efforts of Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer and Leader McCarthy to craft an emergency COVID-19 relief package that will help the American people weather the next few months of this pandemic. We know first-hand how hard it can be to find common ground on some of these issues. We encourage the leaders and their staff to continue this important work. By working together, we can and we will deliver immediate assistance to the workers, the families, and the businesses that need it most. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-raises-foster-youths-needs-to-hhs-amid-pandemic-challenges King Raises Foster Youths Needs to HHS Amid Pandemic Challenges 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 11 of his Senate colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be sure to have young people in the foster care system in mind as they formulate policies to manage the government's response to the pandemic.In a letter to Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson, the Senators asked that HHS prioritize their engagement with states to extend relief to foster families and implement temporary and long-term changes to help foster youth weather this crisis and secure a better future. Almost all families in the United States have had to make significant adjustments in their daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for the children and young adults in our nation's foster care system, periods of change and adjustment are not new,the senators wrote.Foster youth have survived a lifetime of uncertainty before and after entering foster care. The serious health challenges and economic downturn brought by the COVID-19 pandemic have merely exacerbated existing challenges faced by the approximately 424,000 children in the foster care system and the more than 20,400 young adults whoage out'of foster care each year. As of December10, 2020,over 70million applications for unemployment benefits had been filed since March 21, 2020. Given this high unemployment ratethe highest we have seen in the U.S. in recent memorywe are increasingly concerned about the potentially dire consequences foster youth may face during the economic recession brought on by the pandemic,they continued.Even before the public health emergency, only about half of youth aging out of the foster care system each year were anticipated to have some form of gainful employment by the age of 24. We believe that if temporary changes are made to strengthen support and resources for foster youth, they will be better equipped to pursue their goals and become active members of our nation's workforce. In their letter, the senators expressed particular concern about the impact of the digi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/me-delegation-urges-feds-to-reject-petition-that-undermines-regulatory-process-threatens-maine-lobster-fishery ME Delegation Urges Feds to Reject Petition that Undermines Regulatory Process, Threatens Maine Lobster Fishery 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME), and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) today urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to reject a petition for emergency interim fishery regulations regarding the North Atlantic right whale. The petition, submitted by a number of out-of-state interest groups, would bypass the established regulatory process and could set a dangerous precedent that could needlessly close lobster fisheries throughout New England. Golden, Collins, King, and Pingree also note that the data used by the petitioners in their call for an emergency rulemaking fail to incorporate the significant risks that ship strikes and fishing entanglements in Canadian waters pose to right whales. This petition would undermine years-long cooperative efforts, which are now in the final stages of approval, and set a dangerous precedent of bypassing the regulatory process and excluding the input of lobstermen and seafood harvesters whose lives and livelihoods would be most impacted, said Golden, Collins, King, and Pingree. The short-sighted petition undermines our shared goal of protecting both the North Atlantic right whale and the New England lobster industry by ignoring the impacts of ship strikes and entanglements in Canadian waters and other fisheries, while pushing ropeless gear technology that the petitioners know is not viable and would effectively shut down the lobster fishery. The petition would expand existing closures and effectively set new ones by prohibiting lobster traps with vertical lines in certain areas off the coast of Massachusetts. The delegation's letter notes that the petitioners suggest lobstermen use ropeless' traps, ignoring the fact that such technology is not commercially available, proven to be effective, or financially viable for fishermen. The petitioners also fail to acknowledge data collected by the National Marine Service indicating that since 2010, when new sinking groundline and trawling-up rules were put in place, confir… 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-900000-to-support-drug-free-communities-in-maine Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $900,000 to Support Drug-Free Communities in Maine 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine communities have been awarded a total of $914,156 to prevent youth substance misuse and foster drug-free communities. This funding was awarded through the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)'s Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. Last year, drug overdoses claimed the life of 380 Mainers, more than one person each day. We must take an all-hands-on-deck approach to stop the drug epidemic, as well as alcohol abuse and concerning increases in youth tobacco usage. said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This important funding will help Maine communities strengthen their efforts to prevent and reduce substance misuse through programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and community involvement. The work of Drug Free Aroostook over the past five years has shown tremendous progress in reducing alcohol abuse among adolescence in Aroostook County. We are absolutely thrilled to continue this work for the next five years as its importance has only escalated due to the pandemic. Helping young people find healthy ways to manage difficult situations is critical at this time, said Meg Hegemann, Prevention Services Program Manager, Aroostook County Action Program. This federal funding allows us to create pathways and strategies to serve our local youth. The 15 organizations serving this countywide collation understand that it is not enough to just say no, but that this federal funding will allow us to create pathways and strategies to serve our local youth. Working as a countywide collation we are making these healthier options available. The funding will be allocated as follows: Aroostook County Action Program will receive $36,223. Mid Coast Hospital will receive $70,845. Medical Care Development, Inc. will receive $57,138. Cumberland County will receive $29,115. Sebasticook Valley Hospital will receive $80,845 Windham will receive $169,990. Presque Isle will receive $125,000. Brunswick will receive $125,000. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-king-shares-bipartisan-covid-relief-bill-details-with-maine-state-chamber-of-commerce Senator King Shares Bipartisan COVID Relief Bill Details with Maine State Chamber of Commerce 2020-12-15 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHIINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) reconnected with members of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce in a virtual Q&A to discuss the challenges that Maine small businesses are facing during the coronavirus pandemic, and his work with fellow Senators to provide additional support and certainty for these community businesses. Today's Zoom comes one day after Senator King joined a bipartisan, bicameral group in sharing additional details regarding two COVID-19 emergency relief bills. The legislation includes $300 billion to support small businesses across the nation; King originally briefed the Chamber on his efforts at the outset of the pandemic in March. Maine's small business community is essential to our state, and it is vital that we all work to support them amidst these ongoing challenges, said Senator King. Over the last nine months, our small businesses have been through the wringer, adjusting on the fly to keep customers and employees safe during this pandemic while also changing their business strategies to reflect shifting consumer demands. Their work has been impressive, but these community cornerstones need more help to survive through the long winter ahead. The bipartisan coronavirus package that we negotiated for weeks and unveiled yesterday will provide that assistance, by renewing the Paycheck Protection Program and casting another lifeline to businesses in need. I'm grateful for the time of these business leaders today, and for all they do to make our state so special and I urge Maine people to shop local this holiday season. Even as the pandemic changes the way we connect, Senator King has made it a priority to engage with Maine people from all walks of life and helpful organizations to address questions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and identify remaining work to be done. In May, he held atele-town hall, inviting all Maine people to call in toll-free, to listen and respond to questions about coronavirus response efforts. Since the Senate passed theCARES Act, he … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-share-details-of-two-bipartisan-covid-19-emergency-relief-bills-along-with-bipartisan-bicameral-group Collins, King Share Details of Two Bipartisan Covid-19 Emergency Relief Bills Along with Bipartisan, Bicameral Group 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Click HERE to watch Senator Collins' remarks. Click HERE to download. Click HERE to watch Senator King's remarks. Click HERE to download. Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined a bipartisan, bicameral group in sharing additional details regarding two COVID-19 emergency relief bills. The group is led by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Collins along with Senators King, Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23). The Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, shared by Senators Manchin, Collins, Warner, Cassidy, Shaheen, Murkowski, King, Romney, Hassan, Portman and Durbin, would provide as much as $748 billion in relief to American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. The Bipartisan State and Local Support and Small Business Protection Act of 2020, shared by Senators Manchin, Collins, Cassidy, Murkowski, Romney and Portman, would provide $160 billion in funding for state and local governments and liability protections. The Problem Solvers Caucus is working on a version in the House. We have had a Christmas miracle occur in Washington. We worked night and day for over a month to put together an emergency COVID relief package. My hope is that our hard work will spur our leadership on both sides of the aisle to take our products and use them as the basis for a COVID relief package that is urgently needed by our struggling families, hard-hit small businesses, health care providers, Postal Service, schools, and so many others, said Senator Collins. I'm particularly proud of the $300 billion small business provision that Senator Jeanne Shaheen and I led. It includes an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program, which has saved millions of jobs in this country, including 250,000 jobs in Maine alone. Surely we can come t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-55-million-for-costs-of-mitigating-spread-of-covid-19-in-maine Senators Collins, King Announce $5.5 Million for Costs of Mitigating Spread of COVID-19 in Maine 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine has received an additional $5,570,755 to reimburse the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) including KN95 surgical masks for frontline responders, as well as disposable non-sterile isolation gowns and disposable isolation suits. This funding was awarded to the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that health care professionals across Maine are properly equipped to treat individuals who contract the virus and prevent further transmission, Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. We welcome this continued critical support, which helped provide PPE to our frontline workers and ensure the safety of individuals, families, and communities throughout Maine. In the midst of the pandemic, Senators Collins and King have fought hard to secure federal funding for PPE for Maine. Last month, the Senators announced that Maine received nearly $2.3 million for such medical supplies. In April, the Senators urged Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor to help Maine more easily access PPE secured by the COVID-19 Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force. As of November 13, FEMA has obligated more than $163 million in federal support to Maine, and as of November 18, FEMA and the Strategic National Stockpile have provided Maine with more than 1,498,514 gloves, 43,525 face shields, 41,290 surgical gowns, 204,393 surgical masks, and 566,775 N95 respirators. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-300000-health-and-wellness-funding-for-wabanaki-community Collins, King Announce $300,000 Health and Wellness Funding for Wabanaki Community 2020-11-17 2020 2020-11 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $300,000 to Wabanaki Health and Wellness to bolster the organization's health services, including its work to address substance use disorders and support nutrition in tribal communities. As this pandemic continues to spread across the nation, it is critical that we invest in public health infrastructure to support communities throughout Maine, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. Wabanaki Health and Wellness plays a vital role in supporting Maine's tribal communities, and we're grateful that this funding will help support this agency's efforts to support public health during this critical moment. Established in 1996, Wabanaki Health and Wellness is a not-for-profit organization for tribally-enrolled Native Americans in Penobscot, Washington, and Aroostook Counties. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-votes-against-fed-nominee King Votes Against Fed Nominee 2020-11-17 2020 2020-11 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted against Dr. Judy Shelton's nomination to serve on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors, which oversees the nation's central bank and works to promote the effective operation of the U.S. economy and the general public interest. After the motion to file cloture on Dr. Shelton's nomination was defeated by a vote of 47 to 50, Senator King released the following statement: We are in the midst of a massive economic crisis, which has devastated working Americans, small businesses, and local governments alike -- which calls for sound, long-term, data-based economic thinking. To best navigate the choppy waters ahead, we need strong, stable, apolitical leadership from the Federal Reserve that examines the best path forward for the entire nation. Instead, President Trump put forward a nominee whose extreme views place her well outside of the mainstream and, leading economists say, would create new hazards to America's economic prospects. Dr. Shelton's fringe views, including her support for a return to the gold standard, are dangerous in the best of times; in the middle of this crisis, they could be downright catastrophic. Perhaps even more worrisome is Dr. Shelton's lack of respect for the Federal Reserve's longstanding independence. The Fed is supposed to put the long-term financial interest of the nation ahead of any short-term political pressures, but Dr. Shelton has repeatedly communicated and demonstrated limited interest in continuing this tradition. If the Senate had allowed President Trump to politicize the Fed by confirming Dr. Shelton to its Board of Governors, she likely would have undermined the Fed as an institution, and permanently compromised its unique position in our society. In the short-term and the long-term, Dr. Shelton was the wrong choice for a role this important. I'm grateful that her nomination was rejected on a bipartisan basis, and hope that the Senate can shift our consideration to the pressing matters at hand. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/solarium-co-chair-king-unjust-firing-of-cisa-director-krebs-makes-americans-less-safe Solarium Co-Chair King: “Unjust” Firing of CISA Director Krebs Makes Americans Less Safe 2020-11-17 2020 2020-11 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, released the following statement after it was announced that Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Chris Krebs was removed from his position: Earlier this year, the Cyberspace Solarium Commission issued a nonpartisan report including more than 75 recommendations outlining opportunities for America to improve its national cyber defense posture. Several of these recommendations are focused on expanding the resources and authorities of CISA because, throughout our year of work, we consistently saw that CISA was among our nation's most important cyber assets. This success doesn't happen without Chris Krebs. Chris Krebs is an incredibly bright, high-performing, and dedicated public servant, who has helped build up new cyber capabilities in the face of swiftly-evolving dangers. This year's robust election security and public awareness campaign exceeded our expectations, especially given the unique political and technological challenges. Equally important is the less publicized work CISA has done to protect our nation's other critical infrastructure assets. We should be empowering Chris and his team to do more, not punishing them for their doing their job. By firing Mr. Krebs for simply doing his job, President Trump is inflicting severe damage on all Americans who rely on CISA's defenses, even if they don't know it. If there's any silver lining in this unjust decision, it's this: I hope that President-elect Biden will recognize Chris's contributions, and consult with him as the Biden administration charts the future of this critically important agency. The Cyberspace Solarium Commission was established by statute in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), andofficially launched in April 2019. The Commissioners convened nearly every Monday that Congress was in session for a year, and its staff conducted more than 400 engagements, drawing upon the expertise of corporate lead… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-king-leads-national-forum-highlighting-rural-benefits-impacts-of-telehealth-in-maine Senator King Leads National Forum Highlighting Rural Benefits, Impacts of Telehealth in Maine 2020-11-13 2020 2020-11 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) convened and led a virtual roundtable with Maine healthcare providers and experts from the Bipartisan Policy Centeron the benefits and future of telehealth for Maine and across the nation's rural areas. The pandemic has resulted in a dramatic expansion of telehealth services, especially in Maine; these services have allowed for safe access to care for millions of Americans, though the vital policy changes that made this possible are not permanent. As a key member of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Rural Health Care Task Force, Senator King focused his conversation on how policymakers and healthcare providers can work together to consider the investments and permanent changes needed to sustain access to 21st-century quality healthcare through telehealth to meet the needs of Americans. One of the few silver linings of the coronavirus pandemic is the rise of telehealth as a widely-available tool to help millions of Americans efficiently and safely access healthcare, said Senator King. With the availability has come an increased awareness of the potential of this incredible innovation to improve the lives and health of rural Americans and older Americans, helping to cut down on long trips to doctors' offices without losing quality of care. Now that we've seen the value of this tool, it's up to us to ensure that the increase of telehealth are not only protected, but expanded by adjusting reimbursement rates, improving access to high-speed broadband, and more. Today's dialogue reminded us of the progress we've made, and all the work we still have to do; as the next Congress comes into session, I will draw on the insights of our panelists to best serve the people of Maine. The panel featured: Jennifer Lundblad, President & CEO, Stratis Health; Dena McDonough, Associate Director, Health Project, Bipartisan Policy Center; Dr. Lisa Miller, Family Medicine Physician, Western Maine Health; Walter Panzirer, Trustee, Helmsley Charitable Trust; and Scott Oxley, Presi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-honoring-veterans-day2020 King Statement Honoring Veterans Day 2020-11-11 2020 2020-11 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day: After observing American troops defend Baltimore Harbor from the British Navy during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key put pen to paper and created our national anthem. It is telling that he chose to write the last lines of the first stanza in the form of a question: O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? He did so, I believe, to illustrate that the United States can only be the land of the free if it is also the home of the brave. Without brave men and women committed to protecting our country, we cannot enjoy the many freedoms we hold dear. On this Veterans Day, may we commit ourselves to celebrating these men and women and honoring their service to our country. Veterans Day this year also comes in the midst of a pandemic. So as we reflect, with gratitude and remembrance, on the sacrifices of American servicemembers and their families, we must also endeavor to provide the care and services they are afforded. Here in Maine, as the days get shorter and colder, we must work harder than ever to care for our neighbors and friends across the state. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues, unemployment, or lack of access to health care please know that there is an entire community of Maine people here to support you. Do not hesitate to reach outwhether it be to my office, the VA, a fellow veteran, or a family member. For my part, I will continue to push for expanded telehealth services at the VA and to ensure that the VA Maine Healthcare System has the testing kits and PPE necessary to manage the coronavirus and safely expand its in-person capabilities. During this unprecedented time, I am also deeply thankful for the dedicated service of veterans' advocates, Veterans Service Organizations, and VA Maine employees who have not faltered in their work on behalf of Maine veterans. More than two hundred years after Francis Sc… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/after-espers-dismissal-king-emphasizes-dangers-of-playing-politics-with-national-security-during-presidential-transition After Esper’s Dismissal, King Emphasizes Dangers of Playing Politics with National Security During Presidential Transition 2020-11-09 2020 2020-11 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced the dismissal of Secretary of Defense Mark Esper: Right now, America hangs in the balance of a precarious moment mere weeks before a presidential transition, with dangerous national security threats as foreign adversaries monitor our resolve and look for vulnerabilities. Now especially, it is vital that the Department of Defense's core mission remains stable and focused on the tasks at hand: protecting our citizens, defending our national security interests, and conducting a seamless transition to the Biden Administration. Unfortunately, President Trump appears to have placed a personal vendetta against his own Secretary of Defense ahead of the interest of the nation. Secretary Esper took an oath to the Constitution, not this President; the same is true for the newly-appointed Acting Secretary. This is no time for sour grapes; it's time for America's top civilian officials to put the good of the country first. While I have grave concerns that this announcement ignores the Department of Defense's established order of succession, I truly hope that Acting Secretary Miller will rise to this moment. Our nation's security during the next ten weeks and beyond depends on it. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-maine-to-receive-363-million-for-heating-assistance-for-low-income-mainers Collins, King Announce Maine to Receive $36.3 Million for Heating Assistance for Low-Income Mainers 2020-11-06 2020 2020-11 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing a total of $36,318,970 in funding for Maine through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), including $1,328,011 specifically for tribes and tribal organizations. As the cold winter months approach, it is vital that we ensure low-income families and seniors in Maine have access to affordable home energy to protect their health and safety, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This funding is welcome news as these programs remain important lifelines that help prevent vulnerable individuals from having to choose between heating their home, paying their bills, or going without food or medicine. Senators Collins and King have long led bipartisan efforts to support federal funding for LIHEAP. In October, Senator Collins wrote a letter with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) that was cosigned by 38 of their colleagues, including Senator King, urging HHS to release LIHEAP funds without delay and at as high a level as possible under the continuing resolution. HHS released a total of $3.36 billion to states, tribes, and territories. The following funding will be allocated to Maine tribes, which is a portion of the $36,318,970 in LIHEAP funds awarded to the State of Maine: Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians $158,053 Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians $158,053 Passamaquoddy Tribe--Indian Township $301,573 Passamaquoddy Tribe--Pleasant Point $420,749 Penobscot Tribe $289,583 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-250000-for-maine-nursing-homes-to-combat-covid-19 Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $250,000 for Maine Nursing Homes to Combat COVID-19 2020-11-04 2020 2020-11 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that82 Maine nursing homes and nursing facilitieshave been awardedan additional$247,577to support increased testing, staffing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) needs. Thisfundingadds to the $10.4 million Senators Collins and Kingannouncedin August. This targeted distribution from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Provider Relief Fund is funded through $175 billion includedin the bipartisan CARES Act and thePaycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. In the midst of this ongoing public health and economic crisis, it is crucial that the residents and staff of our nursing home communities remainsupported and protected,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. Thisadditionalfunding willprovide nursing homes with resources and training to improve infection and support our health care providers on the front lines. Under this distribution, nursing homes that demonstrated a significant reduction in COVID-19 related infections and deaths between August and September will be eligible to apply for additional funding to improve quality and infection control in their facilities. This performance-based payment structure will reward nursing homes for keeping new COVID-19 infection and mortality rates among residents lower than the communities they serve. To further support nursing homes,HHS also announced todaythe Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will be partnering with America's nursing homes to create the National Nursing Home COVID Action Network. Through the Network, AHRQ will offer trainingand mentorship to the approximately 15,400 nursing homes across the country to supplement efforts aimed at protecting residents and staff. In August, Senators Collins and King announced that 93 skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes in Maine had been awarded$10.4 millionto support increased testing, staffing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) needs. In May, following Senator Collins' advoc… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/responding-to-king-colleagues-hhs-expands-relief-for-rural-healthcare-providers Responding to King, Colleagues, HHS Expands Relief For Rural Healthcare Providers 2020-10-30 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy BRUNSWICK, ME Following U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine)'s letter earlier this month with 24 colleagues to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, the Administration has expanded relief funding eligibility for rural healthcare providers and updated requirements to preserve providers' access to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) created as a response to the coronavirus pandemic. Rural healthcare providers are on the frontlines of combatting this public health crisis and protecting our communities from coronavirus outbreaks, particularly now that the pandemic is spreading into less populated areas, said Senator King. With Maine as one of the most rural states in the nation, our state has a vast need for healthcare providers and cannot afford to lose a single one due to job cuts and a lack of funding. I'm glad that HHS has listened to my colleagues and I, who represent thousands of providers across the country; I'll keep pushing to ensure that these frontline workers have the resources they need to protect themselves, treat patients, and control outbreaks in our communities. In response to the Senators' October 9th letter, HHS will now allow more flexibility for providers in using PRF proceeds so that they can continue to respond to all of the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, HHS will now stick by their June guidelines and require healthcare providers to calculate lost revenue by comparing actual 2020 revenue with budgeted 2020 revenue or with 2019 revenue, rather than directing providers to use net operating income to calculate lost revenue. This will help to protect patients' access to care and prevent providers especially rural hospitals and hospitals that serve high-numbers of low-income, elderly, and severely ill patients from being forced to return PRF funds that they have already received. HHS released initial reporting requirements in June for providers receiving PRF funds that directed these entities to define lost revenue as any revenue that you as… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/dept-of-interior-adopts-golden-king-proposal-to-provide-free-national-park-access-for-gold-star-families Dept. of Interior Adopts Golden, King Proposal to Provide Free National Park Access for Gold Star Families 2020-10-29 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Following the introduction of legislation earlier this year by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Senator Angus King (I-ME) to make admission to national parks free for Gold Star Familiesan idea proposed to Congressman Golden by a constituent the U.S. Department of the Interior announced earlier today it would implement the lawmakers' proposal nationwide. Starting November 11, 2020, entrance fees for Gold Star Families will be waived at all national parks and other federal public lands, including at Acadia National Park. Veterans will also have their fees waived. Golden first introduced the bipartisanGold Star Families Parks Pass Actwith Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01)earlier this yearandpassed it through the Houseas part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)in July. Senator Angus King (I-ME), Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Gold Star families deserve our deepest respect and unwavering support. Making our national parks and public lands open to these Americans free of charge is a small but meaningful way to express our gratitude for their sacrifices,said Congressman Golden.I'm pleased that the Department of the Interior will implement my proposal with Senator King nationwide and will build upon it to include all veterans. I'll continue to work across the aisle to pass our legislation this fall to permanently enshrine these privileges for Gold Star Families into law. America's Gold Star Families have made unimaginable sacrifices for the safety of our country, and we should do everything possible to help them heal,said Senator King, Ranking Member of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks.America's public lands are among the most beautiful natural wonders in the world, and their importance to Americans has only grown during the ongoing pandemic. The families of those who've lost a loved one in defense of our nation should be able to have access to these treasures free of charge. I'm gratef… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-delegation-pushes-usda-again-to-fix-shortcomings-of-farmers-to-families-program-to-ensure-in-state-contractors-and-farmers-can-benefit-from-fourth-round-of-funding Maine Delegation Pushes USDA Again to Fix Shortcomings of Farmers to Families Program to Ensure In-State Contractors and Farmers Can Benefit From Fourth Round of Funding 2020-10-29 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden wrote to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today requesting fixes to the Farmers to Families Food Box Program to ensure Maine-based contractors have a fair shot to be selected whenthefourth round contracts are awarded. No companies in Maine were chosen by USDA to be suppliers in the first or thirdtranche of funding for the Farmers to Families Food Box program. In the first round of the Farmers to Families program announced in April, no Maine-based contractors were selected and the coverage of the program was extremely limited within the state. Consequently, there was a significant missed opportunity for USDA to benefit Maine's farmers, food insecure families, and small businesses at a time when they were struggling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,the Maine lawmakers wrote in their letter to USDA. We appreciate that you worked to address the concerns raised in our letters dated May 29 and June 18 and ultimately included two Maine-based contractors in the second round of awards. However, we were disappointed that once again no companies in Maine were chosen to supply the third round announced in September.While non-profit partners have received a substantial supply of food boxes from an out-of-state distributor, helping to alleviate hunger among Maine families, the economic impact of the program for farmers and businesses in Maine has been more limited as significant federal support flows to other states,said the Maine delegation in their letter. Read the full delegation letterhere. In April, the Farmers to Families Food Box Program was established by USDA using funds from the Families First Coronavirus Response ActandCARES Act. Under the program, USDA purchases up to $4 billion offresh produce, dairy, and meat and distributes these products to food insecure Americans in Farmers to Families Food Boxes. Maine distributors were left out of the program to begin with, but following advo… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-fights-for-federal-student-loan-borrowers-to-access-critical-relief-from-coronavirus-bills King Fights for Federal Student Loan Borrowers to Access “Critical Relief” from Coronavirus Bills 2020-10-27 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and a group of 33 Senators sent aletterurging Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to ensure all struggling federal student borrowers can gain access to crucial federal relief. In their letter, the Senators pressed Secretary DeVos to immediately contact borrowers currently missing out on relief and help them consolidate their loans into qualifying loans. They also urged Secretary DeVos to use her administrative authority to improve the consolidation process for borrowers by waiving restrictions and penalties during the national emergency. The more than eight million student loan borrowers falling into donut holes of critical relief have missed out on needed benefits and suffered unnecessary complexity and confusion for more than six months,wrote the Senators.It is essential that the Department immediately begin the targeted outreach and take the actions we are requesting. Since March, theCoronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES)Acthas provided forbearance, waived interest, and halted collections for borrowers whose student loans were directly held by the U.S. Department of Education. But, according to new information from the Department, 8.2 million federal student loan borrowers currently are barred from taking advantage of this relief, because some or all of their loans do not qualify. Of those borrowers, 4.4 million people are not receiving any relief, and 3.8 million people have a mix of loans that qualify and those that do not. To ensure that these borrowers don't continue to face unnecessary financial struggles and confusion, in their letter, the SenatorsurgedSecretary DeVos to take immediate action to help them qualify for much-needed relief. Since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, and onset of related financial hardships, Senator King has advocated for student loan borrowers. In July, he urged the Administration to end the seizure of tax refunds from federal student loan borrowers in default and refund any payments seized in direct vio… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/citing-disgraceful-process-and-danger-of-judicial-philosophy-king-opposes-barretts-nomination Citing Disgraceful Process and Danger of Judicial Philosophy, King Opposes Barrett’s Nomination 2020-10-26 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted against Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. In his full statement below, Senator King cites the rushed nature of the proceedings which he argued should take place after the upcoming election and the core flaws of Judge Barrett's judicial philosophy, which he discussed in a Senate floor speech and an op-ed for The Atlantic. Today's outcome was pre-determined from the moment Mitch McConnell skipped past his shameful Merrick Garland precedent and ignored Justice Ginsburg's dying wish but that doesn't make it any easier to stomach, said Senator King. With Americans already casting ballots across the nation, the Senate majority decided to rush a lifetime appointment before voters could be heard. Worse still, this happens as the nation needed actual leadership in the form of a coronavirus relief bill to restore stability to our economy and faith in our government. We're meant to be a body that represents the will of the people; instead, we worked overtime so we could ignore their voices. What a disgrace to our institution. This process was a mockery of our system of government but even these awful proceedings may pale in comparison to now-Justice Barrett's potential impact from the bench of our nation's highest court. The more I've studied her record and dug into her legal ideology, the more concerned I've grown about her deeply-held, radical commitment to originalism. In a world that is ever-changing, and with new threats that our forefathers never could have imagined, it is vital that we follow the guidance of the Constitution's Framers while taking generational changes into account.Jefferson said it best: With the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.' Based on her judicial record and… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-challenge-justice-departments-sudden-reversal-on-election-non-interference King, Colleagues Challenge Justice Department’s Sudden Reversal on Election Non-Interference 2020-10-23 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with oversight over federal elections, and 12 members of the Rules and Judiciary Committees sent a letter to Corey R. Amundson, Chief of the Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section, requesting an immediate explanation of the Department's recent decision to weaken its longstanding policy of non-interference with elections. The Department has long recognized that public investigations of alleged election fraud can interject the investigation itself as an issue in an ongoing election, creating the obvious risk of chilling legitimate voting and campaign activities, but DOJ has recently changed these decades-old strictures with little notice or explanation. This policy change coincides with repeated false claims by the President and Attorney General Barr that voting by mail will lead to rampant fraud in the face of FBI denials of such allegations while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is warning that Russia is amplifying these claims to undermine trust in the electoral process. In addition, reports in recent days point to continued efforts by Russia and Iran to undermine the public's trust in the 2020 election. It is deeply troubling that the Department has chosen to weaken its non-interference policy weeks before Election Day and while millions of Americans have already voted, many of them by mail, the senators said. This policy change coincides with repeated false claims by the President and Attorney General Barr that voting by mail will lead to rampant fraud. The Department of Homeland Security has warned that Russia is amplifying these claims in an effort to undermine public trust in the electoral process. Senator King regularly sounds the alarm on interference issues as the 2020 general election is underway he believes it is fundamentally important to voters' faith in the democratic process and preserving American values. In August, he pressed nominees for top Defense Department… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-more-than-100-lawmakers-urge-congress-bold-and-comprehensive-action-needed-to-prevent-the-next-pandemic King, More than 100 Lawmakers Urge Congress: Bold and Comprehensive Action Needed to Prevent the Next Pandemic 2020-10-23 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined 136 Senate and House lawmakers in sending a letter to House and Senate leadership urging them to prioritize the development of thoughtful, forward-looking policy plans to prevent and mitigate the impact of future pandemics. In the letter, the lawmakers outline the steps necessary to prevent future pandemics while also noting that Congress must act to provide relief to Americans suffering from the current economic downturn and public health emergency. As the United States continues to weather the disastrous COVID-19 pandemic, we write to ask that Congress take action to learn from the mistakes of our nation's preparation and response and lay the groundwork to prevent and mitigate future pandemics. The current Administration's response has exposed serious flaws in the country's ability to combat large scale public health challenges, wrote the lawmakers. In addition to passing a robust package to address the current crisis, we must take bold and comprehensive steps now to ensure the nation is better prepared for the next pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on communities across the country and has devastated the nation's economy. Currently, the United States leads the world with more than eight million confirmed cases and over 220,000 dead, out of over one million worldwide deaths. Millions are out of work and struggling to make ends meet. It is clear that pandemics are already rapidly accelerating: animal-to-human outbreak prevalence grew six-fold from 1980 to 2010, and experts predict they will become even more common in the future. It is imperative Congress take bold and comprehensive steps now to prevent and mitigate future pandemics. Specifically: Congress must invest in domestic programs, systems, and supply chains that will help improve Americans' health outcomes, combat the spread of new disease, and ramp up public health capacity during global health emergencies. This includes robust investments in state, local, and tribal public health… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-maine-locations-for-2020-drug-take-back-day Senators Collins, King Announce Maine Locations for 2020 Drug Take-Back Day 2020-10-23 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Ahead of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, October 24th, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced the locations of the Maine collection sites. Unused prescription drugs that collect in our homes can fall into the wrong hands, creating unintended gateways to opioid addiction, particularly as we continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. Maine is one of the top 10 states that have disposed the most prescriptions through the DEA's Drug Take-Back Program, and we are confident that our state will continue to lead efforts to stop the misuse of unused drugs that pose a serious threat to our children, our homes, and our environment. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. For the first time, collection sites will accept vaping devices and associated substances. At a previousTake-Back Event in October 2019, federal, state, and local government entities took back 882,919 pounds of unused, expired, or unwanted drugs at more than 6,100 locations across the United States. Over the course of the program, 12,699,456 pounds of prescription drugs have been safely collected across the country, including more than 412,117 pounds of medication in Maine alone. Federal regulations allow pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and other authorized collectors to serve as collection points for unused prescription medication. In 2014, following a bipartisan effort led by Senators Collins and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the Department of Justice granted the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) the ability to participate in prescription drug take-back programs at DoD and VA facilities. This initiative has helped to address the role of prescription drug abuse in many military and veteran suicid… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-900000-for-harmful-algal-bloom-research-at-the-bigelow-laboratory-for-ocean-sciences Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $900,000 for Harmful Algal Bloom Research at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences 2020-10-23 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is set to receive a total of $878,514 to conduct research on a new simple, low-cost method of detecting harmful toxins in mussels. This funding, of which $164,078 is slated for fiscal year 2020, was awarded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). Maintaining the health of shellfish aquaculture is essential to Maine's working waterfront, as well as the global ecosystem, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This project will allow the skilled scientists at Bigelow Laboratory to research a three-in-one test for harmful toxins that are accumulating in mussels, helping to protect Maine's mussel-growing industry and ensure that people across the nation can continue to enjoy this ocean delicacy. Shellfish aquaculture is a large and growing industry, with national sales exceeding $260 million annually and expected to rise, given its economic and environmental benefits, as well as increased customer demand. Established in 1974, the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is a nonprofit oceanography research institute in East Boothbay. Using innovative approaches and cutting-edge technology, Bigelow scientists study the foundation of global ocean health and seek to improve the future of all life on the planet. A large portion of the institute's funding comes from federal and state grants and contracts. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-launches-maine-voices-video-series-focusing-on-stories-of-acas-impact King Launches “Maine Voices” Video Series Focusing on Stories of ACA’s Impact 2020-10-22 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the first in a series of videos highlighting the benefits the Affordable Care Act has created for Maine people. Each of the videos will feature Senator King hearing directly from Maine people about their personal experiences with the law, which has helped thousands of Maine people access health coverage; each of the stories were submitted to Senator King's website earlier this month. Today's video features Dr. Garreth Debiegun, President of the Maine Chapter of the American College of Emergency Room Physicians, who shares his frontline perspective on the importance of affordable healthcare. The video series comes days before the Senate will vote on the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, and mere weeks before the Court hears oral arguments on the future of the ACA. For more than a decade, the Affordable Care Act has helped hundreds of thousands of Maine people access affordable, life-saving health insurance,said Senator King.Today, there are nearly 62,000 Maine people utilizing the Medicaid expansion, more than 75,000 people who secure coverage through the ACA's Marketplace, and a whopping 225,000 Mainers under the age of 65 living with pre-existing conditions who don't have to worry about being denied coverage. In the coming days, I'll be highlighting stories from Maine people who reached out to my office in order to share their personal experiences with the law. Each of these stories hammers home that this is truly a matter of life-and-death and hopefully puts a human face on the stories my colleagues are ignoring as they rush through this Supreme Court nomination and put health care at risks for millions. In this series, Senator King will hear from constituents Karen Wentworth, a cancer survivor; Francesca Basile, a young professional at a small firm and volunteer healthcare advocate; Wayne St. Peter, a self-employed tennis instructor; and Greg Rossel, a self-employed boat-builder. During the upcoming Supreme Court hearings, … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-300000-for-wabanaki-educational-program-at-the-university-of-maine-and-the-university-of-maine-at-machias Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $300,000 for Wabanaki Educational Program at the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias 2020-10-22 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a total of $283,164 for the New Beginning for Wabanaki Students, to increase Wabanaki student participation and success at the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias. The New Beginning for Wabanaki Students at the University of Maine program will serve as a critical resource for Native American college students, promoting developmental and educational growth, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This program will link Wabanaki students with the resources they need to achieve their academic and career goals. This award will be coordinated by the Wabanaki Youth in Science Program, a peer mentorship program that connects Native students to both community and university support systems. The program is aimed at bringing together indigenous cultural values and western education through on-campus activities including events, roundtables, and presentations. Senators Collins and King have long supported Maine's tribal communities, including by helping to secure nearly $4 million in federal funding for tribal health in Maine during the COVID-19 pandemic, including awards of $2.7 million in July to expand public health and wellness services and more than $1 million in August to build and expand public health infrastructure. Senators Collins and King also helped secure $1 million in August to combat tribal substance and opioid use disorders. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-votes-against-latest-inadequate-pandemic-relief-proposal-from-mcconnell-calls-for-bipartisan-negotiation-to-produce-effective-package King Votes Against Latest Inadequate Pandemic Relief Proposal from McConnell, Calls for Bipartisan Negotiation to Produce Effective Package 2020-10-21 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after voting against another undersized coronavirus relief proposal from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that fails to adequately meet the range of threats facing the American people. In his statement, Senator King emphasizes that even President Trump has called for a much-stronger relief bill, and highlights the fact that previous moves to reject Senator McConnell's coronavirus relief proposals have resulted indrastically improved legislation, including additional funds for states and localities, increased unemployment insurance, and more money for healthcare providers working to battle the coronavirus pandemic. More than a month ago, the Senate rejected a Republican plan much like this one, because the bill doesn't do nearly enough to address the crisis facing our nation. Since then, the virus has continued to spread and Americans have continued to face serious economic struggles prompting everyone from working Americans to business leaders to cry out for a much larger bill. And it's not just Democrats even President Trump has repeatedly called for a bill more than triple the size of this proposal! But apparently, none of these factors have swayed Senator McConnell, who is still dead-set on a wholly inadequate package that will barely scratch the surface of this challenge. This bill doesn't provide the investment needed to help American families make ends meet, or bolster hard-hit industries during this pandemic, or enable state and local governments to provide vital services and protect public safety. Showing he still doesn't grasp how to confront the threat today and begin to get it under control, the Majority Leader's bill includes less than half of the House's proposed funding for coronavirus testing, tracing and treatment, which would allow this virus to linger even longer and inflict further damage on public health and on the economy. It is tempting to vote yes and do a little good, but I fear that … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-pandemic-lingers-king-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-support-small-businesses-and-improve-on-ppps-efforts As Pandemic Lingers, King, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Support Small Businesses and Improve on PPP’s Efforts 2020-10-20 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined his colleagues to introduce the HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act, a comprehensive legislative package that would provide over $370 billion of support to the hardest-hit, most vulnerable small businesses, including minority-owned businesses and small businesses that have been left behind by earlier relief efforts. The bill closely mirrors legislation passed by the House of Representatives on October 1. Today's introduction continues Senator King's effort to improve the Paycheck Protection Program's (PPP) work for Maine's small businesses in light of changing economic conditions; earlier this year, his legislation to improve the PPPpassed the Senate unanimously and was signed into law, providing businesses with additional flexibility as the pandemic continued to spread across the nation. In the face of a crisis this severe, Congress must always be ready to adapt our approach to best serve the American people, said Senator King. This legislation does exactly that taking the pandemic's lessons into account to create a bill that will help those who need it most. This bill will focus relief efforts on small, underserved businesses which missed out on the PPP's early rounds while major corporations received bailouts. Critically, the legislation will provide unique relief for industries that rely on large gatherings, including restaurants, concert venues, and theaters. Additionally, the legislation will expand non-profits' eligibility for relief funds, enabling these organizations to continue serving our vulnerable citizens during this time. This legislation's provisions already have passed the House of Representatives, and I hope that this bill will receive consideration on the Senate floor immediately so Congress can deliver much-needed aid as soon as possible. Through a number of conversations with Maine small businesses and their employees, Senator King has determined that our nation requires comprehensive small business relief such as that included… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-delegation-governor-mills-welcome-critical-drought-assistance-for-maine-farmers Maine Delegation, Governor Mills Welcome Critical Drought Assistance for Maine Farmers 2020-10-20 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Maine's Congressional Delegation and Governor Janet Mills welcomed the announcement today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made farmers throughout Maine eligible for disaster relief assistance due to the drought. Maine farmers have faced tremendous challenges this year, from supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 to the drought that severely impacted the growing season, said Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Golden in a joint statement. Maine farms sustain our rural communities, whether they are newly founded operations or ones that have been passed down from generation to generation. We strongly supported COVID-19 relief funding to help Maine farmers get through this difficult period, and this designation will help provide additional assistance. The statewide drought conditions are severely impacting our agricultural sector and the rural communities they support, said Governor Mills. I welcome the USDA's declaration and the disaster relief it will bring to Maine's hardworking farmers. I will continue to work closely with Maine's Congressional Delegation to support our farmers throughout this challenging period. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, and Washington counties as primary natural disaster areas. Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Kennebec, Lincoln, Oxford, Waldo, and York counties were named as contiguous disaster counties. Secretary Perdue previously designated Aroostook County as a primary natural disaster area in September. A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which includes FSA emergency loans. FSA emergency loans may be used to: Restore or replace essential property; Pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year; Pay essential family living expenses; Reorganize the farming operation;… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cosponsors-critical-step-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-broadband-access-to-underserved-tribal-communities King Cosponsors “Critical Step” Bipartisan Bill to Expand Broadband Access to Underserved Tribal Communities 2020-10-19 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, has cosponsored a bipartisan and bicameral bill to extend the time window given to Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian organization are given during the pandemic to apply for spectrum licenses a critical step to expanding broadband access in their communities. Specifically, the Extending Broadband Tribal Priority Act of 2020 will require the FCC to open a new 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window that lasts at least 180 days, to commence no later than 30 days after the bill is enacted. "As every Maine person knows, access to broadband is no longer an option but a necessity made all the more critical during this pandemic where connectivity is serving students, workers, businesses and families," said Senator King. "But across the nation, tribal communities are among the least connected populations creating a digital divide that is only growing wider as coronavirus and distance protocols keep us responsibly apart from one another. Almost all of today's vital functions depend entirely on the strength of connectivity, and that's why I've joined my colleagues on this bill which will help tribal communities bridge the digital divide and work to ensure more residents can stay connected through these difficult times." "The Passamaquoddy Tribe supports the Extending Tribal Broadband Priority Act of 2020, which will help the ability of Tribal Nations to expand telecommunications access in reliance on tribal infrastructure, said Chief William Nicholas, Sr. of Indian Township. One can travel for hours without cell phone service or spend entire days working in the woods on Passamaquoddy lands with no reliable signal to use for emergency phone calls in the event of an accident. This poses a particularly dangerous problem in rural areas that are heavily used for logging, sustenance activities, economic development and seasonal living. All of these activities come with risk, but that risk becomes far more dangerous when conducted in a re… 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-900000-to-improve-water-quality-in-searsport Senators Collins, King Announce More than $900,000 to Improve Water Quality in Searsport 2020-10-19 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Town of Searsport received a total of $911,190 to upgrade a wastewater treatment facility and improve water quality. This funding was awarded through the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) in partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Safe water is vital to ensuring the economic and environmental health of Searsport residents and communities throughout Maine, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. We welcome NBRC and EDA's investment, which will help to improve water quality discharged into Penobscot Bay and ultimately decrease the negative environmental impacts to shellfishing and recreational industries. Since its creation in 2008, Senators Collins has been a champion for the NBRC. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins successfully secured $25 million the NBRC in the fiscal year 2020 Energy and Water funding bill, making this investment in Searsport possible. The NBRC provides grants for projects throughout northern and central Maine, as well as northern New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont, spurring economic and community development. In 2019, NBRC awarded more than $6 million to projects in Maine. Since fiscal year 2018, the NBRC has received specific funding for the State Capacity Building Grant Program, a new program included in the Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act that was signed into law as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. This program, in partnership with the EDA, allows NBRC to support business retention and expansion, access to high-speed broadband, critical infrastructure development, and job creation throughout the region. 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-12-million-for-climate-research-in-the-gulf-of-maine Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $1.2 Million for Climate Research in the Gulf of Maine 2020-10-15 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) has received a total of $1,274,908 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct research and modeling on climate, economic, ocean and ecosystem changes in the Gulf of Maine and inform fisheries of shifting weather patterns. The Gulf of Maine is currently warming faster than almost any other body of water on Earth,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. Research has shown that waters of record high temperature are entering the Gulf, and these changes pose long-term threats to the balance of conditions that have fostered such a historically healthy, productive ocean ecosystem. To help the fishing industry better understand, prepare for, and adapt to these changes, we welcome NOAA's investment in prioritizing the Gulf of Maine as an area of study. GMRI is a nonprofit organization that researches the complex marine ecology in the Gulf of Maine and studies the many challenges of ocean stewardship and economic growth in the region. The institute provides students and teachers with science education resources and engages fishermen in collaborative research. This funding was awarded through NOAA's Climate Program Office, as part of NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. 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-111-million-to-protect-victims-and-prevent-crime-in-maine Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $11.1 Million to Protect Victims and Prevent Crime in Maine 2020-10-14 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that several organizations throughout Maine have been awarded a total of $11,192,423 toassist crime victims. The funding was awarded through the Office of Violence Against Women, an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we continue to support victims and survivors of domesticviolence, sexual assault, and others crimes to ensure that service providers and law enforcement personnel are equipped with the necessary tools to protect victims and to bring perpetrators to justice,said Senators Collins and Kingina joint statement. This investment will provide invaluable support to victims and their families across the State of Maine. The funding was allocated as follows: Wabanaki Women's Coalitionreceived $353,615 through the Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Grant Program to collaborate with five Wabanaki Tribes' Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Centers to provide training and technical assistance, as well as coordinate awareness activities. Maine Department of Health and Human Servicesreceived $7,147,730 through the FY 2020 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to provide direct services to crime victims. University of Southern Mainereceived $209,581 through the State Justice Statistics (SJS) Program to maintain and enhance Maine's capacity to address criminal justice issues through collection and analysis of data. Maine Office of Attorney Generalreceived $287,000 through the FY 2020 VOCA's Crime Victims Fund to enhance compensation payments to eligible crime victims. Maine Department of Correctionsreceived $433,759 through the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act's Formula Grants Program to support state and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts, and juvenile justice system improvements. City of Bangorreceived $19,496 through the FY 20 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Program to prevent and control crime. Maine Department of Publi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-king-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-drive-less-act-to-cut-spending-on-government-vehicles-save-taxpayer-money Senator King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan ‘DRIVE LESS’ Act to Cut Spending on Government Vehicles, Save Taxpayer Money 2020-10-08 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. The Office ofU.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that Senators King, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.) reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to save hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars by reducing the federal funding available for the acquisition and leasing of new federal vehicles. The Domestic Reduction In Vehicle Expenditure and Lowering Emissions from State Sources Act, or the DRIVE LESS Act, aims to significantly improve federal agencies' fleet management by establishing standards for vehicle utilization and enforcement guidelines to get agencies to comply with them. The federal budget is full of competing priorities, which can make for hard decisions, said Senator King. This is an easy one. The budget for federal vehicles is irresponsibly high, and by reducing the fleet we can save hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. This is a bipartisan proposal, dating back a decade so let's stop talking about it, and actually implement this change. The U.S. government maintains one of the largest fleets of automotive vehicles in the world. In 2019, U.S. agencies owned or leased a total of 645,047 vehicles, including 224,227 passenger vehicles and 412,488 trucks. Overall, the maintenance, leasing, depreciation and fuel for all of these cars and trucks comes at a cost to taxpayers of over $4.3 billion. Despite this huge inventory, many of these vehicles are underutilized, suggesting the federal government could substantially reduce its fleet size without harm to agencies' missions. On average, a vehicle in the government's fleet was driven just under 7,000 miles in 2019, while the average truck was driven fewer than 6,000 miles. Specifically, the DRIVE LESS Act would direct the General Services Administration and Office of Management and Budget to establish uniform methods for agencies to: Determine the appropriate size of an agency's fleet; Decide whether it is more cost-effective to lease or purchase a vehicle; Assess vehicle utilization at the agency… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-join-bipartisan-call-to-ensure-noaa-fisheries-surveys-proceed-in-2021 Senators Collins, King Join Bipartisan Call to Ensure NOAA Fisheries Surveys Proceed in 2021 2020-10-08 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. In May 2020, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries started canceling research surveys to protect the health of its crews and personnel at sea on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. In support of coastal communities across the country who rely on these surveys as a basis for their livelihoods, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined their colleagues in calling on NOAA to identify and resolve any challenges created by COVID-19 that prevented surveys from occurring in 2020 in order to ensure surveys can be safely conducted in 2021. Fishery and ecosystem research surveys are essential to support the U.S. blue economy and provide valuable fishery-independent data needed to carry out provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Data collected from NOAA's research surveys are used to manage commercial and recreational fisheries that contributed 1.74 million jobs, over $240 billion in sales, and $111 billion in gross domestic product to the U.S. economy in 2017, the Senators wrote. The economic output of U.S. fisheries is maximized by setting accurate quotas and catch limits, which depend on the long-term, fishery-independent datasets collected by NOAA's research surveys. The Senators acknowledged NOAA's initial response and actions to compensate for lost survey data; however, they reiterated that the methods used are not sufficient replacements for the typical large-scale, long-term research surveys required to sustainably manage fisheries under the MSA. In closing, the Senators requested a clear, written plan for FY2021 surveys before December 15, 2020. In addition to Senators Collins and King, the letter was signed by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Doug Jones (D-AL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Ed Markey (D-MA), Richard Burr (R-NC), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jack Reed (D-RI), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Sheldon Whitehouse (… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cosponsors-bipartisan-legislation-to-renovate-repair-and-modernize-rural-water-infrastructure King Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Renovate, Repair, and Modernize Rural Water Infrastructure 2020-10-07 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation that would provide rural communities under significant financial strain due to the coronavirus pandemic emergency assistance to repair, modernize and renovate failing water infrastructure. TheEmergency Support for Rural Water Systems Actwould provide $1 billion in emergency grants, low- and zero-interest loans and loan forgiveness for struggling small and rural water and wastewater systems across the nation. Water and wastewater management systems are key to maintaining healthy communities, but many small systems in rural areas are currently facing severe financial hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic through no fault of their own, said Senator King. Maine is one of the most rural states in the nation, and that's why I'm cosponsoring this bill to help rural water and wastewater systems continue their work, upgrade their infrastructure, and ensure residents in rural areas can maintain the water quality they deserve. "When the COVID-19 pandemic brought daily life to a screeching halt the water and wastewater utilities of Maine didn't miss a beat in providing critical service to their communities, said Kirsten Hebert, Executive Director of the Maine Rural Water Association. Many of these utilities' costs ballooned while utility payments fell due to the financial hardships our neighbors faced. This legislation would help make water and wastewater utilities whole again and better enable them to continue providing the excellent public health services on which our communities rely." Small rural water and wastewater systems are facing expected losses of at least $3.6 billion this year. According the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), several of Maine's small systems in the RCAP network are struggling with maintaining their systems, working with compliance regulations, and facing improvement delays and limitations due to financial difficulties. As the financial impacts of the COVID-19 … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cosponsors-bill-to-expand-workforce-serving-aging-maine-people King Cosponsors Bill to Expand Workforce Serving Aging Maine People 2020-10-06 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy BRUNSWICK, ME U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that he has cosponsored theCareCorpsDemonstration Act to build and strengthen America'scaregiving workforce and help meet the growing demand forcaregivers working with seniors and people living with disabilities. The bill would address the country's growingcaregiving needs by placing volunteers in communities to provide vital assistance to help seniors and people with disabilities who need extra support to remain in their homes andlive independently. As the oldest state in the nation, Maine is all too aware of the importance of our nation's caregivers, said Senator King. From allowing our seniors to age in place to helping people with disabilities assert their independence, America's caregivers are vital parts of our communities. As our nation continues to grow grayer, we must to bolster this workforce with qualified, caring people who will treat our most vulnerable citizens with the dignity they deserve. TheCareCorpsDemonstration Act would: - Authorize grants for localCareCorpsprograms at $10 million per year over five years; - PlaceCorpsvolunteers in communities where they will provide services that help seniors and individuals with disabilities remain independent; - Provide volunteers with health insurance and other benefits during their time of service, along with an educational award that can be used to pay education costs or loans; - Help build thecaregiving and healthcareworkforce needed to meet the demand for services; and - Create opportunities to form intergenerational relationships. The nation's 65-and-older population is expected to almost double in size, from 49 million to 95 million Americans by 2060. By 2030, older Americans are expected to make up nearly 20 percent of the population and over the next ten years the United States is expected to require at least one million more directcareworkers. Under this legislation, volunteers could help organize transportation and home repairs, deliver groceries, or provide internet assistance, and wou… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-king-votes-early-urges-maine-people-to-make-a-voting-plan Senator King Votes Early, Urges Maine People to Make a Voting Plan 2020-10-06 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy BRUNSWICK, ME This morning, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) cast his ballot in-person at the Brunswick Town Hall, sharing the following statement afterwards: The coronavirus pandemic will change the way our elections are conducted this year meaning that Maine people should start thinking now about how they're going to cast their vote, said Senator King. Communities across the state have started early voting this week, giving Maine people the opportunity to cast a ballot in-person on their own schedule and with increased social distancing. Some Maine people have already requested mail-in ballots which can be tracked this year while others will choose to head to the polls on Election Day. No matter how you'd prefer to vote, it's vital that you make a plan now, to ensure that your voice will be heard in this fundamental democratic process. Senator King has repeatedly sought to defend America's elections from any interference and harm. In September, he wrote an op-ed in TIME emphasizing that in light of the coronavirus pandemic, Americans should be patient as election officials work to make sure every vote is counted. In that same column, he also called for candidates to put America's democratic institutions before personal political interests, and remain patient in the face of uncertainty. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-23-million-to-mitigate-spread-of-covid-19-in-maine Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $2.3 Million to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19 in Maine 2020-10-06 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine has received a total of $2,287,725 to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, and equipment for essential workers to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This funding was awarded to the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that health care workers across Maine are properly equipped to treat individuals who contract the virus and prevent further spread, Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. This important funding will provide necessary PPE to our frontline workers, helping to ensure the safety of communities throughout Maine. In the midst of the pandemic, Senators Collins and King have fought hard to secure federal funding for PPE for Maine. In April, the Senators urged Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Peter Gaynor to request assistance in helping Maine more easily access PPE secured by the COVID-19 Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force. As of October 1, FEMA and the Strategic National Stockpile have provided Maine with more than 1,498,514 gloves, 43,525 face shields, 41,290 surgical gowns, 204,393 surgical masks, and 566,775 N95 respirators. In addition, Senator Collins has urged her colleague to swiftly pass legislation she introduced with Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) that would extend and increase flexibility for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) they co-authored. The PPP includes funding for borrowers to purchase personal protective equipment for employees and to pay for adaptive investments needed to reopen safely. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-major-investment-in-maines-leadership-in-clean-energy Collins, King Announce Major Investment in Maine’s Leadership in Clean Energy 2020-10-05 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $2,166,719 to the Governor's Energy Office, to further advance a comprehensive economic roadmap for establishing Maine as a leader in the offshore wind power industry. This investment will build on Maine's national leadership on floating offshore wind and substantial work and research in the state and the Gulf of Maine. For generations, Maine has been one of the nation's energy leaders, and this project will bring in new opportunities to grow our state's clean energy economy, said Senator Collins and King in a joint statement. Thanks to our state's extensive coastline, coastal communities, and the work of brilliant innovators in our state, a Maine offshore wind industry has the potential to become a leading energy provider for our region. This strategic roadmap funding will open the door to a powerful new source of clean energy and help us create good-paying jobs. Maine is committed to the development of clean energy, the fight against climate change, and the pursuit of innovation to broaden and strengthen economic opportunities for our people, said Governor Janet Mills. This important award will give Maine a roadmap for growing our clean energy economy in collaboration with our heritage industries, especially fishing, in order to support our state's economic recovery from COVID-19 and sound the call that Maine intends to be a global competitor, innovator and leader in floating offshore wind. The strategic roadmap will work in partnership with other state agencies and stakeholders across all sectors including the University of Maine to develop a comprehensive offshore wind roadmap to create quality jobs and grow talent in the state, with a focus on floating technology. Based off of industry-led initiatives including the Forest Opportunity Roadmap (FOR/Maine) and the Marine Economy Initiative (SEAMaine), which Senators Collins and King… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-king-shares-stories-of-acas-benefits-for-maine-people-as-laws-repeal-will-be-considered-by-supreme-court Senator King Shares Stories of ACA’s Benefits for Maine People as Law’s Repeal Will Be Considered by Supreme Court 2020-10-05 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy BRUNSWICK, ME Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined Protect Our Care and Maine parents and patients for a virtual conversation to discuss the harm that a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could have on hundreds of thousands of Maine people. The conversation comes as the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments one week after the election in a case rooted in provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that could eliminate healthcare protections for families that rely on them. The Affordable Care Act has helped hundreds of thousands of Maine residents access affordable healthcare and secure protections for pre-existing health conditions but right now, the law is under attack, said Senator King. Just one week after the election, President Trump's Justice Department will ask the Supreme Court to completely eliminate this law and all its vital healthcare protections with no backup plan, in the middle of a global pandemic. On top of all that, President and his congressional allies are trying to jam through a new Supreme Court justice who may well be the deciding vote. The stakes are clear, and they couldn't be higher which is why I won't stop fighting to protect the ACA and the healthcare of the hundreds of thousands of Maine people that rely on it." Last week, Senator King launched a portal on his website seeking feedback from Maine people on their experiences with the ACA, in an effort to inform his work in Congress to protect the law from legal threats. He also published an op-ed in thePortland Press Heraldand theBangor Daily News, emphasizing the harm that may be done to hundreds of thousands of Maine people if a Supreme Court Justice who may be the deciding vote on this case is rushed through before the election. The Affordable Care Act has been upheld as constitutional twice by the Supreme Court; this case,California v. Texas,hinges on a provision in the deeply misguided 2017 tax bill. Senator King has been a vocal proponent of protecting and improving the Affordable Care Act, which ha… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-and-new-hampshire-senators-call-on-president-to-ease-restrictions-on-us-canada-travel Maine and New Hampshire Senators Call on President to Ease Restrictions on U.S.-Canada Travel 2020-10-01 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) called on President Trump to reevaluate the ongoing restrictions currently placed on non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada border. At this time, the risks of significant cross-border transmission of COVID-19 in numerous border jurisdictions appear to be low. The protracted closure of the world's longest international land border to all but essential travel has put immense strain on the communities that straddle the border, the Senators wrote. Many people that reside along our shared border with Canada are part of remote, rural communities which rely on one another for essential supplies and services, We appreciate the need to limit nonessential travel into the United States and Canada in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the populations of our respective nations, the Senators continued. However, just as individual states, provinces, and territories have taken actions to address their unique situations, we believe that border restrictions should reflect the actual, localized risk on both sides of the border. In March, the Senators called on the President to consider necessary exemptions to protect public health and safety for businesses and individuals affected by the closure of the U.S.-Canadian border to non-essential travel. Click HERE to read the full letter. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/to-cover-an-ounce-of-prevention-senator-king-introduces-legislation-to-cover-regular-health-evaluations To Cover an “Ounce of Prevention”, Senator King Introduces Legislation to Cover Regular Health Evaluations 2020-10-01 2020 2020-10 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. As the coronavirus pandemic demonstrates the need for increased healthcare vigilance, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) introduced the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act. Senator King's legislation would require private insurance plans to cover three annual primary care visits and three annual outpatient mental health or outpatient substance use disorder treatment visits, without charging a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible-related fee. In doing so, this legislation also would catch smaller, or early health symptoms before they become larger threats requiring more extensive and expensive treatments. Right now, one in four Americans are skipping necessary medical care because they can't afford it, said Senator King. This is absurdly backwards. By pricing so many Americans out of preventive healthcare visits, we are worsening health outcomes in the long run and increasing overall healthcare spending. The cheapest medical procedure is the one that doesn't have to happen because the problem was caught early which is why we need to make routine healthcare visits to primary care physicians, mental health professionals, and substance use counselors more accessible for all Americans. Benjamin Franklin famously said an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure', and this bill will take a sorely-needed step in that direction, helping Americans get ahead of their problems before they become more serious and expensive. Approximately one in four Americans skip necessary medical care because of costs. Out-of-pocket costs, which can be over $200 per visit, are a key barrier to seeking care. By reducing financial barriers for these visits, the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act would help patients access the care they need to improve their health and well-being. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Senator King has pushed the federal government to act quickly and accurately act make sure Americans have access to the available science, systems, and care they need to stay healthy and… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-coronavirus-continues-senator-king-and-colleagues-push-to-extend-small-business-relief As Coronavirus Continues, Senator King and Colleagues Push to Extend Small Business Relief 2020-09-30 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his support for the Small Business Debt Relief Extension Act, which would provide continued coronavirus emergency debt relief distributed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) into 2021.The King-backed Small Business Debt Relief Act, which was passed into law as a part of the CARES Act in March, provided six months of vital debt relief that, before it expired on September 27, helped 320,000 small businesses keep their lights on and doors open. This legislation would extend this debt relief through February 2021 for all borrowers, and includes provisions to provide an additional seven months of debt relief for highly vulnerable businesses. When we initially provided funding for small businesses, we believed the administration would realistically confront the coronavirus pandemic by September's end; the lack of a national strategy has left businesses anxious about the months ahead - and Mitch McConnell has yet to indicate any interest in providing relief, said Senator King. As the virus and its economic impacts continue to wreak havoc nationwide, I won't stop fighting to provide aid to the people and businesses who make our communities so special. In the face of these challenges, we must remember that we will get through this together. The Small Business Debt Relief program has committed $8 billion in relief to some of America's smallest, mostat-riskemployersduring the recession. With no application required for businesses and minimal administrative burden, the program has delivered relief to 320,000 credit-challenged small businesses concentrated most heavily in the service industries hardest hit by the pandemicby providing six months of principal, interest, and fee payments on all preexisting, deferred, and new 7(a) loans, 504 loans and microloans. The Small Business Debt Relief Extension Act will: Extend debt relief payments for all small business with an SBA-backed loan for five months, through February 2021. That includes 7(a) loans, 50… 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-700000-to-support-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-throughout-maine Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $700,000 to Support COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution throughout Maine 2020-09-29 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has received a total of $727,991 to support the distribution of any future COVID-19 vaccines. This funding was awarded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In the midst of this unprecedented public health and economic crisis, it's critical that individuals, families, and communities throughout the State of Maine are able to access the COVID-19 vaccine when it's deployed, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This important investment will help to ensure that all Mainers, regardless of age, race, income, or location, are able to access the vaccine and protect themselves against the coronavirus. Recently, Senator Collins led a letter signed by 27 bipartisan Senators, including Senator King, in requesting that the next coronavirus relief package include at least $5.6 billion in federal funding to develop and support vaccine distribution. Through the CARES Act, and other measures, Congress has dedicated more than $6.5 billion in federal funding through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the development of vaccines, treatments and other products to address COVID-19. The Administration has allocated more than $2.2 billion of this federal funding in deals with five vaccine manufacturers for COVID-19. While this funding is critical, it is also important to strengthen the ability of states and local governments to boost their immunization infrastructure. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/with-supreme-court-nomination-putting-aca-at-risk-king-seeks-stories-of-laws-benefits-for-maine-people With Supreme Court Nomination Putting ACA At Risk, King Seeks Stories of Law’s Benefits for Maine People 2020-09-29 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that he is launching a portal on his website seeking feedback from Maine people on their experiences with the Affordable Care Act, in an effort to inform his work in Congress to protect the law from legal threats. Senator King's effort comes as the Supreme Court is just weeks away from hearing oral arguments on the future of the Affordable Care Act, in which the Trump Administration will argue that the law should be entirely repealed based on provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. If the Trump Administration is successful, millions of Americans who rely on the ACA's Marketplace and protections for pre-existing conditions will have their insurance ripped away in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Maine people wishing to share their stories can do so by visiting king.senate.gov/aca. For more than a decade, the Affordable Care Act has helped hundreds of thousands of Maine people access affordable, life-saving health insurance, said Senator King. Today, there are nearly 62,000 Maine people utilizing the Medicaid expansion, more than 75,000 people who secure coverage through the ACA's Marketplace, and a whopping 225,000 Mainers under the age of 65 living with pre-existing conditions who don't have to worry about being denied coverage. Now, the law isn't perfect but that doesn't mean the best way to make our healthcare system better is to tear it up with no replacement. As the majority of my Republican colleagues push forward with a Supreme Court nominee who poses a serious threat to the ACA, I want to hear directly from Maine people, and bring my colleagues firsthand stories from my constituents about the harm this repeal would cause. This is truly a matter of life-and-death, and I won't stop fighting to make sure Maine people have a voice in the future of their healthcare. This week, Senator King published an op-ed in the Portland Press Herald and the Bangor Daily News, emphasizing the harm that may be done to hundreds of thousands of… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-september-podcast-king-discusses-coronavirus-impacts-on-substance-use-and-recovery-efforts In September Podcast, King Discusses Coronavirus Impacts on Substance Use and Recovery Efforts 2020-09-28 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the September edition of Senator King's Inside Maine podcast, focusing on recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) amid the coronavirus pandemic. First, Melissa Skahan, Vice President of Mission Integration for Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland joins Senator King to discuss the McAuley Residence Center's approach to combatting the substance use epidemic amid the coronavirus crisis. Then, Jennifer Small and Sergeant Matt Baker, board members of the Western Maine Addiction Recovery Institute (WMARI) in Oxford County join Senator King for the second segment to discuss the coronavirus pandemic's effects on recovery efforts in rural Western Maine. Even as the coronavirus pandemic halts most in-person contact, it's important to remember that no one is going through this stress and uncertainty alone. Substance use is one of the most pressing issues facing Maine and the country; to combat this crisis and best help those who are suffering, we need to ensure that everyone is still getting the resources they need, said Senator King.I thank Melissa, Jennifer, Matt for joining me to discuss ways that organizations in Maine can continue safely connecting with those in recovery throughout the pandemic. Senator King has made combating the opioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington, both before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and since its initial spread across the country. Since the pandemic has separated Americans from their loved ones and made it more difficult to access resources, Senator King has worked to connect with Maine people virtually and raise awareness about resources available to for support. Earlier this month, Senator King introduced a resolution with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) designating September National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. In May, he participated in a video teleconference withMaine Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Servicesto connect with their staff that wor… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-8-million-to-support-conservation-clean-water-at-sebago-lake Senators Collins, King Announce $8 Million to Support Conservation, Clean Water at Sebago Lake 2020-09-28 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Sebago Clean Waters has been awarded a total of $8,000,000 to support conservation efforts and protect the clean, safe drinking water from the Sebago Lake watershed by improving fish passage, restoring wetlands, and improving forest management throughout the region. The funding was provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Our state's natural resources are one of its biggest assets, and it's critical that we work to safeguard them for the enjoyment of generations to come, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This investment will continue Maine's longstanding tradition of public-private conservation partnerships and protect and preserve Sebago Lake's watershed. Portland Water District, as the lead partner for the grant, will manage the funds and work closely with other Sebago Clean Waters (SCW) partners. SCW partners will use the grant to leverage another $10.5 million from public and private sources needed to reach the initiative's five-year goal of protecting 10,000 acres of high-priority forestland in the region and implement other watershed protection measures. The Sebago Watershed Protection Investment Program will support forest conservation, land stewardship, aquatic invasive control, stream connectivity, and landowner outreach in the Sebago Lake watershed. Sebago Lake provides clean, safe drinking water for more than 200,000 people, serving one-sixth of Maine's population and Maine's fastest growing businesses. Additionally, the watershed supports forestry jobs, outdoor recreation, hunting, fishing, and wildlife habitat. This funding will support SCW's goal of protecting 25 percent of the land in the Sebago watershed in the next 15 years. Senators Collins and King wrote to USDA in support of the grant application submitted by the Portland Water District. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-on-nomination-of-amy-coney-barrett-to-serve-on-supreme-court King Statement on Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to Serve on Supreme Court 2020-09-26 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's nomination of Federal Appeals Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States: In the 244-year history of our nation, the latest a Supreme Court nominee has ever been confirmed during an election year was July 26th. The nominee was put forward by President Benjamin Harrison, in the year 1892 having been nominated in January.When Supreme Court nominations were made in the first half of an election year, 8 out of 9 were confirmed; the troubling exception was made in 2016 with Merrick Garland. In less than a handful of instances when second-half vacancies were created, Presidents such as Lincoln and Eisenhower made the decision to allow for necessary time for the American people to vote and show their desires for the direction of the nation and waited until after Election Day. Now with less than 40 days until Election Day, President Trump and Senator McConnell intend to dispense with precedent and their 2016 standard, and break land-speed records to push through a nomination even though early voting has already begun in states across the country. Further, it appears the majority of my Republican colleagues will not only fall in line, but have already committed to voting for the nominee before knowing who the President would put forward. It's a stain on this institution, and I urge my colleagues to slow down and let the American people have their say. It's important, and further frustrating, to keep in mind the broader context in which this is occurring.More than 200,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus and our economy has yet to recover, but instead of dealing with relief for those who need it, this President and this Majority Leader are choosing to rush through a Supreme Court nominee. In addition, I worry this expedited timeline is nothing more than a power play in an attempt to seat the new Justice before the Supreme Court hears a case that … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-king-rubio-introduce-prepare-act-to-help-small-businesses-weather-natural-disasters Senators King, Rubio Introduce PREPARE Act to Help Small Businesses Weather Natural Disasters 2020-09-25 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) led a bipartisan group of their Senate colleagues to introduce the Providing Resources for Emergency Preparedness and Resilient Enterprises (PREPARE) Act. The legislation would reauthorize the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Pre-Disaster Mitigation Pilot Program to give small businesses the opportunity to take out low-interest loans for the purpose of proactively implementing mitigation measures to protect their property from future disaster-related damage. In addition to Senators Rubio and King leading the effort, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). If we didn't already know before, the coronavirus pandemic further proves that it's much better to prepare for a potentially catastrophic disaster rather than having to react to one after it's happened, said Senator King. That's why Senator Rubio and I are introducing this bill to help our small businesses and local governments strengthen their physical infrastructure in case of a flood an issue particularly important to coastal small businesses in Maine given their proximity to the ocean. Now more than ever, small business owners around the nation need peace-of-mind, and this bill will support that by providing funding to prepare for natural disasters to minimize their impact rather than only paying after the fact. The PREPARE Act would allow small businesses the opportunity to invest in mitigation before a disaster strikes, said Senator Rubio. Investing in disaster mitigation on the front end saves business', as well as taxpayers', dollars, while reducing potential risks to property. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would improve the SBA's previous program and allow businesses to be more prepared and more resilient in the future. Small businesses are the engine of our economy, but one disaster could quickly wipe out a small busine… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-raise-concerns-over-surprise-billing-for-coronavirus-testing King, Colleagues Raise Concerns Over Surprise Billing for Coronavirus Testing 2020-09-24 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined eight of his Senate colleagues to raise concerns surfacing in reports that insured individuals are receiving unexpected bills for diagnostic coronavirus testing. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act, both signed into law earlier this year, require health insurance plans to cover costs associated with coronavirus testing in order to maximize the nation's effort to identify individuals carrying the virus and minimize community spread. In the letter, which was sent to leaders for seven of the nation's leading health insurance companies, the Senators request detailed answers on COVID-19 testing policies by September 30. We write to you today to express serious concerns regarding recent reports of health insurance companies ending comprehensive coverage of COVID-19 tests without cost-sharing requirements and to request clarification regarding your current coverage policy, wrote the Senators. As you know, COVID-19 testing is one of the most important tools in slowing the spread of this deadly virus.As executives of health insurance companies, you play a critical role in ensuring access to COVID-19 testing for millions of Americans, and the decision to impose new financial barriers to testing could discourage or prevent access to testing, and ultimately cost lives. The Senators also raise concerns over the impact of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changing testing guidelines on insurance companies' policies. While the CDC initially included asymptomatic individuals in testing recommendations, the CDC recently discouraged the testing of asymptomatic decisions, then reversed itself. Recent reporting suggests that the decision to remove asymptomatic individuals from the CDC testing guidelines was not made by the CDC, but rather added to the CDC website on August 24 by political appointees at [the Department of Health and Human Services], wrote the Senators. To the extent you are basing coverage decisions on the CDC guid… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-cosponsor-national-estuaries-week-resolution Senators Collins, King Cosponsor National Estuaries Week Resolution 2020-09-24 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined their colleagues in cosponsoring a bipartisan resolution designating September 19th through September 26th as National Estuaries Week. The legislation recognizes the importance of coastal and estuarine regions to the national economy and reaffirms the Senate's commitment to protecting and restoring these important natural resources. The Senate passed the resolution unanimously. The waters off Maine's coast provide a healthy ecosystem for our state's fisheries and support a vigorous tourism industry, both of which sustain thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in revenue for our state each year, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This National Estuaries Week, we remain committed to protecting Maine's coastal regions, including their importance to sustaining our economy and key industries. An estuary is a partially enclosed, coastal body of water where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean. Estuarine regions of the United States contribute considerably to the national economy. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, estuary regions cover only 13 percent of the land area of the continental United States, but make up nearly half of the country's economic output. Maine is home to the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, a 1600-acre research, education, and recreation facility. Between 2007 and 2016, employment levels in economic sectors relating to oceans and estuaries rose by 14.5% during that same period, the average employment level of the entire United States economy increased by 4.8%. Estuaries currently face considerable threats. It is estimated that the United States lost more than half of the wetlands that existed in the 13 Colonies by the 1980s. In addition, many bays that once constituted important fisheries are now considered dead zones filled with nutrient pollution, chemical wastes, harmful algae, and marine debris. In addition t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-join-bipartisan-effort-in-urging-action-to-address-practices-of-pharmaceutical-companies-undermining-340b-program Collins, King Join Bipartisan Effort in Urging Action to Address Practices of Pharmaceutical Companies Undermining 340B Program 2020-09-23 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues in calling for enforcement action to address practices of pharmaceutical companies that threaten to undermine the 340B Drug Pricing Program during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In their letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, the Senators urge the administration to take immediate enforcement action to halt these tactics and ensure safety-net providers are able to continue providing life-saving medications to patients across the country. The 340B program requires drug companies to sell discounted prescription drugs to safety net hospitals, rural health facilities, and other entities that provide care in underserved communities. Savings from the 340B program ensure that these covered entities are able to continue to serve their patients. However, drug manufacturers have recently announced new burdensome requirements on covered entities beyond the scope of the 340B program, or they have announced that they will no longer provide discounts for medications shipped to pharmacies that dispense drugs to patients on behalf of covered entities. The Senators write, In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, where providers have seen drops in revenue and available resources, it is critically important that 340B covered entities, including federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), FQHC Look-Alikes, children's hospitals, Ryan White HIV/AIDS clinics, and other safety-net hospitals and providers are able to continue to serve the individuals who seek out their care.As these threats to the Program progress, we fear the potential exacerbation of these shortfalls in resources for providers at a time when they are needed most. Maine's health centers are community-based and governed by local people, said Darcy Shargo, CEO of the Maine Primary Care Association. We are very proud of how carefully and thoughtfully they have used 340B funds to improve the lives of people in the… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cyberspace-solarium-commission-legislators-renew-call-for-national-cyber-director-in-light-of-gao-report Cyberspace Solarium Commission Legislators Renew Call for National Cyber Director in Light of GAO Report 2020-09-22 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Cyberspace Solarium Commission co-chairs Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Commissioners Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) and Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) renewed their call for strong cyber leadership in the White House a sentiment reinforced today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report 20-629, entitled: Cybersecurity: Clarity of Leadership Urgently Needed to Fully Implement the National Strategy. The GAO report includes a recommendation that Congress take up legislation designating a cyber leadership position within the White House. The Solarium Commission made a similar recommendation in its March report, and in June, Langevin and Gallagher introduced H.R. 7331, the National Cyber Director Act, implementing that recommendation. A version of the National Cyber Director Act passed the House of Representatives as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act in July. Today's GAO report is further confirmation of the Solarium Commission's conclusion that strong, central leadership is needed to address increasing cyber threats, said the legislators. We strongly support GAO's recommendation that Congress enact legislation designating a leadership position in the White House for cybersecurity, complete with the authority and stature required to coordinate and integrate federal actions. We look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues to advance legislation creating a National Cyber Director to do just that and help overcome the urgent challenges we face in cyberspace. The National Cyber Director Act creates the position of a National Cyber Director within the White House. The Director would serve as the President's principal advisor on cybersecurity and associated emerging technology issues and function as the lead national-level coordinator for cyber strategy and policy. The National Cyber Director would be appointed by the President subject to Senate confirmation and would oversee and coordinate federal government incident response a… 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-14-million-to-support-communities-in-kennebec-and-cumberland-counties-harmed-by-covid-19 Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $1.4 Million to Support Communities in Kennebec and Cumberland Counties Harmed by COVID-19 2020-09-21 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that $1,412,525 has been awarded to support the growth and revitalization of industries in Kennebec and Cumberland counties that have suffered financial harm as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding was awarded through the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) CARES Act Recovery Assistance Program. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many industries throughout Maine, including bioscience, technology, and food service,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.This critical investment will support these organizations in their ongoing efforts to connect individuals, families, and communities with the resources they need to weather this ongoing public health and economic crisis. The funding was allocated as follows: Maine Bioscience Cluster Initiative, an initiative by the Maine Center for Enterprise Development, has been awarded $512,556 to support the growth and success of Maine's bioscience industry. Dirigo Labs, an initiative by the Central Maine Growth Council, has been awarded $599,969 to stimulate the establishment and growth of technology-based start-ups in mid-Maine, focusing on high-growth industry sectors including bio-economy, information technology, financial services, and manufacturing. The Catalyst Fund, an initiative by Coastal Enterprises, Inc., has been awarded $300,000 to provide innovative, early stage equity capital to food system businesses to spur job growth, job creation and positive environmental and social impacts. Through the EDA, Senators Collins and King helped to secure $1.6 million in July to support Maine's small businesses and communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Greater Portland Council of Governments and the University of Maine System received $700,000 to redevelop and revitalize Maine's economy. The CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic development assistance programs to help communities respond t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-call-for-dhs-inspector-general-to-investigate-allegations-of-forced-hysterectomies-at-ice-facility King, Colleagues Call for DHS Inspector General to Investigate Allegations of Forced Hysterectomies at ICE Facility 2020-09-18 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and 41 of his Senate colleagues today called on the Department of Homeland Security's inspector generalto expeditiously investigate a whistleblower complaint alleging forced hysterectomies at the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Ocilla, Georgia. Forced sterilizations infringe on reproductive rights and autonomy,the senators wrote.To understand whether such violations may have been committed against immigrants in our federal government's custody, the Inspector General's Office should immediately investigate the reproductive health policies and practices at the ICDC and at other facilities, including but not limited to, all instances of forced, coerced, or medically unnecessary hysterectomies. Senator King has forcefully opposed the Trump Administration's inhumane practices at the southern border. He is a cosponsor of the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, introduced in response to cruel and neglectful treatment of children at the border who are seeking asylum. The full letter can be downloaded HERE and read below. +++ Hon. Joseph V. Cuffari Inspector General Department of Homeland Security 245 Murray Lane SW Washington, DC 20528-0305 Dear Mr. Cuffari: The Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General should expeditiously conduct a thorough investigation into a whistleblower complaint alleging forced hysterectomies and other egregious abuses at the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Ocilla, Georgia. LaSalle Corrections operates that facility for the federal government, including for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The alleged abuses detailed in the complaint and in related reports must be thoroughly and swiftly investigated to protect the rights and safety of women and patients in our nation's care. The whistleblower expressed alarm about the rate at which the hysterectomies have occurred at the facility. Specifically, the complaint alleges that between October and December 2019 at least five women detained a… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-on-death-of-ruth-bader-ginsburg King Statement on Death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg 2020-09-18 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement on the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a giant. A brilliant jurist, who spent her life making our country a fairer, more equitable place for all its citizens. Her unparalleled mind, her unbending backbone, and her unfailing determination were formidable, making her not only one of the nation's foremost legal minds but also a cultural icon who inspired countless young Americans to fight for their beliefs. From her Weinberger argument in the 70s to her Lilly Ledbetter decision in the 90s, Justice Ginsburg was the personification of those vital words carved above the Supreme Court: Equal Justice Under the Law. Though Justice Ginsburg was a force on the bench who never backed down from her ideals, she also was a warm colleague and friend who built strong relationships across the ideological spectrum understanding that America is better when cooperation and kindness win out over endless political battles. With less than fifty days until the upcoming election and an anxious, divided America watching Senator McConnell should honor Justice Ginsburg's life and legacy by abiding by her final wish that this vacancy not be filled until the election has been decided. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/with-youth-mental-health-risks-rising-as-schools-reopen-senators-king-and-blumenthal-introduce-bill-to-support-social-emotional-learning With Youth Mental Health Risks Rising As Schools Reopen, Senators King and Blumenthal Introduce Bill to Support Social-Emotional Learning 2020-09-18 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) announced they have introduced the Social-Emotional Learning for Families (SELF) Act to provide additional resources to support the mental health and safety of children and improve educational outcomes for students. Specifically under the legislation, the Department of Education would establish a competitive grant program to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of successful teacher and school leader training programs on family engagement that will improve teachers' and school leaders' ability to develop and support the social-emotional learning (SEL) of children. When we talk about preparing our students for success, it can't just be about teaching them the state capitals and multiplication tables we need to make sure we're supporting their social and emotional development,said Senator King.This need is even more important during the coronavirus pandemic, which has upended students' routines, challenged their support systems, and forced them to stay socially distant from the normal, personal encouragement of friends and classmates. This legislation will support these critical efforts during a time of increased need, making sure that the next generation has all the tools it needs to become active and productive citizens who play fair and work well with others. We must equip our students with proven social and emotional learning skills to help them succeed, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said Senator Blumenthal. This legislation will provide the necessary resources to ensure our students have the tools to successfully tackle the difficulties, stresses, and traumas of this pandemic. Social and emotional learning programs help students understand and deal with their emotions, and teach them how to navigate social situations. These programs have a proven track record of helping students and are an invaluable investment in our youth, helping them thrive now and throughout their lives. Now more than … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/calling-pandemic-a-slow-motion-hurricane-damaging-state-and-locality-budgets-king-urges-bipartisan-action-on-coronavirus-relief Calling Pandemic a “Slow Motion Hurricane” Damaging State and Locality Budgets, King Urges Bipartisan Action on Coronavirus Relief 2020-09-17 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke from the Senate floor to urge action on coronavirus relief, including much-needed support to state and local governments across the nation. As need for government services rises and tax revenues fall, state and local governments face severe budget shortfalls which, if left unaddressed, will have harmful economic consequences including additional layoffs, reduced aid for citizens in need, and tax hikes when American household budgets are already pinched. Estimates indicate that without action, Maine could face a revenue shortfall of $1.4 billion over the next three years. During his speech, Senator King expressed outrage and disappointment at attempts to politicize this critical relief to communities around our nation. (Starting at 8:45) Let's talk facts. Let's talk about the real impact of our lack of attention to this issue. This is a personal tragedy for these families and it's one more blow to the economy. And, by the way, this is not a blue state issue it bothers me this blue-state, red-state stuff. I have voted for I don't know how many emergency appropriations for natural disasters, for wildfires and floods and hurricanes. It never occurred to me to ask what color the state is. It never occurred to me.We're a community. This is one country. I don't ask how Florida voted, if there's a hurricane that strikes that state or Georgia or Alabama, which is being hit right now. If they need help, we should provide it. But what we're seeing now is a slow motion fiscal hurricane that's hitting many, if not all of the states of the United States, and we should come together and help them Make no mistake. We're talking about real, concrete, on-the-ground losses of jobs, and losses of the services that those jobs provide, whether it's public health workers, first responders, firefighters, policethat's who's being impacted here.so, Mr. President, I hope that we can come to an agreement and that we can get over this nonsense that this is somehow a blue state,… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-delegation-urges-us-trade-representative-to-protect-maine-wild-blueberry-producers-as-foreign-competitors-expand-into-us-markets Maine Delegation Urges U.S. Trade Representative to Protect Maine Wild Blueberry Producers as Foreign Competitors Expand into U.S. Markets 2020-09-17 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON In support of the blueberry industry and its workers across the state of Maine, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-01) and Jared Golden (ME-02) in writing to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Robert Lighthizer to urge additional trade protections for Maine's wild blueberry producers and frozen blueberry processors. The delegation called on Lighthizer to ensure Maine wild blueberry growers aren't being harmed by excessive blueberry imports, while maintaining specific supply chains from Canada that drive blueberry processing in the state. To do so, the lawmakers asked the USTR to request frozen blueberries be added to a Section 201 investigation conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), and if successful that Canadian imports of wild blueberries for further processing be excluded from any resulting tariffs. A Section 201 investigation can be conducted if a U.S. industry is being seriously injured or threatened with serious injury by increased importsaccording to the U.S. International Trade Commission. We write in support of the request made by the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine (the Commission) to include both cultivated and wild frozen blueberry imports in your Section 201 safeguard investigation request to the United States International Trade Commission (ITC),the delegation said in their letter. Additionally, should you impose tariffs on blueberry imports based on the ITC's findings, we strongly encourage you to exclude tariffs on Canadian wild blueberry imports in their unprocessed, not-yet-ready for consumption form, which are delivered in bulk to Maine for further processing. Last year, the Maine delegationsent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) after blueberry producers were impacted by tariffs from China, pushing for targeted relief to blueberry producers. You can read the letter to Ambassador Lighthizerhere. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-kings-visit-america-act-advances-from-commerce-committee Senator King’s “Visit America Act” Advances from Commerce Committee 2020-09-17 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the Senate Commerce Committee's unanimous passageof theVisit America Act. The bipartisan legislation, which he introduced in June with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), would set a visitation goal of 116 million annual international travelers to the United States by 2028, formally authorize the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, and create a high-ranking position within the Department of Commerce focused on bolstering America's travel and tourism industry. This legislation aims to develop and implement a strategy to assist the travel and tourism industry to quickly recover from the coronavirus pandemic. The bill now heads to the Senate Majority Leader's office for floor consideration. From the coasts to the forests to the mountains, Maine's unparalleled beauty never disappoints which is why every year, millions of people from across the globe travel to our state to experience The Way Life Should Be. However, this year, the coronavirus pandemic forced Maine people to answer a serious question: what happens to Vacationland when all the usual visitors stay home?said Senator King, Ranking Member of the National Parks Subcommittee.Tourism is vital to Maine's economy especially during the summer season but with fewer visitors this year, businesses that earn the lion's share of their revenue during the summer months must have every chance to thrive in future years. We need a forceful response to support the tourism industry and the communities that rely on it, and I'll keep working with Senators Sullivan and Schatz to make sure we help this vital piece of our national economy not only rebound, but grow and thrive. Senator King has fought to support Maine's tourism industry and related economic sectors both prior to and during the coronavirus pandemic. In July, he cosponsored the Restarting the Economy Sustainably Towards a Recovery in Twenty-twenty (RESTART) Act to support the small- and mid-sized businesses most aff… 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-700000-to-increase-safety-in-windham/raymond-and-lee-school-districts Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $700,000 to Increase Safety in Windham/Raymond and Lee School Districts 2020-09-17 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that two Maine school districts have been awarded a total of $703,982 to enhance and further integrate local school violence prevention efforts between school administrators and law enforcement, train law enforcement officers to prevent student violence, install deterrent measures, purchase and install technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency, and other measures. This funding was awarded through the Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office. Protecting students and ensuring that schools remain safe learning environments are of paramount importance,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. We welcome this investment, which will help the Windham/Raymond and Lee School Districts enhance school safety as students begin returning to the classroom. The funding will be allocated as follows: RSU 14 Windham/Raymond School District received $472,997 MSAD 30 Lee School District received $230,985 This funding is provided through the DOJ's Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP): School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins has continuously supported legislation that funds STOP programs. Both Senators Collins and King also cosponsored the STOP School Violence Act, which became law in 2018, and aims to enhance school safety by helping local communities fund new training, reporting systems, and security infrastructure. Maine has received more than $2 million through this program since its enactment. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-pandemic-adds-new-obstacles-for-americans-struggling-with-substance-use-king-capito-introduce-resolution-to-designate-september-national-recovery-month As Pandemic Adds New Obstacles for Americans Struggling with Substance Use, King, Capito Introduce Resolution to Designate September “National Recovery Month” 2020-09-16 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to officially recognize September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month''. The Senators' resolution comes as the coronavirus pandemic has fueled isolation and anxiety levels among Americans struggling with substance use disorders, and complicated their usual access to lifesaving treatment programs and support systems. Nationwide, it is estimated that drug overdoses have risen by roughly 18 percent compared to the period just prior the pandemic. You are not alone. Substance use disorders are cruel, deadly diseases but with treatment and support, those afflicted with this disease can live full, happy lives, said Senator King. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has introduced new stressors and less access to care. Coronavirus precautions have altered routines and increased social isolation, creating new challenges for those in recovery who are struggling to access treatment or support systems. As the virus continues to rage across the country during this year's National Recovery Month, Americans of all backgrounds must recommit ourselves to supporting our loved ones and neighbors who are fighting every day to overcome substance use disorders. We will get through this together. As addiction continues to devastate communities and families throughout West Virginia, we must raise awareness of the available treatment and recovery measures, said Senator Capito. In West Virginiaand many communities across this nationwe continue to face the drug crisis on top of the additional challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic. By introducing the National Recovery Month resolution, I am hopeful that more people will become educated about treatment options. This is a critical component of the spectrum of solutions needed to save lives and fight back against the scourge of addiction. Senator King has made combating the opioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington, b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-advocates-for-legislation-to-provide-free-admission-to-national-parks-for-gold-star-families King Advocates for Legislation to Provide Free Admission to National Parks for Gold Star Families 2020-09-16 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, advocated for committee passage of the Gold Star Families Park Pass Act, legislation introduced by Senator King which would allow free access to America's National Parks and federal recreation sites for families of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty while serving in the military. Senator King's push came during a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, which considered the legislation and heard testimony expressing support for the bill from the National Park Service and the Forest Service. This is a very simple bill that provides free park passes to Gold Star Families. The sacrifices that have been made on behalf of this country, by Gold Star Families, is almost unimaginable. I think anything we can do, to show our recognition of that sacrifice and our appreciation, we should do it, stated Senator King in today's hearing. ...This is supported by the American Legion; it is supported by the various park support groups; by the VFW. This is a very strong bill I believe. It has been introduced in the House my cosponsors on this side are Senator Daines and Senator Alexander. The good news from a budget point of view the CBO says it does not score. The cost would be incidental and immeasurable, but the value to these families would also be immeasurable in a positive way. Senator King continued, we've found during this epidemic that people really, seriously, value their time outdoors, and they value the great benefits that are provided by the experiences of our national parks and public lands. I'll look forward to the consideration by the committee and I appreciate the Committee's taking up this bill today. Senator King was a cosponsor of theGold Star Family Tax Relief Act, which is now law, and fought to reverse the provision of the 2017 tax bill that exorbitantly taxed the families of U.S. servicemem… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-sounds-alarm-on-energy-grid-and-pipeline-networks-not-as-secure-as-we-think King Sounds Alarm on Energy Grid and Pipeline Networks: Not as Secure as We Think 2020-09-16 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, pressed Mark Christie and Allison Clements, nominees to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), on the security of natural gas pipelines, especially in the New England region. During Senator King's questioning at an Energy and Natural Resources hearing, he underscored the importance of pipeline security in the New England region, and emphasized that any security disruption could be catastrophic to public safety. I'm very concerned with the cybersecurity of the gas pipeline system I'm concerned about the grid generally I don't think we are as secure as we think we are particularly the gas pipeline system. FERC has a role of regulating pipelines, allowing pipelines, permitting pipelines, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has the responsibility of the security, the cybersecurity for the pipelines, said Senator King in the hearing, stressing the importance of collaboration and accountability between FERC, TSA, and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). In New England the gas pipeline system is a de facto part of the electric grid none of [the gas] comes from the region, all of which comes from pipeline. So if there is a failure, if there is a cyberattack on the pipeline system, the grid will go down just as if there were an attack on a SCADA system in an operating plant or the independent systems operator (ISO). Senator King is a leader in urging the United States to strengthen the security of energy infrastructure in August, he pushed top officials in charge of cybersecurity and energy systems in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), FERC, and private sector companies on the importance of regularly red teaming and penetration testing (pentesting) their own infrastructure to identify cybervulnerabilities and bolster their defenses. Last December, hisSecuring Energy Infrastructure Act,bipartisan legislation also cosponsored by Senator Jim Risch (R-I… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-pandemic-heightens-connectivity-needs-king-cosponsors-bridge-act-to-expand-broadband-nationwide As Pandemic Heightens Connectivity Needs, King Cosponsors BRIDGE Act to Expand Broadband Nationwide 2020-09-15 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his cosponsorship of the Broadband Reform and Investment to Drive Growth in the Economy (BRIDGE) Act of 2020 to deploy affordable, future-proof broadband networks nationwide. The legislation, introduced by Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), would provide $30 billion in flexible funding to states and $1 billion to tribal governments to competitively award funding to connect unserved and underserved communities, with an emphasis on affordable, gigabit-level internet service to meet communities' needs for years to come. Senator King's support for this legislation comes as the coronavirus pandemic has increased the national reliance on broadband for distance learning, telemedicine, and working from home; Senator King has specifically cited the need for improved broadband access in Maine in order to establish the state as a national remote work leader. The coronavirus pandemic has brought into focus a 21st century reality: access to high-speed, affordable broadband is critical infrastructure that is essential for Americans across the nation to operate their businesses, pursue their education, access telehealth, and interact with their communities, said Senator King. Unfortunately, too many rural communities don't have access to this vital tool, leaving them at risk of being left behind. As Congress continues to discuss opportunities to address the ongoing economic crisis, this legislation can help put folks back to work and bridge the digital divide so Americans of all backgrounds can reach their full potential. "This legislation is vital to our economic recovery. America's most valuable resource is our people, and our biggest contribution to the world is our ideas. In the midst of this emergency, broadband has helped some Americans work remotely, pursue education, and access healthcare, said Joshua Broder, CEO, Tilson, and Co-Chair, Maine's Economic Recovery Committee. Many Americans remain cut off from these pursuits because of lack of broadband. It'… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-to-fda-make-vaccine-decision-process-public King, Colleagues to FDA: Make Vaccine Decision Process Public 2020-09-15 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined his colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calling on the agency to commit to full transparency in the COVID-19 vaccine review process amidst mounting political pressure to approve a vaccine before Election Day. The lawmakers expressed concern that the Trump Administration has placed political expediency over the research and testing process, and the senators urged the FDA to ensure transparency in vaccine review efforts in order to maintain public trust. "We write to seek your commitment that the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) review process for potential vaccinations against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be fully transparent and accountable," wrote the Senators. "We are encouraged by the development of a number of vaccine candidates, and we share the FDA's goal of facilitating the timely development of safe and effective vaccines to prevent COVID-19.' However, we are concerned that the accelerated timeline and intense political pressure around the vaccine development process could have the unintended consequence of undermining public confidence in the safety and quality of an eventual vaccine." More than 100 vaccines against COVID-19 are currently in development worldwide, with 37 in human clinical trials, proceeding at an unprecedented pace. To address public concerns that the rapid speed of vaccine development could compromise the integrity of the review process, the FDA issued guidelines in June 2020 to assist in the clinical development and licensure of vaccines for COVID-19. However, the Administration has continuously applied political pressure on the agency including promising that a vaccine will be approved by the end of 2020, as well as indicating that a vaccine could be in place before Election Day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recently announced that states should be prepared to distribute a vaccine by November 1, further raising concerns that the appro… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-111603-for-mental-health-resources-at-york-county-sheriffs-office Senators Collins, King Announce $111,603 for Mental Health Resources at York County Sheriff’s Office 2020-09-15 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the York County Sheriff's Office has been awarded $111,603 to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice's Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program. As we combat the COVID-19 pandemic, communities across Maine continue to rely on local law enforcement to help keep them safe, and they deserve our ongoing support, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This critical investment will help ensure that the York County Sheriff's Office has the resources it needs to provide law enforcement officers with services that promote their wellbeing. This funding will support the York County Sheriff Office's York County Peer Support Project, an effort aimed at expanding mental health resources to officers through training and technical assistance; demonstration projects; implementation of promising practices related to peer mentoring, mental health, and wellness; and suicide prevention programs. Last year, the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis Act that was introduced by Senators Collins, Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) was signed into law. The legislation restores grant funding for law enforcement support services and allows grant recipients to use funds to establish suicide-prevention programs and mental health services for law enforcement officers. In May, Senators Collins and King joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing the week of May 10 through May 16 as National Police Week, which passed unanimously. This resolution honored police officers, sheriffs, and other law enforcement officers in Maine and throughout the country for serving our communities with valor, dignity, and integrity. To date, Senators Collins and Angus Kinghave announced more than $4.4 million in funding through the CARES Act for Maine law enforcement to prevent… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-joins-colleagues-in-urging-internet-service-providers-to-expand-internet-access-during-pandemic King Joins Colleagues in Urging Internet Service Providers to Expand Internet Access During Pandemic 2020-09-14 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in calling onthesevenlargestinternetserviceproviders(ISPs) to help limit the economic and social disruption caused by COVID-19 and better ensure that learners of all ages are able to meaningfully participate in their education. In a letter sent to the CEOsof AT&T, CenturyLink, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, T-Mobile,and Verizon, the Senators called on companies to take concrete measures to suspend limits and fees associated with increased broadband use, needed to participate in online courses or remote work.They also called for the companies to expand coverage areas, as the public health emergency has highlighted the devastating impact of the nation's lingering broadband gaps. The Senators' push comes as unprecedented numbers of students are relying on remote learning to kick off the fall semesterdue to the ongoing public health crisis. As a new school year commences, the need to accommodate an unprecedented reliance on data services to provide education continues. We have heard from public schools who express appreciation for internet service options that enable remote learning, but are also concerned with ongoing data limitations and continued lack of service for many households,the Senators wrote.In many situations, online learning activities require additional data allowances beyond plans readily available for students. We kindly request that you again take immediate action to help students connect to the online resources they need to learn, including expanding coverage areas and rolling out new service plans that better meet the needs of these families. With many schools closed and students now relying on the internet to connect with their teachers, instruction materials, and assignments, sufficient data allowances are even more essential for students' success now and throughout their future. However, the coronavirus pandemic has forced many parents to work from home, increasing their monthly b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-issues-statement-on-anniversary-of-september-11th-attacks King Issues Statement On Anniversary of September 11th Attacks 2020-09-11 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in honor of the 19th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks: On September 11th, 2001, unthinkable terror struck at the heart of our nation, said Senator King. Across the country, Americans watched together in horror as terrorist attacks claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people those who were simply going about their daily business, and those who undertook heroic efforts to help those in need. These vicious acts of hate sought to strike at our very values, but they did not succeed; in the dark days that followed, the strength of America shone through. We take this day to remember those who were lost on that terrible day. We take this day to honor the first responders, who put themselves at risk to serve others. And we take this day to also call to mind the national sense of unity that that shone through so brightly in the aftermath of these attacks, and the resilience of the American people when facing times of crisis. Nineteen years ago, we banded together to protect one another, and responded to unknown dangers with love, bravery and tolerance for the sake of our country, we must summon these better angels once again. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-cosponsor-bipartisan-resolution-recognizing-9/11-as-national-day-of-service-and-remembrance Senators Collins, King Cosponsor Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing 9/11 as National Day of Service and Remembrance 2020-09-11 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King cosponsored a bipartisan and bicameral resolution that recognizes September 11 as a national day of service and encourages the American public to engage in a charitable service of their choosing on or around 9/11. Nineteen years have passed, but the memory of September 11, 2001, remains as vivid as if it were yesterday. On this solemn anniversary, we join all Americans in remembering each of the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day lives of accomplishment, contribution, and promise, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. In tribute to the individuals who lost their lives and to those who came to the aid of those in need during the devastating attacks, this resolution observes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance,' encouraging Americans to personally reflect and perform an act of service to commemorate this powerful day. Americans in every corner of our country are committed to the promise to Never Forget' the attacks on our nation 19 years ago and, most important, the loss of life and injury to countless of our family members, friends and colleagues,said Jay S. Winuk, whose younger brother Glenn J. Winuk, an attorney and volunteer firefighter/EMT, died in the line of duty when the South Tower collapsed. Winuk is the co-founder of9/11 Day, the nation's largest annual day of charitable engagement.This resolution rightly and powerfully honors those directly affected by the events of 9/11 and calls on the nation to come together in tribute and service to strengthen our bonds as Americans, especially meaningful in these challenging times. In 2009 following calls by families of those killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress established that date as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in tribute to the 9/11 victims, first responders, recovery workers, volunteers, and members of the U.S. military who rose in service in defense of our nation. This year, Senators Collins and King joined their colleagues in the Se… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/via-teleconference-king-listens-to-maine-arts-commission-discusses-impacts-of-the-pandemic-and-support-efforts Via Teleconference, King Listens to Maine Arts Commission, Discusses Impacts of the Pandemic and Support Efforts 2020-09-11 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) connected with the Maine Arts Commission and members of Maine's performing arts community to discuss the state of the arts industry as they face short-term economic challenges and long-term uncertainty due to the global pandemic. During the call, Senator King emphasized his strong support of arts institutions, which are vital engines of our Nation's economy and culture. Senator King also highlighted his support for legislation to support performing arts in response to the coronavirus pandemic; in July, he cosponsored the Restarting the Economy Sustainably Towards a Recovery in Twenty-twenty (RESTART) Act to support the small- and mid-sized businesses including concert venues and theatre companies most affected by the coronavirus crisis. On today's call, he also announced his cosponsorship of the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act. When the pandemic struck, performing arts was one of the first sectors of the economy to shut down and as the virus continues to linger, the industry continues to be among the hardest hit, said Senator King. The work of Maine artists drives significant economic activity, employs thousands of Maine people, and provides vital cultural enrichment to communities throughout the state. Their work is vital, and they need help now. The stories shared during today's call are clear examples of why it is vital that the Senate Majority Leader return to the negotiating table and create bipartisan legislation to bring much-needed relief to not only to Maine artists, but also to Americans of all backgrounds desperately crying out for relief. We are grateful for the opportunity to have Senator King connect with Maine's arts and culture sector, said Julie Richard, the Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission. It is our hope that his guidance, leadership, and insight can provide some direction and solace during these difficult times. Even as the pandemic changes the way we connect, Senator King has made it a priority to engage with Maine… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/citing-results-of-previous-bipartisan-negotiations-king-opposes-mcconnells-illusion-of-action Citing Results of Previous Bipartisan Negotiations, King Opposes McConnell’s “Illusion of Action” 2020-09-10 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after voting against a proposal from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) which would not have adequately met the crisis facing the American people and which was hundreds of billions lower than the previous Republican relief gesture. In his statement, Senator King highlights the fact that previous moves to reject Senator McConnell's coronavirus relief proposals have resulted in drastically improved legislation, including additional funds for states and localities, increased unemployment insurance, and more money for healthcare providers working to battle the coronavirus pandemic. After months of inaction from a Senate Majority Leader who admitted he didn't feel any urgency to act, Americans are starved for coronavirus relief, said Senator King. The pandemic's economic fallout is hitting our families and our workforce hard; it's threatening to bankrupt our states and localities, which would put the jobs of first responders at risk and take vital services away from our citizens just as they're most needed; it has the potential to create chaos during the upcoming election season, creating division and confusion during the nation's most sacred democratic process. Americans are hurting, and they deserve more than this skinny' bill that feels more focused on creating the illusion of action than on actually addressing the problems at hand. I voted against this proposal today for a number of reasons: it contains no new funding for states and localities; it offers almost zero flexibility to allow already-distributed federal monies to be spent on the most pressing concerns facing each individual state; it cuts the federal unemployment benefit in half, and then eliminates those small benefits within just a few short months, regardless of the status of the virus or the economy. Rather than addressing these challenges facing Americans nationwide, the legislation prioritizes provisions that would preempt every state's laws on… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-and-pingree-announce-usda-allocation-of-530-million-for-us-lobstermen-and-fishermen-impacted-by-retaliatory-tariffs-urge-administration-to-expand-program-to-dealers-and-processors Collins, King, & Pingree Announce USDA Allocation of $530 Million for U.S. Lobstermen and Fishermen Impacted by Retaliatory Tariffs, Urge Administration to Expand Program to Dealers and Processors 2020-09-10 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Following longstanding, bipartisan efforts by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)SecretarySonnyPerdueannounced today that the USDA will provide approximately $530 million to support U.S.fishermen in coastal states impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments.The funding will be provided through the Seafood Trade Relief Program and funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree lauded the new funds but urged the Administration to expand the program to include the seafood industry's supply chain, especially dealers and processors, many of whom have seen their foreign business drastically impacted by the ongoing trade wars. The hardworking men and womenof Maine's fisherieshave been,and continue to be,unfairly harmed by China's retaliatory tariffs. We have strongly advocated for trade relief forall members ofour state's lobster industry, which supports the livelihoods of thousands of Mainers, and have repeatedly pushed for assistance to alleviate the economic challenges those employed in our seafood supply chain are experiencing,said Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree in a joint statement.Today's announcement by USDA is welcome news for Maine harvesters, and weencourage them to apply quickly for this funding. However, this program does not currently include dealers and processors, many of whom have suffered severe economic harm and lost large shares of their foreign markets due to these retaliatory tariffs. Given how critical these entities are to the industry's supply chain and overall success, any effort to solve this problem must include aid for these businesses.In the days ahead, we will push to ensure this program provides support for the entire supply chain, and we will continue fightingto address the numerous challenges the industry faces. In August, Senators Collins and King… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/to-help-maines-rural-veterans-senator-king-and-bipartisan-group-of-senators-call-for-va-voice-telehealth-services To Help Maine’s Rural Veterans, Senator King and Bipartisan Group of Senators Call for VA Voice Telehealth Services 2020-09-10 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of senators to call on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie to provide coverage of comprehensive telehealth services, including voice communication, for beneficiaries of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Currently, federal regulations are focused on advanced technologies like telemedicine and do not allow CHAMPVA to cover health care services that are delivered through audio-only conferencing, telephone calls and text messaging. Our constituents, including those who reside in rural areas where internet access may be limited, need access to telehealth services that involve voice communication, especially during a public health emergency, wrote the senators in their letter. We appreciate the steps VA has taken in recent years to make telehealth more accessible to veterans and their families, but in order for this access to be meaningful, it must reach constituents through the platforms that work best for them and their providers. As such, we urge VA to take the necessary steps to immediately ensure CHAMPVA beneficiaries are able to access health services through voice communication platforms. In addition to Senator King, the letter is signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ari.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Michael Rounds (R-S.D.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Senator King has worked to make sure veterans receive the highest quality of care during the coronavirus crisis. Last month, he cosponsored the TRICARE Prescription Relief Act, legislation that would authorize the Secretary of Defense to waive prescription cost-sharing requirements for military servicemembers, veterans, and their families during a declared national or public health emergency.… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-delegation-announces-500000-for-frances-perkins-homestead-in-newcastle Maine Delegation Announces $500,000 for Frances Perkins Homestead in Newcastle 2020-09-08 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C.U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announcedthat theFrances Perkins Center has received $500,000 through the National Park Service's Save America's Treasures Grant Program. This grant funding will allow the Center to preserve andimprovethe condition of the principal structures at the site of the Frances Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark in Newcastle. The Frances PerkinsHomesteadis a fitting tribute to Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet,said the Maine Delegation in a joint statement. An influential figure during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency and a driving force behind the creation of the New Deal, Social Security, anti-child labor laws, and more, Perkins left a lasting mark on American history. This important funding will enable the FrancesPerkins Center to preserve her home, allowing it to serve as an educational site year-round and helping to share her life and legacy with visitors from across the nation. The Frances Perkins Center is a nonprofit organization committed to honoring Frances Perkins, the U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933-1945. The Center is in the process of acquiring her ancestral homestead and transitioning the property to a year-round educational and community resource for Maine and the nation.This investment will enable the Center to preserve and renovate the Brick House, barn, and all buildings on the property so that they can be used to house exhibition, tour, and study facilities.Planned investments include the addition of restrooms, a multi-purpose program space, offices, archival storage, and a redesign of parking and visitor access. The Maine Delegationwrotealetterto the National Park Service in support of the grant application submitted by the Frances Perkins Center. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-4-million-for-maine-health-centers-to-combat-covid-19 Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $4 Million for Maine Health Centers to Combat COVID-19 2020-09-08 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that 18 health centers throughout Maine have been awarded a total of $3,997,779 to address screening and testing needs, acquire medical supplies, and boost telehealth capacity in response tothecoronavirus pandemic.This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Community health centers are the backbone of Maine's rural health care system.During the COVID-19 pandemic, these medical providers are needed now more than ever,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.This important funding will assist health centers throughout Maine as they continue to care for COVID-19 patients in their communities. The funding was allocated as follows: Eastport Health Carereceived $244,283. Pines Health Servicesreceived $230,250. Penobscot Community Health Centerreceived $250,250. St. Croix Regional Family Health Centerreceived $125,236. Regional Medical Centerreceived $212,876. Harrington Family Health Centerreceived $240,653. Islands Community Medical Servicesreceived $15,424. Maine Mobile Health Programreceived $188,431. Sebasticook Family Doctorsreceived $221,666. Health Access Networkreceived $237,903. York County Community Action Corporationreceived $46,123. Portland Community Health Centerreceived $263,597. Fish River Rural Healthreceived $329,780. Sacopee Valley Health Centerreceived $205,250. Bucksport Regional Health Centerreceived $286,233. Katahdin Valley Health Centerreceived $320,521. DFD Russell Medical Centerreceived $326,553. HealthReach Community Health Centerreceived $252,750. Senators Collins and Kinghelped tosecurenearly $13 million in Aprilandmore than $1 million in Marchfor Health Centers across the State of Maine. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/transportation-department-proposes-pilot-program-modeled-after-senator-kings-drive-safe-act Transportation Department Proposes Pilot Program Modeled After Senator King’s DRIVE-Safe Act 2020-09-08 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposal modeled after the DRIVE-Safe Act, bipartisan legislation originally cosponsored by Senator King to bolster America's trucking workforce. FMCSA recently posted a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comment on the proposed pilot program, which would allow 18- to 20-year-old commercial driver's license holders to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce while taking part in an apprenticeship program. During this pandemic, our supply chain has been vital in delivering the goods or materials Americans need to weather this storm and stay safe, said Senator King. Our increased need has highlighted our ongoing national driver shortage and driven home the urgency to modernize our workforce. The DRIVE-Safe Act is a commonsense solution to a bureaucratic challenge, helping young drivers get a jumpstart on their career. The DOT's proposed pilot program will help young people develop the skills they need to make safe decisions on the road while gaining the experience they need to establish long and successful careers. The proposed pilot program will be an important step to address the serious workforce shortage being felt in the trucking industry right now, said Brian Parke, President and CEO of the Maine Motor Transport Association. Allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to gain valuable experience while following the strict safety and oversight requirements of the apprenticeship program will help boost this nation's supply chain today and into the future. Similar to the proposed pilot program, Senator King's Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act would establish an apprenticeship program that would allow for the legal operation of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce by commercial driver's license holders under the age of 21. The apprenticeship training program would help ensure these … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-more-than-200000-for-isle-au-haut-solar-project Collins, King Announce More than $200,000 for Isle au Haut Solar Project 2020-09-04 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Isle au Haut has received $211,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to install a solar power array, enabling the island to receive 100 percent of electricity from clean, renewable solar power. This funding was awarded through the USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Located seven miles off Stonington, Isle au Haut is a small, remote island in the Gulf of Maine,said Senators Collins and King. This funding will provide this rural island community with clean, renewable, locally generated power. In doing so, the island will be able to lower its electricity rates for years to come. Thisinvestmentwillallow Isle au Haut Electric Company to purchase and install a new 311 kW solar array to supply 100 percent of the island'selectricity needs for the next 25 years,resulting in projected annual savings of approximately $88,000. Residents of Isle au Hautcurrentlypay an average of $0.32/kWh, as well as a $16 monthly meter fee. This is more than three times the national average for electricity. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/defending-maines-small-businesses-king-presses-postmaster-general-on-harmful-changes-to-delivery-policy Defending Maine’s Small Businesses, King Presses Postmaster General on Harmful Changes to Delivery Policy 2020-09-04 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released a letter from Senator King and a group of his Senate colleagues demanding answers from United States Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on how recent Postal Service delays have negatively affected service for small businesses. The Senators' letter emphasizes the importance of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to small businesses across the nation, and underlines the heightened challenges facing these organizations in light of the economic impact of the coronavirus. The letter continues Senator King's vocal support for the United States Postal Service (USPS), which is suffering from service delays stemming from the Postmaster General's harmful policy changes. Small businesses are the driving force of our economy, making up 99.7% of all firms in the U.S. with paid employees. Many of these businesses have structured their business models around the U.S. Postal Service, which has long offered fast, reliable, and affordable service for their needs, from shipping products to sending paychecks to connecting with customers, wrote the Senators. Changes that you have instituted at the Postal Service threaten the financial well-being of small businesses and their employees. Since you directed operational changes in post offices and processing centers that restrict timely mail delivery, small businesses across the country are reporting significant delays after years of reliable service. The Senators continued: If small businesses cannot fulfill orders in a timely manner, they will quickly lose customers. Furthermore, if small businesses are forced to adapt to Postal Service delays by making use of more expensive delivery options, the increased costs will eat into the already thin margins of so many small businesses and may even result in the closure of their operation. At a time when the pandemic has potentially driven hundreds of thousands of small businesses to close their doors, these changes only exacerbate the financial crisis facing busin… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-join-colleagues-in-bipartisan-push-to-expand-aviation-workforce-training Collins, King Join Colleagues in Bipartisan Push to Expand Aviation Workforce Training 2020-09-03 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues in sending a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urging the agencies to fully implement two key aviation workforce programs that invest in and expand the development of the next generation of aircraft pilots and maintenance technicians. As the Senators note in their letter, these innovative grant programs created in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization bill and funded in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 Transportation Appropriations bill will help develop badly-needed workforce training in the aviation industry, helping the industry to partner with local governments, schools, and labor groups to bolster America's aviation workforce. In turn, this training will help close the current skills-gap preventing many Americans from accessing these good-paying jobs and spur future economic activity. Given the broad, bipartisan support for the grant programs on Capitol Hill, and among schools, industry, and labor, we are disappointed that they are not yet operating. Understanding that establishing a workforce grant program is new to the Federal Aviation Administration, we urge you to initiate them before the end of the current fiscal year, the Senators begin. They go on to highlight the importance of these two programs, noting, The grant program for pilot education will support the creation and delivery of curriculum designed to provide high school students with meaningful science, technology, engineering, math and aviation education. This program has the potential to grow our nation's pilot workforce by encouraging our nation's youth to become the next generation of commercial, general aviation, drone or military pilots. The grant program for aviation technicians will address the well-documented maintenance industry skills gap by encouraging and facilitating collaboration b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-veterans-substance-use-disorder-treatment-program-will-come-to-togus-va-following-advocacy-from-maine-delegation New Veterans Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program Will Come to Togus VA Following Advocacy from Maine Delegation 2020-09-03 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, Maine congressional delegation announced that the VA has approved the construction of a new 24-bed program requested by the members of Congress to provide residential substance use disorder rehabilitation and treatment to Maine veterans. The announcement comes after dogged work from Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), along with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01), to advocate for the creation of the program. Maine veterans, particularly those with the unseen wounds of war, deserve to receive care here in our state,said Golden, Collins, King, and Pingree.But for years, veterans who needed treatment for substance use disorder and associated mental health issues for more than one night have been sent to other states, far from their family, friends, and support system. We've been working with the VA to right this wrong and we are very pleased to announce that a new 24-bed residential program to treat substance use disorder is soon coming to Togus. Construction on the facility will begin in 2021. It will begin accepting patients in 2022. More than one in ten American veterans is diagnosed with substance use disorder and one in five veterans is estimated to have a mental health condition. Maine has among the highest percentage of veterans of any state. Today's announcement marks the culmination of many months of advocacy by the Maine congressional delegation for a residential VA substance use disorder treatment facility. That advocacy included: 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-28-colleagues-urge-usda-to-reconsider-2020-2021-school-nutrition-program-half-measure King, 28 Colleagues Urge USDA to Reconsider 2020-2021 School Nutrition Program Half-Measure 2020-09-02 2020 2020-09 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that Senator King joined 28 of his Senate colleagues in a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fully extend school meal waivers through the end of the 2020-2021 school year in order to ensure that schools have the flexibility they need to fully serve students, regardless of whether or not they are attending school in person. The letter continues a push initially made in July, and comes on the heels of a USDA announcement that would partially extend school meal waivers through the end of 2020 - meaning schools enter September without knowing how to plan the entire school year's expenses and logistics. We are glad that you have extended some school meal waivers until the end of the 2020-2021 school year, and grateful that you recently extended some other waivers until December 31, 2020. However, we remain concerned by your decision not to extend all waivers for the entire 2020-2021 school year, and we urge you to correct this as soon as possible, wrote the Senators. The Senators raise the importance of full extension given that the economic and public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will clearly last beyond the end of the calendar year. The remaining waivers that you have not extended for the entire 2020-2021 school year are desperately needed by school meal providers across the country to ensure they have the funding, flexibility, and certainty to continue feeding schoolchildren for the entire upcoming school year. Many localities are dealing with budget shortfalls due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and are relying on federal assistance to keep providing meals, wrote the Senators. Furthermore, millions of parents have lost their jobs in the past six months and are struggling to ensure that their children have access to nutritious and healthy meals. Many families are relying on school provided meals as one of the only reliable sources of healthy food for their children. After the pandemic… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-questions-dangerous-and-unacceptable-political-interference-in-coronavirus-response-efforts King Questions “Dangerous and Unacceptable” Political Interference in Coronavirus Response Efforts 2020-08-31 2020 2020-08 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that Senator King and 33 of his Senate colleagues wrote to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar calling out the Administration for its ongoing political interference in the coronavirus response. The Senators warned that decisions to pressure and overrule public health experts particularly the errant, overstated convalescent plasma claims this week that have resulted in two dismissals will erode public trust and hamper efforts to respond to the crisis. The timing of this interference is particularly troubling, as people across the country are waiting anxiously for a safe and effective vaccine to COVID-19. More than ever, public trust in our core public health agencies must be fiercely protected. We will not beat this pandemic without that trust, and allowing political interference in these processes is harmful to the trust in our world-class scientific institutions and ultimately the health of our population. As such, the Administration's actions this week have set off alarms among experts and former leaders of these agencies. It is your responsibility, as head of the Department that researches, approves, and disseminates diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines, as well as critical information about the pandemic, to safeguard the integrity of the agencies under your control, wrote the Senators. Senator King has pushed the federal government to quickly and accurately act to make sure Americans have access to the available science and systems they need to stay healthy and stop the spread of the virus including with his April recommendation to launch a government-wide testing effort to control the pandemic's spread. Last month, he introduced the COVID-19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act to establish grants that could be used to support programs that use mobile health units or work through community-based organizations, provide coronavirus testing, conduct contact tracing, or offer assistance to … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-75-million-to-combat-maines-opioid-crisis Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $7.5 Million to Combat Maine’s Opioid Crisis 2020-08-31 2020 2020-08 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that 10 Maine organizations have received a total of $7,455,970 to help combat the opioid crisis. The investments will enable Maine community health centers, rural organizations, and hospitals to establish and expand access to integrated substance use disorder and mental health services. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The opioid crisis is devastating families and communities acrossourstate, claiming the life of nearly one Mainer per day on average last year,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This important funding will give Mainers who are struggling with substance use disorders access to the treatment programs they need to achieve recovery and healing. The funding was allocated as follows: York Hospitalreceived $125,000 throughthe Office of National Drug Control Policy's(ONDCP) Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant Program. Healthy Acadiareceived $125,000 through the DFC Grant Program. The City of Portlandhas received $125,000 through the DFC Grant Program. The BangorSchool Departmentreceived $125,000 through the DFC Grant Program. Redington-Fairview General Hospitalreceived $125,000 through the DFC Grant Program. Maine General Medical Centerreceived $125,000 through the DFC Grant Program. Aroostook Mental HealthCenterreceived $200,000 through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Grant Program (RCORP). Maine HHSreceived $6,255,970 through the State Opioid Response(SOR)Grant Program. Wabanaki Health and Wellnessreceived $250,000 through the Tribal Opioid Response(TOR)Grant Program to provide medical-assisted treatment services to tribal communities. Aroostook Micmac Councilreceived $125,000 through theTORGrant Program. Created by theDrug-Free Communities Act of 1997, DFC spearheads efforts to mobilize communities to pr… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-outraged-by-dnis-move-to-cease-congressional-briefings-on-election-threats King Outraged by DNI’s Move to Cease Congressional Briefings on Election Threats 2020-08-29 2020 2020-08 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement from Senator King, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe's announcement that it will no longer brief Congress on election security issues. Instead, the top intelligence office will provide written updates. The idea that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence would stop briefing Congress on foreign threats to our elections is an outrage, full stop. America's election indeed, our foundation of Democracy itself is under threat as we face weaponized disinformation from global foes around the planet. To stifle and limit the American peoples' awareness of this fact cannot be explained or allowed. In his Senate testimony, DNI Director John Ratcliffe alleged that protecting election integrity was going to be a priority; I call on him to stand by those words and disavow these reported plans to short circuit one of the most important roles of his office. The Director's stated intention to only provide the Congress written updates is flatly insufficient. I have never been at a Congressional hearing where members' questions failed to elicit important information not contained in pre-filed written testimony, and this includes our recent hearing with the Director on this very subject. The only way we can effectively defend ourselves from foreign interference with our elections is for the public to be informed of these activities in real time. Anything less is a dereliction of our duty to the American people. It's important to note how we got here and what we know on a consensus level free of politics. On a bipartisan basis, the Intelligence Committee found rampant, harmful interference in the 2016 election, our Committee's report last week confirmed this threat and laid the stakes for this year. I welcomed the recent openness from the National Counterintelligence and Security Center to share its analysis and threat asse… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-more-than-200000-for-maine-dairy-and-grain-industries Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $200,000 for Maine Dairy and Grain Industries 2020-08-28 2020 2020-08 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Atlantic Corporation in Waterville and Northern Spent Grains in Yarmouthhave been awarded a total of$206,000 to advance food science and nutrition through early stage research and development projects. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Small businesses are the backbone of Maine's economy, and helping them to reach their growth potential strengthensour communitiesand creates new employment opportunities, particularly inruralareas of our state,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. We commend the USDA for recognizing the importance of fostering promising business ventures and innovation that support Maine jobs. The fundingwasallocated as follows: Atlantic Corporationin Watervillewas awarded$106,000 to develop a dairy manufacturing and processing solutions tool for farms and value-added producers. Northern Spent Grainsin Yarmouthwas awarded$100,000 to produce low-calorie, high-protein snacks from brewers' spent grains. The SBIR Program encourages the growth of domestic small businesses by offering competitively awarded grants to support high-quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture. These small business ventures are recognized as having the potential for larger scale commercialization as well as benefits to the community at large. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-104-million-for-nearly-100-maine-nursing-homes Senators Collins, King Announce $10.4 Million for Nearly 100 Maine Nursing Homes 2020-08-27 2020 2020-08 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. SenatorsSusan Collinsand Angus Kingannounced that 93 skilled nursing facilities and nursing homesin Mainehave been awarded a total of $10,421,700 to support increased testing, staffing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) needs. Thefundingannounced todayis a targeted distribution from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Provider Relief Fund, which is funded through $175 billion includedin the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. In the midst of this ongoing public health and economic crisis, it is crucial that our seniors and all of those who make up our nursing home communities remainsupported and protected,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. Thisadditionalfunding will help protect the health of nursing homeresidents, prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19, and support our health care providers on the front lines. Today's announcement of $2.5 billion in additional funding for nursing homes across the country builds on the $4.9 billion that was previously distributed from the HHS Provider Relief Fund to help these facilities. In May, Senators Collins and King announced that Maine nursing homes would receive a total of $17.9 million to help protect the health of residents and staff and support nursing homes struggling with significant expenses or lost revenue due to COVID-19. To date, Maine health care providers have received more than $400 million in relief from the HHS Provider Relief Fund. To further support nursing homes,HHS also announced todaythe Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will be partnering with America's nursing homes to create the National Nursing Home COVID Action Network. Through the Network, AHRQ will offer training, and mentorship to the approximately 15,400 nursing homes across the country to supplement efforts aimed at protecting residents and staff. AstheChairman of the Aging Committee, Senator Collins has been a tireless advocate for seniorsin Maine andacross the … 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-11-million-in-funding-for-environmental-projects-throughout-maine Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $11 Million in Funding for Environmental Projects Throughout Maine 2020-08-27 2020 2020-08 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awardeda total of$11,550,148 to the Maine Department of Health of Human Services (DHHS), the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. The funding will boost efforts to support cleaner air, safer drinking water, and the redevelopment of hazardous waste sites. Protecting the health of our environment is vital to supporting Maine communities, ensuring the well-being of our citizens, and creating new economic development opportunities for Maine people,said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.We welcome these significant investments in Maine's environment, which will yield immense health and economic benefits for people across our state. Specifically, the funding is awarded as follows: Maine DHHS for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program $11,011,000 Maine DECD for State of Maine Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Program $375,000 Aroostook Band of Micmacs $164,148 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-urge-interior-secretary-bernhardt-to-remove-pendley-as-leader-of-bureau-of-land-management King, Colleagues Urge Interior Secretary Bernhardt To Remove Pendley As Leader Of Bureau of Land Management 2020-08-25 2020 2020-08 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that Senator King, a member the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined 46 of his Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt urging him to remove William Perry Pendley from his position leading the Bureau of Land Management. The senators also call on the President to nominate a qualified director for consideration through the regular confirmation process. Following alettersigned by Senator King and colleagues to President Trump earlier this month, it was reported that the White House will be withdrawing Pendley's nomination. However, Pendley signed a succession order himself months ago that could keep him indefinitely in his role leading the BLM. "We are pleased to hear that the President has decided to withdraw Mr. William Perry Pendley's nomination to be director of the Bureau of Land Management. We have grave concerns, however, with reports that Mr. Pendley will continue to lead the bureau through his current position as deputy director, exercising the authority of the director,"wrote the senators."For the same reasons that Mr. Pendley is unfit to be confirmed as director, he is unfit to exercise the authority of the director without being confirmed, and we ask that you remove Mr. Pendley from this position. We also call on the President to nominate a qualified director for consideration through the regular confirmation process." The full text of the letter is below and a signed PDF is availablehere. +++ Dear Secretary Bernhardt: We are pleased to hear that the President has decided to withdraw Mr. William Perry Pendley's nomination to be director of the Bureau of Land Management. We have grave concerns, however, with reports that Mr. Pendley will continue to lead the bureau through his current position as deputy director, exercising the authority of the director. For the same reasons that Mr. Pendley is unfit to be confirmed as director, he is unfit to exercise the authori… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-joins-houlton-rotary-club-in-virtual-teleconference King Joins Houlton Rotary Club in Virtual Teleconference 2020-08-25 2020 2020-08 Independent House ME Angus King K000383 www.king.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that Senator King participated in a virtual teleconference with the Houlton Rotary Club to provide updates on the coronavirus pandemic and discuss his efforts to bridge partisan divides in Congress. Senator King was joined on today's call by dozens of members of the Houlton Rotary Club, which was established in 1920 and currently has nearly 85 members from a diverse variety of occupations in Northern Maine. In the face of partisan divides and national crises, organizations like the Houlton Rotary Club exemplify the Maine approach to challenges: bring people together, and try to find solutions that make life better for your community, said Senator King. This commonsense approach is far too rare in Congress, causing gridlock that leaves important work undone. I'm grateful for the time of the Houlton Rotary Club, and will take their comments back with me to Washington as I urge my colleagues to put arguments aside so we can focus on helping Americans in need during this pandemic. Even as the pandemic changes the way we connect, Senator King has made it a priority to engage with Maine people from all walks of life and helpful organizations to address questions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and identify remaining work to be done. In May, he heldtele-town hall, inviting all Maine people to call in toll-free, to listen and respond to questions about coronavirus response efforts. Since the Senate passed theCARES Act, he has participated in teleconferences and phone calls with: Maine healthcare providers and advocates, such as theMaine Dental AssociationandProtect our Care. Maine students and educators, including the 16Maine 2020 County Teachers of the Year,Maine Jump$tart Coalition's twoFinance Educators of the Year, school psychologists,MLTI Virtual Student Conference, University of Maine System Student Veterans, andcivics and history teachersfrom schools across Maine. Maine business leaders, including members of theMaine State … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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