url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at http://sablan.house.gov/2015-year-review,2015 - The Year in Review,2015-12-31,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"2015 will be remembered in part as the year of Typhoon Soudelor. Complete recovery is still to be accomplished, but federal assistance helped local hands respond to the immediate emergency and will continue to aid in restoration of homes and public infrastructure. 2015 was also a year of significant accomplishment in Washington. January 16% NAP benefit increase for Saipan takes effect - Food stamp beneficiaries on Saipan received a 16 percent increase in their benefits. The Saipan increase followed a 28 percent increase for Tinian and 62 percent for Rota and the Northern Islands that took effect in 2014. Seniority pays off in Committee assignment - Six years of seniority allowed the Northern Marianas Delegate to win promotion to Vice-Ranking Member for the Natural Resources Committee. February H.R. 851 aims to increase federal funding for PSS - As it became apparent that the Elementary and Secondary Education Act would finally be reauthorized, I introduced legislation to increase federal education funding for our Public School System a move that paid off in December. March Presidents budget includes funding for Rota National Park study - The study was only authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act in December 2014, but the President immediately proposed funding. April Community Health Centers, CHIP benefit from doc fix - The Kagman Community Health Center was assured of funding through 2017 in Public Law 114-10. The law also extended the CHIP program, which will provide $1.4 million for health insurance for children from low-income families in the Northern Marianas in 2016. June Geothermal explorations get green light - CUC got the go-ahead to use technical assistance funds provided by Congress to continue exploring geothermal potential on Saipan. Hot water deep below the surface could generate electricity and lower the cost of power. July Foxx-Messer-Sablan Act would help students select college - Along with Education and the Workforce Committee members Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Luke Messer (R-IN), I introduced H.R. 3178 to help students and their families get the facts they need to make decisions about college. The Sablan.house.gov website also added resources for college-bound students. August President signs disaster declaration, releasing federal aid - We worked with the White House to get a declaration within 30 hours of the request from the CNMI and federal aid quickly followed: Home repair: $24.6 million in aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency reached 4,821 households. Commonwealth Health Center: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped CUC quickly restore power to the hospital. Debris removal: U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit cleared debris from schools and roadways, making it easier to replace power poles. Water: Marines also set up a reverse osmosis purification system and gave out drinking water in villages around Saipan. Replacement food: The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved emergency food stamps helping over 12,000 households. Business recovery: The U.S. Small Business Administration loaned out $23 million to get business and individuals back on their feet. Postal services: The U.S. Post Office in Saipan resumed operations using generator power. Immigration services: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services center on Saipan maintained regular hours. Customs and Border Patrol and the Transportation Security Administration kept their airport operations up and running. Environmental protection: Along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Coast Guard contained a dangerous spill of gasoline and helped remove damaged boats blocking the Saipan harbor. EPA also provided hazardous waste disposal around the island. Establishing NMI National Guard found feasible - The report I included in the FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act was issued and found that it would be feasible to have a Northern Marianas National Guard unit. Soudelor underscored the need for the Governor to have this additional resource in times of emergency. I followed up with introduction of H.R. 3649, creating an NMI Guard. September His Holiness Pope Francis addressed a joint meeting of Congress - To maintain a proper decorum as the Pope entered, sixteen Members, including the representative of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands, were selected to line the corridor. October Saipan Troop Store project bids close - Contractors submitted proposals for the 5,000-square-foot expansion of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service Troop Store located at the Army Reserve Center on Saipan. Bidding had been delayed to check for unexploded ordnance. The store serves about 4,000 active and reserve service members, retirees, and their families and needs a major overhaul. First year of stretched-out CW program - Last year, I was able to get the foreign worker program extended through 2019, instead of ending in 2014. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services set the cap on workers at 12,999 for 2016, but with four years now remaining the need to convert to U.S. workers remains pressing, if growth is to continue in our islands. November College and Career workshops begin for NMI students - As part of the effort to beef up the local workforce, the congressional office began workshops for Northern Marianas high school students. We offered information on how to decide on college, in-demand jobs and options for vocational training, and opportunities for service in the military, AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. Three academy slots added for NMI students - President Obama signed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act into law, adding three new slots for Northern Mariana Islands students at the U.S. service academies. Now, we have gone from three slots, when I came into office in 2009, to nine positions set aside for NMI young people. December Highway funds for NMI increased - Transit and safety programs worth $1.2 million annually to the Northern Marianas and an additional $8 million in highway construction funds for the NMI, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands are included in the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Public Law 114-94. New education law means millions for NMI schools - Millions of dollars in new funding for Northern Mariana Islands schools will result from the Every Student Succeeds Act, Public Law 114-95. The new law contains proposals from my bill, H.R. 851, to raise Title I-A grant funds going to U.S. insular areas. The Congressional Research Service projects Northern Marianas funding will go up from the current $6.8 million to $11.1 million each year, beginning next October. Soudelor commendations added to the Congressional Record - In a statement before Congress, I recognized and expressed appreciation to all who made possible the recovery from Typhoon Soudelor. The hard work of the local government, charitable organizations, businesses, and many friends near and far deserves this lasting recognition. Consolidated appropriations act aids the NMI - The fiscal 2016 funding and tax extension law, P.L. 114-113 contains numerous benefits for people and programs in the Northern Marianas: Rota and Tinian harbor projects get $600,000: The law includes my request to fund the Rota and Tinian harbor improvements. This is the first year of direct funding for the two projects, which will eventually cost about $3 million each. Rota National Park study funded: The study was only authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act in December 2014, but funding is now available. $6 million for Clean Water/Safe Drinking Water: The improved formula for the NMI and other insular areas continues, bringing total funding over the last 7 years to approximately $51.6 million. Pell Grants increased. The maximum grant will be $5,915, an increase of $140 in the 2016-2017 school year for NMC students. Teacher tax credit made permanent: Teachers may continue to deduct up to $250 in out-of-pocket costs. American Opportunities Tax Credit made permanent: Families get a credit of up to $2,500 per college student per school year. Funds are covered over to the CNMI Treasury. Child Tax Credit made permanent: The credit is based on the number of children in a family. Funds are covered over to the CNMI Treasury.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/fema-obligates-12-million-cuc-soudelor-repairs,FEMA obligates $1.2 million for CUC Soudelor repairs,2015-12-31,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"FEMA obligates $1.2 million for CUC Soudelor repairs Dec 30, 2015 The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced this week a grant of $1,194,653.70 to the Northern Mariana Islands. The funds are intended to be passed through to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation for costs of restoring power on Saipan following Typhoon Soudelor. These public assistance funds are authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act and should continue to be obligated for a variety of public infrastructure that was damaged during the storm. FEMA provides 90 percent of funding; the Commonwealth provides 10 percent, a reduction of the usual 25 percent match.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/uscis-assures-action-pending-cw-petitions,USCIS assures action on pending CW petitions,2015-12-31,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"USCIS assures action on pending CW petitions Dec 30, 2015 The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has responded to my calls for action on delayed renewals of Commonwealth-only worker permits by moving CW applications submitted over 90 days ago for permits that expire this week to the front of the line for processing about 800 in all. Extra staff have also been added to clear the backlog of CW applications. USCIS has told me that they expect to act on these 800 CW petitions by the end of this week. Another 2,000 applications that were not submitted before the recommended 90 days will also receive the extra staff attention I called for. I urge employers with applications that are more than 90 days old to contact the congressional office. I also recommend that employers submit applications for renewals as early as possible they may do so up to 180 days prior to expiration.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/working-together-new-torres-administration,Working together with the new Torres administration,2015-12-31,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Working together with the new Torres administration Dec 31, 2015 Our new Governor, Ralph DLG Torres, led the response and recovery to Typhoon Soudelor; and the congressional office assisted by making sure that every federal resource he called for was provided fully and quickly. In a meeting with Governor Torres this week I pledged to continue that model of cooperation and partnership with his new administration for the benefit of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands. I thanked the Governor, too, for leading us all through these days of grief with grace and courage.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/old-man-wanted-more-than-money-in-branson-bank-robbery,Old man wanted more than money in Branson bank robbery,2015-12-31,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Old man wanted more than money in Branson bank robbery By: Harrison Keegan Thursday, December 31, 2015 Joseph Cyrus could barelyget the words out. He knew what he wanted to say, but he didn't want to break down in the courtroom. Cyrus' lawyer told him it was OK. Hecould wait until the sentencing hearing in a few months if he wanted.But the 77-year-oldCyrus couldn't wait. A proud man, Cyruscouldn't go another day without explaining himself. ""I wanted to be caught, your honor,"" Cyrus said from his wheelchair last month at the federal courthouse in Springfield.""I wanted to get some help from the United States government."" A masked Cyrus robbed the Central Bank on James Epps Road in Branson on Oct. 16, pointing what he says wasa plastic BBgunat the tellers. The reason he committed the crime, he said, was to get access to health care in the federal prison system. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/for-the-wealthiest-a-private-tax-system-that-saves-them-billions,"For the Wealthiest, a Private Tax System That Saves Them Billions",2015-12-29,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"For the Wealthiest, a Private Tax System That Saves Them Billions By: NOAM SCHEIBER and PATRICIA COHEN Tuesday, December 29, 2015 WASHINGTON The hedge fund magnates Daniel S. Loeb, Louis Moore Bacon andSteven A. Cohenhave much in common. They have managed billions of dollars in capital, earning vast fortunes. They have invested millions in art and millions more in political candidates. Moreover, each has exploited an esoteric tax loophole that saved them millions in taxes. The trick? Route the money to Bermuda and back. With inequality at its highest levels in nearly a century and public debate rising over whether the government should respond to it through higher taxes on the wealthy, the very richest Americans have financed a sophisticated and astonishingly effective apparatus for shielding their fortunes. Some call it the income defense industry, consisting of a high-priced phalanx of lawyers, estate planners, lobbyists and anti-tax activists who exploit and defend a dizzying array of tax maneuvers, virtually none of them available to taxpayers of more modest means. In recent years, this apparatus has become one of the most powerful avenues of influence for wealthy Americans of all political stripes, including Mr. Loeb and Mr. Cohen, who give heavily to Republicans, and the liberal billionaireGeorge Soros, who has called for higher levies on the richwhile at the same time usingtax loopholes to bolster his own fortune. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-23-2015,"THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - December 23, 2015",2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"In this issue: Bill introduced to pay for earned income tax credit in NMI. I have introduced legislation,H.R. 4309, that would use federal funds to cover the cost of the earned income tax credit in the Northern Mariana Islands and other U.S. insular areas. The EITC provides extra money to U.S. workers, who have low wage jobs, up to $6,000 annually. Here in the Northern Marianas, where incomes are half the national average, the EITC would put more money into peoples pockets and into our local economy. Unlike other forms of welfare that go to people without jobs, the EITC is only paid to those who are working. It rewards work. The EITC would apply in the same way as the Child Tax Credit that many families now receive. Taxpayers file for the credit on their CNMI tax return; and then the federal government gives the money to the CNMI to cover the cost. The Commonwealth tried to provide the EITC in the 1990s, but had to stop because the program was too expensive. Getting tax law changed is not easy to do in Congress. And what I am proposing costs money, so it is even more difficult. But our new Speaker, Paul Ryan, wants to reform the tax code perhaps in the next Congress. My proposal starts the discussion and prepares us for the work that could get done in 2017 or 2018. New Marianas High School cafeteria approved. Marianas High School students will be getting a new cafeteria and kitchen valued at $1.4 million. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service approved use of 2015 Nutritional Assistance Grant funds for the project this week. The Public School System asked for approval in September. I registered support with FNS Administrator Audrey Rowe and have been working with the agency ever since to clear procedural hurdles. The present cafeteria, built in 1969, was designed to serve 450 students. The new cafeteria will be five times larger. This will allow the current enrollment of 1,604 students to all be served in two lunch periods of 30 minutes each. At the recommendation of FNS the new facility will also include a full kitchen, where students will be able to learn cooking and nutritional skills for their own benefit and as part of the MHS vocational curriculum. Federal NAG funds previously built cafeterias at San Vicente Elementary and Dandan Middle schools. Congratulations to PSS and all the MHS Dolphins. Opportunities - Federal grants, jobs for and in the Marianas Grants: State Wildlife Grant Program The State Wildlife Grants Program provides grant funds for the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished. Eligible activities include both planning and implementation. Closing date isSeptember 30, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280580. Cancer Prevention and Control Programs The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will provide a continuation of funds intended for grantees previously awarded under DP12-1205 - Cancer Prevention and Control Programs for State, Territorial and Tribal Organizations. Closing date isFebruary 26, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280676. Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks The Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks grant program provides funding to advance technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation systems applications for commercial vehicle operations, including commercial motor vehicle, commercial driver, and carrier-specific information systems and networks. Current closing date isMarch 3, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280327. Jobs: Psychiatry/Mental Health APRN The Department Of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration is accepting applications for a Psychiatry/Mental Health APRN in Guam for the Guam Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Duties include using expert clinical judgment in the management of care to complex and specialized patient populations; and guiding staff in the implementation of nursing processes and evaluation of patient care outcomes. Position is open untilJanuary 29, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/424769800. Fish and Wildlife Biologist The Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting applications for a Fish and Wildlife Biologist in Guam. As a Biologist (Endangered Species) with the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office incumbent will plan, conduct, and report on ecological investigations to determine the effects of land and water development projects on the fish, botanical, and wildlife resources, and make recommendations concerning these projects which may result in decisions to oppose or modify major land and water development plans. Position is open untilDecember 31, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/419227800. Highlights in the Legislative Program THIS WEEK: The House is in recess for the District Work Period. Introduced H.R.4309 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reimburse each possession of United States for the cost of the earned income tax credit Co-sponsorships NEXT WEEK: The House is in recess for the District Work Period.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/new-minimum-wages-in-the-new-year,New Minimum Wages in the New Year,2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"New Minimum Wages in the New Year By: The Editorial Boarrd Monday, December 28, 2015 In five states and nine cities including California, New York, Oregon and Washington, D.C. voters and lawmakers will consider proposals in 2016 to gradually raise minimum wages to $15 an hour. The ballot initiatives and pending legislation will build on momentum from this year, in which 14 states and localities used laws, executive orders and other procedures to lift wages for all or part of their work forces to $15 an hour. In New York City, for instance, the minimum wage for workers in fast food and state government will rise to $10.50 on New Years Eve, and to $15 by the end of 2018. In the rest of New York, the minimum for those workers will reach $15 an hour in mid-2021. InLos Angeles County, including the city of Los Angeles, the minimum wage for most workers will rise to $10.50 by mid-2016 and to $15 by mid-2020. Seattle and San Francisco are also phasing in citywide minimums of $15 an hour, while five other cities Buffalo and Rochester in New York; Greensboro, N.C.; Missoula, Mont.; and Pittsburgh are gradually raising their minimums to $15 for city workers. Minimum-wage raises are examples of states and cities leading in the absence of leadership by Congress, which has kept the federal minimum at $7.25 an hour since 2009. State and local increases are also potent shapers of public perception. It was only three years ago that a walkout by 200 or sofast-food workersin New York City began theFight for $15, now a nationwide effort to raise pay and support unions. Two years ago SeaTac, Wash., home to an international airport,voted inthe nations first $15-an-hour minimum for some 6,500 workers in the city, on and off airport property. Since then, $15 an hour has gone from a slogan to a benchmark. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/-20-people-now-own-as-much-wealth-as-half-of-all-americans,20 People Now Own As Much Wealth as Half of All Americans,2015-12-26,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"And theres a stark racial divide at the top. The 100 richest households own more assets than the entire African-American community (there are just two black people on theForbes400 list, one of whom is Oprah Winfrey). And just 182 individuals on theForbeslist have more assets than Americas entire Hispanic population. But Chuck Collins, director of IPSs Program on Inequality and the Common Good and a co-author of the report, tellsThe Nationthat their study likely underestimates the scope of the problem. Our wealth data is a tip of the iceberg, he says. So much wealth among the ber-rich is hidden, either in offshore tax havens or in these loophole trusts where money is shuffled around into private corporate accounts or between different family members, and it disappears from taxation or any sort of oversight or accountability.So theres a huge amount of escaped wealth that isnt even factored into these statistics. And Collins says its only getting worse. These inequalities really undermine our quality of life, he says. We need to explain to people who say So what, I dont care how much theForbes400 has that it really does touch on all of our lives, deeply and profoundly.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/now-its-even-easier-for-candidates-and-their-aides-to-help-super-pacs,Now its even easier for candidates and their aides to help super PACs,2015-12-26,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Now its even easier for candidates and their aides to help super PACs By: Matea Gold Saturday, December 26, 2015 The Federal Election Commission has quietly given the green light to federal candidates who want to solicit contributions for super PACs by meeting in small groups so small that there can be just two other people in the room. In addition, the little-noticed advisory opinion gives permission to a candidates campaign consultant and other aides to solicit large donations for a super PAC, as long as they make clear that they are not making the request at the direction of the candidate. The decisions which came in response to a request from two Democratic super PACs, including one with close ties to Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) further erode the boundary between campaigns and their independent allies at a time when they are already engaged in unprecedented collaboration. Federal candidates are still not permitted to explicitly ask a donor to give more than $5,000 to a super PAC. But the latest decision means that an elected official or candidate can meet privately with just one wealthy donor and one super PAC operative to discuss fundraising for the group, said Ellen Weintraub, one of two Democrats on the six-member panel who opposed loosening the rules. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/new-marianas-high-school-cafeteria-approved,New Marianas High School cafeteria approved,2015-12-24,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"New Marianas High School cafeteria approved Dec 23, 2015 Marianas High School students will be getting a new cafeteria and kitchen valued at $1.4 million. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service approved use of 2015 Nutritional Assistance Grant funds for the project this week. The Public School System asked for approval in September. I registered support with FNS Administrator Audrey Rowe and have been working with the agency ever since to clear procedural hurdles. The present cafeteria, built in 1969, was designed to serve 450 students. The new cafeteria will be five times larger. This will allow the current enrollment of 1,604 students to all be served in two lunch periods of 30 minutes each. At the recommendation of FNS the new facility will also include a full kitchen, where students will be able to learn cooking and nutritional skills for their own benefit and as part of the MHS vocational curriculum. Federal NAG funds previously built cafeterias at San Vicente Elementary and Dandan Middle schools. Congratulations to PSS and all the MHS Dolphins.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/-shutting-down-planned-parenthood-would-catapult-women-into-poverty,Shutting Down Planned Parenthood Would Catapult Women Into Poverty,2015-12-23,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Shutting Down Planned Parenthood Would Catapult Women Into Poverty By: Bryce Covert Wednesday, December 23, 2015 Already forgotten in the aftermath of the San Bernardino shootings is a more persistent terrorist threat to average Americans: right-wing extremists. Robert Lewis Dear, who shot and killed three people at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, has since pleaded guilty to being a warrior for the babies. His actions follow a long tradition of violence against abortion providers. That violence is increasing: The number of clinics reporting threats and targeted intimidation has increased from about 25 percent to more than 50 percent since 2010. Dears terrorism hasnt affected the GOPs congressional crusade against the womens-healthcare provider, however. Immediately after the shooting, Senate Republicans said they would proceed with efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, which currently receives about $500 million from the federal government. About 80 percent of Planned Parenthoods clients are low-income (which is measured as being at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty line). Unintended pregnancies among poor women have been increasing, while those among well-off women are falling. What terrorists like Dear and Republicans in Congress want is basically the same: to shut down Planned Parenthood and deny women access to abortions. If they got their wish, it would serve only to make poor women poorer and increase the number of unintended pregnancies. Indeed, unintended pregnancies are already concentrated among low-income women, an imbalance that has been increasing. The rate of such pregnancies among women with incomes below the poverty line jumped 56 percent from 1994 to 2008, while for higher-income women it actually fell by 24 percent. In 2008, the unintended-pregnancy rate for poor women was more than five times that of the most well-off. All of this means that poor women have higher rates of unplanned births as well as abortionssix times and five times higher, respectivelythan women at the other end of the income scale. Poor women also have fewer places to turn for affordable contraception and reproductive careexcept for organizations like Planned Parenthood. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/bernie-sanders-to-rein-in-wall-street-fix-the-fed,"Bernie Sanders: To Rein In Wall Street, Fix the Fed",2015-12-23,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bernie Sanders: To Rein In Wall Street, Fix the Fed By: Sen. Bernie Sanders Wednesday, December 23, 2015 WALL STREET is still out of control. Seven years ago, theFederal Reserveand the Treasury Department bailed out the largest financial institutions in this country because they were considered too big to fail. But almost every one is bigger today than it was before the bailout. If any were to fail again, taxpayers could be on the hook for another bailout, perhaps a larger one this time. To rein in Wall Street, we should begin by reforming the Federal Reserve, which oversees financial institutions and which uses monetary policy to maintain price stability and full employment. Unfortunately, an institution that was created to serve all Americans has been hijacked by the very bankers it regulates. The recent decision by the Fed to raise interest rates is the latest example of the rigged economic system. Big bankers and their supporters in Congress have been telling us for years that runaway inflation is just around the corner. They have been dead wrong each time. Raising interest rates now is a disaster for small business owners who need loans to hire more workers and Americans who need more jobs and higher wages. As a rule, the Fed should not raise interest rates until unemployment is lower than 4 percent. Raising rates must be done only as a last resort not to fight phantom inflation. What went wrong at the Fed? The chief executives of some of the largest banks in America are allowed to serve on its boards. During the Wall Street crisis of 2007, Jamie Dimon, the chief executive and chairman of JPMorgan Chase, served on the New York Feds board of directors while his bank received more than $390 billion in financial assistance from the Fed. Next year, four of the 12 presidents at the regional Federal Reserve Banks will be former executives from one firm: Goldman Sachs. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/newswatch/122315,News December 23,2015-12-23,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"News December 23 Wednesday, December 23, 2015 Senator Sanders Sanders: Fix the Fed To rein in Wall Street, we should begin by reforming the Federal Reserve, which oversees financial institutions and which uses monetary policy to maintain price stability and full employment. Unfortunately, an institution that was created to serve all Americans has been hijacked by the very bankers it regulates, Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote in The New York Times. Sandra BlandSen. Sanders said late Monday night that Sandra Bland would not have died in police custody if she were a white women, CNN, The Associated Press, The Guardian, Houston Chronicle and The Huffington Post reported. Unlikely Alliance Sen. Sanders spends much of his time railing against millionaires and billionaires, but he has different sentiments when speaking about one of the richest men in Burlington, Tony Pomerleau, Burlington Free Press reported. World Ramadi For the first time, Iraqi forces engaged Islamic State fighters within the city center of Ramadi on Tuesday, reaching the edge of the inner government district in an attempt to seize the critical western provincial capital after months of approach and maneuvering, The New York Times reported. National Virginia Gun Safety Virginia will no longer recognize concealed-handgun permits issued by 25 other states, its attorney general announced Tuesday, a stark change in a state known for its expansive gun rights, The New York Times reported. Vermont GMOs The latest attempt in Congress to block states from passing GMO labeling laws has failed. Its good news for Vermont, which is poised to become the first state in the country to implement mandatory GMO labeling on July 1st, WAMC reported.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-sanders-investigation-vermont-secures-discount-on-life-saving-drug-,"Following Sanders Investigation, Vermont Secures Discount on Life-Saving Drug",2015-12-23,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 23 Following up on U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) investigation on the skyrocketing cost of generic drugs and letters the senator sent to officials urging them to seek a discount on naloxone, Vermonts attorney general signed a deal with Amphastar Pharmaceuticals for a 20 percent rebate on the drug used by first-responders as an opiate overdose antidote. The opioid abuse epidemic in our country is a public health emergency that must be addressed, and no company should jeopardize the progress being made in tackling this emergency by overcharging for a critically important drug like naloxone, said Sanders, who serves as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security. It is a tragedy for my state of Vermont. It is a tragedy all over this country. The number of heroin deaths are growing very, very significantly. Drug overdose deaths hit a record high last year in the United States. Tragically, that included 83 Vermonters. Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell reached an agreement last Friday with Amphastar Pharmaceuticals to address concerns with the 2014 price increase of the opioid antidote drug naloxone. Under the agreement, Vermont will receive a $6 rebate per vial. Since last fall, Sanders and Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, have been investigating the increasingly high prices being charged for naloxone and other drugs. In July, Sanders and Cummings sent letters to the United States Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, and the Associations of National Governors, Lieutenant Governors, and Attorneys General to urge their members to follow the lead of New York and other states that are demanding affordable prices for a critical drug used by first responders nationwide. We encourage all of your members to consider negotiating agreements with Amphastar to make naloxone more widely available in every state, Cummings and Sanders wrote.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/investors-told-hire-construction-workers-through-h2b-visa-process,Investors told to hire construction workers through H2B visa process,2015-12-22,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Marianas Variety- U.S. Congressman Gregorio Camacho Kilili Sablan on Tuesday said new investors such as Honest Profit can hire temporary workers using the H-2B visa program if they want to proceed with construction projects. Guam hires foreign workers, including construction workers, through the H-visa process. Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero earlier asked Sablan to look into the delay in the processing of Honest Profits petitions for CW workers. The investor wants to construct a new hotel in San Antonio. Variety learned from other employers that they, too, are still waiting for a response from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for CW petitions submitted in August. Sablan said H-2B visas are for workers who are only needed for a specific project and a specific length of time. In the rest of the U.S. there is a limit on the number of H visas each year. But there is no limit here in the Marianas because of the language I put into .S.S Public Law 113-235 last December. That law allows for an unlimited number of H visa construction workers to work in the Marianas without using up any CW permits. He said CW permits for construction workers are limited. There are only 12,999 CW permits available this year. Those CW permits are too valuable to our existing businesses to use for temporary construction workers. CW permits are limited. We can have 12,999 in 2016 but by 2019 that number is supposed to go to zero, Sablan said. We may need to stretch out that transition period further. I do not know yet. But I do know that with every year that goes by CW permits will become more and more valuable and should, in my opinion, only be used for workers we cannot get through any other means. Sablan said Guerrero had not written to him or met with him to discuss the issue. But I would explain the situation to him if he asks. Sablan said there are other companies with CW permits for construction workers because the employers were able to justify their claims that no U.S. workers were available for those jobs. When an employer applies for a CW permit, they have to attest that no U.S. worker is available for the job and that they cannot use any other visa category. I would say that if anyone has evidence that people are making false attestations on their CW applications, they should give that evidence to USCIS or to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Sablan added. In a separate interview, Guerrero said that he raised this concerns with Sablans staff and asked a staffer to relay them to the congressman. He commended Sablan for responding to his appeal and added that he hopes the congressman, as a federal official, will also provide guidance to investors regarding federal labor and immigration rules. I am also asking him to address our issue with the foreign workers that new investors need. Its useless to continue inviting investors to the CNMI when there are not enough workers.We dont have enough manpower. All of us elected officials should be asking this question, Who do we work for? We work for the people of the CNMI. We need new investments so we can have more revenue to provide services, jobs and programs for our people. If we are working for the CNMI and its people and not just for ourselves then theres no reason for us to go wrong. Acting Gov. Ralph Torres, in a separate interview said: The CW program is set to be phased out in 2019 by federal law. It is in our best interests to continue training our U.S. eligible workforce to make up the shortfall in labor and to seek out more appropriate visa classifications for jobs that are needed such as construction jobs. The new developments we have in sight will require a large construction workforce. And for those positions we cannot fill locally, the H-visa classification is an opportunity for project developers to bring in foreign construction workers in a manner consistent with our responsibility to transition from the CW program by 2019. Torres added, I encourage developers to pursue the available local workforce first then seek alternative visa classifications before considering the CW program. This issue and the need to create a lasting solution for our workforce needs are things I intend to work on further and incorporate into our 902 consultation talks [with the White House.]",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/kilili-proposes-federally-funded-earned-income-tax-credit-program-nmi,Kilili proposes federally funded Earned Income Tax Credit program for NMI,2015-12-22,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Marianas Variety- U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan has introduced a measure that will provide federal funds for the CNMI Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC program. Sablans H.R. 4309 will allow taxpayers in the Northern Marianas to receive a refundable tax credit if they have earned income in a given year. The earned income tax credit is an important public policy because it rewards people for working, Sablan said in a media statement. Even if people have to work for low wages, which many people do in the Northern Marianas, it will still be worthwhile to get a job because there will be this extra supplemental income from the government, Sablan said. Acting Gov. Ralph Torres on Tuesday praised Sablan for introducing the bill. I commend and appreciate Congressman Sablans efforts to extend a federal cover-over for the cost the CNMI would pay for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This is an important incentive for low-income residents. The EITC program is supposed to work in tandem with [other] programsto be a safety net for low-income families while supporting self-sufficiency through gainful employment, but the [EITC] has been unavailable in the CNMI. He added, This is an issue we have brought up during the formation of the Governors Special Commission on Economic Opportunity. In order to build a stronger society we need all the resources we have at our disposal to encourage greater workforce participation rates among our people and provide them the tools they need to succeed. I thank Congressman Sablan for his efforts on this issue and will follow the progress of this legislation closely. Sablan said the commonwealth tried to provide the EITC to its people in the 1990s but had to discontinue the program because it was too expensive for the CNMI government. Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have an EITC program in place and pay for it using local funds. Sablans bill would cover the cost with federal funds. This would work in the same way that families in the Northern Marianas are now getting the refundable child tax credit each year, he said. Taxpayers would file their return with the commonwealth government then the federal government would provide the money to cover the cost of the earned income tax credit. The commonwealth would make the payments to individual taxpayers. Sablan said he modeled his legislation after two provisions in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which made federal funds available to the commonwealth government to cover the cost of the Making Work Pay tax credit and the American Opportunity tax credit for families with children in college. One of the big wins in the tax extenders that was passed on Friday and signed by President Obama was making the American Opportunity tax credit permanent. The credit had been scheduled to phase out in 2017, but now families will continue to be able to claim a $2,500 tax credit each year for each of their eligible college students. That is worth $10,000 over the course of a four year undergraduate program. Sablan said changes in the federal tax code can be difficult to achieve and H.R. 4309 could be costly, but he believes it is important to put the idea on the table for consideration. In the event that we take up comprehensive tax reform legislation in the next several years, or some other legislative opportunity presents itself, I want to be ready, he said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/many-cw-permits-expiring-dec-31-kilili-uscis-working-remedy-delay,"WITH MANY CW PERMITS EXPIRING ON DEC. 31- Kilili, USCIS working to remedy delay",2015-12-22,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Saipan Tribune- A 48-year-old wait staff at a restaurant is having sleepless nights as his CW-1 permit has yet to be adjudicated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service less than a month before his current permit expires on Dec. 31, 2015. Sonny (not his real name) is one of probably hundreds of CW-1 permit holders who are on pins and needles waiting for USCIS decision on their renewal permits. Under USCIS rules, a CW-1 permit holder should stop work immediately after his permit expires. But Sonny, who hails from the Philippines, said that stopping from work is not an option as the father of six has living expenses to meet. Are we just going to stop eating and using electricity? How about the rent in our apartment and payment of utilities? How are we going to pay for gas for our cars? Whos going to pay for all of that? And besides its Christmas and the New Year. I really hope USCIS approves my permit soon, he told Saipan Tribune. For many businesses such as hotels, the idea of stopping as much as a third of their workforce from working on one of the busiest nights of the year, Dec. 31, is also not an option. As of Dec. 1, 2015, USCIS has approved a total of 9,195 beneficiaries under the CW-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker program and denied 1,092. The 9,195 counts against the 2015 cap of 12,999 set by the USCIS earlier in the year. Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) said he is aware of the anxiety not only on the part of CW-1 permit holders but their employers as well. He said a number of businesses have already approached him about the delay in the issuance of CW-1 renewal permits. The congressional office continues to work with employers who come seeking our help with their CW visa petitions. I cannot name the companies or petitioners because when anyone comes to us for assistance, their case is treated with complete confidentiality, he told Saipan Tribune in an email. He also confirmed what USCIS told Saipan Tribune about the current number of approved and denied CW-1 petitions. And I can report that there were 9,195 CW visa beneficiaries as of December 1, 2015. Sablan said the high number of approvals would mean that USCIS has adjudicated majority of the CW-1 permit petitions. I cannot provide you with an answer to your general statement that a lot of CW workers have stopped working because while not all 9,195 are CW-1 visas, this number of beneficiaries of CW visas certainly reflects that most petitions are approved. Sablan said he continues to push for solutions to help the CNMI, its businesses, and contract workers from the annual drama of looking at their permit deadlines in the calendar without the permit approvals in sight. I have also written to [Department of Homeland Security] Secretary [Jeh C.] Johnson urging his approval of the Proposed Rule, Enhancing Opportunities for H-1B1, CW-1, and E3 Nonimmigrants and EB-1 Immigrants, which would have provided a 240-day grace period for Departmental action on petitions reviews, he said. Sablan had proposed to DHS to have CW-1 workers be allowed to continue working for up to 240 days or eight months while their CW permit renewal applications are being processed. Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Alex Sablan said the delay in the adjudication of CW-1 permits is unfortunate and that many Chamber members are worried about its impact on businesses once the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, 2015. On his own, Sablan surmises that the reasons for the delay in the issuance of CW-1 renewals could be: USCIS waiting for the cap on CW-1 permits that now stand at 12,999; delay in the decision to extend the CW program after Dec. 31, 2014; and the jump in applications for CW permits because of new developers such as Best Sunshine International, Ltd., Honest Profit, and Alter City Group. Sablan said one solution is to have businesses petition qualified workers for U.S. visa categories other than CW-1 or have companies that need temporary workers apply for temporary visa status. Reyes Reyes, founding president of Marianas Advocates for Humanitarian Affairs Ltd., said he is calling not only on Sablan but the administration of Gov. Eloy S. Inos and the entire business community to find a solution to the impending crisis out-of-work contract workers will experience because of their expired CW-1 permits. Some have already stopped working. They dont want to name their companies because of fear that they would not be allowed to return to work once their permits are approved. Their concern is what will happen to their financial situation especially with the holidays approaching. Its almost Dec. 31 and they will be losing their status. Most of these workers I talked to also have U.S. citizen children, so the children will suffer. Reyes said that local businesses would also stand to lose a lot with the absence of experience, skilled, and long-term foreign workers. What will happen to local businesses? They will be losing skilled workers as well as experienced CWs. Their operations will be paralyzed. Its a pity because the economy is growing while the workforce is decreasing. He also requested USCIS to give some clarification on the whole situation and provide updates on why they are having delays in the processing of CW-1 permits. Were calling also on the USCIS. We understand the backlogs but at least give some positive words to all concerned employees and employers so it will not create panic, he said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/fy16-funding-tax-extenders-approved,"FY16 funding, tax extenders approved",2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"FY16 funding, tax extenders approved Dec 20, 2015 On Friday, The House and Senate passed, and the President already signed, an appropriations and tax bill, providing $1.067 trillion in funding for the federal government for the rest of fiscal year 2016 and extending a variety of tax provisions. Highlights of funding and tax provisions that benefit the Northern Marianas include: $22.5 billion for Pell Grants, which is the same as the 2015 enacted level. When combined with mandatory funding, these discretionary funds will enable the maximum grant to increase to an estimated $5,915, an increase of $140 in the 2016-2017 school year for NMC students. $6.35 billion to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in FY16. The amount is lower than the FY15 enacted level due to decreases in program participation and is expected to provide full benefits to participants. WIC provides nutritional foods and services to nutritionally at-risk low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children in the Northern Marianas. The Northern Marianas WIC program received $5.4 million in FY15. $638 million for the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, an increase from the FY 2015 enacted level. The Northern Marianas received $456,074 in FY 2014 to help address the health needs of mothers, infants and children, including children with special health care needs and their families. Increases in funding for major housing programs: $19.63 billion for Section 8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, an approximate increase of $324 million from the FY15 enacted level. Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance increases $890 to $10.62 billion. And the HOME Investment Partnership program is funded at $950 million, a $50 million increase from FY15.The Community Development Block Grant remains at the FY15 funding level of $3 billion. A total of $600,000 appropriated for the Army Corps of Engineer to conduct the feasibility studies for the Rota West Harbor and the Tinian Harbor. These studies will determine the changes needed to make the Rota harbor more accessible. The Tinian Harbor study will focus on ensuring the harbor can support increased military activity. Military personnel will receive a 1.3% pay raise beginning January 1. H.R. 2029 reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which Republicans allowed to expire on September 30, for three years. The LWCF is one of our countrys most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs. Over the last 50 years, it has conserved national parks and forests, farms and ranches, fish and wildlife refuges, trails, and state and local parks. Extension of the $250 tax credit for teacher classroom expenses.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/nmi-educators-apply-now-loc-summer-institutes,NMI educators: Apply now for LOC Summer Institutes,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"NMI educators: Apply now for LOC Summer Institutes Dec 20, 2015 The application period for the Library of Congress 2016 Summer Teacher Institutes is now open, and educators from the Northern Marianas are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is February 29, 2016. The highly acclaimed Summer Teacher Institutes provide educators with the tools and training to effectively utilize the Librarys rich collection of primary sources in the classroom. Educators will also be given the resources to share what they learn with their colleagues in their respective districts. Five weeklong institutes will be offered from June to July next year, including one institute focused on science, engineering, and technology. The week-long training is free, but participants are responsible for the costs of travel to Washington, DC, and room and board. To learn more about the Summer Teacher Institutes, and to apply, visit: https://www.loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/teacherinstitute/.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/soudelor-commendations-added-congressional-record,Soudelor commendations added to Congressional Record,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Soudelor commendations added to Congressional Record Dec 20, 2015 In a statement to the U.S. House of Representatives last week, I gave an account of the damage we suffered in Typhoon Soudelor and the response that followed. And I gave thanks to all who made possible our remarkable rebound from adversity. More than four months after one of the worst typhoons in memory, the initial recovery is substantially complete, and long-term rebuilding is well under way. In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency transitioned its recovery operations back to the Region IX office in San Francisco this week. Assistance from FEMA and other federal agencies will continue; and when all is said and done, the Northern Marianas will have received an estimated $100 million in federal disaster aid to help us get back on our feet. But it is the hard work and charity of so many individuals within our community and from outside who have really made our recovery possible. I cannot put a dollar value on that human effort; but I wanted to recognize and thank everyone and make a permanent memorial of their accomplishment in the official record of the U.S. Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-18-2015,"THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - December 18, 2015",2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"In this issue: _________________________________________________________________________ Soudelor commendations added to Congressional Record. In a statement to the U.S. House of Representativesthis week, I gave an account of the damage we suffered in Typhoon Soudelor and the response that followed. And I gave thanks to all who made possible our remarkable rebound from adversity. More than four months after one of the worst typhoons in memory, the initial recovery is substantially complete, and long-term rebuilding is well under way. In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency transitioned its recovery operations back to the Region IX office in San Francisco this week. Assistance from FEMA and other federal agencies will continue; and when all is said and done, the Northern Marianas will have received an estimated $100 million in federal disaster aid to help us get back on our feet. But it is the hard work and charity of so many individuals within our community and from outside who have really made our recovery possible. I cannot put a dollar value on that human effort; but I wanted to recognize and thank everyone and make a permanent memorial of their accomplishment in the official record of the U.S. Congress. FY16 funding, tax extenders approved. The House and Senate today passed, and the President already signed,an appropriations and tax bill, providing $1.067 trillion in funding for the federal government for the rest of fiscal year 2016 and extending a variety of tax provisions. Highlights of funding and tax provisions that benefit the Northern Marianas include: $22.5 billion for Pell Grants, which is the same as the 2015 enacted level. When combined with mandatory funding, these discretionary funds will enable the maximum grant to increase to an estimated $5,915, an increase of $140 in the 2016-2017 school year for NMC students. $6.35 billion to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in FY16. The amount is lower than the FY15 enacted level due to decreases in program participation and is expected to provide full benefits to participants. WIC provides nutritional foods and services to nutritionally at-risk low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children in the Northern Marianas. The Northern Marianas WIC program received $5.4 million in FY15. $638 million for the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, an increase from the FY 2015 enacted level. The Northern Marianas received $456,074 in FY 2014 to help address the health needs of mothers, infants and children, including children with special health care needs and their families. Increases in funding for major housing programs: $19.63 billion for Section 8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, an approximate increase of $324 million from the FY15 enacted level. Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance increases $890 to $10.62 billion. And the HOME Investment Partnership program is funded at $950 million, a $50 million increase from FY15.The Community Development Block Grant remains at the FY15 funding level of $3 billion. A total of $600,000 appropriated for the Army Corps of Engineer to conduct the feasibility studies for the Rota West Harbor and the Tinian Harbor. These studies will determine the changes needed to make the Rota harbor more accessible. The Tinian Harbor study will focus on ensuring the harbor can support increased military activity. Military personnel will receive a 1.3% pay raise beginningJanuary 1. H.R. 2029 reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which Republicans allowed to expire onSeptember 30, for three years. The LWCF is one of our countrys most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs. Over the last 50 years, it has conserved national parks and forests, farms and ranches, fish and wildlife refuges, trails, and state and local parks. Extension of the $250 tax credit for teacher classroom expenses. NMI educators: Apply now for LOC Summer Institutes. The application period for the Library of Congress 2016 Summer Teacher Institutes is now open, and educators from the Northern Marianas are encouraged to apply. The application deadline isFebruary 29, 2016. The highly acclaimed Summer Teacher Institutes provide educators with the tools and training to effectively utilize the Librarys rich collection of primary sources in the classroom. Educators will also be given the resources to share what they learn with their colleagues in their respective districts. Five weeklong institutes will be offered from June to July next year, including one institute focused on science, engineering, and technology. The week-long training is free, but participants are responsible for the costs of travel to Washington, DC, and room and board. To learn more about the Summer Teacher Institutes, and to apply, visit:https://www.loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/teacherinstitute/. Opprtunities - Federal grants, jobs for and in the Marianas Grants: 2020 Census Integrated Communications Contract The Census Bureau is planning to award a contract to design, plan, produce, implement, and assess an integrated communications program for the 2020 Census. The contractor will be responsible for providing services in multiple communications areas to build awareness and promote self-response for the 2020 Census. For more information and important dates, go tohttps://www.census.gov/about/business-opportunities/opportunities/vender-opps/2014-10-15-2020-comm.html. Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries are a special funding opportunity within the IMLS National Leadership Grants for Libraries program. These small grants encourage libraries and archives to test and evaluate specific innovations in the ways they operate and the services they provide. Sparks Grants support the deployment, testing, and evaluation of promising and groundbreaking new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. Current closing date isFebruary 1, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280610. Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program The DFC Program was created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-20) and has two goals: 1. Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies; as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. 2. Reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse. Current closing date isMarch 18, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280572. Jobs: Safety and Occupational Health Specialist The US Naval Base, Naval Facilities Engineering Command is accepting applications for a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist in Guam. Incumbent will monitor base operation services, conduct periodic inspections, review written plans and methods of safety programs, and coordinate with program managers, among other duties. Position is open untilDecember 21, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/424012500. Clinical Nurse The Naval Hospital, Naval Medical Command, is accepting applications for a Clinical Nurse in Guam. Incumbent will initiate and retrieve reports of laboratory tests and examinations, prepare patients for surgery, provide education, assessment, teaching and care of wound for after surgery, and receive, assess, monitor and documents findings. Position is open untilDecember 22, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/424004700. Materials Handler The Defense Commissary Agency, Department of Defense is accepting applications for a Materials Handler in Guam. Incumbent will receive incoming property, equipment and subsistence items, prepare shipping and inventory documents, document and report overages, shortages and damaged items, and operate forklifts, pallet jacks to receive, or deliver merchandise, among other duties. Position is open untilDecember 28, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/423901300. Park Ranger The National Park Services, Department of the Interior is accepting applications for a Park Ranger in Guam. Incumbent will work in the park's visitor center and in the field providing a variety of formal interpretive programs including orientation talks, environmental education programs, conducted walks, demonstrations, and outreach programs, among other related duties. Position is open untilDecember 21, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/423751000. Medical Officer The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services is accepting applications for a Medical Officer in Guam. Incumbent will provide support, perform non-clinical duties involving evaluations, apply epidemiological principles, research findings, make substantive courses of action, and streamline public health processes and procedures, among other duties. Position is open untilMarch 15, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/420979600. Water Treatment Plant Operator The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Department of the Navy is accepting applications for a Water Treatment Plant Operator in Guam. Incumbent will maintain waterworks system, record pressure gauge indicators, adjust water chemicals, ensure adequate supply of chlorine and other chemicals, monitor operation of plant equipment, and adhere to safety and security. Position is open untilDecember 21, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/424363300. Highlights in the Legislative Program THIS WEEK: On the floor H.R.2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (Passed, 316-113 ) / Tax Extenders (Passed, 318-109) H.R.3654 Tracking Foreign Fighters in Terrorist Safe Havens Act (Passed, 423-0) H.R.2820 Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Concurred in the Senate amendment, 421-0) H.R.4246 National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act of 2015 (Passed, 419-1) S.1090 Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015 (Passed, 420-1) H.R.3654 Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act of 2015 (Agreed to by voice vote) H.R.2297 Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 (Concurred in the Senate amendments, 425-0) H.R.3750 First Responders Passport Act of 2015 (Passed, 421-2) H.R.3878 Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2015 (Agreed to by voice vote) NEXT WEEK: On the floor The House is in recess for the District Work Period.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/feature-nmi-gets-100-million-federal-disaster-aid,FEATURE: NMI gets $100 million in federal disaster aid,2015-12-20,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Marianas Variety- The following is a statement made to the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 15, 2015 and included in the U.S. Congressional Record. MISTER Speaker, on the night of August 2nd and through the early morning of August 3rd this year, Typhoon Soudelor lashed through the Northern Mariana Islands, causing widespread destruction to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, uprooting the lives of the people I represent here in Congress. Today, I want to reflect on that event, and on the exceptional grace and generosity that have made recovery possible. The typhoons impact was especially grave on Saipan, the most populated island in the Northern Marianas. Soudelor rendered hundreds of families homeless overnight. It also decimated infrastructure knocking out power and water systems, shutting down the ports, ravaging the college, schools and other public buildings. Survival is a way of life in our islands. We are accustomed to bracing ourselves through tropical storms and picking ourselves up when skies clear. But the sheer ferocity of Typhoon Soudelor caught us all off-guard. Even the National Weather Service failed to foresee the force of this storm. That there was no loss of life is testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of our people. And we are grateful to Providence for sparing us. As long as we live, those of us who experienced Soudelor will not forget the wreckage we saw the morning after. Nor will we forget the hardship that followed, the long hours in line for food and fuel and other necessities, the days of physical suffering and distress, the weeks without power and running water. Soudelor tested our infrastructure, our government, and our capacity as a community to deal with disaster. Now, however, four months after the storm, I can report that conditions are greatly improved, since that long and terrifying night in August. Electricity is restored, and residents have daily water service. Streets have been cleaned in our villages and commercial districts. Students are in school. Businesses have reopened. Workers are employed again. Families are putting their lives back together. Though there is still much to reconstruct and strengthen to be better prepared and more resilient than before, it is remarkable how far we have come on the road to recovery. So, today, I want to thank all those who contributed to this successful response to adversity. There are so many individuals and organizations. It is not possible for me to know and name each and every one. Their collective efforts prove how much can be done, when people work together towards a common goal. First we thank the American people, who gave without hesitation to fellow citizens in need. When all is said and done, American taxpayers will have contributed an estimated 100 million dollars in federal disaster aid to feed those who had no food, shelter those who lost their homes, repair residences and replace lost property, reopen shops and return the economy to life, revive the power and water systems. In doing all this, they gave us the hope that we needed to work our way to recovery. We thank President Barack Obama and Gov. Eloy Inos for their leadership in ensuring the prompt availability of resources to address the state of disaster in the Northern Marianas. We thank the Federal Emergency Management Agency team, led by Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen De Blasio. FEMAs collaborative spirit set the tone for the response, working with other federal agencies and responders to aid the thousands of typhoon survivors. We thank our U.S. service members, who mobilized quickly to produce and distribute drinking water, clear debris, clean up fuel spills, and transport critical supplies and equipment. We thank our commonwealth emergency management crews, utility workers, police officers and firefighters, healthcare professionals, educators, and other local government employees, who answered the call to serve even as their own families were picking up the pieces of their shattered homes and lives. We thank our local businesses, shuttered by the storm, who nevertheless rallied together to raise funds for the recovery effort. We thank the legions of volunteers of all ages, all religions and races, many survivors themselves who came forward to share food, water, clothing, shelter, and comfort with their fellow human beings. And we thank our friends from throughout the Pacific region, and indeed throughout the world, for sending supplies, expertise, and equipment by air and by sea to help us back on our feet. Today, the marks of Typhoon Soudelor are still to be seen in homes and businesses yet to be repaired, debris yet to be removed. But beneath these physical scars, a new strength is arising. A new community-based working group known as CARE the Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts has emerged. The people in CARE from all walks of life, private and public sector, formal and informal organizations are committed to rebuilding our island home so that it is stronger and better than before. With this newborn spirit of hope, cooperation and interdependence I am confident that we will succeed.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/24-hour-water,24-hour water,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Marianas Variety- NOW that 96 percent of Saipans population has access to 24-hour water and the work of the Water Task Force has been handed over to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, I would like to add my congratulations and thanks to everyone responsible. I join the Acting Governor in his praise of Mr. Pete Sasamoto and his Water Task Force colleagues for a job well done. Additionally, I want to acknowledge the partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has been a guiding hand throughout this process. I understand that Saipan was the only major population area in the U.S. without 24-hour water; and Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld, Pacific Islands Program Manager John McCarroll, and the staff at EPAs Region IX office in San Francisco partnered with the congressional office and we made it our mission to fix that. Achieving 24-hour water would not have been possible without a substantial increase in funding beginning in 2009. As EPA reported in its review of Consolidated Grants program accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2014, the achievement of having the public water supply system provide 24 hour service to 95 percent of its population[is] a result of the increase in [State Revolving Fund] funding . Before 2009 the Commonwealth was getting about $1 million annually from the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund grants that Congress provides. Beginning with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 and in every fiscal year from 2010 to today, annual funding has always exceeded $6 million a 619 percent increase over pre-2009 levels and a seven year total of $51.6 million. I made this increase a priority when I came to office in 2009 and have worked to keep the change in place in every annual appropriation since then. In fact, in the fiscal 2016 appropriation that we expect to see enacted this week there should be an additional $6.5 million, bringing the eight year total for the Northern Marianas to $58.1 million. Without this increased funding from Congress, most households on Saipan would still lack 24-hour water. Or CUC ratepayers would have had to cover those millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades in their water and sewer bills an additional $40 per month for the average customer. There are a lot of numbers in this letter, so I have included a graph to show how much funding has improved since 2009. Regards, GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN Member, U.S. Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-supports-government-funding-bill-with-important-provisions-for-maine-,King Supports Government Funding Bill with Important Provisions for Maine,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King Supports Government Funding Bill with Important Provisions for Maine Legislation averts shutdown, avoids fiscal uncertainty of years past Friday, December 18, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted for an omnibus appropriations bill that will fund the government through September 2016, extend tax policies that support American families and businesses, and contains a host of other provisions important to Maine. Though Senator King had concerns about how the costs of the tax deal will add to the national debt, he was not willing to vote to shut down the government or sacrifice the numerous provisions that will benefit the people of Maine. By passing this bill, weve avoided another government shutdown, managed to extend or enhance several tax provisions important to Maine families and businesses, and given our economy some semblance of calm and predictability for the coming fiscal year. But unfortunately, the tax provisions in this bill are a short-term solution to a long-term problem, said Senator King. We cannot continue to mortgage our childrens future with these massive, last minute agreements even though this negotiating process was more deliberate and inclusive than it has been in the past. I hope that in the coming years, we can find a way to pay for expiring tax provisions and return to a more thoughtful, regular appropriations process that allows us to responsibly invest in our future, grow the economy, and leave our kids and grandkids with an opportunity to succeed rather than a mountain of debt. An omnibus appropriations bill is legislation that combines various smaller government funding bills into one large package that can be passed all together at once, usually to avoid a pending fiscal deadline. The omnibus legislation passed today was negotiated by Congressional leaders and the Obama Administration in order to avoid a government shutdown by funding federal departments, agencies, and programs over the next fiscal year. As part of the agreement reached by negotiators, a broad tax deal was attached to the omnibus that provides a longer-term extension of more than fifty tax provisions that support working families and businesses. Senator King and several of his colleagues raised concerns about the cost of the tax deal, and voted to separate that deal from the omnibus spending bill on the Senate floor, but that vote ultimately failed. Many provisions in this omnibus-tax extenders package have particular importance to Maine: Shipbuilding: The legislation authorizes over $4.6 billion for Navy destroyer programs, including $433 million for the construction of DDG-1000 Zumwalt destroyers all of which are being built at Bath Iron Works $3.1 billion for the for the procurement of two DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in Fiscal Year 2016 one of which will be built at Bath and $1 billion towards the construction of an additional DDG-51 destroyer, which would likely be built at Bath. Senator Susan Collins played a major role in securing the additional $1 billion DDG-51 appropriation as senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Senator King has continually worked to authorize and prioritize shipbuilding funding like this as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Intelligence and Cyber-Security: The omnibus includes the FY2016 Intelligence Authorization and Cybersecurity Information Sharing bills, which Senator King helped to shape as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The Intelligence Authorization bill includes several King-authored provisions, including an amendment to ensure that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) remains impartial in its intelligence analyses as the agency undergoes reorganization and a separate amendment requiring the Director of National Intelligence to notify Congress if phone companies change their metadata retention policies. Bolstering cyber-security has also been a top priority for Senator King, particularly after a string of cyber-breaches that have affected people in Maine including those at Anthem and MaineGeneral and after hearing from many Maine businesses who are concerned about the threat of cyber-attacks. Veterans: The bill includes $163 billion in total funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Fiscal Year 2016, and veterans in Maine and across the country will benefit from investments made in various medical support programs. A total of $4.7 billion will go towards healthcare for the more than 268,000 female veterans using the VA health system with $446 million going towards gender specific healthcare. In addition, the VAs programs for homeless veterans will be fully funded at $1.4 billion and VA mental health services will receive $7.5 billion for a variety of treatments including those for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse treatment, and suicide prevention. Senator King asked appropriators for strong funding for each of these areas in a March letter. Importantly, the VAs Rural Health Initiative which is used to fund the Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) program that helps deliver health services to veterans in northern Maine will receive $270 million. Senator King requested that the initiative be fully funded, and this level is $20 million above the Presidents request for Fiscal Year 2015. The omnibus also includes $258 million in funding for readjustment counseling at Vet Centers like the five centers in Maine. In addition, $1.24 billion will go towards major VA construction projects, part of which could go towards several projects in Maine: construction of a new community living center at Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta, construction of a specialty care addition at Togus, and the lease of a new Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Portland. 9/11 first responders: The James Zadroga 9/11 Health Compensation Reauthorization Act, which permanently reauthorizes health benefits for 9/11 first responders, was passed as part of the omnibus today. Senator King is a cosponsor of the Zadgroga Act. Opioid Abuse: The bill includes $47 million directed to addressing prescription drug and heroin overdose through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Of that funding, $25 million an increase of $13 million will go towards medication assisted treatment in high-risk states. The bill also includes $70 million for state-based efforts to address prescription opioid abuse through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is a $50 million increase over last year, and provides $7 million to fund anti-heroin task forces within the COPS program. Senator King has been working to address the opioid epidemic in Maine, holding several roundtables in the state and cosponsoring federal legislation including the TREAT Act, which would expand access to medication-assisted treatment, as well as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to promote best practices for pain management and prescribing pain medication. Education: Several of Senator Kings education priorities were addressed in the bill, with Preschool Development Grants program receiving $250 million in funding and college savings accounts (529 plans) being adjusted to allow for the purchase of computers, internet access, and other related technology. Senator King wrote several letters in support of the Preschool Development Grant program, which recently awarded Maine with a multi-year, $14.8 million grant to expand pre-K services. He is also a cosponsor of legislation that would have made these same changes to college savings accounts in order to give students more flexibility as they try to afford their education. Tax Policies: Though Senator King has concerns about the cost of the tax extender package, he does support many of the individual tax policies themselves that support Maine families and businesses. The permanent extension of current or recently-expired enhancements to the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit will support some of Maines most vulnerable people, and Senator King has cosponsored separate bills that also would have made these tax credits permanent. The legislation also permanently extends several essential business tax policies, including the $500,000 threshold for Section 179 small business expensing and the Research and Development tax credit. Senator King also supports the extension of many of the energy and environment tax credits, including a host of renewable energy credits for solar, wind, and residential energy efficiency that will provide financial incentives for individuals and businesses in the state to move towards more environmentally-friendly energy sources. Another important tax credit permanently extended in the bill provides a charitable deduction for contributions of land for conservation purposes, which Senator King has supported through separate legislation. Land and Water Conservation Fund: Senator King has repeatedly called for a permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Though this bill only reauthorizes the successful program for 3 years, it takes an important step towards ensuring its strength and sustainability moving forward, and also provides $450 million in funding for LWCF which is the highest level since 2010. Senator King remains committed to protecting the LWCF, which has helped increase access to outdoor recreation for the last 50 years and supports local programs in Maine that get kids involved in the outdoors. Medical Research: As a member of the Senate National Institutes of Health (NIH) Caucus, Senator King is a vocal advocate for medical research that can help combat disease and improve health in Maine, across the country, and around the world. The omnibus includes an overall funding increase for the NIH, and specific areas of research that affect Maine people like Alzheimers research will also see an increase. Senator King was a cosponsor of the Alzheimers Accountability Act which passed last year, requiring the NIH to submit an annual Alzheimers research budget to Congress. NIH released their first Alzheimers budget in July, calling for an addition $323.4 million in Fiscal Year 17. The omnibus includes a $350 million increase for Fiscal Year 16. Along with promoting increased funding for Alzheimers research, Senator King is also a cosponsor of the HOPE for Alzheimers Act, which would provide patients and their families with more comprehensive information about how to deal with this terrible disease. Together with Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Senator King has also introduced the EUREKA Act to encourage more public-private collaboration in the fight against Alzheimers and other causes of dementia. Visa Waiver Program: The bill includes a provision aimed at strengthening the Visa Waiver Program. Senator King has similarly called for changes to the program in response to concerns that it could be exploited by terrorists wanting to travel to America. Transportation: Funding for the Department of Transportations TIGER program will be maintained at $500 million. This program continues to aid state and local governments in funding vital transportation projects. Housing: The bill includes $950 million in funding for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program $50 million more than fiscal year 2015 in order to support the development of affordable housing units across the country, including Maine. After this critical source of federal funding for affordable home construction and rehabilitation was threatened in congressional budget proposals, Senator King wrote to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Related Agencies to urge appropriators to reject any efforts to reduce, divert, or eliminate funding from the program. The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), which has helped local government in Maine with housing, infrastructure, and revitalization projects, will receive $3 billion, the same that it did in the last fiscal year. Fisheries: Maines fishing industry is a critical component of our economy, and by investing in several fishery management and conservation programs through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the omnibus will support efforts in Maine to rebuild and sustain our fisheries. In the bill, NOAAs Fisheries Data Collection, Surveys and Assessments program will receive $163 million slightly exceeding a request from Senator King to support fishery monitoring initiatives including the critical Maine-New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey and other projects that provide key inputs for the lobster and groundfish fisheries. Bill language directs NOAA Fisheries to improve a recent report related to the roll-out of electronic monitoring technology and requires FWS to report to the Senate and House Appropriations committees on the Services inspection of certain seafood products for export, including sea urchins. The omnibus also allocates more than $29 million to FWS fish and aquatic conservation efforts, which have aided a habitat restoration project on the Penobscot River. Menu labeling: Language in the omnibus cements a promise from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it will delay menu-labeling requirements for grocery stores and food retailers for one year. Senator King has written several letters to the agency in order to delay the rule and give Maine businesses time to understand the requirements and comply. He has also introduced legislation to codify a less burdensome approach to menu-labeling by allowing covered establishments greater flexibility in providing calorie information. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-opposes-spending-package,Sanders Opposes Spending Package,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today opposing the omnibus and tax extenders bills: Millions of Americans are unemployed and working longer hours for lower wages, yet this spending package gives more tax breaks to billionaires, encourages large corporations to ship jobs overseas and makes worse an already corrupt campaign finance system. Scientists tell us that we must act immediately to combat climate change, but this bill will lift the crude oil export ban and encourage the burning of more fossil fuels. And 16 million children are living in poverty in this country, but Congress has decided to cut food and nutrition services for our most vulnerable and increase the already bloated defense budget. While there are some important and positive provisions in this bill like the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, the truth is we cannot afford another spending package that expands the power and wealth of the billionaire class at the expense of everyone else. Congress must pass legislation that make our rigged political and economic systems work once again for the vast majority of Americans not just the 1 percent.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-letter-to-president-king-calls-for-increased-funding-to-address-opioid-epidemic,"In Letter to President, King Calls for Increased Funding to Address Opioid Epidemic",2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"In Letter to President, King Calls for Increased Funding to Address Opioid Epidemic Thursday, December 17, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) wrote a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to increase funding in the 2017 Fiscal Year budget to address the prescription drug and heroin epidemic in Maine and across the country. In the letter, Senator King underscored his call for a comprehensive approach to combat drug addiction and support the communities dealing with this public health and safety crisis. As you are well aware, addiction to opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and heroin is tearing at the fabric of our communities and families and devastating peoples lives across the country, Senator King wrote in the letter. Addressing this epidemic will require a multi-faceted approach, including a strong commitment to prevention, treatment, enforcement and various measures to support communities feeling its acute effects. []Ultimately, the opioid and heroin crisis we face demands an aggressive approach at the federal level to create lasting solutions on behalf of families and communities in Maine and across the United States. Senator Kings letter also discussed how increased funding for programs and initiatives like Maine Healthy Communities, Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) will be balanced by significant savings in the long run through decreases in emergency care and long-term treatment, as well as a reduction in crime associated with heroin use and distribution. The most significant savings however, is that of saving valuable young lives and saving families and communities the pain of watching people struggle with opioid dependence and so often dying. Senator Kings letter also outlines the tragic story of Michael Fielders, of Eliot, Maine, who died of a suspected heroin overdose in November while waiting for treatment. Michaels parents have been vocal about addressing the opioid crisis in Maine. Mike was trying very hard to get sober and was hopeful after his 72 hours detox that he had finally secured a bed, only to hear that he was now fifth on the waiting list, said Cynthia Fielders, Michaels mother. How do you tell someone who has made the decision to get clean, hold on and wait? Making the decision to try heroin for the first time was the only time it was a choice, after that heroin takes you. said Michael Fielders, Michaels father. In November, Senator King convened a roundtable discussion in Portland that focused on how the federal government can help mitigate the use of prescription painkillers as a gateway to addiction. At the roundtable, Senator King introduced a new federal proposal that would help people across the country more safely and quickly dispose of excess prescription drugs and announced his support for bipartisan legislation that would expand specialized treatment for prescription drug and heroin addiction. The Portland roundtable followed an initial roundtable discussion in Brewer this August with National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli. The letter can be read HERE and the complete text is below and. +++ Dear President Obama, As you well know, budgets are the manifestation of policy priorities, not just the allocation of federal dollars. Therefore I urge you to build upon the important work you have already done by increasing funding to address the prescription drug and heroin epidemic in the United States in your budget for the 2017 Fiscal Year. As you are well aware, addiction to opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and heroin is tearing at the fabric of our communities and families and devastating peoples lives across the country. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths from prescription painkillers rose to 16,000 in 2013, four times higher than the rate in 1999. Each day, there are 44 overdose deaths in the United States. In the State of Maine, the number of people seeking treatment for opiate abuse has risen from 1,115 in 2010 to 3,463 in 2014, and the number of babies born addicted to drugs or alcohol went from 572 to 961, an increase of 68 percent. Thats an appalling 961 addicted babies out of 12,000 live births in our state. I appreciate your efforts in addressing this issue, including convening a panel discussion in West Virginia, as well as the inclusion of $133 million in funding for the departments of Justice and Health and Human Services in your FY 2016 budget, but I believe that the scope and acceleration of this crisis demands even more. Addressing this epidemic will require a multi-faceted approach, including a strong commitment to prevention, treatment, enforcement and various measures to support communities feeling its acute effects. Our first line of defense against opioid and heroin abuse is ensuring that we have strong prevention programs. An effective prevention strategy must start with educating children and young adults on the risks associated with using opioids through programs such as Maines Healthy Communities programs and other initiatives that lower the risk of drug use and support young people, empowering them to make good decisions. We must also support physicians and other prescribers in making treatment decisions. One of the critical resources for prescribers is Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). There are currently 51 PDMPs. These programs, according to a recently released report by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, allow physicians and other prescribers to have comprehensive controlled substances prescription records for an individual regardless of whether the patient paid cash or filled prescriptions through multiple insurers or pharmacies. By expanding Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, prescribers can monitor addiction trends and help mitigate the risk of opioid abuse, misuse and diversion by making informed decisions based on a given patients prescription history. We must also increase prevention funding for plans tailored to certain areas, such as those detailed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit, which gives material to communities and local governments to develop policies and practices to prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths. I also urge you to devote significant resources to treatment programs. There is no example that better illustrates this need than that of Michael Fielders, of Eliot, Maine, who died of a suspected heroin overdose in November while awaiting treatment. Michaels tragic story underscores the need to increase access to a wide range of options and to take an approach that recognizes the unique treatment needs of each person. The window for treatment is narrow, and when a person is ready to begin the process of addressing their dependence on opioids, programs must be available for them. I hope that the 2017 FY budget can also prioritize comprehensive treatment options, such as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs, which combine the use of proper medications with behavioral therapy and counseling. Funding for programs that provide increased access to buprenorphine and methadone in communities with high rates of addiction and limited treatment options are important as well. As the epidemic continues to grow nationwide, the budget must emphasize the importance of treatment and mobilize resources to help meet the unique needs of so many people. In addition to both prevention and treatment efforts, we must also ensure that our enforcement strategies meet the unique challenges of drug abuse in our communities and the influx of drugs arriving from abroad. During a Senate Armed Services hearing last week, I raised the importance of clamping down on heroin trafficking with Vice Admiral Kurt Tidd, who you have nominated to be the Commander of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). If confirmed, Admiral Tidd will lead our military efforts in Central and South America to mitigate this growing threat. With demand for heroin more than doubling since 2007, it is clear that part of our enforcement strategy must be increasing resources to reduce the flow of heroin from Latin America. Ultimately, the FY 2017 budget should focus upon keeping our communities safe from any crime and violence associated with illicit trade and distribution while also ensuring that we treat non-violent people who need care. A final aspect to address as you consider the 2017 FY budget is family and community support, whether it be through grants or other means, for those affected by addiction and research on the efficacy of current treatment policies and ways to improve and develop new ones. By increasing funding for both of these objectives, we can help families splintered by the effects of addiction receive support and through research evaluating current federal policies and potential alternative treatment models, we help assure that we are best adapting to this dynamic and complex public health and safety crisis. By requesting that you build upon the $133 million devoted to prescription drug and heroin abuse in last years budget, I recognize that this would require significant resources. However, I am confident that increased funding for the programs I have listed will lead to significant savings in the long run. This will be seen through decreases in emergency care and long-term treatment, as well as a reduction in crime associated with heroin use and distribution. Ultimately, the opioid and heroin crisis we face demands an aggressive approach at the federal level to create lasting solutions on behalf of families and communities in Maine and across the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to working with the Administration on this important issue. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-warns-tax-extender-deal-will-shift-costs-to-future-generations-,King Warns Tax Extender Deal Will Shift Costs to Future Generations,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King Warns Tax Extender Deal Will Shift Costs to Future Generations Thursday, December 17, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with his colleagues Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) to express concern about the cost of the tax extenders package set to come before the Senate tomorrow. Despite his support for many of the tax policies in the legislation, such as permanent enhancements to tax credits for working families and investment incentives for businesses, Senator King worries that the $680 billion package negotiated by Congressional leadership will saddle future generations with debt because it is not offset by other spending reductions or revenue increases. This bill should be called the Tax Your Grandchildren Act, because were cutting our own taxes, but were borrowing the money that otherwise would be collected, and the kids are going to have to pay it back, at some point, with interest, said Senator King. Ultimately for me, this is an issue of ethical stewardship. [] Our generation is not keeping our infrastructure up, is not adequately providing for the common defense, and is shifting the costs from us to our children. Thats not stewardship, that is inter-generational theft. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, a $680 billion agreement reached by Congressional leaders, would extend many expired tax provisions for families and businesses and carries an enormous cost without containing any offsets in spending or revenue increases. Despite Senator Kings support for many of the bills individual policies such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Research and Development tax credit, and tax provisions that support renewable energy he is concerned that using this year-end, unpaid tax extenders package to advance these policies is fiscally irresponsible and only shift taxes to future generations. Senator King has long believed that Congress needs to stop making short-sighted decisions that pass along long-term costs along to future generations. Earlier this month, he joined with several of his colleges in sending a letter to leaders of the Senate Finance Committee suggesting potential ways to pay for a tax extenders package so that it could support middle class families and businesses while also ensuring that costs are not passed on to future generations. Those possible cost offsets included closing certain loopholes in the tax code such as the carried interest loophole that allows many of the highest earners to pay a lower effective tax rate than middle class workers. Despite Senator Kings concerns, he plans to vote for the combined tax extenders-omnibus package tomorrow as part of the larger budget agreement because a vote against the bill would mean a vote to shut down the government and create economic uncertainty in Maine and around the country. I dont have policy problems with many of those tax extenders, said Senator King. I do have a fundamental problem that theyre not paid for, and I just dont think its honest for us to go home and say, we cut your taxes, when our grandchildren are going to have to pay those bills with interest. A clip of Senator Kings remarks on the Senate floor about the tax extenders deal is available HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/newswatch/121715,News December 17,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"News December 17 Thursday, December 17, 2015 Senator Sanders Andrea Mitchell Interview MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell was joined by Sen. Bernie Sanders, to discuss his plan for the American fight against ISIS. Sanders also commented on last nights Republican presidential debate. Mosque Visit Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders joined members of three faiths - Christianity, Islam and Judaism - at Masjid Muhammad in Washington to discuss racial and religious tensions in national politics, ABC, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, WRC-TV in Washington and National Journal reported. As a politician who has aligned himself with civil rights causes for decades, Sanders seemed comfortable talking about the issue of religious tolerance, according to The New York Times. Drug Prices A new report requested by Sen. Sanders found that Medicaid could have saved $1.4 billion over the past decade if companies were required to offer rebates whenever prices for best-selling generic drugs exceeded the inflation rate. The federal budget bill, which was passed last month, included a provision authored by Sen. Sanders and Rep. Cummings requiring generic drug makers to offer state Medicaid programs rebates tied to inflation, STAT News reported. Fed Rate Hike Sen. Sanders has critiqued the Federal Reserves decision to raise interest rates, stating that, The Fed should act with the same sense of urgency to rebuild the disappearing middle class as it did to bail out Wall Street banks seven years ago, The New York Times, PBSNewsHour,The Associated Press, The Hill,The Washington Post,Fortune and Business Insider reported. Bernie Beans Capitol Grounds Cafe and Roasters announced a new, special edition coffee called Bernie's Beans, named after Vermont Senator and Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders, FOX44 reported. World Cuba Cuba and the United States reached an agreement Wednesday night that will allow U.S. commercial airlines to begin operating flights to the island for the first time in decades, according to U.S. officials with knowledge of the discussion, The Washington Post reported. National Freddie Gray Trial Jurors deliberated more than 16 hours over three days but still could not reach a verdict in the trial of the first officer to face prosecution in Freddie Grays death, forcing an already-weary Baltimore to continue waiting for any resolution in a case that has strained the city for months, The Washington Post reported. Budget Deal Congressional negotiators introduced a sweeping year-end spending and tax-break package Wednesday that bursts through previously agreed budget limits with $66 billion in new spending for 2016. It also makes permanent an array of tax benefits at a cost of adding more than a half-trillion dollars to the deficit, The New York Times reported. Vermont Vermont Yankee Entergy plans to begin moving Vermont Yankees spent nuclear fuel into more stable storage two years earlier than initially expected, VT Digger reported.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/skyrocketing-generic-drug-prices-cost-taxpayers-14-billion-new-report-finds,"Skyrocketing Generic Drug Prices Cost Taxpayers $1.4 Billion, New Report Finds",2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skyrocketing Generic Drug Prices Cost Taxpayers $1.4 Billion, New Report Finds Thursday, December 17, 2015 WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 Skyrocketing generic drug prices cost taxpayers an additional $1.4 billion over the last decade according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general, undertaken at the request of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Prices of top-selling generic drugs rose faster than inflation 22 percent of the time over the 10-year study. If a rebate had been applied on generic drugs rising faster than inflation Medicaid would have saved more than $700 million in 2013 and 2014 alone. It is unacceptable that Americans pay, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs. The United States is the only major country on earth that does not in one form or another regulate prescription drug prices and the results have been an unmitigated disaster. This report further demonstrates that we need a new approach to stop skyrocketing drug prices in this country, said Sanders. The IG report confirms that skyrocketing drug prices are not just an isolated problem caused by one or two CEOs motivated by greed, but a systemic injustice that enriches corporate executives at the expense of Americans in desperate need of their medications. Unfortunately, House Republicans have not sent a single letter to a single drug company requesting a single document to investigate these abuses, said Cummings. Sanders and Cummings Medicaid Generic Drug Price Fairness Act included in the 2015 budget deal requires generic drug manufacturers to pay back the Medicaid program if prices of their drugs rise faster than the rate of inflation. The passage of the generic drug inflationary rebate will save the federal government $1 billion over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Sanders and Cummings have urged Congress to build on the successful passage of their Medicaid rebate bill and implement prescription drug policies to counter sharp rises in drug prices.In September, they introduced legislation that would direct Medicare to negotiate drug prices, penalize drug companies that commit fraud and allow for the importation of lower-cost drugs from Canada. The inspector general will conduct a follow-up study at Sanders and Cummings request that will analyze the impact of generic drug price increases on the Medicare Part D program. To read the report click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-congratulate-alba-technic-for-winning-head-health-challenge-,"Collins, King Congratulate Alba-Technic for Winning Head Health Challenge",2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Collins, King Congratulate Alba-Technic for Winning Head Health Challenge Winthrop-based company is one of five winners nationwide to receive award from National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Football League, Under Armour, and General Electric Wednesday, December 16, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today congratulated Alba-Technic, LLC, one of five companies nationwide to win the Head Health Challenge III. The challenge is an open innovation competition held by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Football League, Under Armour, and General Electric (GE) to support the discovery, design and development of advanced materials that better absorb and dissipate impact. Alba-Technic has been doing innovative and exciting things in Winthrop to advance head health and safety, and were thrilled that this Maine company is being recognized so prominently at the national level, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. As we learn more and more about brain injuries and brain trauma, the need for new protective technologies becomes that much clearer and Alba Technic has an important role to play. We commend the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the NFL, Under Armour, and GE for organizing this competition, and look forward to following Alba Technic as it continues to compete for additional prize money and, more importantly, develop this potentially life-saving material. Winthrop-based Alba-Technic has developed a patented, shock-absorbent honeycomb material with an outer layer that diverts the energy from a fall or hit. The material is normally soft and compliant, but upon impact, the outer layer changes into a hard shell to spread the energy and protect the user from injury. As one of the competition winners, the company will receive $250,000 to advance their work in developing its state-of-the-art material. A panel of leading experts in the field of materials science selected these five winners from 125 entries because they met the challenges technical criteria to maximize energy absorption and minimize momentum transfer. One overall Head Health Challenge III winner will be selected from the five awardees to receive an additional $500,000 grand prize by the end of 2016. Head Health Challenge III is part of the larger Head Health Initiative, a four-year, $60 million collaboration between GE and the NFL and aims to invest resources to accelerate the development of materials that can protect against concussions. It is one of three open innovation challenges to invest up to $20 million in research and technology development to better understand, identify and protect against brain injury. Challenge I focused on discovering imaging and methods for diagnosis and prognosis of mild traumatic brain injuries, and in July 2015, six grand prize winners were awarded $500,000 to further their revolutionary research. Challenge II focused on new technologies to monitor, identify and protect against mild traumatic brain injury, and in December 2015, three grand prize winners were announced. The winners could receive up to $1 million over the next year to continue to advance their innovations. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-and-king-announce-that-usda-is-now-accepting-applications-for-the-rural-energy-for-america-program-funding,Senators Collins and King Announce that USDA is Now Accepting Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program Funding,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Collins and King Announce that USDA is Now Accepting Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program Funding Wednesday, December 16, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and small rural businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. REAP funding will make it possible to rehabilitate housing, encourage energy efficiency, and help improve facilities throughout Maine, said Senators King and Collins in a joint statement. We encourage Maine farmers and rural small business owners to apply for these loans, which provide vital opportunities to install energy efficiency measures that save money, better protect the environment, and boost economic growth. Funding available through the REAP guaranteed loan program includes financing for renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements, such as efficient lighting conversions, motor upgrades, building envelope improvements, HVAC upgrades, and more. Loan amounts can range from $5,000 to $25 million and can cover up to 75 percent of the total eligible project cost. For more information, you may contact Brian Wilson at 990-9168 or brian.wilson@me.usda.gov, or you may visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency/me. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-approval-of-1-billion-toward-additional-destroyer-likely-to-be-built-at-biw-,"Senators Collins, King Announce Approval of $1 billion Toward Additional Destroyer Likely to be built at BIW",2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Collins, King Announce Approval of $1 billion Toward Additional Destroyer Likely to be built at BIW Wednesday, December 16, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Committee, and Angus King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today that the final omnibus bill includes $1 billion toward the construction of an additional DDG-51 destroyer. This destroyer would likely be built at Bath Iron Works. This destroyer would be in addition to those already included in the current multi-year procurement contract. The omnibus bill will be considered by Congress later this week. As a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins requested the funding toward the additional DDG-51 to help meet combatant commander requirements for destroyers across the globe. Senator Collins successfully advocated for the inclusion of the $1 billion in funding in the Senate Defense Appropriations Bill. The House Defense Appropriations Bill, however, allocated no funding for this additional destroyer. Following weeks of negotiations between the House and Senate regarding the bill, the omnibus bill appropriates the full $1 billion in funding toward this additional ship, affirming the strategic importance of our Navy and shipbuilding programs. Our destroyers are the workhorses of the Navy, and I am proud of the highly skilled, hardworking men and women at Bath Iron Works who continue to deliver the highest quality ships for our nations sailors, said Senator Collins. The power of presence cannot be taken for granted or ignored, which is why the investments for this new destroyer funded by this bill are so necessary. In a time of serious budget constraints for our Defense Department, this important investment underscores the value and importance of our naval assets to the security and stability of our country. The equation is simple: fewer ships means less presence, less security at home, and less security around the world. I am so pleased that after many long hours of negotiations, this $1 billion in funding was included in the final omnibus bill. Senator Collins is a relentless advocate for the hardworking men and women at Bath Iron Works, and I am thankful that she was able to secure additional funding for shipbuilding through her position on the Appropriations Committee, said Senator King. The funding for this additional ship is a major achievement for Maine and she deserves all the credit. There is no one Id rather be working with on behalf of BIW, the State of Maine, and the men and women of our armed forces than Susan. Senators Collins and King work together in support of Bath Iron Works from their respective positions on the Appropriations and Armed Services Committees. As a member of Armed Services, Senator King works to ensure that critical shipbuilding funding is authorized through the National Defense Authorization Act, a yearly bill that authorizes funding and directs policy for the Department of Defense. And as a senior member of Appropriations, Senator Collins works to make sure the authorized funds are then actually appropriated to shipbuilding priorities. Through this joint effort, the Senators are able to prioritize shipbuilding throughout the funding process. As of January 2015, the Navy had 279 ships, well short of the goal set by the Navys 30-year shipbuilding plan which calls for the United States to have 304 ships by 2020. This investment will help to grow the Navys shipbuilding capabilities at a time when the Navy fleet is in high demand to protect national security interests worldwide. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-fed-raising-interest-rates,Sanders Statement on Fed Raising Interest Rates,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today after the Federal Reserve announced that it would raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade: When millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages, the Federal Reserves decision to raise interest rates is bad news for working families. At a time when real unemployment is nearly 10 percent and youth unemployment is off the charts, we need to do everything possible to create millions of good-paying jobs and raise the wages of the American people. The Fed should act with the same sense of urgency to rebuild the disappearing middle class as it did to bail out Wall Street banks seven years ago.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/5-day-spending-bill-keeps-government-open,5-day spending bill keeps government open,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"5-day spending bill keeps government open Dec 15, 2015 The House passed a short-term appropriation bill last Friday and sent it to the President for signature into law. H.R. 2250 will keep the lights on in the federal government until midnight on December 16. Without enactment of H.R. 2250 funding would have ended that Friday. The President is expected to sign the bill, so critical federally-funded programs in the Northern Marianas will continue for now. Legislation providing funding for the rest of fiscal year 2016 is expected to be introduced on Monday.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/new-education-law-means-millions-nmi-schools,New education law means millions for NMI schools,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Millions of dollars in new funding for Northern Mariana Islands schools will result from the Every Student Succeeds Act, signed by President Obama on Thursday, December 12, 2015. The new law reforms education policy nationwide, but also contains proposals from my bill, H.R. 851, that apply specifically to the U.S. insular areas. Section 1014 of the law raises the set-aside of Title I-A grant funds going to the islands. The Congressional Research Service projects Northern Marianas funding will go up from the current $6.8 million to $11.1 million, beginning next October. Increasing school funding was a top goal when I came to office in 2009. Our annual Title I-A grant then was just $3.6 million, so funding will have tripled by 2017. The Every Student Succeeds Act also makes the Northern Marianas eligible for Preschool Development and Education Innovation and Research grants, two competitive programs now open only to states. Thanks to Committee Chairman John Kline (R-Minnesota) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-Virginia) for helping me get changes I proposed into the new law. And thanks to Congresswoman Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) for working with me in a bipartisan fashion to make sure our island youth have the education they will need to succeed in life and to contribute to the prosperity of our communities 10, 20, 30 years into the future.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-colleagues-send-letter-to-homeland-security-urging-more-rigorous-screening-of-visa-applicants-on-social-media-,"King, Colleagues Send Letter to Homeland Security Urging More Rigorous Screening of Visa Applicants on Social Media",2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King, Colleagues Send Letter to Homeland Security Urging More Rigorous Screening of Visa Applicants on Social Media Tuesday, December 15, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with 24 Senators in sending a letter a to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Jeh Johnson, expressing concern about the reported lack of consistency in how the agency monitors the social media activity of people applying for U.S. Visas. The letter comes after reports that the female assailant involved in the San Bernardino terrorist attack earlier this month, who entered the country on a K-1 fianc visa, may have expressed radical jihadist sentiments on social media. We write to express our deep concern regarding reports that critical background information of individuals participating in American visa programs has been largely omitted from the visa security screening process, wrote the Senators in their letter. Ensuring that the screening processes for our nations visa programs are rigorous and comprehensive must be a top priority, as these programs are critical to our security, our economy, and for our bilateral relationships with nations around the world. We look forward to working with you to establish a more robust social media background check process for all visitors and immigrants to the United States. In the letter, which was led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the Senators asked DHS for more information on how social media background checks are used in the Visa review process now, and how that process can be improved. They also expressed their commitment to making sure Americas Visa programs have rigorous and comprehensive screening processes. Also signing the letter were Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Christopher Murphey (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Joe Manchin (D-W.V), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Robert Casey (D-Penn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I), and Jack Reed (D-R.I). The letter is available HERE, and the full text is below: +++ December 15, 2015 The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security 3801 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 Dear Secretary Johnson: We write to express our deep concern regarding reports that critical background information of individuals participating in American visa programs has been largely omitted from the visa security screening process. According to recent reports, the female assailant involved in the San Bernardino terrorist attackmay have expressed radical jihadist sentiments on social media platforms before her U.S. citizen fianc, the male attacker, applied for a K-1 fianc visa on her behalf. Media reports have also indicated that Department of Homeland Security officials are able to conduct social media background checks as a part of certain immigration programs, but are doing so inconsistently. We believe these checks, focused on possible connections to terrorist activity, should be incorporated into DHSs vetting process for visa determinations, and that this policy should be implemented as soon as possible. Therefore, we request that you provide the following information as soon as possible so that we may work with you to implement a more rigorous screening process: Do you plan to integrate social media background checks into the screening process for all visas? Do you faceresource and/or technical barriers to implementing these background checks? If so, please describe them. Does the Administration conduct social media background checks in any of the existing screening processes for visa programs? If so, please describe how they are conducted. Ensuring that the screening processes for our nations visa programs are rigorous and comprehensive must be a top priority, as these programs are critical to our security, our economy, and for our bilateral relationships with nations around the world. We look forward to working with you to establish a more robust social media background check process for all visitors and immigrants to the United States. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/pharma-bros-latest-move-targets-latinos,Pharma Bro's Latest Move Targets Latinos,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Pharma Bro's Latest Move Targets Latinos By: Daisy Hernandez Tuesday, December 15, 2015 After dropping $2 million on aWu-Tang Clan album, the pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli has found a new project: making an essential treatment unaffordable for poor immigrants from Latin America. Shkreli, otherwise known as pharma bro, gained notoriety earlier this year when his company, Turing Pharmaceuticals, increased the price of a drug used to treat AIDS patients from around $13.50 to $750. Hes now the CEO of KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, which recently announced its plans to submit benznidazole, a treatment for Chagas diseasepurchased earlier this month, for Food and Drug Administration approval next year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about300,000 peoplein the United States have the deadly disease. Most of them are immigrants from Latin America, where as many as8 million peopleare infected. The third most common parasite disease in the world, Chagas, also known as the kissing bug disease, is transmitted via the painless bites of Triatomine insects. Untreated, it can lead to heart failure and death. Last year, researchers at the Baylor College of MedicineidentifiedChagas in several patients who hadnt traveled outside of the country, positing that they may have come into contact with the bugs through camping and hunting. That said, the risk of contracting the parasite in the U.S. remains small; most people who have the disease in the United States already had it when they arrived. Right now, doctors in the U.S. obtain benznidazole free of charge through the CDC. According to Rachel Cohen, the regional executive director of the Drugs for Neglected Disease Initiative in North America, the drug sells in Latin America for somewhere between $60 and $100 for each course of treatment. Both of these would change the moment the FDA approved benznidazole from any companyand Shkreli, in particular, seems determined to price this drug out of reach of the people who need it. In filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, KaloBioswrotethat it expects to price the Chagas drug similarly to antivirals for Hepatitis C,which can cost almost $100,000for a single course of treatment in the United States. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/500000-cnmi-coral-reef-conservation,"$500,000 for CNMI Coral Reef Conservation",2015-12-14,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"$500,000 for CNMI Coral Reef Conservation Dec 13, 2015 The Commonwealth government was awarded $500,000 for its Coral Reef Conservation program this week. Congress provides the funding to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help with protecting coral reefs against the harmful impacts of global warming, ocean acidification, degradation of water quality, and other changes in the marine environment. The grant to the Northern Marianas was part of a total of $8.5 million announced. The Commonwealth will also benefit from grants to the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Nature Conservancy. See the complete list of awards here. Congratulations.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/rhodes-scholarships-open-insular-university-students,Rhodes scholarships open to insular university students,2015-12-14,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rhodes scholarships open to insular university students Dec 13, 2015 The prestigious Rhodes Scholarship is now open to scholars attending university in U.S. insular areas. Thanks to the efforts of Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi (D) this opportunity, previously offered only to students at universities in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, is now available to students throughout the U.S. The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded for graduate study at the University of Oxford in England. Thirty-two U.S. students between the ages of 18 and 24 are selected each year. The scholarship covers all university fees, a personal stipend, and airfare to and from Oxford. For more information, go tohttps://www.rhodesscholar.org/.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-statement-in-response-to-bath-iron-works-labor-contract-approval,"Collins, King Statement In Response to Bath Iron Works Labor Contract Approval",2015-12-13,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Collins, King Statement In Response to Bath Iron Works Labor Contract Approval Sunday, December 13, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King issued the following statement today following approval of the new labor contract between Bath Iron Works and the Local S6 Machinists Union: The ratification of the labor contract required collaboration, hard work, and compromise by all parties. This represents a significant achievement and will put BIW on a viable track moving forward as they work as a team to fulfill critical Navy requirements. Bath Iron Works and its highly-skilled workers are national strategic assets essential to our countrys defense and to our states economy. Simply put, there is no workforce better able to build the Zumwalt and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers than the men and women of BIW. We have secured funding for the construction of the DDG-1000s and the DDG-51s, and we remain strong advocates for BIWs opportunity to compete for the construction of the Coast Guards new Offshore Patrol Cutters, which would diversify BIWs workload, and make the yard more competitive for future Arleigh Burke destroyer contracts. Senator Collins is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-video-king-applauds-students-and-event-organizers-at-maine-robotics-expo-,"In Video, King Applauds Students and Event Organizers at Maine Robotics EXPO",2015-12-12,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"In Video, King Applauds Students and Event Organizers at Maine Robotics EXPO Recorded remarks played at Augusta Civic Center highlight importance of STEM education Saturday, December 12, 2015 ARLINGTON, VA In a pre-recorded video message played today at the Maine Robotics EXPO in Augusta, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) congratulated the student participants and event organizers for their interest in and commitment to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. In his remarks, Senator King highlighted the importance of STEM education and told the students that they can change the world through ingenuity and innovation. What a great day for Maine at the Augusta Civic Center. This is an amazing gathering of some of the best and the brightest from across Maine, said Senator King. I want you to know how important what youre doing is not only to have some fun but also to see what you can do with science, technology, engineering, and math, and how you can literally move the world. Im hoping that in this room today is the next Bill Gates or the next Steve Jobs, because the world is yours. The 3rd annual Maine Robotics EXPO welcomed more than 800 students and 2,000 guests from all over the state to the Augusta Civic Center. This full-day event is meant to inspire Maines future workforce and foster an early interest in the STEM fields. The EXPO was organized by Maine Robotics and several other groups and companies including the Robotics Institute of Maine, the Maine App Challenge, Tyler Technologies, Project>Login, and Educate Maine. Senator Kings video message is available here, and the full transcript is below: +++ What a great day for Maine at the Augusta Civic Center. What a great day for robotics for computers for programming. This is an amazing gathering of some of the best and the brightest from across Maine. I want to thank Maine Robotics, The First Lego League, Central Maine Vex, Educate Maine, Maine First Robotics Competition, the Maine App Challenge, and Tom Bickford who put it all together. Thank you for what youre doing, and this is going to be a fun day. Im sorry I cant be with you in person. I was scheduled to be there, then the Senate said we were going to be in session all weekend, and then they said we werent, and because of the uncertainty, Im stuck here in Washington. But I want you to know how important what youre doing is not only to have some fun but but also to see what you can do with science, technology, engineering, and math, and how you can literally move the world. Thats what youre learning today, from the robotic Legos, to the bigger robots, to the Rube Goldberg machine, to all the things that you have going in the Civic Center today. This is really good stuff, and its important for our state and for your communities and for yourself. This is how we learn and how we take advantage of the technology thats available. It used to be you had to live in a big city to have access to technology and of course now in Maine we know that all students can have that access. Im hoping that in this room today is the next Bill Gates or the next Steve Jobs, because the world is yours. You need to stick to that education get all the knowledge that you can, but also, what youre doing today is so important because its teaching you some other skills like problems solving how to work together in groups, how to put the knowledge that you have and the education that youve gained to work in solving real world problems. So, Im excited to be with you, if only virtually, but if there is a meeting I can visit virtually, this ought to be it, because so much of what youre doing involves technology and science. Have a wonderful day, have some fun, get to know each other, and remember the lessons that youre learning about solving problems and working together and about making Maine an even better place. Congratulations, have a great day. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-national-wreaths-across-america-day-king-honors-americas-fallen-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-,"On National Wreaths Across America Day, King Honors America’s Fallen Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery",2015-12-12,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"On National Wreaths Across America Day, King Honors Americas Fallen Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery Lays wreath on Maine Senator Hathaways grave and attends ceremony at USS Maine memorial Saturday, December 12, 2015 ARLINGTON, VA This morning, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with thousands of volunteers at Arlington National Cemetery to place wreaths on the graves of Americas fallen heroes as part of the Maine-based initiative Wreaths Across America. During this powerful tribute to Americas veterans and their families, Senator King delivered remarks during a ceremony at the USS Maine Mast Memorial and placed a wreath on the grave of Maines former U.S. Senator William Hathaway, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Senator King worked for former Senator Hathaway during part of his tenure in the U.S. Senate in the 1970s. Wreaths Across America is an amazing tribute to our heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice, to our heroic veterans still with us today, and to their families who stand by their side through it all, said Senator King. I was honored to participate in todays tribute and see firsthand the energy and spirit of community that make this event so special. We can and should be proud that this Maine-led effort has such a powerful impact across the country. Senator King welcomed the Wreaths Across America convoy of volunteers who arrived at Arlington National Cemetery today to lay the Maine-made balsam wreaths at the grave site of American veterans interred there. The procession down the East Coast began on December 6th in Harrington, where Patriot Guard Riders continued their tradition of escorting trucks filled with wreaths. In addition to placing an estimated 230,000 wreaths today at Arlington National Cemetery, volunteers will place wreaths at over 1,000 locations in all 50 states and in numerous national veteran cemeteries on foreign soil. Wreaths Across America was started 24 years ago by Morrill and Karen Worcester, owners of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, and their generosity continues to fuel this nationwide tribute. Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution authored by Senator King and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) declaring December 12, 2015 as Wreaths Across America Day. The Senators also participated in a wreath laying held at the U.S. Capitol. The USS Maine Memorial Mast stands among the graves in Arlington in remembrance of the hundreds of Sailors and Marines who went down with the ship in 1898 in Havana, Cuba following an explosion. Senator Hathaway was awarded several medals for his service during World War II, including the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross, and spent two months as a Prisoner of War in Romania. Senator King worked as a staffer for Senator Hathaway in the 1970s, serving as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics. Senator King lays a wreath at the grave of former Maine U.S. Senator William Hathaway Senator King thanks Morrill Worcester for his leadership in Wreaths Across America Senator King with Maine State Troopers ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/kilili-every-student-succeeds-act-bring-millions-dollars-more-nmi-schools,Kilili: Every Student Succeeds Act to bring millions of dollars more to NMI schools,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Marianas Variety As a result of the Every Student Succeeds Act, public education in the Northern Mariana Islands is about to get a major boost, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan announced Thursday. Overall, the new law will increase Title I-A funding to the insular areas by 30 percent. The Northern Marianas, however, is expected to receive a 60 percent increase over its current funding. That will bring a total of $11.1 million to the Public School System in 2017. Further increases should continue through 2020. President Obama has indicated he will sign the Every Student Succeeds Act into law on Thursday. Public school officials have told me they will use this new money to hire more teachers and reduce student-teacher ratios in our schools, Congressman Sablan said. And we know from educational research that lower student-teacher ratios improve student performance. I remain convinced that education is key to the success of our people and our economy now, and 10, 20, 30 years into the future. Sablan has been working to strengthen education funding to the Northern Marianas since he first came into office in 2009. At that time, PSS was receiving just $3.6 million in Title I-A funds. The $11.1 million that PSS can now expect in 2017 represents a 208 percent increase. I am particularly grateful because this is the only change in the Title I-A funding formula that was included in the entire bill. This is one of the most difficult changes in law that I have worked on for the Northern Mariana Islands, said Sablan. It would not have been possible without the understanding and support of Chairman John Kline and Ranking Member Bobby Scott of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. I also owe special thanks to Ranking Member Marcia Fudge of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. Earlier this year, Sablan introduced H.R. 851, which separated Title I-A funding for the insular areas and Bureau of Indian Education schools, and increased funds for both. Sablans proposals were incorporated in the Every Student Succeeds Act. Title I-A helps low-income communities like the Northern Mariana Islands by providing special federal funding for their school systems. It is the nations largest federal aid program for K-12 public education. The new law also makes the Northern Marianas eligible to compete for Preschool Development Grants and Education Innovation and Research Grants, which were previously open only to states. The additional funding for the Northern Marianas and the other insular areas is contingent on the passage of 2017 appropriations that increase Title I-A funding overall to ensure that the states do not lose funding. Sufficient appropriations to support the increase are projected for 2017. Every Student Succeeds is not the first increase for education during Sablans term in office. He also worked with the Department of Education to make adjustments in funding based on the 2010 Census, which showed a 55 percent rise in children living in poverty in the Northern Marianas since 2000. Funding did go up for NMI schools, from $3.6 million in 2009, to $4 million in 2012, and to $6.6 million in 2015. Sablan says he is now looking forward to working with the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the coming year on legislation to enhance higher education.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-and-king-statement-in-response-to-department-of-commerces-final-countervailing-duty-order-on-supercalendered-paper-from-canada,Collins and King Statement in Response to Department of Commerce’s Final Countervailing Duty Order on Supercalendered Paper from Canada,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Collins and King Statement in Response to Department of Commerces Final Countervailing Duty Order on Supercalendered Paper from Canada Friday, December 11, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement today in response to the Department of Commerces countervailing duty order on supercalendered paper from Canada that was published today: The Department of Commerces order is welcome news for the hardworking men and women of Madison Paper Industries who have for far too long fought an uphill battle against illegal and unfair provincial subsidies like the ones provided to the Port Hawkesbury Mill. The duties levied on companies that have been found to receive illegal and unfair trade advantages will help even the playing field in this important segment of the paper market. However, we remain extremely concerned with how the Department of Commerce conducted its investigation of the Canadian producers. The Department should have, as we strongly advocated, reviewed all four Canadian producers of supercalendered paper to ensure a fair and fact-based process. Rather than conduct a careful assessment of the actual subsidies received by each company, the Department relied on Port Hawkesburys and Resolutes subsidies to determine an arbitrary and unfair duty rate for Irving and Catalyst. This ill-advised decision could affect more than 1,000 Maine workers employed at J.D. Irving and the Catalyst-owned mill in Rumford. On behalf of these Maine workers, we urge the Department of Commerce to prioritize individual examinations of Irving and Catalyst through the expedited review process. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-statement-on-bath-iron-works-tentative-labor-contract-proposal,"Collins, King Statement on Bath Iron Works Tentative Labor Contract Proposal",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Collins, King Statement on Bath Iron Works Tentative Labor Contract Proposal Thursday, December 10, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King issued the following statement today on the tentative labor contract proposal reached between Bath Iron Works andtheMachinists Union Local S6: Bath Iron Works and its highly-skilled workers are national strategic assets essential to our countrys defense and to our states economy. Simply put, there is no workforce better positioned to build the Zumwalt- and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers than the men and women of BIW. We have secured funding for the construction of the DDG-1000s and the DDG-51s, and we remain strong advocates for BIWs opportunity to compete for the construction of the Coast Guards new Offshore Patrol Cutters, which would diversify BIWs workload,and forfutureArleigh Burke destroyers. We are very pleased that BIW management and labor union leadership have worked cooperatively to reach a tentative proposal for a labor contract. Conversations with senior Navy and Coast Guard officials convince us that cost is a key consideration in nearly every shipbuilding competition. That fact underscores the importance of BIWs ongoing work to increase operational efficiency at the shipyard because it must offer cost-effective bids in order to win these contracts. Senator Collins is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-committee-passes-king-backed-bill-to-revitalize-waterfront-communities,Senate Committee Passes King-Backed Bill to Revitalize Waterfront Communities,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate Committee Passes King-Backed Bill to Revitalize Waterfront Communities Supports local efforts to strengthen Maine waterfronts and promote economic development Thursday, December 10, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King announced today the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has passed the Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act, legislation he cosponsored that would boost efforts to revitalize waterfront communities. The bill now moves to the full Senate. Maines waterfront communities are not only a central part of our states heritage, but theyre also a crucial part of our states economy, generating hundreds of millions of dollars every year, Senator King said. These communities are also undergoing significant changes from modernizing outdated infrastructure to developing strategies to deal with climate change. This legislation would help streamline government resources for these communities so they can have the tools and resources needed to grow, adapt, and sustain themselves in the future. The Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act will support community efforts to make the most of water resources by attracting water-dependent industries and investments that leverage water-proximity to sustainably revitalize neighborhoods and enhance recreation and tourism. In addition, the bill will support communities to plan for their future and help them attract private and non-profit investment. Many waterfront communities were built around their water resources years ago, and they are now working to reposition and overcome issues such as limited public access and poor alignment with modern development. In addition to adapting to economic shifts, waterfront communities are facing pressures to meet increasing demands on water resources; make resilient investments that can withstand weather extremes like storms, floods, and fluctuating water levels; and adapt to changing ecosystem conditions that range from shoreline erosion to stresses on fisheries. Waterfront planning and implementation requires communities to navigate intergovernmental hurdles, work across constituent groups and agencies, and secure financing. But many communities lack the tools to make it from vision to reality despite the economic returns from revitalization and the payoff that resiliency preparation can provide in the long term. The Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act aims to solve these problems by: Creating a voluntary Resilient Waterfront Community designationwithin the Department of Commerce. The designation recognizes communities that adopt a waterfront revitalization and resiliency plan integrating economic, ecosystem, and infrastructure challenges and opportunities. Establishing a Resilient Waterfront Communities networkto support sharing of best practices, highlight Resilient Waterfront Communities, and help attract new investment. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/middle-class-families-pillar-of-the-american-dream-are-no-longer-in-the-majority-study-finds,"Middle-class families, pillar of the American dream, are no longer in the majority, study finds",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Middle-class families, pillar of the American dream, are no longer in the majority, study finds By: Don Lee Thursday, December 10, 2015 The nation's middle class, long a pillar of the U.S. economy and foundation of the American dream, has shrunk to the point where it no longer constitutes the majority of the adult population, according to a new major study. The Pew Research Center report released Wednesday put in sharp relief the nation's increasing income divide, which is certain to be a central issue in the 2016 presidential race. It also highlights how various economic and demographic forces have eroded long-held ideals about maintaining a strong, majority middle class. Many analysts and policymakers regard the shift as worrisome for economic and social stability. Middle-income households have been the bedrock of consumer spending, and many liberals in particular view the declining middle as part of a troubling trend of skewed income gains among the nation's richest families. Median-income voters, particularly non-college-educated men, are also at the core of billionaire Donald Trump's surprising surge in the Republican presidential campaign. His supporters' sense that their once-secure middle-class standing is in danger of slipping appears to be fueling much of the anger against the government and immigrant groups. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/newswatch/121015,News December 10,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"News December 10 Thursday, December 10, 2015 Senator Sanders Tonight ShowSen. Bernie Sanders thinks Donald Trump's rhetoric has no place in the United States,The Huffington Post,The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Salon, Vox, MotherJones, MSNBC, KSNV-TVin Las Vegas andWCBD-TVin Charleston reported. ""Throughout history, you've had demagogues trying to divert attention away from the real issues ... what somebody like a Trump is trying to do is divide us up,"" Sanders told Jimmy Fallon on ""The Tonight Show"" on Tuesday. New York Times Editorial BoardOn Monday,The New York Timeseditorial board asked readers to submit their questions for Sen. Sanders. During his visit to the editorial board on Tuesday, he picked one out of a hat, and a subsequent video of his response has been posted. Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Vermont's congressionaldelegation wants more time toallow public input fordismantling nuclear plants. The public comment periodruns until January 4th,but Sens. Sanders andPatrick Leahy, as well asRep. Peter Welch all saythat's not enough, according to WPTZ-TV in Burlington. World Pentagon Seeks Overseas Bases to Fight ISIS As American intelligence agencies grapple with the expansion of the Islamic State beyond its headquarters in Syria, the Pentagon has proposed a new plan to the White House to build up a string of military bases in Africa, Southwest Asia and the Middle East, The New York Times reported. National Gun Sales Fear of gun-buying restrictions has been the main driver of spikes in gun sales, far surpassing the effects of mass shootings and terrorist attacks alone, according to federal background-check data analyzed by The New York Times. Affirmative Action An affirmative action plan at the University of Texas seemed to be in trouble at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. By the end of an unusually long and tense argument, a majority of the justices appeared unpersuaded that the plan was constitutional, The New York Times reported. Chicago Mayor Demands Reforms Facing sharply escalating criticism of him and his Police Department, Mayor Rahm Emanuel used an unusually emotional address on Wednesday to call for sweeping changes in the ways the police use force, treat black residents and discipline abusive officers, The New York Times reported. Vermont Dr. Dynasaur Lobbying groups that support universal health coverage are proposing to expand the Dr. Dynasaur program to Vermonters of all income levels up to age 26, VT Digger reported.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-introduces-bill-to-cut-carbon-emissions-80-percent,Sanders Introduces Bill to Cut Carbon Emissions 80 Percent,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sanders Introduces Bill to Cut Carbon Emissions 80 Percent Thursday, December 10, 2015 WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 Expanding on his ambitious plan to combat climate change, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the Climate Protection and Justice Act today to establish a price on carbon pollution. The legislation would cut total emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, fund historic investments in energy efficiency and sustainable energy technologies, return billions of dollars to working families and protect the most vulnerable communities. What the scientists tell us is that we have a relatively short window of opportunity to bring about the fundamental changes that we need in our global energy system to transform our energy system, Sanders said on the Senate floor today. It is absolutely vital that we do what many economists tell us we must and that is put a price on carbon. It is the simplest and most direct way to make the kind of cuts in carbon pollution that we have got to make if we are going to successfully transition away from fossil fuel to energy efficiency and sustainable energy. Sanders legislation would return billions of dollars to working families to ensure that the fossil fuels industry doesnt pass on unfair rate hikes. Eighty percent of revenue would be transferred from big polluters to the middle class. The legislation creates a Climate Justice Resiliency Council, which will distribute $20 billion a year in block grants to areas disproportionately affected by climate change. The bill also sets aside $3 billion each year for energy efficiency investments for towns, cities and low-income families. Other aspects of the bill include: protections for the manufacturing sector from unfair international competition; roughly $1 billion in annual investments to reduce costs for the agricultural sector while also reducing pollution; and reforms to dramatically increase energy efficiency and improve resiliency of the electrical grid. Earlier this week, Sanders introduced the American Clean Energy Investment Act of 2015and The Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act to create millions of jobs and drive over $500 billion in clean energy investments between now and 2030. The Sierra Club strongly supports the Climate Protection and Justice Act of 2015, as well as the Clean Energy Investment and Transition Acts, Liz Perera, Sierra Club Climate policy director, said. We greatly appreciate Senator Sanders legislative leadership in tackling the climate crisis the greatest challenge of our time while also advancing new plans for ensuring jobs, justice and support for the communities affected as we transition to clean energy. These important pieces of legislation provide billions toward necessary efforts to ensure environmental and economic justice as we grow the booming clean energy economy even more. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Sanders and his colleagues, with the shared goal of building a cleaner, stronger, healthier and more just economy for all American families and workers. ""As the world watches leaders negotiate a climate deal in Paris it is clear that the United States needs to promote environmental health, workers rights, and justice over the profits of Fossil Fuel Empires. With this new suite of legislation Senator Sanders is recognizing the need to rapidly transition to a new economy. Senator Sanders bills protect workers and communities while helping to build a clean energy economy on the principles of equity and justice."" --Erich Pica, President, Friends of the Earth. ""We applaud Senator Sanders for introducing legislation that puts a serious price on carbon pollution and sets ambitious targets for reducing the United States contribution to climate change. We are particularly heartened that the bill recognizes the importance of climate justice and seeks to help those communities already overburdened by conventional pollution. These communities are likely to be among the first and worst hit by the impacts of climate change, Marty Hayden, vice president for policy & legislation, Earthjustice. ""UCS applauds the introduction of the Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act. The bill rightfully recognizes that coal miners and their families have built this nation and helped keep the lights on for more than a last centuryand that we have a collective responsibility to ensure that these workers, families, and communities share in the benefits of the emerging clean energy economy. Importantly, the bill recognizes that in addition to protecting workers and families, we must invest in coal communities to create longer term economic development in sustainable industries,"" Dr. Jeremy Richardson,senior energy analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists. The Climate Protection and Justice Act provides relief for communities of color across the United States whose health suffers from dangerous emissions, said Brent Newell, Legal Director of the Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment. Unlike Cap and Trades false solutions, this Act will aggressively reduce climate pollution, redirect money back to the public, and support those communities most in need. Native Alaskans and Native Americans, along with other communities of color in the United States, suffer the effects of climate change first and worst among all Americans, said Millie Hawley, President of the IRA Council for the Native Village of Kivalina, located in northwest Alaska. We deserve equitable treatment and justice, which means resources to adapt to the rapidly changing climate, to live as a people who are identified by our culture and not as a people who once were, and to continue living as we have traditionally in spite of the changes caused by the excessive use of fossil fuel. ""The Climate Protection and Justice Act (CPJA) is one of the first bills Ive seen that would put us on offense to fight humanitys greatest challenge, climate change. Senator Sanders has once again demonstrated the type of dexterity necessary to address this challenge. CPJA adroitly showcases the intersectional issues of racial, environmental and income inequality by reducing climate emissions. These issues must be addressed together to avert the worst impacts of climate catastrophe. If we want to show the world that were ready to lead, this is the type of proactive climate bill we need. I commend Senator Sanders for leading on this issue and urge Congress to pass CPJA with haste, because time is running out to act on climate,""Anthony Rogers-Wright, policy and organizing director at Environmental Action. Click here to read a one page summary of the Climate Protection and Justice Act. Click here to read a section-by-section summary of the Climate Protection and Justice Act. Click here to read the full text of the Climate Protection and Justice Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-introduces-bill-to-cut-carbon-emissions-80-percent,Sanders Introduces Bill to Cut Carbon Emissions 80 Percent,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sanders Introduces Bill to Cut Carbon Emissions 80 Percent Thursday, December 10, 2015 Expanding on his ambitious plan to combat climate change, Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced the Climate Protection and Justice Act today to establish a price on carbon pollution. The legislation would cut total emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, fund historic investments in energy efficiency and sustainable energy technologies, return billions of dollars to working families and protect the most vulnerable communities. What the scientists tell us is that we have a relatively short window of opportunity to bring about the fundamental changes that we need in our global energy system to transform our energy system, Sanders said on the Senate floor today. It is absolutely vital that we do what many economists tell us we must and that is put a price on carbon. It is the simplest and most direct way to make the kind of cuts in carbon pollution that we have got to make if we are going to successfully transition away from fossil fuel to energy efficiency and sustainable energy. Sanders legislation would return billions of dollars to working families to ensure that the fossil fuels industry doesnt pass on unfair rate hikes. Eighty percent of revenue would be transferred from big polluters to the middle class. The legislation creates a Climate Justice Resiliency Council, which will distribute $20 billion a year in block grants to areas disproportionately affected by climate change. The bill also sets aside $3 billion each year for energy efficiency investments for towns, cities and low-income families. Other aspects of the bill include: protections for the manufacturing sector from unfair international competition; roughly $1 billion in annual investments to reduce costs for the agricultural sector while also reducing pollution; and reforms to dramatically increase energy efficiency and improve resiliency of the electrical grid. Earlier this week, Sandersintroducedthe American Clean Energy Investment Act of 2015and The Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act to create millions of jobs and drive over $500 billion in clean energy investments between now and 2030. The Sierra Club strongly supports the Climate Protection and Justice Act of 2015, as well as the Clean Energy Investment and Transition Acts, Liz Perera, Sierra Club Climate policy director, said. We greatly appreciate Senator Sanders legislative leadership in tackling the climate crisis the greatest challenge of our time while also advancing new plans for ensuring jobs, justice and support for the communities affected as we transition to clean energy. These important pieces of legislation provide billions toward necessary efforts to ensure environmental and economic justice as we grow the booming clean energy economy even more. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Sanders and his colleagues, with the shared goal of building a cleaner, stronger, healthier and more just economy for all American families and workers. ""As the world watches leaders negotiate a climate deal in Paris it is clear that the United States needs to promote environmental health, workers rights, and justice over the profits of Fossil Fuel Empires. With this new suite of legislation Senator Sanders is recognizing the need to rapidly transition to a new economy. Senator Sanders bills protect workers and communities while helping to build a clean energy economy on the principles of equity and justice."" --Erich Pica, President, Friends of the Earth. ""We applaud Senator Sanders for introducing legislation that puts a serious price on carbon pollution and sets ambitious targets for reducing the United States contribution to climate change. We are particularly heartened that the bill recognizes the importance of climate justice and seeks to help those communities already overburdened by conventional pollution. These communities are likely to be among the first and worst hit by the impacts of climate change, Marty Hayden, vice president for policy & legislation, Earthjustice. ""UCS applauds the introduction of the Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act. The bill rightfully recognizes that coal miners and their families have built this nation and helped keep the lights on for more than a last centuryand that we have a collective responsibility to ensure that these workers, families, and communities share in the benefits of the emerging clean energy economy. Importantly, the bill recognizes that in addition to protecting workers and families, we must invest in coal communities to create longer term economic development in sustainable industries,"" Dr. Jeremy Richardson,senior energy analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists. The Climate Protection and Justice Act provides relief for communities of color across the United States whose health suffers from dangerous emissions, said Brent Newell, Legal Director of the Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment.Unlike Cap and Trades false solutions, this Act will aggressively reduce climate pollution, redirect money back to the public, and support those communities most in need. Native Alaskans and Native Americans, along with other communities of color in the United States, suffer the effects of climate change first and worst among all Americans, said Millie Hawley, President of the IRA Council for the Native Village of Kivalina, located in northwest Alaska. We deserve equitable treatment and justice, which means resources to adapt to the rapidly changing climate, to live as a people who are identified by our culture and not as a people who once were, and to continue living as we have traditionally in spite of the changes caused by the excessive use of fossil fuel. ""The Climate Protection and Justice Act (CPJA) is one of the first bills Ive seen that would put us on offense to fight humanitys greatest challenge, climate change. Senator Sanders has once again demonstrated the type of dexterity necessary to address this challenge. CPJA adroitly showcases the intersectional issues of racial, environmental and income inequality by reducing climate emissions. These issues must be addressed together to avert the worst impacts of climate catastrophe. If we want to show the world that were ready to lead, this is the type of proactive climate bill we need. I commend Senator Sanders for leading on this issue and urge Congress to pass CPJA with haste, because time is running out to act on climate,""Anthony Rogers-Wright, policy and organizing director at Environmental Action. Click hereto read a one page summary of the Climate Protection and Justice Act. Click hereto read a section-by-section summary of the Climate Protection and Justice Act. Click hereto read the full text of the Climate Protection and Justice Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20160225201139/http://www.king.senate.gov/news/video-and-audio/view/king-urges-military-leader-to-cut-off-flow-of-heroin-at-southern-border,King Urges Military Leader to Cut Off Flow of Heroin At Southern Border,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Your Neighborhood We know the value of people-to-people connections, and my state staff is committed to serving the people of Maine by getting out of the office and into your community. Click here to see where we will be this month.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-urges-military-leader-to-cut-off-flow-of-heroin-at-southern-border,King Urges Military Leader to Cut Off Flow of Heroin At Southern Border,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King Urges Military Leader to Cut Off Flow of Heroin At Southern Border Wednesday, December 9, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. During a confirmation hearing today before the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today urged the nominee for Commander of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which oversees all military operations in Central and South America, to work to reduce the flow of heroin from those countries into the United States. We are, at this moment in time, suffering literally from a heroin epidemic all over the country, including, tragically, in my state of Maine. What is it that you need to interdict more of those ships [carrying heroin]? Senator King asked. Were spending a lot of time here talking about the threat of ISIS and in the meantime weve got this other threat that is killing, in my state, two or three hundred people a year. Assuming that you are approved at SOUTHCOM, youre going to be at the point of this, and to the extent that you can tell us what you need not necessarily in terms of military assets, but comprehensively because this is a true crisis in this country today and supply is part of the problem, Senator King continued. Obviously we need to talk about treatment and prevention and all of those issues, but supply is part of it and my understanding is a great deal of this heroin is coming up through south of our borders. In March 2015, General John Kelly, the current Commander of SOUTHCOM, testified before the Armed Services Committee that one hundred percent of the heroin entering the United States is produced in Latin America, with approximately half of it being produced in Mexico, which is a part of United States Northern Commands area of responsibility. In his testimony today, nominee Vice Admiral Kurt W. Tidd, USN said that demand for heroin has more than doubled since 2007, and that in response, criminal organizations have increased heroin production in Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala. In fact, according to Vice Admiral Tidd, Mexican transnational criminal organizations that control drug trafficking across the Southwest Border and are moving to expand their share of U.S. illicit drug markets, particularly heroin markets. Senator Kings exchange with Vice Admiral Tidd today represents another part of his comprehensive approach to combating the heroin epidemic in Maine. In addition to addressing the supply of heroin, Senator King has focused on improving addiction prevention and treatment, hosting two roundtables in Maine, cosponsoring legislation would expand specialized treatment for prescription drug and heroin addiction, and proposing a national prescription drug mail-back program. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-major-education-reform-bill,Senate Passes Major Education Reform Bill,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate Passes Major Education Reform Bill Legislation includes King-backed measures to close the Homework Gap and provide greater testing flexibility for states Wednesday, December 9, 2015 WASHINGTON D.C. With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate today overwhelmingly passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, a major bipartisan education reform bill that curtails the burdensome requirements of No Child Left Behind, reduces reliance on high-stakes testing, and ensures access to a quality education for all students. Senator King released the following statement: Today is a victory for students, parents, and educators in Maine and across the country who have struggled for too long with unpredictable, top-down federal education policy that focused more on punishing schools than on promoting student achievement, Senator King said. This bipartisan bill will replace the broken No Child Left Behind law and finally turn the federal government into a partner in education rather than the obstacle it has been by empowering those who know our students best with the ability to make the decisions that will improve their futures. I commend Maines congressional delegation for their terrific work in reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, said Duke Albanese, former Maine Commissioner of Education and Senior Policy Advisor at the Great Schools Partnership. Educators and policymakers across Maine have been waiting for nearly eight years for Congress to act to ensure that the authority to set education policy is returned to the states and to school districts. This legislation will ensure that the needs and goals of Maine students can be adequately met by those closest to them. This is an important day for students, parents, and educators across the country, and I am pleased that Congress has finally completed the important task of reauthorizing this important law. The legislation also includes provisions authored by Senator King that will grant states greater opportunity to pursue innovative testing systems, provide students across the country with increased access to the Internet outside of the classroom, and promote local stakeholder input in setting education policy. By easing testing requirements and supporting the development of innovative, locally-designed assessments, this bill allows our teachers to focus classroom time on the things that truly improve student learning, Senator King continued. And by promoting increased home Internet access for students, this bill takes a step forward in closing the homework gap and ensuring that the next-generation of learners particularly those in rural America arent left behind. Senator King has been a steadfast champion to ensure that the ESEA reauthorization recognizes the importance of learning through technology vital to all of us in every corner of the nation, said James Ritter, Maine State Librarian. The Maine State Library supports all aspects of the education technology grant included in ESEA, and of particular interest is support for education agencies to increase access to high-quality digital learning experiences in rural areas. Students in our most rural areas must be equipped with the technological resources such as broadband access to succeed in school and life. This provision speaks directly to combating the homework gap, and any effort we can do to diminish that gap is an effort we must take. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes programs and funding for elementary and secondary education while making significant reforms to the long overdue reauthorization that expired in 2007 known as No Child Left Behind. Senator King helped secure the following provisions in the bill: A pilot program that would allow states like Maine greater flexibility to develop and test out proficiency-based assessment systems in lieu of federally-mandated statewide tests. Earlier this year, Senator King successfully advocated for the reauthorization to include a pilot program to grant states greater flexibility related to federal testing requirements and advanced improvements to the pilot through an amendment to the Senates consideration of the bill in July. As Senator King has seen first-hand while touring schools in the state, Maine is a leader in advancing proficiency-based learning and this pilot will provide states like Maine the opportunity to innovate and advance more robust assessment systems in the years to come. A flexible-funding grant that would allow school districts to fund education technology initiatives, including devices, services, and educator professional development. This grant draws upon the Digital Learning Equity Act of 2015, introduced by Senator King and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), to ensure that school districts will be able to use the grant to fund activities, services, and devices that support out-of-school Internet access. A study, also drawn from the Digital Learning Equity Act, that would direct the U.S. Department of Educations Institute of Education Sciences to conduct a national study of the data associated with the barriers to students having Internet access at home, how educators are adjusting classroom instruction to cope with this challenge, and how a lack of home Internet access impacts student participation and engagement. A provision, cosponsored with Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), that would promote greater local control in the classroom by encouraging the Secretary of Education to receive greater input from local stakeholders like school boards before developing any new regulations or guidance. Local control is very important to the people of Maine, and we applaud Sen. King for his success in getting a local governance clause in ESSA. It respects the local school boards authority to make decisions that are in the best interest of their students, staff, parents and taxpayers, said Maine School Boards Association Executive Director Dr. Connie Brown. The conference agreement, which passed the Senate by a vote of 85-12, is the first time in thirteen years that Congress has acted to pass a bipartisan K-12 education bill. The bill now heads to the Presidents desk for his signature to become law. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/how-pfizer-set-the-cost-of-its-new-drug-at-9850-a-month,"How Pfizer Set the Cost of Its New Drug at $9,850 a Month",2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"How Pfizer Set the Cost of Its New Drug at $9,850 a Month Process of setting the price for breast-cancer treatment shows arcane art behind rising U.S. drug prices By: Jonathan D. Rockoff Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Days beforePfizerInc.was to set the price for anew breast-cancer drug called Ibrance, it got a surprise: A competitor raised the monthly cost of a rival treatment by nearly a thousand dollars. Three years of market researcha stretch that started almost as soon as the new treatment showed promise in the laboratorywas suddenly in doubt. After carefully calibrating the price to be close to rivals and to keep doctors and insurers happy, Pfizer was left wondering if its list price of $9,850 a month for the pills was too low. What do you think if we take that up? askedAlbert Bourla,Pfizers executive overseeing cancer drugs, speaking to his colleagues at the final price-setting meeting last January. It was a tricky issue. Drug companies have been reaching for new heights of pricing. They routinely raise the cost of older medicines and then peg new ones to these levels. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/newswatch/120915,News December 9,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"News December 9 Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Senator Sanders Tonight Show Sen. Bernie Sanders appeared on the NBCs Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, ABC News, TIME, The Hill, The Daily Beast and Buzzfeed reported. He slammed Donald Trump one day after his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States. Sanders said that Trump's rhetoric would not work in the United States and that he ""look[ed] forward to beating Donald Trump."" Rachel Maddow Sen. Sanders sat down with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC Tuesday night. Sanders gave his take on what is going on in the Republican primary, the fear and racism that has taken hold of part of the country and his trip to Baltimore earlier in the day. VIDEO, VIDEO Climate PlanA pair of bills from Sen. Sanders seeks to create millions of new jobs in clean energy fields through tax changes and worker training,The HillandWPTZ-TVin Burlington reported. Gawkerreported that Sanders' climate plan makes him the only major presidential candidate of either party to call for a carbon tax. World Climate Negotiations Despite a domestic agenda consumed by his response to last weeks terrorist attack in California, President Obama is closely tracking the United Nations climate change negotiations outside Paris, Secretary of State John Kerry said in an interview on Tuesday, The New York Times reported. Beijing Shuts Down Residents across this city awoke to an environmental state of emergency on Tuesday as poisonous air quality prompted the government to close schools, force motorists off the road and shut down factories, The New York Times reported. National Visa Waiver Program The House overwhelmingly passed legislation that would overhaul the visa waiver program and bar those from Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Sudan, or those who have visited those countries in the last five years, from traveling to the United States, CNN reported. San Bernardino Investigators believe San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farouk may have planned an earlier attack in California, CNN reported. One of the officials on the case said that Farouk plotted with one other person for a 2012 attack, and that a specific target was considered. The official said that the two decided not to go along with the earlier attack due to a round of ""terror related"" arrests in the area. Vermont Gun Control Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger called for Vermont legislators to enact city gun control laws voters approved in 2014, The Burlington Free Press reported. Last March, Burlington voters passed three gun-related amendments to the city Charter, however the Vermont Legislature must approve municipal charter changes in order for amendments to take effect.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/air-force-divert-comments-due-december-15,Air Force Divert comments due by December 15,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Air Force Divert comments due by December 15 Dec 7, 2015 The public review period for the U.S. Air Force Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement for proposed divert airfield activities remains open until December 15. The purpose of the divert airfield is to give the Air Force backup capacity in the Marianas region in the event planes cannot use Andersen Air Force Base on Guam because of a natural disaster or military attack. The revised draft EIS, now open for comment, includes a Saipan-only, a Tinian-only, and a hybrid alternative that divides activities between the two islands. The original deadline of December 1 was extended by the Air Force at the request of Acting Governor Ralph Torres because of the disruption caused by Typhoon Soudelor. The revised draft EIS is available at https://www.pacafdivertmarianaseis.com/docs.html. Comments can be submitted at https://pacafdivertmarianaseis.com/comment-form.html.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/congress-passes-5-year-highway-bill-increases-nmi-funding,"Congress passes 5-year highway bill, increases NMI funding",2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Transit and safety programs worth $1.2 million annually and an additional $1 million in highway construction funds for the Northern Mariana Islands over the next five years are part of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, passed by both the House and Senate on Thursday, December 3, 2015. The five-year, $305 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill retained a provision, Section 1115, to increase annual funding for the Territorial Highway Program from $40 to $42 million, which the Northern Mariana Islands shares with American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The $2 million increase in annual THP funds was contained in the House reauthorization bill, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act, but not the Senate bill, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act. I am thankful that conferees decided that funding increases, though relatively small, should apply to all areas of our country and not just the states. The measure now heads to the White House, and President Obama is expected to sign shortly.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/house-passed-education-bill-boost-funds-nmi-schools,House-passed education bill to boost funds for NMI schools,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"House-passed education bill to boost funds for NMI schools Dec 7, 2015 A major increase in federal education funding for our schools is one step closer to becoming law. The House passed the Every Student Succeeds Act last Wednesday and the Senate is expected to do the same this week. The bipartisan bill, S. 1177, includes a provision I have been working on intensely all year that increases Title I funding for the Northern Mariana Islands and other insular areas. Title I assists areas with a high percentage of students from low-income families. My provision is designed to give the insular areas about 30 percent more funding than we have been receiving. For the Northern Marianas, the Congressional Research Service estimates Title I to increase to $11.1 million in 2017, up by $4.3 million from the 2016 funding of $6.7 million. The change is contingent upon overall Title I funding increasing so that states, as a whole, do not lose funding because of the change for insular areas. But appropriations for education are expected to rise in 2017. Every Student Succeeds also makes the NMI eligible to compete for Preschool Development Grants and Education Innovation and Research Grants, two competitive grant programs previously open only to states. The President has signaled he will sign the bill into law.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/typhoon-soudelor-update-week-18,Typhoon Soudelor Update - Week 18,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"As our community continues to heal from Typhoon Soudelor, FEMA and SBA made some important announcements this week. The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) has relocated to the Juan A. Sablan Memorial Building, Office of the Governor on Isa Drive in Capitol Hill, Saipan. The DLOC hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Additionally, FEMA is winding down recovery operations on Saipan and closing the Joint Field Office on December 18, 2015. Approximately 20 personnel will remain until that time to coordinate the transition with the Commonwealth government and various volunteer agencies. Your congressional office will continue to work with residents requiring assistance with respect to FEMA issues. As of December 4, FEMA has granted more than $24 million in assistance to individuals and households and obligated nearly $5 million for public assistance. As of November 30, SBA has approved 361 home loans totaling approximately $13 million, and 104 business loans totaling more than $10 million. FHWA announces $609,000 in highway repair funding. The Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation has awarded the CNMI Department of Public Works $609,063 in Emergency Relief program grant funds. Emergency Relief funds may be issued for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways that are seriously impacted by natural disaster. Typhoon Soudelor caused widespread damage to traffic signal heads, poles, signs and guardrail across the island. Program funds will be used to help make permanent repairs necessary to restore highways to pre-disaster conditions. Congratulations to DPW. Volunteer debris cleanup in Kagman last Saturday. The Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts, or C.A.R.E., and United 4 Saipan continued their community cleanup efforts last Saturday, December 5 in Kagman from 8:30am - 12:00pm. Volunteers assistted in sorting storm debris that was then collected and disposed of by the CNMI Department of Public Works and the Saipan Mayors office. To help with the project, volunteers were asked to meet at Kagman High School at 8:30am. They will be assigned to a team leader who will direct cleanup activities at pre-identified sites. For more information on future cleanups, contact C.A.R.E. at (670) 783-7790 or visit www.cnmicare.com.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-trade-adjustment-assistance-for-displaced-expera-mill-workers,"Collins, King Announce Trade Adjustment Assistance for Displaced Expera Mill Workers",2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Collins, King Announce Trade Adjustment Assistance for Displaced Expera Mill Workers Tuesday, December 8, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the 195 workers displaced by the closure of the Expera Specialty Solutions pulp mill in Old Town has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. It is our hope that this announcement brings relief to the many hard-working men and women at the Old Town mill who, through no fault of their own, lost their jobs as a result of increased foreign competition, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. TAA assistance will help these workers get back on their feet by providing them with the opportunity to acquire the new skills and new training necessary to prepare for jobs in other industries. It is a crucial lifeline for workers in Maine and across the nation. In October, Senators Collins and King sent a letter to Labor Secretary Thomas Perez urging him to quickly approve this assistance. This June, the Senate passed a bipartisan reauthorization of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), which was based upon The Trade Adjustment Assistance Enhancement Act of 2015 that Senator Collins co-authored with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). TAA is a program of the Department of Labor that helps workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased imports or a shift of production outside of the United States. TAA provides these trade-affected workers with a variety of reemployment services and benefits to help them find new jobs and get back to work. In the 2013 fiscal year alone, more than 700 Mainers used TAA programs, and more than 70 percent of those participants found employment within three months of completing their retraining programs. In addition, of the participants who found employment, more than 90 percent were still employed in their new jobs six months later. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-fischer-introduce-bipartisan-paid-leave-bill,"King, Fischer Introduce Bipartisan Paid Leave Bill",2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King, Fischer Introduce Bipartisan Paid Leave Bill Strong Families Act Would Provide Tax Incentives to Employers Who Provide Paid Family or Medical Leave Tuesday, December 8, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) announced this morning they have reintroduced legislation that would offer employers incentives to voluntarily provide paid family or medical leave to their employees. The bill, known as S. 2354 The Strong Families Act, offers new options for working families. Senator King released the following statement: Because of our countrys outdated family leave policies, working parents too often have to struggle to balance the needs of their families and the needs of their job. Thats not how it should be in America today and thats why this legislation aims to provide them with the flexibility they need to succeed in both. By bringing family leave policies into the 21st century, we can make it easier for working Americans to make a living and take care of their families at the same time all of which will only help strengthen our workforce and allow us to better compete in todays global economy. Im pleased to join with Senator Deb Fischer to reintroduce this common sense and much-needed bill. Senator Fischer released the following statement: Im proud to join my friend Senator Angus King to reintroduce a bill to provide needed flexibility for working families. Employees face the increasingly complicated demands of caring for aging parents and young children while balancing careers and workplace schedules. Our bipartisan legislation is an important step forward to offer more workers, particularly low-wage, hourly workers, peace of mind and the opportunity to earn pay while meeting needs at home. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 requires employers of 50 or more employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. This time can be used for events like the birth or adoption of children, serious medical issues, or providing care to close family members. The challenge for many working families, particularly hourly workers living paycheck-to-paycheck, is that current law does not address paid time off. The Strong Families Act would enable working families to have continued access to pay while they are meeting necessary family obligations. The King-Fischer plan would create a tax credit to encourage employers of any size to voluntarily offer paid leave for workers. It does not include any new mandates. Details of the proposal, which is paid-for by budgetary off-sets, include the following: To be eligible for the tax credit, the employer must, at a minimum, offer two weeks of paid leave; they may offer more. Paid leave would be available on an hourly basis and would be separate from other vacation or sick leave; part-time employees qualify for paid leave. For each hour of paid leave provided, the employer would receive a 25 percent non-refundable tax credit. The more paid FMLA time the employer offers, the greater the tax credit. This tax credit would be available to any employer with qualified employees, regardless of size. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who participate in the program. Click here to view text of The Strong Families Act. Click here to read the joint King-Fischer CNN op-ed on paid leave from 2014. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-on-mainegeneral-health-cyber-breach,King Statement on MaineGeneral Health Cyber Breach,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King Statement on MaineGeneral Health Cyber Breach Tuesday, December 8, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement today following an announcement by MaineGeneral Health that its computer network had been breached: Numerous Maine businesses, including those in the health care sector, have told me that they are confronting thousands of attempts to hack their systems and steal sensitive data. Unfortunately, thats the sad reality of todays world where the click of a mouse can have seriously damaging consequences, Senator King said. I have contacted the FBI to inquire about the extent and severity of the data breach and will work with the both the Bureau and MaineGeneral to remedy the situation and to safeguard personal information. I will also continue to work to connect Maine businesses with cyber experts in the federal government so that they know where to turn to rapidly respond and prevent further losses. Everyone in Maine, in one form or another, shares personal information with businesses. Its just commonplace today. But its also why Maine people deserve the enhanced protection that would come as a result of Congress passing long-overdue cyber-security information sharing legislation. Todays breach further underscores how we need to push this bill across the finish-line to give Maine businesses, both large and small, improved tools to better protect themselves against cyber-attacks. Over the past few years, Senator Kings office has been in frequent contact with a variety of Maine businesses in the health, defense, financial, education, and consumer products sectors to understand how cyber-attacks and data breaches impact them. According to the Maine Credit Union League, data breaches over the past year in have cost Maine credit unions approximately $2 million to replace debit and credit cards and an additional $500,000 to cover fraud. Furthermore, one Maine healthcare provider explained how it experiences thousands of attempts every day to steal confidential data. Those threats led Senator King on August 18th to co-host a cyber-security briefing with the Department of Homeland Security and Maine State Chamber of Commerce in Portland to inform local businesses about best practices to protect them from cyber-attacks. MaineGeneral has also established a dedicated assistance line for those seeking additional information regarding this incident and steps that can be taken to better protect against identity theft. The call center can be reached at 1-877-441-2645, Monday-Saturday between the hours of 9 a.m.9 p.m. ET. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-collins-king-resolution-marking-december-12-2015-as-wreaths-across-america-day,"Senate Passes Collins, King Resolution Marking December 12, 2015 as “Wreaths Across America Day”",2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate Passes Collins, King Resolution Marking December 12, 2015 as Wreaths Across America Day Tuesday, December 8, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Saturday, December 12, 2015 as Wreaths Across America Day. On December 12th, a convoy of volunteers is scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery to lay approximately 230,000 Maine-made balsam wreaths at the grave site of each American veteran interred there. This is the 24th consecutive year that Morrill and Karen Worcester, owners of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine will make this generous donation. The procession to Arlington began on December 6th in Harrington where Patriot Guard Riders continued their tradition of escorting the wreath trucks down the East Coast. In addition to Arlington National Cemetery, volunteers will place wreaths at over 1,000 locations in all 50 states and in numerous national veteran cemeteries on foreign soil. Wreaths Across America is a powerful demonstration of respect and appreciation for our veterans both those that weve lost and those still with us that reminds them and their families that we are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. And this proud tradition, still going strong after the Worcesters started it 24 years ago, is built on the same spirit of generosity that helps make the holiday season so special. We are honored to join with the countless volunteers and supporters who come together to make Wreaths Across America possible and share in honoring and remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The resolution is available HERE and the full text is below: +++ Whereas, 24 years before the date of adoption of this resolution, the Wreaths Across America project began with an annual tradition that occurs in December, of donating, transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery; Whereas, in the 24 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more than 2,416,000 wreaths have been sent to locations, including national cemeteries and veterans memorials, in every State and overseas; Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, to Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States and overseas, including at (1) Arlington National Cemetery; (2) veterans cemeteries; and (3) other locations; Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a week-long veterans parade between Maine and Virginia, stopping along the way to spread a message about the importance of (1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United States; (2) honoring those who serve; and (3) reminding the people of the United States about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve freedoms in the United States; Whereas, in 2014, approximately 716,000 remembrance wreaths were sent to more than 1,000 locations across the United States and overseas, an increase of more than 100 locations compared to the previous year; Whereas, in December 2015, the tradition of escorting tractor- trailers filled with donated wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued by (1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and (2) other patriotic escort units, including (A) motorcycle units; (B) law enforcement units; and (C) first responder units; Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each December to help lay remembrance wreaths; Whereas the trucking industry in the United States continues to support the Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, equipment, and related services to assist in the transportation of wreaths across the United States to over 1,000 locations; Whereas the Senate designated December 13, 2014, as Wreaths Across America Day; and Whereas, on December 12, 2015, the Wreaths Across America project will continue the proud legacy of bringing remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate (1) designates December 12, 2015, as Wreaths Across America Day; (2) honors (A) the Wreaths Across America project; (B) patriotic escort units, including (i) motorcycle units; (ii) law enforcement units; and (iii) first responder units; (C) the trucking industry in the United States; and (D) the volunteers and donors involved in this worthy tradition; and (3) recognizes (A) the service of veterans and members of the Armed Forces; and (B) the sacrifices that veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families have made, and continue to make, for the United States, a great Nation. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-introduces-major-clean-energy-jobs-package,Sanders Introduces Major Clean Energy Jobs Package,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 As part of his plan to create a sustainable, clean-energy economy, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation today that would significantly reduce carbon pollution and help put us on a path to more than double the size of the American clean energy workforce to 10 million by 2030. Together, the incentives in the American Clean Energy Investment Act of 2015 and The Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Actwould drive over $500 billion in clean energy investments between now and 2030. The bills, both co-sponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), would create new sustainable energy jobs and allocate $41 billion to helping oil, gas and coal workers as they transition out of the fossil fuel industry. The costs for these proposals are completely offset by repealing all subsidies for fossil fuels and ending the tax breaks that encourage corporate inversions. We have amoral responsibility to help working families in the fossil fuel industry find new jobs, Sanders said. We must act now to reenergize our manufacturing base, bolster our clean energy economy and protect the livelihoods of these workers and the communities they support. Coal communities have been under pressure for decades as coal-mining jobs have been lost due to more efficient mining practices, competition from cheaper natural gas and the publics desire to move to cleaner sources of energy. The Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act would helpcoal miners and other fossil fuel workers and their families by connectingdisplaced workerswith new job opportunitiesthrough vocational education and job skills programs. The bills would also provide support so transitioning workers and their families could maintain family-level wages, health care and pensions until they are able to start new jobs. The American Clean Energy Investment Act of 2015 would stimulate a strong sustainable economy by spurring massive new investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Through the permanent extension of important clean energy tax credits, Sanders legislation would cut carbon pollution, create clean energy jobs, reduce Americans dependence on oil and save consumers and businesses money by promoting energy efficiency. Currently the United States wastes huge amounts of money providing corporatewelfare to coal, oil and gas corporations that are destroying our planet. It is time for us to invest in technologies that are cutting greenhouse gas emissions and in the long run will be more cost-effective, Sanders said. Climate change is no longer a distant theoretical contained in far-off computer models and scientific papersits here, its real and its affecting all of us, said Merkley. Carbon pollution is an urgent problem demanding bold solutions. We have the technology and the know-how to transition rapidly to a clean, renewable energy economy. At the same time as this transition creates hundreds of thousands of new jobs, we must make sure that we have the programs in place to make sure that no workers are left behind. Investing in American clean energy puts power in our homes and will make America an energy and manufacturing powerhouse for decades to come.The support we give to clean energy now through this legislation will protect our planet for generations to come, building American jobs as we continually develop the fuels that will power the future.We can spur a generation of American-built energy innovation, and help stave off the worse effects of climate change, said Markey. The Solar Energy Industries Association and American Wind Energy Association have endorsed the Clean Energy Investment Act. 350.org supports both bills. ""Senator Sanders legislation would provide a steady, supportive federal energy policy that keeps in place the highly successful solar investment tax credit (ITC) and we welcome his support, said Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) Vice President of Federal Affairs Christopher Mansour. The solar ITC has helped solar become one of Americas fastest-growing energy sources with more than 20 gigawatts of total installed capacity already built enough to power nearly 4.5 million homes. Solar installations are forecast to continue to rise, adding 8 gigawatts this year. ""The American Wind Energy Association deeply appreciates Senator Sanders leadership in seeking long-term policy support to enable the growth of our nations wind energy sector. This legislation is the latest example of his attention to wind energy and his leadership in promoting policies that will generate affordable, reliable, and clean energy, and provide a future for wind energy workers and American factories. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Sanders and his colleagues with the shared goal of delivering the benefits of wind energy to even more American families. For a summary of the American Clean Energy Investment Act click here. For a section by section summary of the Clean Energy Investment Act click here. For a summary of The Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act click here. For the text of the Clean Energy Investment Act click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-introduces-major-clean-energy-jobs-package,Sanders Introduces Major Clean Energy Jobs Package,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sanders Introduces Major Clean Energy Jobs Package Plan Would More Than Double the Clean Energy Workforce Tuesday, December 8, 2015 As part of his plan to create a sustainable, clean-energy economy, Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced legislation today that would significantly reduce carbon pollution and help put us on a path to more than double the size of the American clean energy workforce to 10 million by 2030. Together, the incentives in the American Clean Energy Investment Act of 2015 and The Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Actwould drive over $500 billion in clean energy investments between now and 2030. The bills, both co-sponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), would create new sustainable energy jobs and allocate $41 billion to helping oil, gas and coal workers as they transition out of the fossil fuel industry. The costs for these proposals are completely offset by repealing all subsidies for fossil fuels and ending the tax breaks that encourage corporate inversions. We have amoral responsibility to help working families in the fossil fuel industry find new jobs, Sanders said. We must act now to reenergize our manufacturing base, bolster our clean energy economy and protect the livelihoods of these workers and the communities they support. Coal communities have been under pressure for decades as coal-mining jobs have been lost due to more efficient mining practices, competition from cheaper natural gas and the publics desire to move to cleaner sources of energy. The Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act would helpcoal miners and other fossil fuel workers and their families by connectingdisplaced workerswith new job opportunitiesthrough vocational education and job skills programs. The bills would also provide support so transitioning workers and their families could maintain family-level wages, health care and pensions until they are able to start new jobs. The American Clean Energy Investment Act of 2015 would stimulate a strong sustainable economy by spurring massive new investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Through the permanent extension of important clean energy tax credits, Sanders legislation would cut carbon pollution, create clean energy jobs, reduce Americans dependence on oil and save consumers and businesses money by promoting energy efficiency. Currently the United States wastes huge amounts of money providing corporatewelfare to coal, oil and gas corporations that are destroying our planet. It is time for us to invest in technologies that are cutting greenhouse gas emissions and in the long run will be more cost-effective, Sanders said. Climate change is no longer a distant theoretical contained in far-off computer models and scientific papersits here, its real and its affecting all of us, said Merkley. Carbon pollution is an urgent problem demanding bold solutions. We have the technology and the know-how to transition rapidly to a clean, renewable energy economy. At the same time as this transition creates hundreds of thousands of new jobs, we must make sure that we have the programs in place to make sure that no workers are left behind. Investing in American clean energy puts power in our homes and will make America an energy and manufacturing powerhouse for decades to come.The support we give to clean energy now through this legislation will protect our planet for generations to come, building American jobs as we continually develop the fuels that will power the future.We can spur a generation of American-built energy innovation, and help stave off the worse effects of climate change, said Markey. The Solar Energy Industries Association and American Wind Energy Association have endorsed the Clean Energy Investment Act. 350.org supports both bills. ""Senator Sanders legislation would provide a steady, supportive federal energy policy that keeps in place the highly successful solar investment tax credit (ITC) and we welcome his support, said Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) Vice President of Federal Affairs Christopher Mansour. The solar ITC has helped solar become one of Americas fastest-growing energy sources withmore than 20 gigawatts of total installed capacity already built enough to power nearly 4.5 million homes. Solar installations are forecast to continue to rise, adding 8 gigawatts this year. ""The American Wind Energy Associationdeeply appreciates Senator Sanders leadership in seeking long-term policy support to enable the growth of our nations wind energy sector. This legislation is the latest example of his attention to wind energy andhis leadership in promoting policies that will generate affordable, reliable, and clean energy, and provide a future for wind energy workers and American factories.We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Sanders and his colleagues with the shared goal of delivering the benefits of wind energy to even more American families. For a summary of the American Clean Energy Investment Actclick here. For a section by section summary of the Clean Energy Investment Actclick here. For a summary of The Clean Energy Just Transition Actclick here. For the text of the Clean Energy Investment Actclick here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/new-aafes-troop-store,New AAFES Troop Store,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"New AAFES Troop Store Dec 7, 2015 About 4,000 service members and families in the Northern Marianas can look forward to a new, improved Army & Air Force Exchange Troop Store on Saipan. The AAFES is expected to announce the winning bidder shortly. Construction of the 5,000-square-foot facility will take about one year. I have been working on expanding the store since my first days in Congress. A feasibility study in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act was an early milestone. But the possibility of unexploded ordnance on the site has caused delays. Now the project is really moving forward. (Image credit: Building elevations drawing for the AAFES troop store, developed by EMCE Consulting Engineers and Architects Pacific, Inc. Additional plans and drawings are available here.)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-07-2015,"THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - December 04, 2015",2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"House-passed education bill to boost funds for NMI schools Congress passes 5-year highway bill, increases NMI funding Air Force Divert comments due by December 15 Typhoon Soudelor Update - Week 18 OPPORTUNITIES - Federal contracts, grants, jobs for/in the Marianas Highlights in the Legislative Program House-passed education bill to boost funds for NMI schools. A major increase in federal education funding for our schools is one step closer to becoming law. The House passed theEvery Student Succeeds Acton Wednesdayand the Senate is expected to do the same next week. The bipartisan bill, S. 1177, includes a provision I have been working on intensely all year that increases Title I funding for the Northern Mariana Islands and other insular areas. Title I assists areas with a high percentage of students from low-income families. My provision is designed to give the insular areas about 30 percent more funding than we have been receiving. For the Northern Marianas, the Congressional Research Service estimates Title I to increase to $11.1 million in 2017, up by $4.3 million from the 2016 funding of $6.7 million. The change is contingent upon overall Title I funding increasing so that states, as a whole, do not lose funding because of the change for insular areas. But appropriations for education are expected to rise in 2017. Every Student Succeeds also makes the NMI eligible to compete for Preschool Development Grants and Education Innovation and Research Grants, two competitive grant programs previously open only to states. The President has signaled he will sign the bill into law. Congress passes 5-year highway bill, increases NMI funding. Transit and safety programs worth $1.2 million annually and an additional $1 million in highway construction funds for the Northern Mariana Islands over the next five years are part of theFixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, passed by both the House and Senateon Thursday. The five-year, $305 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill retained a provision, Section 1115, to increase annual funding for theTerritorial Highway Programfrom $40 to $42 million, which the Northern Mariana Islands shares with American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The $2 million increase in annual THP funds was contained in the House reauthorization bill, theSurface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act, but not the Senate bill, theDeveloping a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act. I am thankful that conferees decided that funding increases, though relatively small, should apply to all areas of our country and not just the states. The measure now heads to the White House, and President Obama is expected to sign shortly. Air Force Divert comments due by December 15. The public review period for the U.S. Air Force Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement for proposed divert airfield activities remains open untilDecember 15. The purpose of the divert airfield is to give the Air Force backup capacity in the Marianas region in the event planes cannot use Andersen Air Force Base on Guam because of a natural disaster or military attack. The revised draft EIS, now open for comment, includes a Saipan-only, a Tinian-only, and a hybrid alternative that divides activities between the two islands. The original deadline of December 1 was extended by the Air Force at the request ofActing Governor Ralph Torresbecause of the disruption caused by Typhoon Soudelor. The revised draft EIS is available athttps://www.pacafdivertmarianaseis.com/docs.html. Comments can be submitted athttps://pacafdivertmarianaseis.com/comment-form.html. Typhoon Soudelor Update - Week 18: As our community continues to heal from Typhoon Soudelor, FEMA and SBA made some important announcements this week. The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) has relocated to the Juan A. Sablan Memorial Building, Office of the Governor on Isa Drive in Capitol Hill, Saipan. The DLOC hours areMondaythrough Friday,8 a.m. 4:30 p.m.Additionally, FEMA is winding down recovery operations on Saipan and closing the Joint Field Office on December 18, 2015. Approximately 20 personnel will remain until that time to coordinate the transition with the Commonwealth government and various volunteer agencies. Your congressional office will continue to work with residents requiring assistance with respect to FEMA issues. As of December 4, FEMA has granted more than $24 million in assistance to individuals and households and obligated nearly $5 million for public assistance. As of November 30, SBA has approved 361 home loans totaling approximately $13 million, and 104 business loans totaling more than $10 million. FHWA announces $609,000 in highway repair funding. The Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation has awarded the CNMI Department of Public Works $609,063 in Emergency Relief program grant funds. Emergency Relief funds may be issued for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways that are seriously impacted by natural disaster. Typhoon Soudelor caused widespread damage to traffic signal heads, poles, signs and guardrail across the island. Program funds will be used to help make permanent repairs necessary to restore highways to pre-disaster conditions. Congratulations to DPW. Volunteer debris cleanup in Kagman on Saturday. The Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts, or C.A.R.E., and United 4 Saipan will continue their community cleanup efforts this Saturday, December 5 in Kagman from8:30am - 12:00pm. Volunteers will assist in sorting storm debris that will then be collected and disposed of by the CNMI Department of Public Works and the Saipan Mayors office. To help with the project, volunteers are asked to meet at Kagman High School at 8:30am. They will be assigned to a team leader who will direct cleanup activities at pre-identified sites. For more information, contact C.A.R.E. at (670) 783-7790 or visitwww.cnmicare.com. OPPORTUNITIES - Federal contracts, grants, jobs for/in the Marianas: Grants: FY 2015 Assistance to Firefighters Grants- The AFG program provides financial assistance to help fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Service organizations and State Fire Training Academies for critically needed resources to protect the public, to train emergency personnel, and to foster interoperability and support community resilience. Current closing date isJanuary 15, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280249. National Fish Passage Program- The National Fish Passage Program is a voluntary program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements to partners to provide fish (and other aquatic organisms) passage and restore aquatic connectivity for the benefit of federal trust resources. Current closing date isSeptember 1, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280260. R1 Endangered Species Sec 6 Traditional- Funds in the amount of $300,000 are available to implement conservation projects for state-listed, candidate, federally listed, and recently recovered species. This grant program was established by the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Current closing date isMarch 9, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280253. Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part D Grants- The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to assist currently funded RWHAP Part D WICY recipients in their efforts to strengthen their organizational interventions to improve health outcomes along the HIV care continuum. Current closing date isFebruary 1, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280269. Digital Humanities Implementation Grants- The Digital Humanities Implementation Grants program awards substantial grants to support the implementation of experimental projects that have successfully completed a start-up phase and demonstrated their value to the humanities. The program can support innovative digital humanities projects that address multiple audiences, including scholars, teachers, librarians, and the public. Current closing date isFebruary 17, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280266. National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative- The purpose of this program is to provide and increase access to effective trauma-focused treatment and services systems in communities for children, adolescents, and their families who experience traumatic events throughout the nation. Current closing date isFebruary 4, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280297. Jobs: Clinical Nurse (Mother Baby Unit)- The Department of the Navy, Naval Medical Command is accepting applications for a Clinical Nurse in Guam. Incumbent will observe and report changes in patient conditions, document patient care, prepare patients for delivery, help with recovery, and evaluate and provide professional, comprehensive nursing care. Position is open untilDecember 7, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/422702300. Highlights in the Legislative Program THIS WEEK: On the floor S.611 Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act (Agreed to by voice vote) H.R.3490 Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act (Agreed to by voice vote) H.R.3279 Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act (Agreed to by voice vote) H.R.1755 To amend title 26, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the congressional charter of the Disabled American Veterans (Agreed to by voice vote) H.R.1541 Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities Act or the PRISM Act (Agreed to by voice vote) H.R.22 Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (Conference report agreed to in House, 359-65) S.1177 To reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves (Conference report agreed to in House, 659-64) NEXT WEEK: On the floor S.614 Federal Improper Payments Coordination Act H.R.2241 Global Health Innovation Act of 2015 Concur in the Senate Amendment toH.R.2297 Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 Possible Consideration of the Conference Report to AccompanyH.R.644 Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 Possible Consideration of Legislation to Extend Certain Provisions of the Tax Code Possible Consideration of a Consolidated Appropriations Act Possible Consideration of the Senate Amendment toH.R. 3762- Restoring Americans Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Committee Hearings December 7 Committee on Natural Resources Oversight Field Hearing on Restoring Atlantic Fisheries and Protecting the Regional Seafood Economy December 8 Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Legislative Hearing (Part II) on H.R. 3764, Tribal Recognition Act of 2015 December 9 Committee on Natural Resources Oversight Hearing on the Department of the Interiors role in the EPAs Animas Spill",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-announces-two-portland-high-school-students-as-interns-in-scarborough-office,King Announces Two Portland High School Students as Interns in Scarborough Office,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King Announces Two Portland High School Students as Interns in Scarborough Office Monday, December 7, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King announced today that Oona Mackinnon Hoban and Eamonn Dundon of Portland High School will serve as part-time interns in his Scarborough office. The internship, which will provide both students with school credit, is the result of a collaborative effort with the nonprofit Jobs for Maines Graduates (JMG) and Portland High School aimed at giving local students an opportunity to learn more about the work of a U.S. Senators office through observation, assistance, and mentoring. Im delighted to welcome Oona and Eamonn to my Scarborough office. Both of them are outstanding students and hard workers, and I look forward to having them involved in the legislative process on behalf of the people of Maine, Senator King said. I also want to thank everyone at Jobs for Maines Graduates for working with my office to make this internship possible and applaud them for all of their meaningful work to help students across the state. We are extremely pleased with the continued development of the relationship being forged between Portland High School and Senator Kings office, said Eric Moynihan, JMG Expanded Learning Opportunities Coordinator at Portland High School. This tremendous opportunity is the second internship offered to PHS students by the Senators office in three years. Expanded Learning Opportunities like these internships provide relevant, real-world experiences, are invaluable to the student and are an integral piece of the Portland High School model of education. A junior at Portland High School, Oona Mackinnon-Hoban is involved in student government, the drama program, and numerous other clubs, including the Womens Rights Club and the Shakespeare Club. Outside of school, she is a member of the girl choir Musica de Filia, and also enjoys writing in her spare time. She was a national semifinalist at the American Legion Oratorical Contest, and has served in the U.S. Senate as a page sponsored by Senator Susan Collins. She hopes to attend a larger university in New York, Washington D.C. or Montreal, and wishes to pursue a degree in political science and journalism. She lives with her parents in Portland, Maine. A senior at Portland High School, Eamonn Dundon is a longtime volunteer on a myriad of local, state and national political campaigns, most recently serving as the Deputy Campaign Manager on a city council campaign in Portland. Eamonn served as a U.S. Senate Page in the fall of 2014 sponsored by Senator Susan Collins. He also serves as a judge and board member on the Maine Youth Court, is a member of Portland High School's Key Club, is a participant in Model United Nations, and is a member of the Boy Singers of Maine. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and playing tennis. Eamonn is then son of Sean Dundon and Victoria Dalzell, both of Portland. Jobs for Maines Graduates (JMG) is a statewide nonprofit that works within Maines public schools to help students reach their fullest potential. JMG serves more than 5,500 students from grades 6-12 in 79 programs across the state. Students in the traditional JMG classroom are full of potential, but face barriers to education, and it is JMGs goal to provide these students with the skills and resources they need to overcome those challenges and to graduate from high school prepared to succeed in postsecondary education and the workforce. The internships awarded by Senator Kings office reflect the success of the expansion of the JMG model to a larger population of students, and the commitment of Portland High School (PHS) staff and administration in providing important Expanded Learning Opportunities to all PHS students. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-and-king-attend-wreaths-across-america-ceremony-at-us-capitol,Senators Collins and King Attend Wreaths Across America Ceremony at U.S. Capitol,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Collins and King Attend Wreaths Across America Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Monday, December 7, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King took part in the Wreaths Across America Capitol wreath laying ceremony this morning in Washington. Beginning in 2007, and each December since, Wreaths Across America, based out of Columbia Falls, Maine, has placed a Remembrance Wreath at the U.S. Capitol Building. The wreath laid at the U.S. Capitol is adorned with flags representing each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and POWs/MIAs, and decorated with a red bow. During the ceremony, which coincided with similar ceremonies at all 50 state capitols across our country, Senators Collins and King delivered remarks and joined in a moment of silence to reflect on the holiday season and to honor and remember our nations veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices. Wreaths Across America is a powerful demonstration of respect and appreciation for our veterans both those that weve lost and those still with us, said Senators Collins and King. The mission of Wreaths Across America is: Remember. Honor. Teach. Thanks to the spirit of this Maine-made tradition, we will remember and honor Americas veterans this holiday season, while also teaching generations to come of the sacrifices that have been made to secure our freedoms and to defend our liberty. A convoy of volunteers and approximately 248,000 Maine-made balsam wreaths departed from Maine this past Sunday, December 6th, and is scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery on December 12th. Between 30,000 and 40,000 volunteers are expected to lay the wreaths at the graves of each American veteran. This is the 24th consecutive year that Morrill and Karen Worcester, owners of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine will make this generous donation. In addition to Arlington National Cemetery, volunteers will place more than 900,000 wreaths at over 1,000 locations in all 50 states and numerous national veteran cemeteries on foreign soil. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-announces-key-provisions-for-vermont-schools-in-education-law-overhaul,Sanders Announces Key Provisions for Vermont Schools in Education Law Overhaul,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today that new legislation, agreed to by House and Senate negotiators, will give Vermont and other states much more control over how public schools are held accountable for student performance. Sanders, a member of the Senate education committee, helped draft the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to replace the much-maligned No Child Left Behind education law, whichinaccurately stigmatized Vermont schools for supposedly low performance. I think it is wrong to judge schools solely on the basis of narrow tests. We have to work on what kind of criteria we really need, Sanders said. What we in Vermont understand is a kid is more than a test. We want kids to be creative. We want kids to be critical thinkers. We also want schools held accountable for factors other than test scores, including how they meet the challenges of students from low-income families. The new measure would include a pilot program that could help Vermont shift from annual standardized tests to a new system for assessing student performance. Under the legislation, factors that were Vermonts priorities such as a childs learning growth from year to year, student and teacher engagement, access to advanced coursework and school climate and safety will become criteria in assessing school performance. The legislation recognizes the huge opportunity barriers that poverty places on low-income children by authorizing an extra $1.2 billion nationwide to fund the neediest schools, including $41 million over the next four years for struggling Vermont schools. Vermont would also benefit from a new formula for rural school funding that could steer an extra $1.3 million a year in federal funds to the state and the reauthorization of funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which provides over 5,500 children afterschool programing in Vermont every day.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-obama-oval-office-address,Sanders Statement on Obama Oval Office Address,2015-12-06,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BURLINGTON, Vt. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday issued the following statement after President Barack Obama delivered an address from the Oval Office: President Obama is right. ISIS will be destroyed with an international coalition in which Muslim troops on the ground are supported by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and other leading powers. We must learn the lesson of Iraq.American troops should not be engaged in perpetual warfare in the Middle East. Further, as we destroy ISIS, it is essential that we do not allow fear and division to undermine the constitutional rights that make us a free people.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-statement-on-obama-oval-office-address,Sanders Statement on Obama Oval Office Address,2015-12-06,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sanders Statement on Obama Oval Office Address Sunday, December 6, 2015 Sen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday issued the following statement after President Barack Obama delivered an address from the Oval Office: President Obama is right. ISIS will be destroyed with an international coalition in which Muslim troops on the ground are supported by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and other leading powers. We must learn the lesson of Iraq.American troops should not be engaged in perpetual warfare in the Middle East. Further, as we destroy ISIS, it is essential that we do not allow fear and division to undermine the constitutional rights that make us a free people.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/newswatch/120515,News December 5,2015-12-05,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"News December 5 Saturday, December 5, 2015 Senator Sanders Climate ChangeSen. Sanders hed push negotiators meeting at a climate summit in Paris to embrace aggressive moves to reduce carbon emissions,Radio Iowareported. We have a real crisis, Sanders told O. Kay Henderson. Criminal JusticeSen. Sanders has made a pledge to abolish private prisons in the federal system a centerpiece of his criminal justice reform platform, expounding on it in speeches, tweets and a bill that he introduced in the Senate,SalonandThe New York Observerreported. The bill would reestablish federal parole, the abolition of which three decades ago was a key ingredient in fueling the explosive growth of the American prison system. Sanders has explained the negative consequences of for-profit prisons in the criminal justice system, which have replaced health reforms as a means to fix problems like drug addiction and poverty. Pharmaceutical IndustryReutersreported that the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice has subpoenaed Mylan N.V. for information relating to the marketing, pricing and sale of its generic doxycycline antibiotic products, the drug-maker said on Friday. Sen. Sanders and Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings opened an investigation last fall into 14 drug companies, including Mylan and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, over price increases of generic drugs. In February, Sanders and Cummings asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' enforcement arm to investigate generic drug price increases. Sunday Shows Sen. Sanders will be on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday along with Donald Trump and Chris Christie, The Associated Press reported. World ISIS Financing The United States and Russia are negotiating a new resolution at the United Nations Security Council intended to strengthen international efforts to cut off revenues that the Islamic State raises to govern territory and spread its ideology, The New York Times reported. National San Bernardino Shooters In an online radio broadcast by the Islamic State on Saturday, the group said that two supporters had carried out the attacks in San Bernardino, but stopped short of referring to the couple as members. The group praised the attacks but didnt claim responsibility for it, The Washington Post reported. Gun Safety President Obama edged closer Saturday to declaring the shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., that killed 14 people a terrorist attack, but stuck to his prescription that the answer to preventing such tragedies was gun limits, The New York Times reported. Vermont Champlain Parkway Rain trickled through cracked asphalt onthe Champlain ParkwaynearU.S. 7 in BurlingtonWednesday afternoon. Built in the1980s and abandoned shortly thereafter, the divided highwayhas done littlemore than provide overflow parkingfor the nearby Howard Center. A completed parkway, if wary South End residents set aside their skepticism, is on the horizon. City leaders this week promised to resume construction on the 50-year-old project by 2018, Burlington Free Press reported.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/americas-100-richest-people-control-more-wealth-than-the-entire-black-population,America's 100 Richest People Control More Wealth Than the Entire Black Population,2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"America's 100 Richest People Control More Wealth Than the Entire Black Population By: Josh Harkinson Friday, December 4, 2015 It's well known that America's wealthiest have been getting richerat the expense of the middle class. But the trend looks even starker when you look at the racial aspects. According to a new report from theInstitute for Policy Studies, the combined wealth of those on the Forbes 400 list of America's richest dwarfs that of the nation's entire black or Latino populations. The report found that the 100 richest US citizens control about as much wealth as all of the nation's 42 million African Americans. The total wealth of the nation's 55 million Latinos stacks up to that of the 186 richest Americans. This can be explained in part by the rapid erosion of the black and Latino middle classes. African Americans' net worth relative to whites has fallen by more than half since 2000: The average white family today has net assets of $141,900, compared with just $11,000 for black familiesabout the same paltry sum as back in 1985. Latinos have seen similar declines in net worth relative to whites. There are many reasons for this slide: Black and Latino families were disproportionately exposed to risky subprime mortgages, had smaller amounts of inherited wealth, and were more susceptible to job and wage cuts during the Great Recession. And because these families are less likely than white families to own homes and stocks, they haven't benefited as much from the subsequent recovery. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-congressional-democrats-file-amicus-brief-supporting-obamas-immigration-executive-actions,"Sanders, Congressional Democrats File Amicus Brief Supporting Obamas Immigration Executive Actions",2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 Sen. Bernie Sanders, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and 215 members of Congress last night filed an amicus brief in support of the Department of Justices petition for Supreme Court review of the presidents immigration executive actions. President Obama did exactly the right thing when he took action to protect DREAMers and the parents of children who are citizens or legal permanent residents. I am confident that the Supreme Court will support the presidents authority to defend aspiring Americans, Sanders said. We must work to unite families, not tear them apart. The members argue in the brief that Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are consistent with congressional intent and the Executives longstanding legal authority to establish national immigration enforcement priorities and exercise discretion in the enforcement of our immigration laws. As stated in the brief: Congress has granted the Secretary [of Homeland Security] broad discretion in determining how to carry out the immigration laws, and has explicitly directed the Secretary to establish policies and priorities for enforcement of those laws. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling would effectively strip the Executive of broad authority to make discretionary judgments on how best to enforce the nations immigration laws where Congress has not prescribed a specific action, and would devastate millions of individuals, families, and communities across the nation. Full text of the amicus brief can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cotton-introduce-legislation-to-strengthen-counterterrorism-tools-in-wake-of-paris-san-bernardino-attacks,"King, Cotton Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Counterterrorism Tools in Wake of Paris, San Bernardino Attacks",2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King, Cotton Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Counterterrorism Tools in Wake of Paris, San Bernardino Attacks Thursday, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. In the wake of the brutal terrorist attacks in Paris last month, as well as initial reports that this weeks attack in San Bernardino may be tied to terrorism, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) today introduced legislation that would ensure that U.S. counterterrorism officials have the necessary tools to track suspected terrorists and prevent terrorist attacks in the United States. The first line of defense against terrorism is intelligence, and today, our government is reliant on telecommunication companies to retain records that we use to connect the dots that can help us prevent attacks, Senator King said. Our legislation would simply require that U.S. officials are provided with adequate warning if a company decides it no longer will hold these vital records, allowing time to ensure that we dont lose a potentially valuable tool in the battle against terrorism. Our Intelligence Community and Law Enforcement professionals are skilled at connecting the dots to thwart and respond to terrorist attacks. But if there are no dots to connect, those skills wont do us any good, Senator Cotton said. The King-Cotton legislation will help preserve metadata currently stored by phone carriers by forcing them to notify the federal government if they change the amount of time they retain billing records to less than 18 months. This will give Congress and the Executive Branch an opportunity to respond before those dots are lost forever. Signed into law on June 2, 2015, the USA Freedom Act requires the government to apply to the FISA Court for an order to retrieve call detail records, which include telephone numbers and not the content of calls from telecommunications carriers. As of that date, the Act gave the government 180 days to end its bulk collection of call detail records, which expired on November 29, 2015. However, Senators King and Cotton are concerned that the new law does not require the carriers to provide adequate notice if they decide to no longer retain these call records, potentially putting the entire viability of the new program at risk. Thus, the legislation introduced by Senators King and Cotton today, entitled the Private Sector Call Record Retention Act, would require such companies to notify the Attorney General if they decide to retain the call records for less than 18 months, which is the minimum amount of time that U.S. officials have indicated is needed to conduct most international terrorism investigations. The bill requires companies to provide notice 180 days in advance of such changes. Doing so will give national security officials and Congress time to address any changes that could prevent the government from quickly connecting the dots and tracking terrorist operatives. In June 2015, Senator King spoke on the floor of the Senate regarding the USA Freedom Act. His remarks can be seen HERE. In May, Senator Cotton also spoke on the Senate floor. His remarks can be seen HERE. The text of the legislation can be viewed HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-opposes-effort-to-repeal-affordable-care-act,King Opposes Effort to Repeal Affordable Care Act,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King Opposes Effort to Repeal Affordable Care Act Thursday, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted against legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act and deny federal funding to Planned Parenthood facilities across the country: The Affordable Care Act has provided thousands of people in Maine and millions more across the country with affordable, high-quality health insurance, Senator King said. Rather than try to take that away, Congress should focus on how we can improve and strengthen the law so that we can extend health insurance to even more people in this country who need it. Thats how we best serve the people who sent us here and, frankly, they deserve nothing less. Today, the Senate voted and, regrettably, passed legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The President has said he will veto the bill. Todays vote represents the 16th time that the Senate has voted to repeal all or part of the ACA. The House of Representatives has voted more than 50 times to do the same. The Affordable Care Act provides more than 70,000 people in Maine with health insurance. In addition to lowering health care costs, the landmark health care law, which has been upheld by the Supreme Court multiple times, prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to people due to pre-existing conditions, eliminates lifetime caps on insurance, and allows children to remain on their parents insurance until the age of 26. The law has also contributed millions of dollars in funding to community health centers across the state of Maine, which serve the health care needs of hundreds of thousands of people. The legislation would also eliminate all federal funding to Planned Parenthood facilities across the country, including the four that operate in Maine, which provide important family planning, cancer screenings, and basic preventive health care services. Senator King voted in favor of an amendment offered by Senator Susan Collins that would have preserved the funding for Planned Parenthood. However, that amendment failed. To strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding is to deny millions of women and men basic health care services, many of whom are low-income and rely on the organization as their sole health care provider, Senator King said. Congresss unfounded yet relentless assault on Planned Parenthood is simply another example of misguided outrage that would only hurt those who need help the most. Planned Parenthood operates four health care clinics in Maine. In fact, 97 percent of Planned Parenthoods services have nothing to do with abortion and currently federal law already prohibits federal funds dedicated to the organization from being used in support of abortion-related activities. This is the third time this year that Senator King has opposed defunding Planned Parenthood, and in August, he delivered remarks on the Senate floor in defense of the organization. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/transportation-bill-with-king-backed-measures-passes-senate,Transportation Bill with King-Backed Measures Passes Senate,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Transportation Bill with King-Backed Measures Passes Senate Bill also renews Export-Import Bank, streamlines federal permitting process, and delivers regulatory relief to small banks Thursday, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Senate tonight overwhelmingly approved a long-term transportation bill that authorizes $305 billion in funding over the next five years for vital transportation infrastructure projects across the country. The bill will result in increased highway and transit funding for Maine and also includes several provisions either authored or strongly supported by Senator King. Our countrys aging transportation infrastructure has been crumbling under our feet as Congress passed one short-term fix after the other. With this bill, Congress has crafted a long-term solution that provides stable and predictablefunding to improve our transportation network, bolster commerce, and put people to work doing it, Senator King said. The bill is by no means perfect, but at the end of the day, its a step forward for the American people and our country. The legislation passed this evening, titled the FAST Act, would provide an increased and stable source of funding for highway, transit, and other infrastructure projects, and is the product of extensive bipartisan negotiations between leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives. If signed into law, the legislation will provide Maine with a five percent increase in highway funding and an eight percent increase in transit funding in the first year of the bill and result in a 15 percent increase in highway funding and an 18 percent increase in transit by the last year. For more information on how the bill will impact infrastructure projects in Maine, clickHERE. Senator King has repeatedly called for a long-term highway solution and has been critical of Congress for passing 36 short-term highway extensions over the past several years, which has only created uncertainty for state governments and threatened the safety of the traveling public. The legislation also includes provisions that would boost jobs by streamlining the permitting process for major infrastructure projects and boost jobs as well as several other measures supported by Senator King that would deliver regulatory relief to small banks. Importantly, the bill also reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank of the United States, which Senator King has repeatedly called for because the Bank serves as a critical source of export financing for Maine companies looking to sell their products overseas. A drawn-out and cumbersome permitting process has delayed critical infrastructure projects, slowed economic growth, and is costing us jobs around the country, said Senator King. We need to be in the business of helping to create new jobs, not stifle them, which is why its important that this bill streamlines the process to clear unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and keep projects moving forward that will create jobs and build out a world-class infrastructure without compromising environmental standards. I am pleased this legislation also finally reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank, ending months of uncertainty for Maine businesses who didnt know if they would still be able to turn to the bank for much-needed assistance as they work to sell their products overseas, added Senator King. Additionally, with a number of provisions that relieve the small banks and credit unions that help power our local economies of unnecessary regulatory burdens, the bill will support small financial institutions and their customers alike. More specifically, the legislation contains provisions ofthe Federal Permitting Improvement Act introduced by Senator King, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), and Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) earlier this year, which would streamline and improve the federal permitting process for the largest and most complex capital projects. Businesses looking to undertake large infrastructure projects are currently subject to a massive bureaucratic process involving up to a dozen agencies and approvals, and even after approval, litigation can stall projects for years. These provisions improve the timeliness and predictability of the review process without compromising environmental standards or sacrificing critical regulatory protections. The legislation includes language that would reauthorize for four years the Export-Import Bank, a critical tool that since 2007 has supported more than $264 million in exports from 13 companies in 12 communities in Maine. Senator King hasrepeatedly calledfor the Ex-Im Banks reauthorization and, in July, he supported an amendment to the highway funding bill that would have done so. The amendment passed by an overwhelming margin, but the House of Representatives failed to take up the legislation at the time. The FAST Act also includes more than a dozen financial regulatory relief measures, including several of which are supported by Senator King and which will benefit Maines community banks and credit unions. Provisions supported by Senator King include language that would allow highly-rated small financial institutions to qualify for longer on-site examination cycles so that well-run, lower-risk banks spend less time with banking regulators and more time with their customers; as well as language that reduces the costly burden of unnecessary annual privacy notices to customers so long as privacy policies at financial institutions have not changed. The House of Representatives passed the FAST Act earlier today, and the President is expected to sign it into law. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/-wonkblog-there-have-been-334-days-and-351-mass-shootings-so-far-this-year,The San Bernardino shooting is the second mass shooting today and the 355th this year,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The San Bernardino shooting is the second mass shooting today and the 355th this year By: Christopher Ingraham Thursday, December 3, 2015 Authorities in San Bernardino, Calif.,saying 14 people were killed and 14 others were injured in a mass shooting on Wednesday at a center for people with developmental disabilities.This is at leastthe third mass shooting since therampage in Colorado Springs last Friday. Here's a look at the year's mass shootings, including today's. The San Bernardino shooting isthe 355th mass shooting this year, according toa mass shooting trackermaintained by the Guns Are Cool subreddit.The Reddit trackerdefines mass shootings as incidents in which four or more people, including the gunman, are killed or injured by gunfire. The Mass Shooting Tracker is different from other shooting databases in that it uses a broader definition of mass shooting the old FBI definition focused on four or more people killed as part of a single shooting. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/newswatch/120315,News December 3,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"News December 3 Thursday, December 3, 2015 Senator Sanders San Bernardino ShootingSen. Bernie Sanders quickly responded to the shootings in San Bernardino, California,The New York Times,CBS NBC, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Reuters and Business Insider reported. Sen. Bernie Sanders noted that ""mass shootings are becoming an almost-everyday occurrence"" in the United States: ""Mass shootings are becoming an almost-everyday occurrence in this country. This sickening and senseless gun violence must stop."" Republican BudgetSen. Sanders took to the floor to lead the Democratic opposition to the Republican budget,VTDigger,.Mic and MSNBCreported. The last thing we need is a budget reconciliation bill that throws 17 million Americans off of health insurance and denies nearly 3 million women the health care they need by defunding Planned Parenthood, Sanders said. Sanders argued that rather than seeking to defund Planned Parenthood, lawmakers should boost support for it. Climate ConferenceScience-denying Republicansintent on derailing local, national and global attempts to avert a looming climate crisishave their priorities all wrong, Sen. Sanders said on Tuesday. I find it unacceptable that many of my Republican colleagues are more worried about campaign contributions theyre getting from the Koch brothers and others in the fossil fuel industry than they are about preserving the planet for our children and grandchildren, Sanders said in a statement urging the U.S. to take the lead in stopping global warming,EcoWatch reported. Transportation Bill Sen. Sanders announced that a $305 billion transportation bill agreement reached will provide nearly $1.1 billion to Vermont to help improve the state's roadways. According to the senator's office, he legislation would allow Vermont to become more competitive for federal funding and lowering the cost of borrowing federal funds for rural projects, FOX44 in Burlington reported. Social Security Sens. Patrick Leahy and Sanders have joined Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and 17 other Democrats in seeking a cost-of-living increase for seniors on Social Security. The Seniors and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act seeks to provide a boost to about 70 million seniors, veterans and people with disabilities with a bonus payment of just under $600, The Times Argus reported. Most Fascinating PeopleBarbara Walters has announced who will appear on her annual ""Most Fascinating People"" special,ABCreported. ""Barbara Walters Presents: 10 Most Fascinating People 2015"" will feature actors Bradley Cooper, Amy Schumer and Tracy Morgan, American Ballet Theater principal dancer Misty Copeland, Sen. Sanders, UFC champion Rhonda Rousey and fashion designer Donna Karan. World ISIS For years, the Joint Special Operations Command, known throughout the Pentagon as JSOC, has provided standing forces of American commandos to track down terrorist leaders overseas. Now, in announcing that it is deploying a small team of special operators to Iraq to carry out raids against high-value Islamic State leaders in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon is turning to its elite team of manhunters once again, The New York Times reported. Climate Talks Negotiators walked into the climate change summit meeting with a 50-page draft accord that is full of options too many options. In the months leading up to these talks, whenever they have had big disagreements on tough issues like how, exactly, rich countries would send money to poor countries to help adapt to the ravages of climate change, or how to maintain accountability negotiators have kept their options open, The New York Times reported. National San Bernardino At least two gun-wielding assailants opened fire on a holiday party for county employees Wednesday, killing 14people in the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre three years ago this month. Hours after the shooting, law enforcement officials said two suspects Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, andTashfeen Malik, 27 had been killed in a police shootout several miles from the site of the original attack, The Washington Post reported. A Daily Occurrence More than one a day. That is how often, on average, shootings that left four or more people wounded or dead occurred in the United States this year, according to compilations of episodes derived from news reports, The New York Times reported. No Child Left Behind The House on Wednesday approved a sweeping bill to revise the contentious No Child Left Behind law, representing the end of an era in which the federal government aggressively policed public school performance, and returning control to states and local districts, The New York Times reported. Vermont Racist Response Racism was on full display as students gathered at a rally Wednesday outside Bellows Free Academy high school to demonstrate against racial prejudice in Vermonts schools. A young man drove past the rally with a Confederate flag mounted to the bed of his pickup truck; others drove past giving demonstrators the middle finger. A group of white students who gathered around another pickup truck pantomimed shooting guns at demonstrators, VT Digger reported.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-calls-for-common-sense-gun-safety-legislation,Sanders Calls for Common-Sense Gun Safety Legislation,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 Following the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, yesterday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) joined with his Democratic colleagues in the Senate to call for sensible gun safety legislation. A full copy of his remarks is below. Here is the very sad truth and that is that it is very difficult for the American people to keep up with the mass shootings that we seem to see almost every day. Yesterday, San Bernardino, a few days ago, Colorado Springs, before that Roseburg, Oregon, before that Chattanooga, Tennessee, and on and on it goes. The San Bernardino shooting was the 355th mass shooting this year. Gun violence has reached epidemic levels in the United States. Over the past decade, 275,000 Americans have been killed by guns. Let me paraphrase what President Obama said recently. And what he said is, this is not an easy problem to solve. But just because it is not an easy problem to solve does not mean that we should not do everything that we can. Now the bad news is that this nation is divided over gun legislation. Thats a simple fact. Thats a political reality. But the good news is there is a broad consensus, perhaps 60, 70 percent of the American people who agree on common sense gun safety legislation. And here is what that consensus is about, supported by a strong majority of the American people. We need to significantly expand and improve background checks. Who is arguing that people who should not have guns because of a criminal background, because of mental problems should not be able to purchase guns? Very few Americans disagree with that. We need to renew the assault weapons ban. We need to end the sale of high capacity magazines. We need to make gun trafficking a federal crime and give law enforcement the tools they need to get illegal guns off the streets. We need to close the gun show loophole, as well as loopholes that allow gun purchasers to buy a gun after the waiting period expires without a completed background check. We need to close loopholes that allow domestic abusers and stalkers to obtain guns. We need to strengthen penalties for straw purchasers who buy guns from licensed dealers on behalf of someone prohibited from purchasing a gun. And very significantly, we need to greatly expand and improve our mental health capabilities. The sad reality is that in America today there are many thousands of people who are walking our streets who are suicidal or homicidal. And these people need treatment when they need treatment, regardless of their income, regardless of their insurance status. When they are in crisis they should be able to get treatment today, not two months from now. These are just some of the ideas that in fact are supported by the vast majority of the American people, and its time the Congress move forward in response.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-application-period-for-assistance-to-firefighters-grants,"Collins, King Announce Application Period for Assistance to Firefighters Grants",2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Collins, King Announce Application Period for Assistance to Firefighters Grants Wednesday, December 2, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, and Angus King, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin accepting applications for grant funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program on Monday, December 7th at 8:00 a.m. The application period will close on January 15, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. The AFG Program funding assists fire departments and nonaffiliated ambulance and emergency medical service organizations in meeting their firefighting and emergency response needs. The program provides federal funding that enables these organizations to purchase equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources to better protect the public and emergency personnel. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provides invaluable support to protect the firefighters and emergency health professionals who risk their lives protecting us every day, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. We encourage Maine fire departments and emergency organizations to utilize this program for help obtaining the vital resources they need to do their jobs. Grant guidance for fire departments and other organizations interested in applying for AFG grants is available at www.grants.gov and at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/afggrants/index.shtm. Applicants that require assistance should go to www.fema.gov/grants, or contact the AFG Help Desk at firegrants@fema.gov or by calling 1-866-274-0960. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-applaud-196-million-for-maine-water-infrastructure-projects,"Collins, King Applaud $19.6 Million for Maine Water Infrastructure Projects",2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Collins, King Applaud $19.6 Million for Maine Water Infrastructure Projects Wednesday, December 2, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today applauded an announcement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the State of Maine will receive $19.6 million to support water infrastructure projects. The funds will be used to upgrade sewage plants and drinking water systems, replace aging infrastructure, and bolster water projects essential to environmental protection and public health safety across the state. Maintaining strong water infrastructure is critical to ensuring the health of Maine people, Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. We welcome this funding from the EPA, which will help upgrade water treatment systems that will result in improved water quality and public health. The $19.6 million is distributed as follows: The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, administrated by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Maine Municipal Bond Bank (MMBB), received $10.8 million. EPAs funding provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects to make improvements to wastewater treatment systems, control pollution from stormwater runoff, and protect sensitive water bodies and estuaries. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program, administrated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and MMBB, received $8.8 million. EPAs funding provides low-interest loans to finance improvements to drinking water systems, with a particular focus on providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water. According to the EPA, since the beginning of this program, approximately $497 million has been awarded to Maine for the construction, expansion and upgrading of clean water infrastructure resulting in decreased pollutant loadings to waterbodies throughout the state. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-wake-of-paris-attacks-collins-king-cosponsor-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-visa-waiver-program,"In Wake of Paris Attacks, Collins, King Cosponsor Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program",2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"In Wake of Paris Attacks, Collins, King Cosponsor Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program Wednesday, December 2, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, have joined with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) to introduce bipartisan legislation that would strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program to help prevent terrorists from entering the United States. Protecting the safety and security of the people of Maine and across our country remains our most important consideration as we seek to combat ISIS, said Senator Collins. While most of the refugees are fleeing the same terrorists in their home countries that concern us as Americans, we must assume that ISIS will exploit any opportunity to attack the American people, our allies in Europe, or Muslims who do not share their extremist ideology. This bipartisan legislation tightens the Visa Waiver Program to help prevent Islamic terrorists and other radical extremists from hijacking the program to enter the United States from trusted countries without a visa and the scrutiny it entails. The Visa Waiver Program is an important tool that has increased the ease of travel between member countries and improved security measures associated with that travel, Senator King said. But with an increasing number of citizens from visa waiver countries traveling to the Middle East and North Africa to train and fight in support of terrorism, its critical that we ensure the program cant be exploited as a potential gateway to the United States. Thats why Congress should immediately strengthen the Visa Waiver program to reflect the realities of todays world. Doing so will help deny terrorists an opportunity to do us harm and take a substantial step towards better protecting the American people. The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries, including most of those in Europe, to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, after having met certain security requirements. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the program was used nearly 20 million times last year to gain access to the United States. Thousands of European citizens have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight, and an estimated 45 million lost or stolen passports are on the black market. Its critical that Congress take up legislation to strengthen the program. The Visa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Act would improve the security of the Visa Waiver Program by: Requiring individuals who have traveled to Syria or Iraq in the past five years to acquire a traditional tourist visa instead of traveling without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. This process requires an in-person interview with an American consular official and the submission of the travelers biometric information. Requiring travelers using the Visa Waiver Program to submit biometric information, in the form of fingerprints and a photograph, before they travel to the United States. Requiring all visa waiver travelers to use an electronic passport, which is more secure and more difficult to tamper with. Requiring increased intelligence-sharing between Visa Waiver Program countries and the United States. For more information on the legislation, click HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-scores-legislative-hat-trick-in-federal-highway-bill,King Scores Legislative Hat-Trick in Federal Highway Bill,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King Scores Legislative Hat-Trick in Federal Highway Bill Bill renews Export-Import Bank, streamlines federal permitting process, and delivers regulatory relief to small banks Wednesday, December 2, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. An agreement reached yesterday on a long-term highway funding bill includes a hat-trick of legislative victories for Maine long championed by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine). In addition to providing an increased and stable source of funding for highway, transit, and other infrastructure projects, the legislation would (1) reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, (2) boost jobs by simplifying the federal permitting process for major projects, and (3) deliver regulatory relief to small banks. I am pleased that Senate and House negotiators have reached an agreement to move forward with a long-term bill that will provide a stable source of funding to properly invest in repairing our roads, bridges, and other vital infrastructure. After far too many short-term patches, this bill while not perfect is a positive step forward that will improve our transportation network, bolster the economy, and better protect the safety of traveling Americans, Senator King said. This bill also renews the Export-Import Bank, which supports jobs in Maine, makes significant strides in reducing government red tape to help businesses grow and thrive, and makes it easier for small banks across Maine to serve their customers, Senator King said. These measures will go a long way to supporting jobs in Maine, and I look forward to getting this much-needed bill across the finish-line. The 5-year highway bill announced yesterday titled the FAST Act will provide Maine with a five percent increase in highway funding and an eight percent increase in transit funding in the first year of the bill and result in a 15 percent increase in highway funding and an 18 percent increase in transit by the last year. For more information on how the bill will impact infrastructure projects in Maine, click HERE. Additionally, the bill includes three provisions long-championed and supported by Senator King including: Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank: The legislation includes language that would reauthorize for four years the Export-Import Bank, a critical tool that since 2007 has supported more than $264 million in exports from 13 companies in 12 communities in Maine. Senator King has repeatedly called for the Banks reauthorization and, in July, he supported an amendment to the highway funding bill that would have done so. The amendment passed by an overwhelming margin but the House of Representatives failed to take up the legislation. Simplification of the Federal Permitting Process: The legislation includes provisions of the Federal Permitting Improvement Act introduced by Senator King, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), and Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) earlier this year that would streamline and improve the federal permitting process for the largest and most complex capital projects. Businesses looking to undertake large infrastructure projects are currently subject to a massive bureaucratic process involving up to a dozen agencies and approvals, and even after approval, litigation can stall projects for years. These provisions improve the timeliness and predictability of the review process without compromising environmental standards or sacrificing critical regulatory protections. The World Bank has ranked the United States 41st in the world in Dealing with Construction Permits, a metric that measures how easy it is to actually build something. Regulatory Relief to Small Banks: The legislation includes more than a dozen financial regulatory relief measures, including several of which are supported by Senator King and which will benefit Maines community banks and credit unions. Provisions supported by Senator King include language that would allow highly-rated small financial institutions to qualify for longer on-site examination cycles so that well-run, lower-risk banks spend less time with banking regulators and more time with their customers; as well as language that reduces the costly burden of unnecessary annual privacy notices to customers so long as privacy policies at financial institutions have not changed. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-funding-award-for-maine-maritime-academy,"Senators Collins, King Announce Funding Award for Maine Maritime Academy",2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Collins, King Announce Funding Award for Maine Maritime Academy Wednesday, December 2, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. United States Senators Susan Collins, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King, member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today announced an award of $469,000 to the Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding will support the Marine Engine Testing and Emissions Laboratory (METEL) at MMA. Finding practical solutions for reducing harmful emissions is a top priority, and we are pleased that the U.S. Department of Transportation has recognized the tremendous work being done by Maine Maritime Academy at its Marine Engine Testing and Emissions Laboratory, said Senators Collins and King in a statement. This investment will enable the Academy, in partnership with the University of Maine, to continue to develop emissions reductions and efficiency solutions for marine diesel engines, conduct critical research, and help to advance the maritime industry. This grant was provided through the U.S. Department of Transportations University Transportation Center Discretionary Grants. Intended to advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines of transportation through the mechanisms of education, research and technology transfer at university-based centers of excellence, the U.S. Department of Transportation chooses internationally recognized centers of excellence, fully integrated within institutions of higher learning, that serve as a vital source of leaders who are prepared to meet the nations need for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound movement of people and goods. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/how-an-84000-drug-got-its-price-lets-hold-our-position_whatever-the-headlines,"How an $84,000 drug got its price: Lets hold our position whatever the headlines",2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"How an $84,000 drug got its price: Lets hold our position whatever the headlines By: Carolyn Y. Johnson and Brady Dennis Wednesday, December 2, 2015 Gilead Sciences executives wereacutely aware in 2013 that their plan to charge an exorbitantly high price fora powerful new hepatitis C drug would spark public outrage, but they pursued the profit-driven strategy anyway,according to a Senate Finance Committee investigation report released Tuesday. ""Let's not fold to advocacy pressure in 2014,"" Kevin Young, Gilead's executive vice president for commercial operations, wrote in an internal email.Lets holdour position whatever competitors do or whatever the headlines."" Gilead gained federal approval for its drug Sovaldi in late 2013 and ultimately settled on the price of $84,000 for a 12-week course of treatment. To the company, that price seemed to deliver the right balance: value to shareholders while also not so high that insurers would ""hinder patient access to uncomfortable levels,"" according to internal documents. But they also got more than they bargained for: an outpouring of outrage from the public, a backlash from government and private payers, and political scrutiny. The 18-month Senate committee investigation reviewedmore than 20,000 pages of company documents. The documents show it was always Gileads plan to max out revenue, and that accessibility and affordability were pretty much an afterthought,"" said Sen. Ron Wyden(D-Ore.), who co-led the investigation with Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), in a news conference. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-announces-11-billion-for-vermont-in-transportation-bill,Sanders Announces $1.1 Billion For Vermont in Transportation Bill,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today that a five-year, $305 billion transportation bill agreement reached Tuesday by House and Senate negotiators will deliver nearly $1.1 billion to Vermont to improve the states roadways. While this legislation does not have everything I would have hoped for, I am pleased it includes more than $1 billion for Vermonts roads and bridges in the coming years, Sanders said. As a member of the committee with primary jurisdiction over federal road and bridge programs, Sanders successfully fought for a funding formula that helps Vermont. The final agreement includes a 5 percent increase in funding for Vermont in the first year and a total increase of 15 percent over five years. The legislation includes several other provisions authored by Sanders that would benefit Vermont, including changes to make Vermont competitive for additional federal funding and lowering the cost of borrowing federal funds for rural projects. Sanders also secured a provision to start the process of creating a national network of recharging stations for electric vehicles. The bill also includes a 10 percent increase in funding for public transit in the first year and an overall increase of almost 18 percent over five years. This funding increase is critically important for low-income families, senior citizens, veterans and for people with disabilities in rural areas like Vermont, Sanders said. Congress is poised to pass the agreement in the coming days. The current short-term transportation bill expires on December 4. Once approved, this legislation will mark the first time since 2005 that Congress has passed a long-term highway bill. The problem isnt just roads and bridges. Our airports, railways, drinking water and waste systems, harbors and inland waterways, dams and levees, and electric grid are all suffering from a lack of investment, Sanders said. While this bill is an important first step, I will continue to fight for legislation to rebuild our nations crumbling infrastructure. Earlier this year, Sanders introduced the Rebuild America Act, a $1 trillion, five-year plan that would modernize the infrastructure our economy depends on, while creating 13 million decent-paying jobs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-slams-republican-budget,Sanders Slams Republican Budget,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Bernie Sanders ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, took to the floor today to lead the Democratic opposition to the Republican budget. The last thing we need is a budget reconciliation bill that throws 17 million Americans off of health insurance and denies nearly 3 million women the health care they need by defunding Planned Parenthood, Sanders said. At a time when the United States is the only major country that does not guarantee health care as a right, the proposed budget would gut the Affordable Care Act and continue the Republican witch-hunt against Planned Parenthood. Sanders called instead for a responsible budget that reverses the massive transfer of wealth from working families to the top 1 percent, stops skyrocketing prescription drug prices and puts millions of Americans back to work. He questioned why the Republican budget does not provide paid family leave, raise the minimum wage to a living wage or make college affordable for all. The reason why the American people are angry and the reason why the Congress is so unpopular, is that the Congress is not addressing the real problems that are impacting their lives each and every day, Sanders added. At a time when the rich are getting richer, poverty is increasing, and the middle class has been in a 40-year decline, we need a budget that improves the lives of all Americans, not just the people on the top.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/why-the-us-pays-more-than-other-countries-for-drugs,Why the U.S. Pays More Than Other Countries for Drugs,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Why the U.S. Pays More Than Other Countries for Drugs By: Jeanne Whalen Tuesday, December 1, 2015 Norway, an oil producer with one of the worlds richest economies, is an expensive place to live. A Big Mac costs $5.65. A gallon of gasoline costs $6. But one thing is far cheaper than in the U.S.: prescription drugs. A vial of the cancer drug Rituxan cost Norways taxpayer-funded health system$1,527 in the third quarter of 2015, while the U.S. Medicare program paid $3,678. An injection of the asthma drug Xolair cost Norway $463, which was 46% less than Medicare paid for it. Drug prices in the U.S. are shrouded in mystery, obscured by confidential rebates, multiple middlemen and the strict guarding of trade secrets. But for certain drugsthose paid for by Medicare Part Bprices are public. By stacking these against pricing in three foreign health systems, as discovered in nonpublic and public data, The Wall Street Journal was able to pinpoint international drug-cost differences and what lies behind them. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/newswatch/120115,News December 1,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"News December 1 Tuesday, December 1, 2015 Senator Sanders Drug Prices About 7 out of 10 Americans, including two-thirds of Republicans,said Medicare, the federal health insurance program for older and disabled Americans, should be able tonegotiate lower prices for all prescription drugs.Another 13 percent support negotiations for just high-cost drugs for illnesses such as hepatitis C or cancer, according to a new poll by STAT News. More broadly, about three-quarters of the public believe the prices of brand-name prescription drugs are unreasonable, while 1 in 4 expressed that view about generics. Tax Break Deal House and Senate negotiators are working to complete a deal as earlyas this week thatwouldrevive dozens of expired tax breaks andcould also seek to scale backa controversial part of Obamacare and expand some tax benefits for low income workers. Early versions of the package circulated by lobbyists and staffers were estimatedto cost as much as $700 billion over 10 years. The deal would repeal the Cadillac Tax, which Sen. Sanders opposes, The Washington Post reported. World Pope: World Near Suicide on Climate Change Environmental negotiators meeting in Paris should strike a climate change deal to save a world ""at the limits of suicide,"" Pope Francis said on Monday, The Washington Post reported. ""I am not sure, but I can say to you 'now or never',"" he told a group of reporters aboard the papal plane, en route home from Africa, according to Reuters. ""Every year the problems are getting worse. We are at the limits. If I may use a strong word I would say that we are at the limits of suicide."" Ukraine The United States has delivered more than $260 million in non-lethal military equipment to help the government of Ukraine in its fight against a Russian-backed insurgency, but some of the U.S.-supplied gear meant to protect and transport Ukrainian military forces is little more than junk, The Washington Post reported. National Money in Politics The rich families remaking Illinois are among a small group around the country who have channeled their extraordinary wealth into political power, taking advantage of regulatory, legal and cultural shifts that have carved new paths for infusing money into campaigns. Economic winners in an age of rising inequality, operating largely out of public view, they are reshaping government with fortunes so large as to defy the ordinary financial scale of politics. In the 2016 presidential race, a New York Times analysis found last month, just 158 families had provided nearly half of the early campaign money. Vermont Vermont Health Connect Although Gov. Peter Shumlin recently proclaimed the Vermont Health Connect a totally different ballgame in comparison to last years performance, a House committee on Monday heard of several unresolved problems affecting the insurance exchange, Burlington Free Press reported.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-world-aids-day-sanders-demands-affordable-drugs,"On World AIDS Day, Sanders Demands Affordable Drugs",2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"On World AIDS Day, Sanders Demands Affordable Drugs Tuesday, December 1, 2015 WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 On World AIDS Day, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) condemned price gouging by pharmaceutical companies on lifesaving drugs to treat the disease. The biggest problem in caring for those with AIDS is no longer mainly a medical or scientific problem the crisis is access to affordable drugs, Sanders said. People are dying in America because they can't afford to pay the outrageous prices for medicine they need to live. In the richest nation in the world, we must do everything possible to get people the medicine they need at a price they can afford. Last year, one in five Americans 35 million people were unable to afford to fill their prescriptions. The price of Daraprim, a drug taken by AIDS patients, was recently increased 5,000 percent overnight. Sanders and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) have introduced comprehensive legislation to lower the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. Their bills would authorize the secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies and reduce barriers to the importation of lower-cost drugs from Canada and other countries. Sanders and Cummings have also conducted a year-long investigation into rising prices. The United States is the only major country on earth that does not in one form or another regulate prescription drug prices and the results have been an unmitigated disaster, Sanders said. We must take on the pharmaceutical industry that has been ripping off the American people and pass legislation to lower the cost of lifesaving drugs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-slams-republican-budget,Sanders Slams Republican Budget,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, took to the floor today to lead the Democratic opposition to the Republican budget. The last thing we need is a budget reconciliation bill that throws 17 million Americans off of health insurance and denies nearly 3 million women the health care they need by defunding Planned Parenthood, Sanders said. At a time when the United States is the only major country that does not guarantee health care as a right, the proposed budget would gut the Affordable Care Act and continue the Republican witch-hunt against Planned Parenthood. Sanders called instead for a responsible budget that reverses the massive transfer of wealth from working families to the top 1 percent, stops skyrocketing prescription drug prices and puts millions of Americans back to work. He questioned why the Republican budget does not provide paid family leave, raise the minimum wage to a living wage or make college affordable for all. The reason why the American people are angry and the reason why the Congress is so unpopular, is that the Congress is not addressing the real problems that are impacting their lives each and every day, Sanders added. At a time when the rich are getting richer, poverty is increasing, and the middle class has been in a 40-year decline, we need a budget that improves the lives of all Americans, not just the people on the top.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/us-must-lead-on-climate-change-sanders-says,"U.S. Must Lead on Climate Change, Sanders Says",2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Must Lead on Climate Change, Sanders Says Tuesday, December 1, 2015 WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 As nearly 150 world leaders gather for a summit in Paris on climate change, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on Tuesday that the United States must lead the world in taking bold actions to stop climate change. Calling the need to combat climate change a moral issue, Sanders agreed with Pope Francis about the urgent need to take action, The pope was right when he said the problems are getting worse and that unless we act we are at the limits of suicide, Sanders said. A member of the Senate environment and energy committees, Sanders said scientists have warned that there is a short window of opportunity to transform our energy systems away from fossil fuels and toward energy efficiency and sustainable energy. The evidence is overwhelming. When the final calculations are made, 2015 will replace 2014 as the warmest year on record. Droughts, floods and severe storms already are impacting the planet and the situation will only become worse in years to come, Sanders said. I find it unacceptable that many of my Republican colleagues are more worried about campaign contributions theyre getting from the Koch brothers and others in the fossil fuel industry than they are about preserving the planet for our children and grandchildren, the senator added.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/on-world-aids-day-sanders-demands-affordable-drugs,"On World AIDS Day, Sanders Demands Affordable Drugs",2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"On World AIDS Day, Sen. Bernie Sanders condemned price gouging by pharmaceutical companies on lifesaving drugs to treat the disease. The biggest problem in caring for those with AIDS is no longer mainly a medical or scientific problem the crisis is access to affordable drugs, Sanders said. People are dying in America because they can't afford to pay the outrageous prices for medicine they need to live. In the richest nation in the world, we must do everything possible to get people the medicine they need at a price they can afford. Last year, one in five Americans 35 million people were unable to afford to fill their prescriptions. The price of Daraprim, a drug taken by AIDS patients, was recently increased 5,000 percent overnight. Sanders and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) have introduced comprehensive legislation to lower the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. Their bills would authorize the secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies and reduce barriers to the importation of lower-cost drugs from Canada and other countries. Sanders and Cummings have also conducted a year-long investigation into rising prices. The United States is the only major country on earth that does not in one form or another regulate prescription drug prices and the results have been an unmitigated disaster, Sanders said. We must take on the pharmaceutical industry that has been ripping off the American people and pass legislation to lower the cost of lifesaving drugs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-november-25-2015,"THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - November 25, 2015",2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Independent,Senate,MP,Gregorio Sablan,S001177,sablan.house.gov,,,legacy,"THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - November 25, 2015 Nov 29, 2015 In this issue: BREAKING NEWS: Three new academy slots now available. President Obama signed the2016 National Defense Authorization Actinto law this afternoon, adding three new slots for Northern Mariana Islands students at the U.S. service academies. Section 556 of the new law increases academy positions for NMI students by one each at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. This is the second time openings for the Northern Marianas have been increased. I included language in the2010 Defense Authorization (527)doubling the total slots at the time from three to six. All but one of those are currently filled, a testament to the high caliber of applicants from our islands. With the Presidents action, we now have nine positions set aside for the Northern Marianas with four openings available now for applicants in this years admissions cycle. For information about applying for a congressional nomination to a service academy, visit the congressional website athttps://sablan.house.gov/serving-you/academy-nominationsor contact yourlocal congressional office. The deadline to apply for my nomination isFriday, December 11, 2015. Erratum:In last week's e-newsletter, we mistakenly identified the school mascot of the Tinian Elementary School as the Stallion. The Colt is the mascot of Tinian Elementary School, while the Stallion is the mascot of the Tinian Junior Senior High School. Our apologies for the error. OPPORTUNITIES: Federal contracts, grants, jobs for/in the Marianas: Grants: 2016 Marine Education and Training Mini Grant Program- The National Marine Fisheries Service is soliciting competitive applications for the 2016 Pacific Islands Region Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program. Projects are being solicited to improve communication, education, and training on marine resource issues throughout the region and increase scientific education for marine-related professions among coastal community residents, including indigenous Pacific islanders, Native Hawaiians and other underrepresented groups in the region. Current closing date isFebruary 3, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=279985. Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities- The EPAs Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization is soliciting proposals from eligible entities to provide technical assistance to assist communities facing brownfields challenges. Grants awarded under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities announcement will help communities tackle the challenge of assessing, cleaning up and preparing brownfields sites for development, especially underserved/rural/small and otherwise distressed communities. The technical assistance provided through this grant will cover technical support on various brownfields subject areas. Current closing date isDecember 21, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=279966. Emergency Medical Services for Children State Partnership Regionalization of Care- The goal of the EMSC Program is to reduce child and youth mortality and morbidity caused by severe illness or trauma. The EMSC Program intends to enhance the pediatric capabilities of EMS systems originally designed primarily for adults. EMS for Children broadly means a continuum of care that includes the following components: prevention, pre-hospital care, hospital-based emergency care, and rehabilitation and reentry of the child from the emergency care environment into the community. The overall purpose of this grant program is to reduce pediatric morbidity and mortality by developing regionalized systems of care thus increasing access to pediatric specialists for children in rural, territorial, insular and/or tribal communities. Current closing date isJanuary 20, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280007. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Health Professions Student Training (SBIRT- Student Training)- The purpose of this program is to develop and implement training programs to teach students in health professions (physician assistants, dentists, psychologists, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, counselors, and medical students and residents) the skills necessary to provide evidence-based screening and brief intervention and refer patients who are at risk for a substance use disorder (SUD) to appropriate treatment. Additionally, the training will develop the leadership skills needed in order to champion the implementation of SBIRT throughout the United States healthcare system with the ultimate goal of helping clients avoid substance use disorders. Current closing date isJanuary 4, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=279965. Jobs: Principal- The Defense Education Activity, Department of the Defense is accepting applications for a Principal in Guam. Incumbent will monitor the delivery and evaluation of the education program and manages the facilities, personnel matters, and budget, and logistical support for a school. Position is open untilDecember 31, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/401432700. Assistant Principal- The Defense Education Activity, Department of Defense is accepting applications for an Assistant Principal in Guam. Incumbent will monitor the delivery and evaluation of the education program and manages the facilities, personnel matters, and budget, and logistical support for a school. Position is open untilDecember 31, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/401433000. Highlights in the Legislative Program THIS WEEK: On the floor The House is in recess for the District Work Period. Co-sponsorships H.Res.523 Supporting the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month NEXT WEEK: On the floor S.611 Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act H.R.3490 Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act H.R.3279 Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act H.R.1755 To amend title 26, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the congressional charter of the Disabled American Veterans H.R.1541 Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities Act or the PRISM Act Possible Consideration of the Conference Report to AccompanyH.R.22 Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 Possible Consideration of the Conference Report to AccompanyH.R.5 Student Success Act Committee Hearings December 2 Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Hearing on Principles for Ensuring Retirement Advice Serves the Best Interests of Working Families and Retirees",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-epa-administrator-tour-westbrook-farm-hold-roundtable-for-maine-farmers-on-clean-water-rule,"King, EPA Administrator Tour Westbrook Farm, Hold Roundtable for Maine Farmers on Clean Water Rule",2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"King, EPA Administrator Tour Westbrook Farm, Hold Roundtable for Maine Farmers on Clean Water Rule King continues to press EPA to clarify rule and issue clearer compliance guidelines for Maine farmers Monday, November 30, 2015 WESTBROOK, ME Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy toured Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook and held a roundtable with agricultural officials from across the state to discuss the EPAs Clean Water Rule and its impact on farmers in Maine. The roundtable follows a letter to the agency led by Senator King and signed by ten of his colleagues expressing concern over the ambiguity of the rule and how it may create uncertainty that could have a detrimental impact on farming operations in Maine. During the roundtable today, Senator King joined with farmers from across the state to reiterate those concerns to Administrator McCarthy, and he also pledged to continue to work with the EPA to see that the agency clarifies agricultural exemptions and provides more concise compliance guidelines for Maine farmers. No one is more committed to preserving and protecting the environment than the people of Maine. Our natural resources are not only a hallmark of our state, but theyre also the foundation of our economy, Senator King said. But for Maines farmers and for everyone who relies on the land for a living, the ambiguity of the Clean Water Rule has caused a lot of justifiable concern. Farmers here just want to know that they wont have to hire a lawyer or a soil scientist to dig something like an irrigation ditch, and the EPA owes it to them to address those concerns, clarify the rule, and provide more concise compliance guidance. Todays roundtable was a positive step in that direction, and I look forward to further engaging with the EPA to ensure that it enacts a common-sense rule that protects the environment and allows our farmers to do their jobs. Earlier this year, the EPA and the U.S. Army formalized the Clean Water Rule to better protect streams and waterways across the country from pollution and degradation. However,farmers in Maine and elsewhere have expressed concerns, which are shared by Senator King, on the ambiguity of the rule and have sought clearer and more concise implementation guidance to both better understand how it would impact their businesses and ensure that their farming operations are in line with the intent of the rule and not unduly hampered by it. To address those concerns, Senator King earlier this month led a letter to the EPA signed by ten of his colleagues urging the agency to clarify the rules agricultural exemptions and provide clearer guidelines. Todays roundtable represented a step forward in that effort, but Senator King also reaffirmed his willingness to pursue legislative changes to the rule if his concerns are not properly addressed by the agency. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-and-king-announce-more-than-400000-in-grant-funding-to-assist-maine-families-living-in-public-housing,"Senators Collins and King Announce More Than $400,000 in Grant Funding to Assist Maine Families Living in Public Housing",2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Independent,House,ME,Angus King,K000383,www.king.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Collins and King Announce More Than $400,000 in Grant Funding to Assist Maine Families Living in Public Housing Monday, November 30, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins, the Chairman the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Angus King today announced that several housing authorities and municipalities in Maine will receive a total of $439,537 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant funding will come through HUDs Family Self-Sufficiency Program and will be used to help public housing residents and individuals participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program increase their education and gain marketable skills that will allow them to find employment and advance in their current work. Public Housing Authorities in Maine play an indispensable role in helping some of our most vulnerable citizens find safe and affordable housing, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. This funding will provide crucial support to individuals and families across our state, connecting them with a range of job training and educational services. HUDs Family Self Sufficiency program intends to help low-income families who receive federal housing assistance receive training and education, find jobs, save money, and eventually become financially independent. The awards are as follows: Augusta Housing Authority, $32,484 Bangor Housing Authority, $57,050 Housing Authority of the City of Brewer, $52,832 City of Caribou, $48,729 Housing Authority of the City of Old Town, $23,972 Lewiston Housing Authority, $57,820 Maine State Housing Authority, $54,031 Portland Housing Authority, $72,012 Westbrook Housing Authority, $40,607 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/how-walmart-keeps-an-eye-on-its-massive-workforce,How Walmart Keeps an Eye on Its Massive Workforce,2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Independent,House,VT,Bernard Sanders,S000033,www.sanders.senate.gov,,,legacy,"How Walmart Keeps an Eye on Its Massive Workforce The retail giant is Always watching. By: Susan Berfield Monday, November 30, 2015 In the autumn of 2012, when Walmart first heard about the possibility of a strike on Black Friday, executives mobilized with the efficiency that had built a retail empire. Walmart has a system for almost everything: When theres an emergency or a big event, it creates a Delta team. The one formed that September included representatives from global security, labor relations, and media relations. For Walmart, the stakes were enormous. The billions in sales typical of a Walmart Black Friday were threatened. The companys public image, especially in big cities where its power and size were controversial, could be harmed. But more than all that: Any attempt to organize its 1million hourly workers at its more than 4,000 stores in the U.S. was an existential danger. Operating free of unions was as essential to Walmarts business as its rock-bottom prices. OURWalmart, a group of employees backed and funded by a union, was asking for more full-time jobs with higher wages and predictable schedules. Officially they called themselvesthe Organization United for Respect at Walmart. Walmart publicly dismissed OURWalmart as the insignificant creation of the United Food and Commercial Workers International (UFCW) union. This is just another union publicity stunt, and the numbers they are talking about are grossly exaggerated, David Tovar, a spokesman, said onCBS Evening Newsthat November. Internally, however, Walmart considered the group enough of a threat that it hired an intelligence-gathering service from Lockheed Martin, contacted the FBI, staffed up its labor hotline, ranked stores by labor activity, and kept eyes on employees (and activists) prominent in the group. During that time, about 100 workers were actively involved in recruiting for OURWalmart, but employees (or associates, as theyre called at Walmart) across the company were watched; the briefest conversations were reported to the home office, as Walmart calls its headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. The details of Walmarts efforts during the first year it confronted OURWalmart are described in more than 1,000 pages of e-mails, reports, playbooks, charts, and graphs, as well as testimony from its head of labor relations at the time. The documents were produced in discovery ahead of a National Labor Relations Board hearing into OURWalmarts allegations of retaliation against employees who joined protests in June2013. The testimony was given in January2015, during the hearing. OURWalmart, which split from the UFCW in September, provided the documents toBloomberg Businessweekafter the judge concluded the case in mid-October. A decision may come in early 2016. Continue reading here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z