url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-holiday-podcast-senator-king-discusses-the-virtues-of-community-service,"In Holiday Podcast, Senator King Discusses the Virtues of Community Service",2022-12-31,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Listen to the November edition of Senator King’s podcast here or on Apple Podcasts. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the December episode of Senator King’s “Inside Maine” podcast – a special holiday season edition that features a timely discussion about community service, volunteerism, and how Maine people can give back to their communities this holiday season. Senator King was joined by Charley Martin-Berry, the Director of Community Caring Collaborative (CCC); Vassie Fowler, the Executive Director of Seeds of Hope; David Patch, the Commander of American Legion Post 36, Veterans Resource Center and Mid-Coast Veterans Council; and Sarah Duncan, the Executive Director of United Way Aroostook. During the conversation, Senator King and his guests share how volunteerism has helped Maine communities weather the economic and social challenges that unfolded over the past year. Specifically, his guests highlighted the affordable housing crisis and the need for organizations to cut through red tape and bureaucracy to connect Maine people in need with food banks, shelters, and other nonprofits. Senator King and his guests also discussed the role Congress can play in promoting more community service across the country. “Maine’s nonprofits and volunteers have always stepped up to support our neighbors and communities in need,” said Senator King. “In the face of daunting obstacles, these leaders have responded with energy, joy, and compassion – bringing light in dark moments. Their work has been critical to Maine people. During this holiday season, I hope everyone will continue to build on this work by finding a local volunteer opportunity near them. Each of us can do something to make someone’s day a little brighter. I’m deeply thankful for everything that my guests this month do for our communities, it was a pleasure to learn more about their organizations and what volunteer opportunities they offer.” Charley Martin-Berry is the director of the Community Caring Collaborative (CCC). She leads the collaboration of state, local, and tribal partners working to improve outcomes for vulnerable Washington County community members. She previously worked at Family Futures Downeast, and led the CCC Hope Fund and Dream Fund. Vassie Fowler is the Executive Director of Seeds of Hope. She previously served as the Assistant Director for the organization and is a long time Biddeford resident. She’s previously done work for both Community Partnerships Protecting Children and York County Community Action. David Patch is a retired US Navy commander. He now serves as the commander of American Legion Post 36, and works with the Veterans’ Resource Center, the Mid-Coast Veterans Council, Honor Flight Maine, and Veterans No Boundaries. He also works with Congress on veterans’ issues. In his free time, he serves as a registered Maine Guide. David served in Vietnam and was also assigned to the Pentagon, where he was in charge of experimental vessels such as hydrofoils and surface-effect ships. Sarah Duncan is the Executive Director of United Way Aroostook. She was born and raised in Presque Isle and holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and History from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. She previously worked at WAGM and Townsquare Media. She is on the board of directors for 211 Maine, the Drug Free Coalition, and is a member of the Going Places Network and multiple other organizations. In addition to his volunteer work in personal capacities, Senator King has long been an outspoken advocate for the importance of community service, and the need to promote community service opportunities across the country – especially AmeriCorps. He recently cosponsored the Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act, which would fund 750,000 national service positions over a three-year response and recovery period, to meet the projected need for as many as 300,000 public health workers. Under the bill, the number of AmeriCorps and national service positions could expand from 75,000 to 150,000 the first year and double to 300,000 in years two and three. He also cosponsored the Cultivating Opportunity and Recovery from the Pandemic through Service (CORPS) Act, similar legislation that would expand national service programs significantly to help the country recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The “Inside Maine Podcast with Senator Angus King” is a 30-minute program that aims to help keep Maine people informed about issues of the day, how they affect life in the state, and how they factor into Senator King’s work as one of two independents in the U.S. Senate. Senator King’s podcast airs on Newsradio WGAN in Portland, Maine between 10 and 11 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/additional-1-billion-for-liheap-signed-into-law-following-advocacy-by-collins-golden,"Additional $1 Billion for LIHEAP Signed into Law Following Advocacy by Collins, Golden",2022-12-30,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Congressman Jared Golden announced that the government funding bill that was signed into law last night included $1 billion in supplemental appropriations for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides funding to help low-income households pay their energy bills. In total, the government funding bill included $5 billion for LIHEAP, which brings the total FY23 funding to $6.1 billion. Maine will receive an estimated $6.5 million in additional LIHEAP funding, on top of the $42.5 million the state was allocated in November through prior funding bills. Senator Collins and Congressman Golden led a push to increase funding for LIHEAP during the negotiations over the omnibus appropriations bill that funded the federal government for fiscal year 2023. The omnibus passed the Senate by a vote of 68-29 and the House by a vote of 225-201. “This additional funding for LIHEAP comes at a critical time for Maine families,” said Senator Collins and Congressman Golden. “We strongly advocated for this increase for LIHEAP to help compensate for the record high fuel prices that are straining households’ budgets. This much-needed funding will help to ensure that seniors on fixed incomes and other Mainers in need have the resources necessary to keep their homes warm this winter.” Many Northeast residents have seen a significant increase in their utility bills this winter, with residential electricity prices in some states forecast to rise over 60 percent, propane up 40 percent, and natural gas prices up nearly 30 percent, resulting in higher home heating bills. Senator Collins and Congressman Golden already delivered $1 billion in emergency funding for LIHEAP in the short-term “continuing resolution” (CR) funding package that President Biden signed into law in September. LIHEAP is administered by states and accessed through local Community Action Agencies. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2023 — or until the funding is exhausted. More information on how to apply can be found HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-maine-priorities-in-omnibus-spending-bill,Golden Secures Maine Priorities in Omnibus Spending Bill,2022-12-26,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) successfully secured the inclusion of a wide range of priorities for Maine’s Second District in the omnibus spending bill that passed Congress Friday. “Working across the aisle and with my colleagues in the Maine delegation, I’ve been pushing for months to ensure that this end-of-year spending bill makes responsible investments and delivers for my constituents,” said Golden. “I’m proud to have helped ensure our lobstermen can keep fishing, protect good jobs at Bath Iron Works, and help Mainers keep their families warm. Importantly, we are also bringing federal funds to bear in small towns across the state, improving local infrastructure and services, strengthening Maine’s heritage industries, and supporting economic growth in rural Maine.” The provisions Golden worked to secure in the final bill include: Regulatory Pause for Maine Lobstermen: Working with his colleagues in the Maine delegation, the congressman helped secure a six year pause before new regulations are imposed on the lobster fishery, providing the time necessary to collect data and determine the best policy to protect both right whales and Maine lobstering communities. Without the provision, the regulations slated to go into effect would likely have decimated the state’s lobster fishery. Protecting National Security and Shipbuilding Jobs at Bath As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Golden worked to authorize the construction of three DDG-51 destroyers in the upcoming fiscal year and a multi-year contract to produce up to 15 of the ships over the next five years. The omnibus spending bill appropriates money for the three DDG-51 destroyers, a significant win to protect shipbuilding jobs at Bath Iron Works over the next several years and bolster American naval power. Investing in Small Towns and Maine’s Heritage Industries The congressman secured funding for each of the fifteen Community Project Funding requests he sought. Those include: $726,000 to improve health care and STEM career training by creating one new laboratory, upgrading six existing laboratories, and adding needed equipment for health science simulation spaces at Husson University. $8 million to establish three Manufacturing Training Innovation Centers across the state through the University of Maine system. $3,000,000 to provide much needed support for the Maine Veterans Homes in Caribou and Machias to prevent their closure while a long-term solution to maintain the homes is secured. $1,642,000 to renovate the paramedic station at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, ME. The hospital’s PACE paramedic service provides EMS coverage to 18 local communities in the Oxford Hills region, seasonal coverage of Sunday River Ski Resort, and back-up coverage for four other communities that have services of their own. $1,774,075 to upgrade Ellsworth’s High Street Pump Station to mitigate potential adverse impacts of heavy rainfall events and to ensure that the sanitary sewer system can support vital economic growth for the City of Ellsworth and Downeast region. $1,000,000 to rehabilitate wastewater collect system components on the Loring Commerce Center to help alleviate problems with the Limestone Water and Sewer District’s ability to sufficiently treat wastewater at their wastewater treatment facility and help with treatment costs. $1,000,000 to contribute to immediate capital improvement needs for the Blue Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility that is located on Blue Hill Bay, a tidal arm of the Gulf of Maine. $514,400 to upgrade the only wastewater pumping station in the area, which is currently experiencing severe age-related deterioration issues that, unaddressed, could result in increased sewage treatment costs for residents and businesses in the area. $1,600,000 to construct a new hangar at Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport. $1,000,000 to improve affordable housing for the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township. $750,000 to build a paramedic garage to serve Jackman and Moose River, Maine. $1,167,036 to create a wellness and fitness space for the use of RSU16 students and staff, as well as members of the Rumford community. $2,041,160 to help construct a 336-foot multi-use bridge connecting the 14-mile long Whistle Stop Trail to the center of Farmington. $750,000 to construct a sawmill operations training facility to be located at the Dwight B. Demeritt Forest, where at least 200 students and forest professionals would train each year in support of in-demand industry workforce needs. $3,031,769 to support Maine Preservation’s work to rehabilitate the Wayne Masonic Hall and the First Congregational Church of East Machias to once again serve as community hubs for economic stimulus in rural communities. Helping Mainers Heat Their Homes Following months of advocacy from Congressman Golden, the bill contains $5 billion in LIHEAP funding. The funding will help struggling families keep their houses warm amid high fuel costs and increased demand for LIHEAP funds. Safeguarding Access to Prescription Information and Jobs in Madawaska Golden worked to ensure a provision was included in the bill to preserve the requirement for drug manufacturers to include printed inserts containing drug information when they ship their products to pharmacies. The provision would help ensure that rural Americans, seniors, and their pharmacists have access to important information about their prescription medications and protect jobs at the Twin Rivers Paper facility in Madawaska, Maine. Unfortunately, the omnibus bill did not include a measure introduced by Congressman Golden and cosponsored by Congresswoman Pingree (ME-01) to grant the Wabanaki tribes in Maine the same access to federal laws and programs as nearly every other federally-recognized tribe in the country. The measure passed through the House after being included in its spending bills but fell out of the final bill during negotiations with the Senate. Congressman Golden released the following statement on the bill’s exclusion: “I’m disappointed that this provision, which we passed through the House on a bipartisan basis, fell out of the omnibus funding bill during negotiations with the Senate. Ensuring the Wabanaki tribes have the same access to future beneficial federal laws and programs as nearly every other federally recognized tribe in the nation would have a meaningful impact on both tribal members and the surrounding communities in our state. This issue is not settled and I look forward to continuing to partner with the tribes to make headway on this important matter.” - Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/3-million-for-maine-veterans-homes-secured-by-collins-and-golden-in-funding-bill,$3 Million for Maine Veterans’ Homes Secured by Collins and Golden in Funding Bill,2022-12-24,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced that they secured $3 million for renovations and upgrades at Maine Veterans’ Homes (MVH) in the Fiscal Year 2023 Health & Human Services appropriations bill. The omnibus funding package passed the Senate by a vote of 68-29 and passed the House today by a vote of 225-201-1. It will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “Maine Veterans’ Homes provides compassionate, quality long-term care to the brave men and women who served our country,” said Senator Collins and Congressman Golden. “At a time when there is already a severe shortage of nursing home beds, MVH’s facilities in rural parts of our state fill a critical need and allow Maine veterans to remain close to their loved ones. These investments will help MVH perform necessary maintenance and upgrades to ensure that these homes remain safe for residents.” The funding will support needed renovations and life-safety upgrades at Maine Veterans Homes, such as HVAC improvements, sewer pipe installation, and fire alarm system replacements.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-announces-3-million-for-downeast-historic-preservation-efforts,Golden Announces $3 Million for Downeast Historic Preservation Efforts,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $3 million in dedicated funding as part of the 2023 appropriations government funding package for historic preservation projects in Wayne and East Machias. The funding, which passed the Senate yesterday and is expected to head to the president’s desk for his signature this week, will be used for the restoration of the Wayne Masonic Hall and the First Congregational Church of East Machias. “I’m proud to help these rural communities in Maine preserve their history and important gathering places,” said Congressman Golden.“For small towns like Wayne and East Machias, it’s impossible to overstate how important these buildings are to the families that live there. Delivering this investment is about maintaining the quality of life, connectedness, and the sense of community that is so important in small towns.” Built in 1867, the Mason Hall was a key part of industry in Wayne. In the recent decades, it has fallen into disrepair. This funding will be used to make much needed repairs to the building and reoutfit it for use as a community gathering space giving a boost to Wayne’s economy and available social opportunities. “We are grateful to our Congressman Golden for providing catalytic investment in the adaptive re-use of two buildings listed on our annual Most Endangered Historic Places list in 2021--the First Congregational Church of East Machias and Wayne Masonic Hall,” said Tara Kelly, executive director of Maine Preservation. “When stabilized and rehabilitated, these critically imperiled structures are slated to become economic and cultural stimulators in their rural communities, providing much-needed gathering spaces, public programs, and employment opportunities.” “As Washington County charts a course toward economic revival through amenity-based development, it is essential that the region’s cultural heritage is preserved through thoughtful community planning and the preservation of our historic architecture,” said Erica Famous, Preservation Project Coordinator of Friends of the First Congregational Church of East Machias. “The Friends of the First Congregational Church of East Machias is dedicated to honoring the community’s rich history while providing a welcoming space for cultural enrichment and improving community resilience through the restoration of this historic landmark. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Maine Preservation on this project and we are honored by the support of Congressman Golden.” The request on behalf of the Maine Preservation was one of the congressman’sCommunity Project Funding requests. Congressman Golden was the only member of the delegation whose request for funding was included in the year-end omnibus spending bill. Construction of the First Congregational Church in East Machias was completed in 1836 and in the nearly two centuries since, the church has fallen in need of significant repairs. The funding will be used to make substantial repairs to the church so that it can reopen as a welcoming space for all members of the Washington County community.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-1-million-for-blue-hill-wastewater-treatment-facility,Golden Delivers $1 Million for Blue Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1 million in dedicated funding as part of the 2023 appropriations government funding package for the Town of Blue Hill. The funding, which passed the Senate yesterday and is expected to head to the president’s desk for his signature this week, will be used to cover the cost of immediate improvement needs for the Blue Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility that is located on Blue Hill Bay, a tidal arm of the Gulf of Maine. “When I visited Blue Hill earlier this year, I saw firsthand the need for repairs to the wastewater treatment plant.” said Congressman Golden. “I’m proud to secure this funding to help ensure that families and small businesses in Blue Hill can continue to rely on clean water and strong local infrastructure for decades to come.” “The Town of Blue Hill greatly appreciates the consideration for this substantial funding for its upcoming Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade,” said Travis Jones, the Assistant Operations Manager Olver Associates. “The facility has had several upgrades over the years, but is now needing substantial additional investments in order to improve climate resiliency and make updates to equipment that is now over twenty years in service. This funding is instrumental in assisting the Town in implementing improvements that were identified recently, when the Town’s Engineer completed an evaluation of the facility identifying significant improvements that need to be made to protect the facility from rising tides and other aging infrastructure concerns.” “Blue Hill’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is in need of some very significant upgrades to combat both outdated equipment and current sea level rise,” said Dr. Nicholas Nadeau, the Town Administrator of Blue Hill. “Funding for this project is crucial in order to keep our wastewater plant operating so any consideration aimed at assisting is greatly appreciated. The short timeframe that these upgrades have to be made, coupled with the high cost of the project, create a complicated problem for the peninsula – we appreciate any and all the support we can get to see this through completion.” The Blue Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility, located on Blue Hill Bay, opened in 1975. Recent rises in tidal levels have caused problems for the facility, and further rises in tidal levels are expected to exacerbate the problems in coming years. The facility is in need of immediate capital improvements, including funding for high-tide pumping equipment, in order to handle these impending issues. The request on behalf of the town of Blue Hill was one of the congressman’sCommunity Project Funding requests. Congressman Golden was the only member of the delegation whose request for funding was included in the year-end omnibus spending bill. Golden met with local leaders and toured the Blue Hill facility in August. The congressman’s funding will help support improvement efforts to alleviate the effects of aging equipment and rising tides and ensure that the Blue Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility may continue to serve the Blue Hill community safely and effectively. Read more about the Community Project Funding request Rep. Golden passed through the House here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-1-million-for-loring-development-authority-wastewater-treatment,Golden Delivers $1 Million for Loring Development Authority Wastewater Treatment,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1 million in dedicated funding as part of the 2023 appropriations government funding package for the Loring Development Authority Wastewater Treatment. The funding, which passed the Senate yesterday and is expected to head to the president’s desk for his signature this week, will be used to rehabilitate wastewater collect system components on the Loring Commerce Centre to help alleviate problems with the Limestone Water and Sewer District’s ability to sufficiently treat wastewater at their treatment facility and address associated operation costs. “The sewer system at Loring safely treated wastewater coming from the Commerce Centre for almost a century, but it is in need of some critical repairs,” said Congressman Golden. “I’m proud to have secured funding to make these much-needed improvements to the wastewater treatment system. This funding will help protect jobs at Loring by ensuring the Mainers who work there can count on safe, reliable water and the surrounding environment is protected from damage.” “A Flow Study of the sewer collection system at Loring Commerce Centre has guided a multiphase plan to update the 70-year old system,” said Carl Flora, President and CEO of the Loring Development Authority (LDA) in Limestone. “To date four phases have been completed. Congressional funding will allow the completion of an additional six phases, addressing areas of greatest impact. The project is critical to the environment and to new economic activity at Loring. LDA appreciates Congressman Golden’s support in bringing the project closer to achieving its overall purpose in protecting the environment, and promoting jobs at Loring. One such project is a new biorefinery project to be located at Loring. An investment in sewer infrastructure will facilitate new jobs and additional investments in this new multi-billion dollar project.” The Loring Commerce Centre, where the rehabilitation project will take place, is an industrial and aviation park in northern Maine currently housing over 20 companies employing upwards of 1,300 people. It is an important economic and industrial hub for northern Maine, responsible for creating over 1,400 jobs in the area. It was built on the site of the former Loring Air Force Base and continues to operate Loring International Airport. The request on behalf of the Loring Development Authority was one of the congressman’sCommunity Project Funding requests. Congressman Golden was the only member of the delegation whose request for funding was included in the year-end omnibus spending bill. The wastewater collection systems for the Loring Commercial Centre have seen significant problems due to aging infrastructure and high flows, resulting in difficulties with wastewater treatment and potential damage to local ecosystems. Congressman Golden’s funding will cover the cost of updating the aging infrastructure to help protect the local environment and ensure that the Loring Commerce Centre remains attractive to future business activities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-17-million-for-ellsworth-pump-station,Golden Delivers $1.7 Million for Ellsworth Pump Station,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1.7 million in dedicated funding as part of the 2023 appropriations government funding package for the town of Ellsworth. The funding, which passed the Senate yesterday and is expected to head to the president’s desk for his signature this week, will be used for upgrades to the High Street Pump Station to mitigate the adverse impacts of heavy rainfall events and ensure that the sanitary sewer system can support economic growth in Ellsworth and the surrounding communities. “Maine’s cities and towns can’t support their families and small businesses without local infrastructure like pump stations, but replacing or repairing these facilities is often prohibitively expensive,” said Congressman Golden. “This investment will help make sure the facility runs smoothly for decades to come, benefitting generations of taxpayers and businesses in Ellsworth and the surrounding area.” After decades of use, the wastewater pump station on High Street is in need of total replacement. The improvements funded through this project will reduce the amount of infiltration/inflow into the sanitary sewer collection system that lead to sanitary sewer overflows at the Water Street Pump Station. Replacing the station without federal resources would strain local budgets and place a severe burden on Ellsworth taxpayers. “The City of Ellsworth is very thankful for the congressional support for our High Street Pump Station project – without it, this critical work would not be possible,” said Glenn Moshier, Ellsworth’s City Manager. “The work will not only help protect the natural resources along Card Brook and increase the City’s resiliency of its vulnerable infrastructure but will continue to stimulate the growth the City is experiencing as an economic engine for the region. We very much appreciate the support of Congressman Golden for this project.” Golden met with local leaders to discuss the repair project in May. Congressman Golden was the only member of the delegation whose request for funding was included in the year-end omnibus spending bill.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-750000-for-university-of-maine-sawing-operations-training-facility,"Golden Delivers $750,000 for University of Maine Sawing Operations Training Facility",2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — In a significant win for the next generation of Maine loggers, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $750,000 in dedicated funding as part of the 2023 appropriations government funding package for the University of Maine School of Forest Resources. The funding, which passed the Senate yesterday and is expected to head to the president’s desk for his signature this week, will be used to construct a sawmill operations training facility at the Dwight B. Demeritt Forest, just north of the University of Maine campus. “This federal funding will expand the sawmill operations facility to serve hundreds of Mainers every year with a new building and equipment,” said Congressman Golden. “As I’ve heard consistently in meetings with loggers across the state, providing quality training on the latest logging technology and equipment is essential for the future of the forest products industry in Maine. I’m proud to partner with the forest products industry and the University of Maine to secure this funding for the next generation of Maine loggers.” “By 2030, one-quarter of Maine’s current forest products workforce will reach retirement age,” said Keith Kanoti, manager of the University of Maine Forest. “As this industry innovates for the future through technology and processes that add value to our timber, thefederal funding secured by Rep. Golden with the support of Sens. Collins and King will allow the university to better prepare the next generation of skilled forest resource professionals who are necessary to maintain and grow Maine’s leading role in the global forest economy.” The new sawmill operations training facility project will provide hands-on workforce development training and professional development of Maine’s forest products industry. The congressman’s funding will help build this new facility where at least 200 students and forest professionals would train each year in support of in-demand industry workforce needs. Forestry is one of Maine’s oldest and largest industries, contributing over $8 billion and 31,000 jobs to the Maine economy each year. To support this important Maine industry, the University of Maine School of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture runs the oldest continuously accredited professional forestry program in the United States. The request on behalf of the University of Maine was one of the congressman’sCommunity Project Funding requests. Congressman Golden was the only member of the delegation whose request for funding was included in the year-end omnibus spending bill. Golden met with university officials, manufacturing and forest products experts, and students for a tour of the sawmill site in August.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-delivers-over-500000-for-dixfield-wastewater-treatment,"Golden Delivers Over $500,000 for Dixfield Wastewater Treatment",2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $514,400 as part of the 2023 appropriations government funding package for the Town of Dixfield. The funding, which passed the Senate yesterday and is expected to head to the president’s desk for his signature this week, will be used to upgrade the only wastewater pumping station in the area, which is currently experiencing severe age-related deterioration issues that could result in increased sewage treatment costs for residents and businesses in the area if unaddressed. “After decades of serving the water and waste treatment needs of its communities, the Hall Hill Pump Station is in need of critical repairs and upgrades,” said Golden. “I’m proud to secure this funding to get these improvements underway and reduce the cost burden on local families and businesses. This funding will go a long way towards ensuring that Dixfield residents can continue to count on strong, reliable infrastructure.” “I’m grateful to Rep. Golden for helping Dixfield keep its waste water infrastructure in operation with this federal investment,” said Dixfield Town Manager Alicia Conn. “The funds for the Hall Hill Pump Station that Rep. Golden's bringing back to Dixfield will have a positive impact on the community. Thank you, Rep. Golden!” Dixfield’s current wastewater treatment infrastructure, designed for a lifespan of 25 years, is now over 40 years old. The request on behalf of the town of Dixfield was one of the congressman’sCommunity Project Funding requests. Congressman Golden was the only member of the delegation whose request for funding was included in the year-end omnibus spending bill. Golden met with local leaders and toured the sewer pump in June. Dixfield’s wastewater pumping station is experiencing severe age-related problems including leakages and nonfunctional equipment and is in need of urgent repairs and upgrades. The congressman’s funding will help fund the necessary upgrades to the system that will help keep wastewater treatment costs low for the residents and businesses of Dixfield.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-16-million-for-auburn-lewiston-airport-expansion,Golden Secures $1.6 Million for Auburn-Lewiston Airport Expansion,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1.6 million in dedicated funding as part of the 2023 appropriations government funding package for the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport. The funding, which passed the Senate yesterday and is expected to head to the president’s desk for his signature this week, will go towards construction of a new airplane hangar at the airport. “The Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport is an economic pillar for the entire region. Investing in the airport’s growth and success benefits businesses and local economies all over Lewiston-Auburn and Androscoggin County, and could set the stage for passenger service down the road” said Rep. Golden. “I was lucky to have a great partner in this request in Mayor Jason Levesque and I’m glad we were able to deliver.” “I’m extremely thankful for Representative Golden’s advocacy for the Auburn Airport, and the incredible economic impact this project will have for the entire region,” said Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque. “This type of transportation infrastructure investment will have an immediate and quantifiable impact on thousands of our residents and businesses.” Opened in 1935, the Auburn-Lewiston Airport has been a hub for charter airlines for nearly a century. Construction of a new hangar would allow for bigger, company flights to land at the airport, boosting the local and regional economy. The request on behalf of the City of Auburn was one of the congressman’sCommunity Project Funding requests. Congressman Golden was the only member of the delegation whose request for funding was included in the year-end omnibus spending bill. Golden met with local leaders and toured the proposed site for the hangar in July.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-celebrates-approval-of-over-250-million-in-congressional-funding-for-140-projects-across-maine,King Celebrates Approval of Over $250 Million in Congressional Funding for 140 Projects Across Maine,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Download an Excel spreadsheet of the 140 projects HERE and view a map of projects HERE WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today celebrated the final Congressional approval of 140 Maine projects that will be receiving $250,083,018 from his Congressionally-Directed Spending (CDS) requests included in the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Package. The funding will be used by a broad range of state, local, and nonprofit organizations to strengthen Maine communities. “From food banks and hospitals to job training programs and infrastructure upgrades, Maine’s 2023 Congressionally-Directed Spending supports important projects across the state that will improve the lives of Maine people and invest in the future of our communities. These historic investments are going directly to the local organizations who need them the most and can effectively provide economic opportunities, personal enrichment, and other vital public services,” said Senator King. “Maine people have always looked out for each other, and the 140 nonprofits and local governments receiving these funds are no different – they have proven track records of success in our communities and will use this support to expand and improve their efforts. I’m grateful that Congress approved so many of my CDS requests, and deeply appreciate all of the Maine organizations who submitted projects for consideration. I look forward to seeing these investments support people across our state for years to come.” CDS funding is included in annual federal appropriations legislation and provides a specific amount of discretionary funding to a state, locality, or nonprofit organization for projects with demonstrated civic and community value. Last year, Senator King secured over $137 million in Congressionally-Directed Spending for 93 Maine projects. Senator King will begin accepting preliminary requests for FY24 Maine-based Congressionally-Directed Spending projects in upcoming months.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-golden-led-downeast-national-heritage-area-legislation-passes-congress-heads-to-presidents-desk,"King, Golden Led Downeast National Heritage Area Legislation Passes Congress, Heads to President’s Desk",2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King, Chairman of the Senate National Parks Subcommittee, and Representative Jared Golden announced that their bipartisan, bicameral bill to designate a Downeast Maine National Heritage Area has passed Congress and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The legislation, which is cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins and Representative Chellie Pingree, will designate all of Hancock and Washington counties as an area with national importance, qualifying the counties for additional federal investment and helping to drive economic activity to the rural Maine region. The bill specifically recognizes the contributions of Downeast Maine’s agriculture industry – including wild blueberry growers – as well as the impacts of heritage fishing and forestry. “For much of the year, the rocky coasts of Downeast Maine greet the first rays of sunshine to reach the United States,” said Senators King and Collins and Representatives Golden and Pingree. “The region literally starts America’s day, and its rugged coastline, rolling mountains and lush forests are a fundamental part of the American identity. There is nowhere more deserving of a heritage area designation. Making Hancock and Washington counties a National Heritage Area will open the door for critical federal funding, and drive important economic activity and investments to support Downeast communities and the hardworking, resilient people who call these counties home. We are deeply grateful to our colleagues in both chambers who helped us get this bill past the finish line and we look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this new designation.” “The people of Downeast Maine are fiercely proud of their heritage and are motivated to develop quality opportunities that carry us into the future while being rooted in our historic values,” said Crystal Hitchings, Director of Community Infrastructure at Sunrise County Economic Council. “Designation as a National Heritage Area provides Downeast communities with more resources to support coordinated efforts in economic and community development and education initiatives that matter locally.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/annual-spending-bill-passes-senate-with-king-backed-initiatives-to-support-maine-jobs-bolster-national-defense,"Annual Spending Bill Passes Senate with King-Backed Initiatives to Support Maine Jobs, Bolster National Defense",2022-12-22,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today voted along with sixty-seven of his Senate colleagues to pass the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which funds government programs through next September and advances a number of Senator King’s policy priorities. The annual funding bill will support Maine jobs, increase affordability for working families, and invest in our national security. The bill is expected to pass the House by the end of the week. “The 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill includes a wide range of provisions to strengthen Maine communities, protect our economy, and improve life for people across the state,” said Senator King. “This forward-thinking legislation supports high-paying jobs for Maine people, whether it be at Bath Iron Works or one of our craft breweries, and will help working Maine families afford essential needs, like housing and child care. The bill also takes important steps to enhance our national security by funding shipbuilding priorities, stopping illegal drug imports, and bolstering America’s leadership in global public health. Finally, it invests in Maine’s greatest outdoor natural resources by designating the York River as ‘wild and scenic,’ expanding affordable worker housing on Mount Desert Island, and increasing the amount of staff at National Parks. There is so much worth celebrating in the bill, and all told, I’m grateful to see this bipartisan product pass the Senate. I am eager to continue working across the aisle with my colleagues in the coming year on more policies that help Maine people.” Provisions supported by Senator King included in the legislative package include: Defending Democracy and Securing Elections. Nearly two years after insurrectionists on January 6th tried to use the 1887 Electoral Count Act to overturn a free and fair election, the spending bill modernizes the outdated law to protect the will of voters by updating procedures for the counting and certification of electoral votes for the presidency. This effort incorporates many proposals from Senator King’s discussion draft Electoral Count Act reforms from February. Pausing Devastating Lobster Gear Regulations. Senator King and the Maine Delegation secured a provision in the bill to pause looming lobster gear regulations that would have damaging impacts on thousands of Maine families and businesses. As King explained on the Senate Floor earlier this week, the proposed regulations were not based on any substantial evidence, ignored conservation efforts by lobstermen, and would have been an economic death sentence for thousands of Maine families that make up the lobster industry. Aiding Local Maine Nonprofits. The FY23 Omnibus spending bill includes 140 of Senator King’s Congressionally Directed Spending items, totaling over $250 million. This money will go to nonprofits and local governments in Maine to fund a broad range of community projects, including expanding workforce development initiatives, supporting health care providers, fixing roads, upgrading fire stations, and preserving historical sites. Funding Shipbuilding and Coast Guard Priorities. The legislation appropriates funding for the procurement of 3 DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in fiscal year 2023, which Bath Iron Works (BIW) can compete to build. The package also funds advanced procurement of a fourth DDG-51 and $380 million to enhance shipyard infrastructure for ongoing and future shipbuilding programs. The bill also invests in the Maine Coast Guard with $11.6 billion for USCG operations and assets like increased fuel costs, acquisitions, vessels, aircraft, facilities related to USCG’s mission, search and rescue, drug interdiction, marine safety, environmental protection, and fisheries enforcement. Supporting Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom. With Russia’s bloody, unprovoked attack on Ukraine in its tenth month and winter setting in, the legislation includes an additional $45 billion in aid to help brave Ukrainians continue to fight for their freedom and stop Russian President Vladimir Putin’s empire-building ambitions. Protecting Veterans’ Physical and Mental Health. The bill makes significant steps towards meeting America’s commitment to those who served. Along with providing funding for the veterans healthcare expansions in the PACT Act, it expands support for Department of Veterans Affairs rural healthcare, mental health programs, women’s health programs, homelessness prevention, and IT services benefiting Maine Veterans Spotlighting and Supporting the York River. The bill would designate portions of the York River as part of the National Park System’s “Wild and Scenic” Rivers program. This designation helps protect the river from future development and provides federal funding to the region. Senator King introduced the study bill in 2013, and the designation is the result of more than decade of community-driven efforts to designate and protect the river. Supporting National Park Staffing and Addressing Employee Housing. The legislation transfers an undeveloped parcel of land in the Village of Town Hill from Acadia National Park to the Town of Bar Harbor to develop affordable housing; the remainder of the parcel will be used by NPS to construct staff housing for park service employees. The bill also provides funding for an additional 500 full time equivalents (FTEs) at the National Park Service. Reauthorizing and Expanding the National Park Foundation. The bill reauthorizes the National Park Foundation (NPF) through FY2030 and expands its authorized funding from $5 million to $15 million – a continued priority for National Parks Subcommittee Chairman King. NPF uses its funding to match private donations, so this expanded federal funding will likely result in increased private, matched donations to protect America’s greatest treasures substantially. Addressing the Climate Crisis. The omnibus includes the Growing Climate Solutions Act which will help Maine forest owners and farmers access existing carbon markets that will provide financial benefits for sustainable farming practices. Through the program, USDA will help connect landowners to private sector groups who can assist the landowners in implementing the practices that capture carbon, reduce emissions, improve soil health, and make operations more sustainable. Supporting Maine Families and Children. The bill extends nutrition programs including a $13.4 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, $28.5 billion for Child Nutrition Programs, and $6 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The bill also includes a $7.67 billion investment for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, and nearly $12 billion for Head Start. The bill includes increases for the maximum Pell Grant award to over $7,000, allocates $18.387 billion for Title I-A grants, and delivers $1.2 billion for TRIO to support more than 800,000 low-income first generation students get into college and succeed when they’re there. Making Housing More Accessible and Affordable. With Maine facing an affordable housing crisis, the omnibus provides housing assistance including $3.6 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, $2 billion for the Rural Housing Service, $1.5 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, $1.435 billion for the Housing for the Elderly and Housing for Persons with Disabilities program, and new incremental Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to support over 11,700 additional low-income households. These funds will support renters in Maine’s towns, help retain the stock of rental housing in rural Maine, and construct and rehabilitate new rural rental properties. The bill also provides $5 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help families address the rising cost of energy. Boosting the Tourism Industry. The legislation includes the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act, which Senator King led with a bipartisan group of colleagues. This includes the King-led Visit America Act, which would coordinate national tourism policy, develop the tourism workforce for Maine, and bring more visitors, ultimately fueling the state economy. Improving National and Global Health Infrastructure. The omnibus makes bold investments in health care and research including $47.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $9.2 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, $1.5 billion for ARPA-H (President Biden’s initiative to develop cutting edge treatments against cancer and other illnesses), and $950 million for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. As a member of the NIH Caucus, Senator King routinely advocates for the agency and it’s vital work to improve our understanding of, and capacity to, treat disease and illness. Ensuring Access to Healthcare and Telehealth in Rural Communities. The bill increases Medicare payments to healthcare providers, and avoids across the board cuts to Medicare programs, ensuring vital healthcare services remain viable in rural communities. The legislation also extends telehealth flexibilities that are currently tied to the pandemic until the end of 2024. Without this extension, the policies that have enabled the rapid rise of telehealth would expire with the existing public health emergency. Senator King pushed for this continuation and will continue to advocate for permanent expansions. Strengthening Law Enforcement and Improving Public Safety. The bill provides $231 million for State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office grant programs related to police-community relations. The bill contains $700 million, the highest funding level ever, for grants provided by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The legislation also includes $4.9 billion to address the opioid crisis, including funding for the Opioid Response Grant, and the CDC overdose surveillance and prevention program. The bill also provides extra funding to the Department of Defense for anti-drug operations and coordination.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-celebrates-passage-of-electoral-count-act-reforms-to-protect-democracy,King Celebrates Passage of Electoral Count Act Reforms to Protect Democracy,2022-12-22,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight of federal elections, today celebrated the Senate passing a package of democracy protections to ensure election results can’t be exploited by bad-actors and prevent another January 6th, 2021. The bipartisan Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act – which contains several policy recommendations from Senator King’s ECA discussion draft released in February – clarifies ambiguities in the outdated 1887 Electoral Count Act (ECA) to protect the will of voters and updates procedures for the counting and certification of electoral votes for the presidency. The ECA Reform Act passed the Senate in a bipartisan 68-29 vote as part of the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Package. “Today, the Senate took a necessary, historic, and commonsense step to remove dangerous ambiguities from the process governing presidential elections and protect our fragile American democracy. The Electoral Count Reform Act is the most important piece of legislation we’ve passed this Congress because it protects the foundation of our entire democratic system,” said Senator King. “After attempts to overturn a free and fair election in 2021 exposed dangerous vulnerabilities in the antiquated Electoral Count Act, this bill was essential to defuse the ticking timebomb at the heart of our system of government. Now, as some continue to raise doubts about our electoral system, the bill ensures the ECA can never again be used as a weapon by disappointed candidates. The bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act we passed today prevents abuse of the 1887 law by making the process for certifying a presidential election clearer and more resistant to manipulation and mischief. “Make no mistake, this bill is no substitute for the comprehensive voting rights and process reforms we need to confront the wider challenges facing our democracy,” Senator King continued. “While I continue to look for ways to better protect the democratic process for all Americans, this effort will further guarantee that the will of the voters cannot be undermined once they’ve made their choice. After over a year of work on this bill, I’m proud my colleagues and I could find bipartisan consensus to stave off a looming crisis in our presidential election process. I want to thank Senators Durbin and Klobuchar who partnered with me on our first draft of the bill, the dozens of historians, lawyers, and experts who shared their knowledge, and all my Senate colleagues, particularly Senators Collins and Manchin, who helped get this critical effort across the finish line.” The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act updates the outdated and vague 1887 Electoral Count Act to ensure that electoral votes tallied by Congress accurately reflect the will of the voters in each state. The bill replaces ambiguous provisions with clear procedures to ensure the counting of electoral votes can’t be exploited. Key provisions in the bill include: Clarifying the Role of the Vice President. Affirmatively states that the constitutional role of the Vice President in the counting of electoral votes is ceremonial, with no power to adjudicate conflicts that might arise. Raising the Objection Threshold. Raises the threshold to object to a state’s electors to at least one-fifth of the duly chosen and sworn members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate – up from one member of each chamber. Ensuring a Single, Accurate Slate of Electors. Designates each state’s governor as responsible for submitting a single slate of electors to Congress. Ensures a state’s executive can’t submit a slate of electors in violation of state and federal law. Expediting Judicial Review. Provides an expedited review process, including a three-judge panel with appeal to the Supreme Court, of certain claims related to a state’s slate of electors. Preventing Moving or Canceling of Elections. Requires “extraordinary and catastrophic” events for a state to move their election, and removes a provision that allows states to declare failed elections.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/an-economic-death-sentence-averted-king-champions-provision-to-pause-lobster-gear-regulations-on-senate-floor,"“An Economic Death Sentence” Averted, King Champions Provision To Pause Lobster Gear Regulations on Senate Floor",2022-12-21,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Watch Senator King’s full floor speech HERE and download broadcast quality HERE. WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King today delivered remarks from the Senate Floor on the importance of Maine’s lobster fishery to the state’s communities and the devastating implications that proposed lobster gear regulations would have on thousands of Maine families and small businesses. In his speech, King lays out the lack of evidence backing the arbitrary regulations and explains how the six-year regulatory pause secured by Maine Congressional Delegation and Governor Mills in the annual omnibus spending bill will avert an “economic death sentence” for the state. Earlier today, the Maine Congressional Delegation and Governor Mills released a joint statement HERE announcing the successful inclusion of the regulatory pause into the annual spending bill. The bill is expected to be passed and signed into law later this week. King began his remarks by laying out the serious crisis facing the Maine lobstering community and the state’s economy. “My state is facing its most serious crisis, in my view, in my 18 years of public service on behalf of Maine. There is a provision in the bill that we'll be voting on tomorrow that is of vital, critical importance to Maine and I believe the country,” began Senator King. “In November, a federal court here in Washington issued a ruling under the Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection Acts that effectively shuts down the entire Maine lobster fishery in two years. It issues requirements that simply can't be met in that time frame. The only choice will be to shut down the fishery.” “What does that mean? What is the fishery? What is the lobster industry? The lobster industry is this guy right here – thousands of small, independent businesses. These boats aren't owned by Amazon or Walmart or Whole Foods. They're owned by individual people, families, generations in a town like this. That's what we're talking about. We're talking about the livelihoods of thousands of Maine people that will be cut off by virtue of this decision within two years. “Is it a real threat? People are already canceling orders for boat. The business of the people that make lobster traps is down 25% or 30%. People are starting to put their boat on the market because they see this closure coming of an industry that's been a mainstay of the Maine economy for 150 years,” explained Senator King. “Well over a billion and a half dollars a year is based upon this unique, iconic product that comes from the cold waters of Maine.” Continuing his remarks, King explains how the crisis is based on faulty premises that ignores the data in Maine waters. “This decision of the court that effectively closes our lobster industry down is based upon the idea of protecting the North Atlantic right whale – which needs protection, it is indeed an endangered species. The question is whether the remedy, in this case the closure of the Maine fishery, will actually help in the preservation of the right whale,” continued Senator King. “I want to start with a couple of data points. Here's the first. This is the number of right whale deaths ever attributed to Maine lobster gear: zero. Here's another data point. The number of right whales even being entangled in Maine lobster gear in almost the last 20 years: zero,” Senator King exclaimed. “So the question is, is there sufficient evidence for this draconian remedy, the shutdown of the entire industry?” “The other data point is that according to the maps of whale sightings based upon data from the Department of Commerce and NOAA, the whales are moving away from Maine.” King continues by highlighting the lack of evidence on which the “economic death sentence” is based. “So we're talking about an economic death sentence for an entire way of life, for the town of Stonington, for the thousands and I mean between 5,000 and 10,000 people who work on the water and thousands more that work in processing and involved in this industry, over a billion and a half dollars a year of economic impact in the state of Maine. “If you were in court and you said we're going to impose an economic death sentence, well, here's the way the law looks at things like that. If it's a criminal case to take away somebody's liberty beyond a reasonable doubt. No beyond a reasonable doubt in this case. It's not even close to beyond a reasonable doubt,” emphasized Senator King. “In a civil case you have to prove your case by a preponderance of the evidence. Is there a preponderance of evidence that fishery is contributing to the loss of right whales? No, there's no preponderance of evidence. How about any evidence? Zero. Zero.” King goes on to explain how the provision authored by the Maine Delegation and Governor Mills will support the Maine lobster industry. “Now, a solution to this crisis is in the bill that we'll be voting on tomorrow. It's one that the Maine Delegation, myself and Senator Collins, Congresswoman Pingree, Congressman Golden have been working on since this decision,” Senator King continued. “What it is a compromise that's been negotiated between the various people interested in this issue in this body.” “Importantly, it provides funding for two purposes. One is the development of gear that will reduce the risk even further,” explained Senator King. “The other funding is for data to know where the whales are. To know because the problem is, would data we have indicates there are practically none along the Maine coast. But we don't know that for sure.” “The third thing it does is pause the economic death sentence. It pauses the ruling that says this has to be finished in two years because that means the industry, the lobster fishing, the lobster families, the lobster towns are finished within two years. We're talking about a six-year pause as time to collect the data and develop the gear,” concluded King. “So what we're doing, what we compromise was a six-year period that will give us time to develop the technology and to develop the data and we may find that there are different solutions or that the data may show no additional restrictions beyond what is already being done are necessary.” Concluding his remarks, King emphasizes that this is not a choice between conservation and the lobster industry, and that the bill will protect both in a sensible way. “We don't have to choose between lobsters and whales. We don't have to choose between the men and women of Stonington or Cutler or Corea or Georgetown or Freeport or Cape Elizabeth and whales. We just have to be sensible about approaching this in a way that will protect the whales but also protect the way of life of these wonderful people. “That's why I'm here tonight. That's what we've done in this bill. It is in no way a diminution of the standards of the Endangered Species Act or the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It merely pauses that economic death sentence until we have time to know how to navigate the solution and what the real definition of the problem is,” concluded Senator King. “To me, that's good policy. It's what we should do here on all the complicated issues we face.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-king-urges-passage-of-most-important-bill-this-congress-protections-for-the-peaceful-transfer-of-power,Senator King Urges Passage of “Most Important” Bill this Congress: Protections for the Peaceful Transfer of Power,2022-12-21,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Watch Senator King’s full floor speech HERE. WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight over federal elections, gave a speech on the Senate floor to highlight what he considers the most important bill under Senate consideration: the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act which provides democratic protections for the peaceful transfer of power. During his speech, King explained why his top priority for the remainder of this Congress is this bill and why it is needed to clarify the ambiguous 19th century law that spurred the January 6th insurrection. Senator King underscored that while other policies are important, all of them are negligible without serious protections for our democratic system. “The bill that we have before us now is, I believe, one of the most important pieces of legislation in this Congress. Because it deals with the structure of democracy itself. All of our policy issues, whether it's the Defense Department, Ukraine, all of the policy issues, health care, all of those things are critically important, but the infrastructure that underlies the system is even more important. We can't do good policy if we don't have a solid underpinning of a structure of our democracy,” Senator King said. Senator King also highlighted the bipartisan nature of the bill and of the desire for electoral protections. “And that's why the bill that is now part of the budget bill, the omnibus bill, is so important. The bill is bipartisan. I think that's critically important. I sat in the Rules Committee. It passed 14-1. Supported by Leader McConnell, supported by Leader Schumer. 14-1. I rarely see votes like that in that committee,” Senator King continued, “But because there was universal realization that we needed to do something about this, we had a hearing on it and I remember Senator Blunt speaking at the end of that hearing and saying this is something we need to take care of before the end of this Congress. And that was a very important announcement and it led us to this moment.” The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act includes many provisions proposed by Senator King in an initial discussion draft for reform released in February. The legislation updates the outdated and vague 1887 Electoral Count Act to ensure that electoral votes tallied by Congress accurately reflect the will of the voters in each state. The bill replaces ambiguous provisions with clear procedures to ensure the counting of electoral votes can’t be exploited. Key provisions in the bill include: Clarifying the Role of the Vice President. Affirmatively states that the constitutional role of the Vice President in the counting of electoral votes is ceremonial, with no power to adjudicate conflicts that might arise. Raising the Objection Threshold. Raises the threshold to object to a state’s electors to at least one-fifth of the duly chosen and sworn members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate – up from one member of each chamber. Ensuring a Single, Accurate Slate of Electors. Designates each state’s governor as responsible for submitting a single slate of electors to Congress. Ensures a state’s executive can’t submit a slate of electors over the objections of the judiciary or in violation of state and federal law. Expediting Judicial Review. Provides an expedited review process, including a three-judge panel with appeal to the Supreme Court, of certain claims related to a state’s slate of electors. Preventing Moving or Canceling of Elections. Requires “extraordinary and catastrophic” events for a state to move their election, and removes a provision that allows states to declare failed elections.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-governor-mills-announce-lifeline-for-maine-s-lobster-industry-secured-in-government-funding-package,"Maine Delegation, Governor Mills Announce Lifeline for Maine’s Lobster Industry Secured in Government Funding Package",2022-12-20,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, and Governor Janet Mills announced that they were successful in securing a regulatory pause for Maine’s lobster industry in the omnibus appropriations bill that is expected to pass the Senate and House this week. “Maine’s lobstermen and women have long demonstrated their commitment to maintaining and protecting a sustainable fishery in the Gulf of Maine. They have invested in countless precautionary measures to protect right whales, including removing more than 30,000 miles of line from the water and switching to weaker rope to prevent whales from being entangled. And the fact is— there has never been a right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear,” said the Maine Delegation and Governor Mills. “Despite our industry’s good stewardship and compliance with NMFS’ most recent regulations to protect right whales, our lobstermen and women are now faced with further punitive regulations that will not meaningfully protect the right whale, but will threaten the livelihoods of thousands of Maine families and small businesses. “We have always said that we will pursue any and all policy solutions to protect our hardworking lobstermen and women along Maine’s coast,” they continued. “Our provision, which relies upon the expertise of the professionals at the Maine Department of Marine Resources, was included in the government funding bill released this morning. It will enable our lobster fishery to continue to operate while still complying with NMFS’ most recent right whale rule. Without our provision, Maine’s iconic industry could be facing a complete shutdown—and the ripple effects across our state would have been widespread.” Although there has never been a right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear, misguided environmental groups have been seeking actions that would end lobstering in Maine, all based on the theoretical possibility that a right whale could be killed. The provision is a simple compromise that would protect the livelihoods of the men and women who make their living from one of the best managed and sustainable fisheries on earth. Specifically, the provision in the omnibus: Deems the current right whale rules sufficient to ensure the continued operation of the lobster and Jonah crab fisheries for six years (through December 31, 2028). Provide that new regulations for the lobster and Jonah crab fisheries would take effect in six years (by December 31, 2028). Authorizes a new grant program that could fund innovative gear technologies and the monitoring necessary to support the dynamic management of fisheries. Fishermen and other participants within the maritime industry would be eligible for this funding. The Maine Delegation and Governor Mills have been steadfastly opposed to undue burdens that would threaten the lobster fishery without meaningfully protecting whales. Following the release of the final rule in late August 2021, the Maine Delegation and Governor Mills issued a statement in opposition to the rule and highlighting the Maine lobster fishery’s record of repeatedly making significant improvements to their practices and modifications to their gear to protect right whales. In October 2021, they wrote to Secretary Raimondo to urge her to rescind the rule, and in February 2022 called for a postponement of the rule due to difficulties lobstermen were having obtaining the necessary gear.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-delegation-governor-mills-announce-lifeline-for-maines-lobster-industry-secured-in-government-funding-package,"Maine Delegation, Governor Mills Announce Lifeline for Maine’s Lobster Industry Secured in Government Funding Package",2022-12-20,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, and Governor Janet Mills announced that they were successful in securing a regulatory pause for Maine’s lobster industry in the omnibus appropriations bill that is expected to pass the Senate and House this week. “Maine’s lobstermen and women have long demonstrated their commitment to maintaining and protecting a sustainable fishery in the Gulf of Maine. They have invested in countless precautionary measures to protect right whales, including removing more than 30,000 miles of line from the water and switching to weaker rope to prevent whales from being entangled. And the fact is — there has never been a right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear. We know the right whale population can be protected along with a thriving fishery because Maine lobstermen are already doing it,” said the Maine Delegation and Governor Mills. “Despite our industry’s good stewardship and compliance with NMFS’ most recent regulations to protect right whales, our lobstermen and women are now faced with further punitive regulations that will not meaningfully protect the right whale, but will threaten the livelihoods of thousands of Maine families and small businesses. “We have always said that we will pursue any and all policy solutions to protect our hardworking lobstermen and women along Maine’s coast,” they continued. “Our provision, which relies upon the expertise of the professionals at the Maine Department of Marine Resources, was included in the government funding bill released this morning. It will enable our lobster fishery to continue to operate while still complying with NMFS’ most recent right whale rule. Without our provision, Maine’s iconic industry could be facing a complete shutdown—and the ripple effects across our state would have been widespread.” Although there has never been a right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear, misguided environmental groups have been seeking actions that would end lobstering in Maine, all based on the theoretical possibility that a right whale could be killed. The provision is a simple compromise that would protect the livelihoods of the men and women who make their living from one of the best managed and sustainable fisheries on earth. Specifically, the provision in the omnibus: Deems the current right whale rules sufficient to ensure the continued operation of the lobster and Jonah crab fisheries for six years (through December 31, 2028). Provide that new regulations for the lobster and Jonah crab fisheries would take effect in six years (by December 31, 2028). Authorizes a new grant program that could fund innovative gear technologies and the monitoring necessary to support the dynamic management of fisheries. Fishermen and other participants within the maritime industry would be eligible for this funding.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senate-passes-2023-defense-bill-with-king-backed-provisions-to-invest-in-maine-shipbuilding-strengthen-national-security-and-support-jobs,"ICYMI: Senate Passes 2023 Defense Bill with King-Backed Provisions to Invest in Maine Shipbuilding, Strengthen National Security and Support Jobs",2022-12-16,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), celebrated the Senate’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), yearly legislation which has now passed 62 times on a bipartisan basis, and which focuses on strengthening American national security and improving the lives of servicemembers and their families. The 2023 legislation authorizes 3 DDG-51 destroyers that Bath Iron Works can compete to build, bolsters America’s nuclear defenses, and supports other key defense technologies that protect the nation. Also included are significant pay raises for servicemembers and steps to improve mental healthcare for America’s armed forces. “This year’s National Defense Authorization Act – named after my friend and colleague Senator Jim Inhofe – is a bipartisan bill that will address the pressing national security challenges facing our country and strengthen Maine’s role in contributing to our national defense,” said Senator King. “The bill authorizes one of the largest-ever multi-year procurement of DDG-51 destroyers, which Bath Iron Works can compete to build, bringing important stability to the Maine shipyard’s planning, and allowing them to scale up their production in the years to come. These ships – known as the workhorse of the Navy – are absolutely critical to our national security, and are an important economic driver for Maine communities. “This year’s legislation provides the backbone of our national defense, including key provisions to ensure our nation can counter growing and rapidly changing threats. It also contains new authorizations to address Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and supporting the brave Ukrainians fighting for their sovereignty. This bill improves our defensive and offensive hypersonic capabilities, bolsters key cyber defenses, and will help modernize how we assess the capabilities of our enemies and allies alike,” continued Senator King. “Most importantly, the legislation also makes significant investments in the essential core of our Armed Forces – our brave men and women in uniform. Along with a 4.6% pay raise to help servicemembers keep up with rising costs of living, the NDAA will study the suicide epidemic in our military so the Department is better equipped to address this urgent crisis. This bill will make our country safer, strengthen our economy, and reward the men and women who serve in our military – I’m grateful that we could get this bill through the Senate and onto President Biden’s desk.” Senator King previously spoke on the Senate Floor in support of the National Defense Authorization Act, explaining the pressing need to modernize the nation’s nuclear arsenal, support Ukraine as it fights for freedom, and improve resources for America’s servicemembers with pay raises and mental health care. Senator King successfully advocated for the inclusion of many provisions that will improve national security, support Maine jobs, and take care of servicemembers and veterans, including: FUND SHIPBUILDING PRIORITIES. Along with three DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers for FY2023, the legislation authorizes a multi-year contract for the Navy to procure up to fifteen DDG-51s, which Bath Iron Works (BIW) can compete to build – one of the largest forward commitments of its kind. The bill will require the incorporation of a workforce development incentive in Navy shipbuilding contracts, and the bill authorizes additional funds for DDG supplier development. The bill contains the King-led, forward-looking provision that prescribes that the Navy utilize best practices and a collaborative approach for the DDG(x) program, positively impacting BIW and their future work on the next large surface combatant. INVEST IN MAINE INSTALLATIONS. The bill authorizes full funding for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) upgrades as part of the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program's (SIOP). The bill also authorizes $2.5 million for planning and design of a new child development center at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. INCREASE MILITARY PAY. The legislation authorizes a 4.6 % pay raise for military servicemembers and the DoD civilian workforce. SUPPLY MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH HIGH-QUALITY, MAINE-MADE EQUIPMENT. The NDAA authorized additional funds for Joint Strike Fighters including additional funds for seven F-35A aircraft. Other defense programs including submarine and helicopter procurement received full funding. Maine businesses support these important programs that contribute to our National Defense. CONFRONT SERVICEMEMBER SUICIDE. As the epidemic of servicemember and veteran suicide continues, the bill requires a review and report on the rates of suicides in the Armed Forces by military occupational specialty during the time period beginning after September 11, 2001, and continuing to the present day, broken down by military occupational specialty, service, and grade. This legislative provision is based on input from a Maine constituent. REWARD AND ACKNOWLEDGE MAINE’S LEADERSHIP IN COMPOSITES AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING. The NDAA authorized additional funds for the University of Maine including several million dollars in additional funding for high-performance computing-enabled large-scale advanced manufacturing. The SASC Bill requires the Secretary to produce a report on additive manufacturing and make recommendations regarding establishing centers of excellence such as the 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor. The NDAA further recognizes the need for rapidly deployable, rigid-wall shelters, with integration protection capabilities like the ones developed by Compotech, based in Brewer, ME. These shelters are already employed by the joint force by USEUCOM, USAFRICOM, and USNORTHCOM. TAKE ON THE PFAS CRISIS. As Maine people struggle with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination that includes thousands of diverse chemicals, the NDAA includes significant provisions to address the crisis. It will provide resources to restore PFAS exposed facilities that the National Guard uses to train or operate in; restrict the DoD from purchasing turnout gear for DoD firefighters containing PFAS materials; amend public law to disclose DoD PFAS testing results for private water wells; and require the DoD to provide a report on the schedule for PFAS remediation efforts in drought-stricken areas. COUNTER RUSSIAN AGGRESSION AND SUPPORT UKRAINE. With Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine in its fifth month, the legislation extends and modifies the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and authorizes $800 million in fiscal year 2023 to provide security assistance to Ukraine via this authority. Senator King included a Government Accountability Office audit of the allocation and use of this security assistance. ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC BY FIGHTING DRUG TRAFFICKERS. Senator King has consistently urged the Pentagon to step up in the war on drugs, by taking a more active role in stopping drugs from entering the country. The bill increases funding for the military’s counter narcotics missions. The bill also includes a GAO audit of the Department of Defense’s Counterdrug efforts that includes the organization, cross-agency efficiencies, and audit of the use of funds to improve the Department’s ability to stop drug shipments before they reach America’s shores. The bill provides important oversight on U.S. NORTHERN Command, requiring a report on their efforts to support this important mission. PROMOTE SMALL BUSINESS INTEGRATION. Across the country, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) help small business get and navigate Department of Defense contracts. In addition to securing additional funds, the bill included legislation based on valuable input from Mr. Ken Bloch of Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) and the Director of Maine PTAC. This resulted in legislative changes that would enable these centers to better serve small businesses by increasing the state funding cap and align the program under the Office of the Secretary of Defense. STREGTHEN CYBERSECURITY PROTECTIONS. The bill strengthens and supports the cybersecurity posture of the DoD, the defense industrial base, and America’s critical infrastructure. Among the cyber policies advanced by this legislation are a King-led provisions to increase support for U.S. Cyber Command’s (CYBERCOM) Hunt Forward Operations and “red team” efforts, and for CYBERCOM to release biennial, unclassified reports through the 2032 election cycle on their efforts to ensure election security and counter election threats. As co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, Senator King is a leading Congressional voice on cybersecurity. MODERNIZE CRITICAL NUCLEAR DETERRENTS. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Senator King is a leader in working to modernize the nation’s nuclear triad and address the threats posed by new hypersonic weapons. The FY23 NDAA includes recommended approaches the Defense Department should take towards improving offensive and defensive hypersonic capabilities, along with new funding to counter these threats. IMPROVE AMERICA’S PRESENCE IN THE ARCTIC. With climate change opening the waters of the Arctic, the bill authorizes $167.2 million to continue acquisition of a third Polar Security Cutter Ice Breaker, along with $1 million to establish the Arctic Security Cutter program office to support the future of maritime commerce, climate research and environmental protection in the High North. The bill includes King-led provision requiring the Office of Management and Budget to conduct a crosscut report on Arctic research programs. Additional Arctic reporting includes assessing the ability and timeline to conduct transit in the Northern Sea Route and periodic transits of the Northwest Passage; also, the GAO is directed to conduct an audit of the U.S. Coast Guard arctic operations and infrastructure. SUPPORT NEW JETTY AND BEACH NOURISHMENT AT SACO. The bill increased funding for building a new perpendicular jetty at Camp Ellis in Saco Maine to $45 million and eliminated cost share requirements for the city of Saco, Maine. This helps restore a long-standing beach erosion problem.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-more-than-22-million-in-funding-to-ease-fish-migration-patterns,"Collins, King Announce More Than $22 Million in Funding to Ease Fish Migration Patterns",2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that two Maine organizations will receive a total of $22,381,297 in funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve fish migration in Maine rivers. The Atlantic Salmon Federation and the Maine Department of Marine Resources will use this funding to remove two dams that are no longer in use and install fish ladders at two additional dams in the Penobscot and St. Croix Rivers, allowing the endangered Atlantic salmon, along with other fish species and wildlife, to move along migrations routes with ease. “Allowing unimpeded fish migration along Maine’s rivers will help to preserve species that have long held cultural and economic significance to our state. Rivers like the St. Croix and the Penobscot – which is home to the largest Atlantic salmon run in the United States — have proven to be invaluable to the health of Maine’s environment and our tribal communities,” said Senators Collins and King. “This funding, along with the hard work of both the Atlantic Salmon Federation and the Maine Department of Marine Resources, will help strengthen Maine’s long conservation legacy and preserve sea-run habitats. We remain committed to protecting these species and look forward to our continued work with Maine organizations that dedicate themselves to protecting the culture and economy of our state.” The funding will be allocated as follows: The Atlantic Salmon Federation will receive $7,554,797 The Maine Department of Marine Resources will receive up to $14,826,500 over three years The removal of the dams will reconnect more than 9,700 suitable habitat units towards the delisting criteria of 30,000 units for the Penobscot Basin Salmon Habitat Recovery Unit. Additionally, the projects will provide access to 600 miles for all migratory fish species and 60,000 acres of habitat for alewife. This is a top priority for the State of Maine and the Passamaquoddy people to significantly improve fish populations in the region. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an agency within the Department of Commerce that manages fishing and works to protect marine mammals and endangered American species. This funding is part of a nationwide project, totaling $105 million for 36 fish passage projects, as well as $61 million in future funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/essential-to-ensure-america-does-not-fall-behind-king-lauds-bipartisan-passage-of-ndaa-with-key-nuclear-and-cyber-provisions,"“Essential to Ensure America Does Not Fall Behind,” King Lauds Bipartisan Passage of NDAA With Key Nuclear and Cyber Provisions",2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, today praised the Senate’s 83-11 passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. With rising threats from Russia, China, and other adversaries, the annual bipartisan defense bill contains King-led provisions to modernize America’s nuclear defenses, better assess the “will to fight” of allies and enemies, and improve international cyberdefenses. The bill also includes increased support for Ukraine as it fights Russia’s illegal, unprovoked invasion along with improvements to ensure the aid receives proper oversight and does not dangerously deplete America’s own stockpiles. King also worked to secure provisions to better support the wellbeing of America’s servicemembers. With military suicide rates at an all-time high, the bill requires the Department of Defense to study and release data on suicides by military occupation, and the Government Accountability Office to study how to improve the transition from military to civilian life. “This year’s National Defense Authorization Act – named after my friend and colleague Senator Jim Inhofe – is a bipartisan bill that will meet the pressing 21st century national security challenges facing our country,” said Senator King. “As threats from adversaries like Russia and China grow, the legislation is absolutely essential to ensure America does not fall behind. Along with new authorizations to address Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, this bill improves our defensive and offensive hypersonic capabilities, bolsters key cyberdefenses, and will help modernize how we assess the capabilities of our enemies and allies alike. Without these provisions, the credibility of America’s bedrock principle of peace through deterrence would have been put at risk. “All told, Congress and the Armed Services Committees have once again produced an important, strong, and bipartisan bill,” continued Senator King. “Most importantly, the legislation makes significant investments in the essential core of our Armed Forces – our brave men and women in uniform. Along with a 4.6% pay raise to help servicemembers keep up with rising costs of living, the NDAA will study the suicide epidemic in our military so the Department is better equipped to address this urgent crisis. Today’s overwhelming 83-11 passage of the bill is a testament to the importance of this effort, the selfless service of our Armed Forces, and the dedication of all the Americans who are working to protect our nation.” The James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 includes King-backed provisions to:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-on-failed-permitting-reform-vote,King Statement on Failed Permitting Reform Vote,2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee – and an advocate for pragmatic, realistic, and rapid permitting reform to reach America’s clean energy goals – released the following statement after he supported permitting reform as an amendment to the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act: “The world is literally in a race with climate change. We cannot afford to waste valuable time — time which we really don’t have — to implement viable, efficient solutions in our transition to renewable energy,” said Senator King. “For example, it takes fifteen years just to permit a mine producing the minerals needed for batteries of electric vehicles given all the red tape and bureaucracy – and that’s just one project of hundreds that are needed. By failing to pass commonsense permitting reform, the Senate has sent the country’s clean energy future back to the drawing board and potentially put us years behind where we should be. I have always advocated for strict environmental standards, but also for a timely and predicable environmental process – that is exactly what this bill was all about. “I think that we’ve reached a point where most Americans realize that climate change is real. The fishermen, farmers, and loggers in Maine know the urgency of this threat, and it’s deeply disappointing that some of my Senate colleagues do not share this understanding,” continued Senator King. “This bill should not be controversial. It would have made simple changes that both sides of the aisle have long called for to expedite energy projects without diluting environmental standards in the slightest. Despite the frustrating partisan games today, I will keep working on a bipartisan basis with my colleagues to find a path forward so that we can make our clean energy future a reality.” Senator King recently spoke from the Senate floor on the need for permitting reform, and the tradeoffs that will be required in the transition to renewable energy, which can be watched HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/65000-additional-h-2b-visas-to-be-issued-following-push-from-senators-collins-king,"65,000 Additional H-2B Visas to be Issued Following Push from Senators Collins, King",2022-12-13,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. —Following a push led by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that they are issuing a temporary final rule that makes available 64,716 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2023. This rule implements the supplemental H-2B visa allocations announced on October 12, 2022. This is the first time that the Departments have issued a single rule making available H-2B supplemental visas for several allocations throughout the entire fiscal year. Senator Collins and Senator King had previously called on the agencies to increase the number of H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2023 to the maximum number, approximately 65,000 visas, to help small businesses hire workers. These visas are on top of the 66,000 H-2B visas that are normally available each fiscal year. Notably, the rule reserves a portion of the additional visas to help meet the demand for workers during the peak summer season. “These 65,000 additional H-2B visas will provide much-needed relief for small businesses that are continuing to face extreme difficulty finding workers in a tight labor market,” said Senators Collins and King. “Without these visas, many small businesses, particularly hotels and restaurants in our hospitality industry, would be unable to open or would have to curtail their operations, hurting local communities and Maine employees. We must improve the H-2B program to ensure Maine small businesses do not continue to suffer from a lack of workers.” Senators Collins and King have long led efforts to address workforce shortages. Following a push in May, DHS and DOL announced that a temporary rule had been finalized that provided an additional 35,000 H-2B visas to help small businesses fill seasonal job openings during the busy summer season. These visas supplemented the previous supply of 33,000 H-2B visas for the second half of Fiscal Year 2022.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-more-than-500000-in-funding-to-support-small-businesses-in-rural-maine,"Collins, King Announce More Than $500,000 in Funding to Support Small Businesses in Rural Maine",2022-12-13,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced a total of $528,563 in new funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will expand development and training opportunities for small businesses in rural areas of Maine. The Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, and Sunrise County Economic Council will use this funding to provide business training, technical help, and loan assistance to small businesses in Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington counties. “Small businesses are vital to our rural communities – it means something more when the shopkeeper or the vendor is your neighbor, friend or fellow PTA member – this funding will help dozens of small businesses throughout the state continue to operate and contribute to Maine’s economy,” said Senators Collins and King. “The incredible staff at the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, and Sunrise County Economic Council are a driving force in providing economic development, business financing, job creation, and many other services. This investment will pay off in the form of meaningful jobs and technical training, and it will improve the livelihoods of families across rural Maine.” The funding will be allocated as follows: Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments will receive $12,884 Eastern Maine Development Corporation will receive $500,000 Sunrise County Economic Council will receive $15,679 The United States Department of Agriculture works to provide leadership on issues related to food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues. USDA consists of 29 agencies and offices and employs nearly 100,000 people.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/parks-chairman-king-presses-biden-administration-on-inadequate-parks-maintenance-budget-and-staffing-shortages,"Parks Chairman King Presses Biden Administration on “Inadequate” Parks Maintenance Budget, and Staffing Shortages",2022-12-13,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Senator cites Acadia visitor surge as example of hiring necessary; view questioning HERE WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Chair of the Senate National Parks Subcommittee, today pressed a top Biden administration official on two of his top priorities for the National Park Service (NPS): securing enough funding for necessary park maintenance and ensuring sufficient staffing of America’s greatest treasures. In a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, King questioned Department of Interior Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau on the Department’s plans to address both of these issues as it processes the NPS funding of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act. The Deputy Secretary agreed that more needs to be done to support the Parks System. This builds on the Chairman’s recent pushes to expand maintenance funding and increase NPS staffing in the forthcoming fiscal year 2023 budget bill. Beginning his remarks, Chairman King highlighted the administration’s recent budget requests and the need for additional funding to ensure maintenance and upkeep of our National Parks “What bothered me is the administration's budget for maintenance in the national parks was inadequate. The general rule of thumb is 2 to 4% of capital value for maintenance every year. I think the budget this year is about 1%. That's not an indictment of this administration. That's been the pattern for the past 25 or 30 years. That's how we got into this hole,” said Senator King. “This committee and the Congress worked very hard on the Great American Outdoors Act to tackle the maintenance backlog. But it's pretty frustrating to see that we're still digging the hole. So I hope you'll take back to the department the point that we can't expect Congress to come to the rescue of the maintenance backlog every four or five years, if indeed the budget is inadequate and makes the hole deeper every four or five years.” “Thank you. And thank you for your leadership and partnership on these issues. I will definitely take that back, including to OMB,” the Deputy Secretary replied. +++ After securing funding in the Inflation Reduction Act, the Chairman also asked about the department’s hiring plan to staff National Parks: “Another area of increased funding has been in the Inflation Reduction Act for staffing at the national parks. And I wanted to inquire if the department is moving toward implementation. Senator Daines and I have called for 23,000 FTEs at the national parks because we're having a huge increase in visitation and in fact, we have lower staffing than we had 15 years ago. 10 or 15 years ago. Do you have a hiring plan and will you be able to get to the 23,000 figure in the reasonably foreseeable future,” Senator King asked. The Deputy Secretary responded, “Thank you. And thank you again for these investments. The Park Service has developed internal guidance and hiring plan directed towards this summer. As you know, Senator, the largest demand period and largest stress on our national parks is during the summer season.” “Last summer, we had 4 million people at Acadia National Park,” the Senator replied. The Deputy Secretary concluded, “So part of our strategy to take advantage of these resources is focused on seasonal hiring in the coming year. And the Park Service has developed guidance disseminated to the parks for exactly that purpose.” +++",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/as-congressional-negotiators-seek-to-finalize-fy23-funding-bill-collins-golden-reed-lead-call-for-additional-500m-for-liheap,"As Congressional Negotiators Seek to Finalize FY23 Funding Bill Collins, Golden, & Reed Lead Call for Additional $500M for LIHEAP",2022-12-12,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – As congressional negotiators seek to finalize a bipartisan agreement on funding the federal government for fiscal year 2023, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME), and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) are leading efforts in Congress to include an extra $500 million in supplemental funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills by providing payment and/or energy crisis assistance. Many Northeast residents are projected to see a significant increase in their utility bills this winter, with residential electricity prices in some states forecast to rise over 60 percent, propane up 40 percent, and natural gas prices up nearly 30 percent, resulting in higher home heating bills. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, the average cost to heat a home is expected to increase by 17.2 percent this winterto $1,208, up from $1,031 last season. Given elevated energy prices forecast for this winter, the lawmakers say the emergency federal LIHEAP funding is needed to assists low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes pay their energy bills and stay safe during the winter. Senators Collins and Reed and Congressman Golden, who are leading efforts to include $4 billion for LIHEAP in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations package making its way through Congress, already delivered $1 billion in emergency funding for LIHEAP in the short-term “continuing resolution” (CR) funding package that President Biden signed into law. But with many families – particularly those in the Northeast -- facing a winter heating crisis, they are working with the Biden Administration on a bipartisan effort to deliver another $500 million for LIHEAP recipients. “While we recognize the competing priorities you must balance, the number of households eligible for LIHEAP assistance continues to exceed available funding. Meanwhile, the average cost of heating oil is nearly 70 percent higher than last year and natural gas is 20 percent higher, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As these prices go up, the purchasing power of LIHEAP’s appropriations goes down. This leaves states in the position of making tough choices about the amount of assistance they will provide and the number of people they will serve with the limited funding available. Ensuring that LIHEAP is well-funded will help guarantee that the program has the resources it needs to help as many eligible, low-income households and seniors as possible,” the Members of Congress wrote to the respective leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees this week. Under the CR passed earlier this year, HHS was able to advance states funding equal to 90 percent of their FY 2022 allocation. As a result, Maine has received $42.5 million in federal LIHEAP aid to help vulnerable residents lower their home energy bills. Additionally, Senators Collins and Reed also worked to successfully include a $500 million LIHEAP investment in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which President Biden signed into law last November. $100 million of this LIHEAP funding will be released annually through 2026. LIHEAP is administered by states and accessed through local Community Action Agencies. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2023 — or until the funding is exhausted. Click HERE for the full text of the letter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-nominates-16-mainers-to-the-us-service-academies,Golden Nominates 16 Mainers to the U.S. Service Academies,2022-12-12,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today his office’s nominees to the United States Service Academies—the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. “This group represents some of Maine’s most talented, skilled and accomplished students. They have all demonstrated exceptional leadership, high academic standards, and a selfless ambition to help others,” said Golden. “Whatever happens from here, they should all be proud of themselves. We are lucky that they have chosen to offer their talents in service to the country, and it’s an honor to nominate them to our nation’s service academies.” The nominees were interviewed by a panel on their academic record, test scores, leadership ability, involvement in extracurricular activities, and exemplified commitment to serving their country. The full list of nominations is below. Contact information is available upon request. United States Naval Academy – Annapolis Austin Sellinger: Auburn, Edward Little High School Benjamin Cloutier: Lewiston, Lewiston High School George Ferland: Stockholm, Caribou High School Jameson Buck: Hampden, Hampden Academy Judson Nash: Hampden, Norwich University/Hampden Academy Leonardo Mlynski: Hampden, Hampden Academy Malachi Cummings: Presque Isle, Presque Isle High School Nora Spratt: Castine, George Stevens Academy Sarah Neal: East Machias, Washington Academy William Price: Anson, Carrabec High School United States Military Academy – West Point Jameson Buck: Hampden, Hampden Academy Nicholas Biberstein: Bangor, Bangor High School Nolan Garey: Minot, Poland Regional High School Sarah Neal: East Machias, Washington Academy William Price: Anson, Carrabec High School United States Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs Katelynn Kinney: Sebec, Northwestern Preparatory School Leonardo Mlynski: Hampden, Hampden Academy Nicoholas Biberstein: Bangor, Bangor High School Nora Spratt: Castine, George Steves Academy Ryan Cole: Woodland, Washburn District High School Sarah Neal: East Machias, Washington Academy William Price: Anson, Carrabec High School United States Merchant Marine Academy – Kings Point Amber Scholten: St. Albans, Nokomis Regional High School Benjamin Cloutier: Lewiston, Lewiston High School Jameson Buck: Hampden, Hampden Academy Nicholas Biberstein: Bangor, Bangor High School ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/healthcare-provisions-in-the-inflation-reduction-act,Healthcare Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act,2022-12-12,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Overview The Inflation Reduction Act has laid the groundwork for—and in some cases already implemented—long-term changes in federal policy that will keep people healthier and deliver higher quality care at lower cost to patients. Even better, these benefits are delivered while simultaneously reducing the deficit by finally allowing Medicare to negotiating bulk discounts on the price it pays for prescription drugs. This will save taxpayers hundreds-of-billions. It’s a well named bill. The IRA will provide lasting relief and protection from inflation for years to come, especially with regards to healthcare. It was a long process to get the bill passed—taking more than a year—but the final product is something to be proud of. Immediate Impact Extend Affordable Care Act premium subsides. The Inflation Reduction Act makes a three year extension of premium subsidies for American’s who receive their healthcare through the Affordable Care Act – more than 100,000 Maine people – Congress extended enhanced premium assistance for ACA marketplace plans through 2025; 80 percent of Maine ACA enrollees saved on insurance, and average savings per enrollee were more than $600 in 2022. Beginning in 2023 Provide free vaccines for seniors. The Inflation Reduction Act makes all vaccines free in Medicare for seniors, the only population for which vaccines were not already free. Institute a new “inflation rebate” under Medicare. Drug companies should not be allowed to make arbitrary and rapid price increases on products that are not changing year-to-year. The Inflation Reduction Act requires drug companies rebate back the difference to Medicare if they raise prices higher than inflation. Limits insulin copays to $35/month. For too long, Maine seniors have faced uncertainty when paying for insulin which could costs hundreds of dollars out of pocket. The Inflation Reduction Act ensures no senior will pay more than $35/month for this life-sustaining medication. Beginning in 2024 Caps Medicare Part D Premium Growth. For seniors on fixed incomes, increasing Medicare premiums can be a massive burden; the Inflation Reduction Act, in 2024, will prohibit premiums increasing more than 6% per year. Expand premium and co-pay assistance on prescription drugs for low-income individuals. Currently, the low-income subsidy program (LIS) under Medicare Part D is fully available to all seniors earning less than 135% of the federal poverty level, and partially available to seniors earning less than 150% of the federal policy level. The Inflation Reduction Act eliminates the partial subsidy status, giving those seniors the full low-income subsidy under Medicare Part D. Beginning in 2025",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-maine-2023-nominees-to-the-united-states-military-service-academies,"Senators Collins, King Announce Maine 2023 Nominees to the United States Military Service Academies",2022-12-12,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced their nominees to the United States Military Academies. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy, also a federal service academy, does not require a congressional nomination. “We are proud to have the honor to nominate such an impressive group of Maine students to our nation’s distinguished service academies,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “The young people we have nominated have earned this honor through a commitment to strong scholarship, leadership, and character.” The following students from Maine have received nominations as candidates to the military academies from Senators Collins and King: United States Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs Name Home Town High School Jarek Fryzlewicz Alfred Massabesic High School Austin Sellinger Auburn Edward Little High School Avery Theriault Augusta Cony High School Benjamin Beckerman Bethel Burke Mountain Academy Nora Spratt Castine George Stevens Academy Thomas Brearly East Baldwin Sacopee Valley High School Sarah Neal East Machias Washington Academy Camden Hamilton Falmouth Falmouth High School Matthew Bellatoni Gorham Cheverus High School Leonardo Mlynski Hampden Hampden Academy Emma Richard North Yarmouth Greely High School James Jones Oakland Messalonskee High School Katelynn Kinney Sebec Bangor Christian Schools Roman Thomas Windham Windham High School Ryan Cole Woodland Washburn District High School Jonathan “Jack” Curtis Woolwich North Yarmouth Academy Joseph Neal York York High School United States Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point Name Home Town High School Addison “Tadd” Nelson Bath Cheverus High School Julian Henderson Camden Camden Hills Regional High School Jameson Buck Hampden Hampden Academy Benjamin Cloutier Lewiston Lewiston High School Nicholas Biberstein Orrington Bangor High School Amber Scholten St. Albans Nokomis Regional High School Katherine Mason Whitefield Lincoln Academy Unites States Military Academy - West Point Name Home Town High School William Price Anson Carrabec High School Taylor Coombs Bangor Bangor High School Thomas Brearly East Baldwin Sacopee Valley High School Sarah Neal East Machias Washington Academy Matthew Bellantoni Gorham Cheverus High School Nolan Garey Minot Poland Regional High School Emma Richard North Yarmouth Greely High School Nicholas Biberstein Orrington Bangor High School Maclain Lowe Saco Thornton Academy Katelynn Kinney Sebec Bangor Christian Schools Jonathan “Jack” Curtis Woolwich North Yarmouth Academy Cora Birknes Yarmouth St. Andrew’s School Joseph Neal York York High School United States Naval Academy - Annapolis Name Home Town High School Austin Sellinger Auburn Edward Little High School Avery Theriault Augusta Cony High School Liam Sullivan Berwick St. Thomas Aquinas Leonard “Michael” Kenyon Brunswick Brunswick High School Nora Spratt Castine George Stevens Academy Carolyn Carter Freeport Freeport High School Matthew Bellantoni Gorham Cheverus High School Jameson Buck Hampden Hampden Academy Benjamin Cloutier Lewiston Lewiston High School Nolan Garey Minot Poland Regional High School Nicholas Biberstein Orrington Bangor High School Malachi Cummings Presque Isle Presque Isle High School Scott Turney Readfield Kents Hill School Jacob Lavi South Thomaston Oceanside High School George Ferland Stockholm Caribou High School Katherine Mason Whitefield Lincoln Academy Cora Birknes Yarmouth St. Andrew’s School Steven Fulton Yarmouth Yarmouth High School",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/with-authorization-for-3rd-ddg-51-destroyer-golden-secures-wins-for-bath-shipbuilders-umaine-servicemembers-and-families-in-final-defense-bill,"With Authorization for 3rd DDG-51 Destroyer, Golden Secures Wins for Bath Shipbuilders, UMaine, Servicemembers and Families in Final Defense Bill",2022-12-09,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — The conference report of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — the final version of the legislation — passed the House yesterday. The legislation contains a number of priorities fought for and secured by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), including much of an amendment he proposed and guided through the House to authorize a $37 billion increase in defense spending on investments in our national security, our servicemembers, and shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works. “I am proud to have supported a bill that fortifies our nation’s security, ensures our men and women in uniform have the pay they deserve, and provides consistent work for our Navy’s skilled shipbuilding workforce,” said Golden. “This bill delivers authorization for a third DDG-51 destroyer, in addition to a contract for the construction of up to 15 DDGs over the next five years. The DDG is in a class of its own and so are the men and women at Bath Iron Works who make these ships.” In June, Golden introduced an amendment to increase defense spending at the NDAA markup for the House Armed Services Committee. The amendment passed out of the committee with bipartisan support and was included in the version of the NDAA the House passed in July. The final House FY2023 NDAA contains many of the provisions Congressman Golden worked to secure on a number of priorities, including: Shipbuilding: Establishing a new multi-year contract for up to 15 DDG-51 destroyers over the next five years, many of which will be built at BIW; $250 million for infrastructure investments at large surface combatant shipyards (such as BIW); Advanced procurement funding beyond the Administration’s request for a potential, additional DDG next year; Funding to support the DDG(X) development program. The DDG(X) is the planned successor large surface combatant to the DDG-51 destroyer. Research and Innovation in Maine: Authorizing over $25 million for defense research programs including the University of Maine’s large scale manufacturing program; Securing $4 million Community Project Funding authorization for a joint University of Maine and Southern Maine Community College State-wide Partnership for Manufacturing Training Innovation program in Orono, Brunswick, and South Portland. These centers will help coordinate efforts and leverage resources to help Maine manufacturing businesses. ME Air National Guard: Provision limiting the number of reserve and National Guard KC-135 tanker aircraft (the kind used by the ME Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing (“Maineiacs”) can convert from a primary to backup training and maintenance status. Servicemembers: Authorizing a 4.6% pay increase for servicemembers to deal with rising costs due to inflation. Small Business: Securing provision that instructs the Secretary of Defense to coordinate with an association of eligible Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) to better manage the PTAC program. PTACs assist local businesses with navigating government contracting, including at the Department of Defense. Other: Authorizing $800 million to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative; Authorizing more than $6 billion for the European Defense Initiative, a Department of Defense program, to strengthen the capability of US forces, NATO allies, and our European partners to deter and, if necessary, respond to Russian aggression; Authorizing $11.5 billion for the Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a Department of Defense program, to strengthen deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific in response to Chinese coercion. For a summary of the final bill, click here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-collins-introduce-legislation-lowering-costs-of-home-heating-options,"King, Collins Introduce Legislation Lowering Costs of Home Heating Options",2022-12-09,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins introduced a bipartisan bill to help more Maine families afford residential home heating technologies that can save them thousands a year. The BTU Tax Credit Expansion Act incentivizes the purchase of these innovative heating sources by increasing the maximum rebate for biomass stoves and boilers from $2,000 to $8,000. Once purchased, the stoves only cost a few hundred dollars a year to fuel and maintain – significantly lower than other heating options. “With heating costs on the rise, and global temperature norms changing due to climate change, it is vital that we make home heating options like pellet stoves more affordable for Maine families,” Senator King said. “The BTU Tax Credit Expansion Act will add financial benefits for families trying to find less expensive alternatives to traditional home heating systems – helping them to enjoy significant long-term savings. This tax credit is a win-win for Maine families that will cut utility costs, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and prevent tough choices like paying for heating, or putting food on the table.” “Wood biomass is a cost-effective, renewable, and environmentally friendly source of energy that helps individuals heat their homes in the winter months, supports our forest products industry, and creates jobs here in Maine,” said Senator Collins. “By increasing the credits available for biomass stoves and boilers to more closely align with incentives provided for other energy systems, this legislation would encourage the use of this proven and highly efficient heating technology.” The bill was also cosponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The initial clean energy rebates were included in the Inflation Reduction Act which passed the Senate in August 2022.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-bipartisan-bill-to-improve-natural-disaster-relief-for-rural-small-businesses-passes-house,Golden Bipartisan Bill to Improve Natural Disaster Relief for Rural Small Businesses Passes House,2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted to pass the Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act today. Golden introduced the bill alongside the late Representative Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) in May 2021. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. The Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act would help ensure that small businesses in rural parts of the country, including those in Maine, can more easily access relief from the Small Business Administration (SBA) following a natural disaster. The legislation would waive burdensome restrictions that keep businesses in rural areas with low population densities from applying for federal disaster relief. “When a natural disaster strikes, making sure small businesses can get back up and running is essential for a community to recover,” said Congressman Golden. “For the rural communities that are especially vulnerable in these times of emergency, federal assistance plays a big role in helping our friends and neighbors get back on their feet. I am pleased to see Congress move in a bipartisan way on our bill to eliminate unnecessary red tape and get disaster relief and resources into the hands of those that really need it.” Maine has had multiple federal disaster declarations in the past two decades, including declarations for floods, winter storms, and Tropical Storm Irene. The legislation would remove a potential roadblock for small businesses in rural Maine to access emergency relief the next time there is a natural disaster. The second district has more than 14,000 small businesses, according to the SBA’s 2021 Small Business Profile, which employ more than 125,000 people. You can read the bill text here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-nearly-3-million-in-funding-for-head-start-in-maine-1222,"Collins, King Announce Nearly $3 Million in Funding for Head Start in Maine",2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that two Maine organizations will receive a total of $2,913,484 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strengthen Head Start programs and promote early childhood development opportunities for children in poverty. Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care in Lewiston and Downeast Community Partners in Ellsworth will use the funding to develop new approaches to learning, strengthen social and emotional development programs, and expand physical health education. “Maine’s Head Start programs empower both parents and their children. From kickstarting educations to promoting positive parent-child relationships, Head Start’s opportunities are invaluable to Maine students’ success,” said Senators Collins and King. “The dedicated teachers and staff at Androscoggin Head Start and Downeast Community Partners work hard to support Maine families and help our children grow. This significant new investment will improve access to critical development resources in Maine communities.” “Down East Community Partners’ Head Start program is a critical flagship service in Hancock and Washington Counties. This funding provides the foundation of DCP’s efforts and partnerships with parents, local public schools, and community organizations,” said Rebecca Palmer, Executive Director of Downeast Community Partners. “It has never been more critical to serve the families and children in our respective counties living in poverty needing school readiness supports of physical and health development, language and literacy development, social and emotional development, and cognition of literacy and approaches to learning.” The funding will be allocated as follows: Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care will receive $1,704,790 for its Early Education Center Downeast Community Partners will receive $1,208,694 for its quality of life and poverty reduction programs",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cyberspace-solarium-co-chairs-applaud-critical-timely-cybersecurity-provisions-in-annual-defense-bill,"Cyberspace Solarium Co-Chairs Applaud “Critical, Timely” Cybersecurity Provisions in Annual Defense Bill",2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), Co-Chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), today applauded the inclusion of several key cybersecurity provisions in the final version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. The joint House and Senate version of the annual defense bill released this week includes legislation to establish a Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy to coordinate international cyber affairs at the U.S. Department of State – a top recommendation of the CSC. The released text also requires U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) to research its methods for responding and deterring cyberattacks and recommends that the Navy create a cyber officer position. As Co-Chairs of the commission, King and Gallagher pushed for these provisions to be included in the final version of the bill. “As threats from Russia, China, and other adversaries grow, the United States must continue to invest in strong cyberdefenses. That’s why the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act includes critical, timely provisions to improve the Pentagon’s cyber coordination and ensure that CYBERCOM has the tools it needs to successfully deter any foe,” said Senator King. “The bill’s creation of a Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy is another important step towards the Cyberspace Solarium Commission’s goal of giving cyber a voice at the table both in our government and on the world stage. When the Solarium released our list of recommendations, we made it clear this was an action document, not a report designed to collect dust. I’m proud of the significant progress we’ve made over the last few years and look forward to getting this bill across the finish line.” “This NDAA takes another important step towards better securing our country in cyberspace,” said Rep. Gallagher. “From the inclusion of the Cyber Diplomacy Act, which ensures the State Department is structured to promote our values in cyberspace, to continued guidance on CYBERCOM on force generation, readiness, and acquisition, the Cyber Solarium Commission continues to enact critical legislation to defend our country.” Significant cybersecurity provisions in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act include: New guidance for U.S. Cyber Command to improve force readiness, force structure and acquisition efforts, along with clarification on the authority to conduct offensive operations in response to foreign power cyber campaigns against U.S. critical infrastructure. The Cyber Diplomacy Act establishing a Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy at the U.S. Department of State, a major CSC recommendation. An increase of $44.1 million to support CYBERCOM’s Hunt Forward Operations. A strategy for converged cyber and electronic warfare conducted by and through deployed military and intelligence assets operating in the radio frequency domain to provide strategic, operational, and tactical effects in support of combatant commanders. A biennial, unclassified report through the 2032 election cycle on CYBERCOM efforts to ensure election security and counter election threats A study on the military services' responsibilities for organizing, training, and presenting forces to CYBERCOM and recommendations on a future force generation model for cyberspace operations forces Recommendations to the Navy on establishing a Cyber Operations officer career designation, similar to all the other branches of the Armed Forces. The creation of an Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber at the Department of Defense. The new Senate-confirmed individual will be responsible for ensuring America’s cyber forces are effectively trained, maintained and equipped across all services. An assessment of the DOD's new competitive cyber hiring policy to determine if it would be effective and feasible for other federal agencies. The “cyber exception” policy allowed DOD to hire cyber experts at competitive, market-rate salaries and with less unnecessary red tape than the typical federal hiring guidelines.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-collins-king-resolution-recognizing-december-17-2022-as-wreaths-across-america-day,"Senate Unanimously Passes Collins, King Resolution Recognizing December 17, 2022, as “Wreaths Across America Day”",2022-12-07,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – The Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King designating Saturday, December 17, 2022, as “Wreaths Across America Day.” A convoy of volunteers will travel from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery to lay Maine-made balsam wreaths at the headstones of fallen American soldiers. Over the past 31 years, Wreaths Across America has sent more than 14.4 million wreaths to various locations, including national cemeteries and veterans’ memorials in all 50 states and overseas. “From Arlington National Cemetery that overlooks our nation’s capital, to Normandy American Cemetery above the beaches that Allied troops stormed on D-Day, the wreath laying ceremonies on December 17th are a powerful demonstration of respect and appreciation for our veterans,” said Senators Collins and King. “For more than thirty years, the fields of Maine-made wreaths have served as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices of America’s veterans. The longevity of this event is a testament to the spirit of Maine people, our overwhelming gratitude to our nation’s servicemembers, and the extraordinary dedication of all those who have made the tribute possible. This resolution remembers and honors America’s veterans this holiday season, while also teaching younger generations of the sacrifices that have been made to secure our freedoms and to defend our liberty.” The general public can register to participate in Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery HERE. Thousands of volunteers are expected to lay the wreaths at the graves of each American veteran. In addition to Arlington National Cemetery, volunteers will place wreaths at 3,100 locations nationwide.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-turner-press-congressional-negotiators-to-make-health-coverage-tax-credit-permanent-0,"Golden, Turner Press Congressional Negotiators to Make Health Coverage Tax Credit Permanent",2022-12-06,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Mike Turner (OH-10) sent a bipartisan letter this week to urge congressional leadership to include a reauthorization of the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) in any end of year tax extenders legislation. A Golden-backed provision to make the program permanent was included in the House-passed version of America COMPETES Act, but was stripped during conference negotiations with the Senate. Reps. Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Victoria Spartz (IL-05) joined Golden and Turner to send the letter. The HCTC helps dozens of Maine retirees, including retired millworkers from Twin Rivers Paper in Madawaska, afford health insurance. Golden secured one-year extensions of the HCTC for 2020 and 2021, but the credit lapsed at the end of 2021 as congressional leaders’ negotiations over omnibus appropriations and tax legislation stalled. “We represent working people who have been left without affordable health insurance since Congress allowed the program to expire at the beginning of the year,” the lawmakers wrote. “The HCTC provides refundable tax credits to retirees whose pensions have been taken over by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) as a result of their previous employer’s financial instability. It also assists workers who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing, as well as their families. Especially in a time of record inflation and economic uncertainty, these constituents deserve access to affordable health care through this credit.” The HCTC provides refundable tax credits to cover more than 70 percent of the cost of health insurance premiums for two kinds of workers: those who have been certified to have lost their jobs due to outsourcing, and eligible retirees whose pensions have been taken over by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation as a result of the financial instability of a previous employer. “Since its inception in 2002, this program has been reauthorized seven times – providing much-needed benefits to workers in such positions,” the lawmakers continued. “These people worked hard their whole lives and don’t deserve the uncertainty and stress of relying on a program that could expire every year or two. That’s why we must ensure that a permanent reauthorization is included in any end-of-year tax extenders legislation.” Golden has been a long-time advocate for the HCTC. The need for HCTC extension was first brought to Golden’s attention by Twin Rivers Paper Mill workers when the Congressman met with them in Madawaska in February 2019. The Congressman then helped lead the bipartisan Health Coverage Tax Credit Reauthorization Act of 2019 with Republican Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), and he won one-year extensions of the HCTC for 2020 and 2021. He and Turner reintroduced bipartisan Health Coverage Tax Credit Reauthorization of 2021 earlier this year. The letter text can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-king-joins-checks-and-balance-podcast-to-discuss-need-for-electoral-count-act-reform,ICYMI: King Joins “Checks and Balance” Podcast to Discuss Need for Electoral Count Act Reform,2022-12-05,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Listen to the Checks and Balances podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight over federal elections, joined The Economist’s weekly “Check and Balances” podcast to discuss democratic protections that must be passed in the last month of the congressional session. During the episode, King explains why his top priority for the remainder of this Congress is the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act – informed by his February reform proposal – to clarify ambiguous 19th century laws that spurred the January 6th insurrection. King also highlights the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and annual omnibus appropriations package as two other key priorities. Speaking about his priorities in the last month of the Congressional session, King lays out why “the infrastructure of democracy” is his top priority. “I list[ed] the Electoral Count Act first because that goes to the infrastructure of democracy itself. And everything else in terms of budgets and marriage equality, all of those things are basically policy questions that are important. But if the structure of the system isn't working, nothing else works. So that's why I put Electoral Count Act at the top of the list.” King continued by explaining the historical need for the proposed reforms in the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act. “I hope you'll allow me a bit of historical digression. It rests in the provision of the Constitution that establishes the Electoral College. And if you go back and read the Federalist 68 – which is Hamilton's justification for the Electoral College – I don't often disagree with Hamilton, but he got it wrong. The framers were of two minds. They liked the idea of public participation and democracy with a small d, but only so far. They were very concerned about what they called the mob. The only body in the US Constitution at the time of its adoption that was popularly elected directly by the people, was the House of Representatives. The Senators were elected by the state legislatures, and the President was elected by this thing called the Electoral College. “Hamilton's theory – which looks naive in retrospect – was the Electoral College would be a kind of filter, a council of wise people who would be elected by the popular vote in their state, but then they would exercise some kind of independent judgment. As I see it now, we have the worst of both worlds. We have a system that intermediates between the people and the Presidency. But it's a system that's subject to manipulation and mischief.” The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act updates the outdated and vague 1887 Electoral Count Act to ensure that electoral votes tallied by Congress accurately reflect the will of the voters in each state. The bill replaces ambiguous provisions with clear procedures to ensure the counting of electoral votes can’t be exploited. Key provisions in the bill include: Clarifying the Role of the Vice President. Affirmatively states that the constitutional role of the Vice President in the counting of electoral votes is ceremonial, with no power to adjudicate conflicts that might arise. Raising the Objection Threshold. Raises the threshold to object to a state’s electors to at least one-fifth of the duly chosen and sworn members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate – up from one member of each chamber. Ensuring a Single, Accurate Slate of Electors. Designates each state’s governor as responsible for submitting a single slate of electors to Congress. Ensures a state’s executive can’t submit a slate of electors over the objections of the judiciary or in violation of state and federal law. Expediting Judicial Review. Provides an expedited review process, including a three-judge panel with appeal to the Supreme Court, of certain claims related to a state’s slate of electors. Preventing Moving or Canceling of Elections. Requires “extraordinary and catastrophic” events for a state to move their election, and removes a provision that allows states to declare failed elections.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-over-1-million-for-upgrades-to-maine-recreation-facilities,"Senators Collins, King Announce Over $1 Million for Upgrades to Maine Recreation Facilities",2022-12-05,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has received $1,077,257 to support four projects across Maine. Each of the projects will use the funding to repair, renovate, or improve existing recreational facilities. This funding was awarded through the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program. “Increasing access to outdoor recreational opportunities helps people stay active and healthy, and it benefits the entire region,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This investment through the Land and Water Conservation Fund will repair and upgrade existing facilities for tennis, basketball, football, and baseball as well as other community resources that will be used by current residents as well as by future generations.” The funding was allocated as follows: Cherryfield received $40,000 to renovate existing town-owned tennis and basketball courts. The parking area will be updated with gravel, barriers, and a handicap accessible ramp. The project also includes installing raised vegetable beds for a community garden as well as a picnic area. Jay received $206,624 to demolish existing, obsolete tennis courts and construct three new, ADA-compliant courts in their place. Jay also will install new LED lighting and ADA-compliant walkways leading to the courts. Skowhegan received $330,633 to upgrade infrastructure at an existing football field complex, install new dugouts at the Carl Wright Baseball Complex, and increase ADA accessibility at the Skowhegan Recreation Complex. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands received $500,000 to make improvements to Recreation Hall, an existing building at the Lake George Regional Park in Canaan. The updates include roof and flooring renovations, general maintenance, safety feature installations, and increased ADA access. A new road with tiered parking and handicap spaces will also be installed.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-on-fox-news-sunday-king-says-putin-growing-more-dangerous-to-ukraine-and-nato-speaks-of-chinese-threat,"ICYMI: On Fox News Sunday, King Says Putin Growing “More Dangerous” to Ukraine and NATO, Speaks of Chinese Threat",2022-12-04,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Watch the interview here WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, today joined Fox News Sunday for a bipartisan interview with Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) on some of the most pressing national security issues facing the United States, including growing threats from adversaries like Russia and China. During the interview, conducted by Shannon Bream at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum, King stressed the urgency of confronting Vladimir Putin, explained why the Free World must continue to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and laid out the dangers of Chinese-controlled tech products like TikTok. During the interview, Bream asked Senator King about President Vladimir Putin’s next steps in his illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. “Let’s talk about Ukraine, that is another hot topic. You will receive I understand a briefing on Wednesday that will update you where we are,” said Shannon Bream. ”The President said he would being willing to talk with Mr. Putin, but that they would have to leave Russia. Kremlin says that is no-go, they can't have that kind of conversation, how does this end?"" “I think Putin is extremely dangerous right now. The ironic situation that we’re in is that the better the Ukrainians do, the more dangerous Putin becomes – because he is running out of options. And what we’re seeing now is actually his go-to option in Syria, in Grozny, where he is just bombing the hell out of the civilian population and the problem is that is just below the level where he knows we'll get into it in a more serious way. So we're in a very difficult situation,” said Senator King. “I think what we've supplied to Ukrainians has been enormously important and we need to continue to do so. Putin number one priority is to divide the West in terms of our support for Ukraine, we can't fall for it.” Bream continued by asking about America’s commitment to the conflict, and why we need to support Ukraine in their fight for freedom. “So the White House has now asked for another $38 billion dollars in next tranche of potential spending and are Republicans who are asking for more transparency and over on the House side especially there is talk of a resolution that would allow for tracking these dollars. They are taxpayer dollars, hardworking citizens want to know where it is going,” Bream continued. “Congresswoman Kat Cammack out of Florida says this: ‘I liken it to the airline videos you do before you take off: you need to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others, I don't think as a legislator, I could support billions and billions of funding going overseas when we have such dire needs here.’ Does she have a point? “She has a point and it is wrong. I suggest she Google Rhineland, 1936 and Sudetenland 1938, Hitler could have been stopped at those two times when he began aggression in Eastern Europe. He wasn't and 55 million people died,” explained Senator King. “Despots want to expand. Putin has told us who he is, Maya Angelou says if someone tells you who you they are, you should believe them. He wants to reestablish the Soviet Empire – he’s said that. I have no doubt that if he had been able to sweep into Kyiv in a week – which is what he thought he could do – we’d now be talking about probes into the Baltic States or Poland. He’s gotta be stopped, it’s in the national interest to stop him. The only thing more expensive than helping Ukraine is a World War.” Moving on to discuss threats from China, Bream asked Senator King – Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission – about the cyberthreats posed by the popular video app TikTok. “You've been talking about that here at the Reagan Library [about cybersecurity], there are a number of concerns that that front. People across the agencies are talking about an app million have downloaded voluntarily and happily – TikTok. The Washington Post says it is a compromising information on millions of Americans which can later use for national security or commercial espionage and for strategic influence operations against our country,” explained Bream. “It’s been banned in some places, India bans it, should the U.S. consider a ban?” “We definitely should consider it,” responded Senator King. “The problem is with China, there is no distinction between the government and private sector – everybody works for the government one way or another. TikTok can say we're an independent company – nonsense. Second piece, the Chinese are really into collecting data and stealing data and this is one huge way to do that. They have every keystroke, everything you enter, every comment. I think it is very dangerous and if this were Austria or Australia, I don't think we need to worry about it, but this is a country with a demonstrated propensity to intrude into our affairs and to use cyber to do so.” Continuing discussions on China, King explained how 21st century dictators use technology to repress dissent. “China is top of mind this weekend, what do you make of the ongoing protests there?” asked Bream. “What is appropriate role for the U.S. at this inflection point? “Here is one of the real problems – the 21st century technology of repression, you can have widespread dissent in China, Russia, Iran – whether they can get out from under the thumb of despotic government that has pervasive surveillance, tapping phones, you name it, they are under total control,” said Senator King. “So the real question to me is no matter how serious the unrest is, can they ever throw off the yolk of the governments?”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-welcomes-5-million-to-aid-passamaquoddy-impacted-by-climate-change,Maine Delegation Welcomes $5 Million to Aid Passamaquoddy Impacted by Climate Change,2022-12-02,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden welcomed a $5 million planning grant for the Passamaquoddy Tribe to respond to climate-related environmental threats. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of the Interior’s newly announced Voluntary Community-Driven Relocation program and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “From rising sea levels to warming waters, the impacts of climate change are already threatening communities across Maine. This federal program, one of the first of its kind, will help the Passamaquoddy Tribe prepare for climate change with long-term resilience measures,” the Maine Delegation said. “As proud supporters of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re thrilled to see its investments are working to protect tribal communities in Maine and across the nation.” The Passamaquoddy Tribe is one of eight Tribal communities nationwide receiving a total of $40 million for planning grants. The Administration’s funding announcement was made during the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, which provides an opportunity for the Administration and Tribal leaders from the 574 federally recognized Tribes to discuss ways the federal government can invest in and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships as well as ensure that progress in Indian Country endures for years to come. Alaska Native villages and Tribal communities in the contiguous 48 states are at risk of severe infrastructure damage due to climate-related environmental impacts, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, extreme weather events threats, and threats from flooding, drought, and wildland fire. A 2020 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) study estimated that up to $5 billion will be needed over the next 50 years to address Tribal relocation infrastructure needs in response to climate change impacts. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a total of $466 million to the BIA over five years, including $216 million for climate resilience programs, provided as $43.2 million annually for five years. Of that funding, $130 million is provided for community relocation and $86 million is provided for Tribal climate resilience and adaptation projects. The Inflation Reduction Act provides BIA with an additional $220 million for climate adaptation and resilience, of which the Department anticipates spending $40 million to support Voluntary Community-Driven Relocation efforts, with the remainder supporting broader Tribal climate resilience activities. Senator Collins, the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was part of the core group of 10 Senators who negotiated the text of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Senators Collins and King both worked to negotiate and pass this legislation in the Senate. Signed into law last November by President Biden with the support of Maine’s Congressional Delegation, the law offers a historic opportunity to invest in Maine’s roads and bridges, expand broadband and public transportation systems, improve climate resilience, build a clean energy future, ensure clean drinking water, and grow Maine's economy through sustained investment and good-paying jobs. The law is expected to deliver approximately $2.5 billion to Maine over the next five years for critical transportation, broadband, energy, and environmental projects.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-warn-chinese-government-against-violent-crackdown-on-protesters,"Collins, King Warn Chinese Government Against Violent Crackdown on Protesters",2022-12-02,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, are warning the Chinese Communist Party against a violent crackdown on the country’s growing pro-freedom protests. In a bipartisan letter with nearly half of their Senate colleagues, Collins and King tell the Chinese ambassador to the United States that violence by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against the peaceful protesters will cause extraordinary damage to the US-China relationship. “The protests in China, and the subsequent crackdowns, are clear evidence that the Chinese Communist Party is not listening to the will of its people. The United States Senate understands the importance of democratic principles—like freedom of expression and freedom of speech—and will always stand up for those values,” said Senators Collins and King. “We applaud the Chinese people for their bravery and urge the Chinese Communist Party to refrain from violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters as we have seen in the past.” The letter is signed by a bipartisan group of forty-two Senators. The full text of the letter can be read HERE and below. ### Ambassador Qin Gang Embassy of the People’s Republic of China 3505 International Place NW Washington, D.C. 20008-3025 Dear Ambassador Qin: We are following the current peaceful protests in China over your government’s policies very carefully. We are also closely watching the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) reaction to them. In 1989, the Chinese Communist Party and People’s Liberation Army undertook a violent crackdown on peacefully protesting Chinese students, killing hundreds, if not thousands. We caution the CCP in the strongest possible terms not to once again undertake a violent crackdown on peaceful Chinese protesters who simply want more freedom. If that happens, we believe there will be grave consequences for the US-China relationship, causing extraordinary damage to it. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-delegation-welcomes-5-million-to-aid-passamaquoddy-impacted-by-climate-change,Maine Delegation Welcomes $5 Million to Aid Passamaquoddy Impacted by Climate Change,2022-12-02,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden welcomed a $5 million planning grant for the Passamaquoddy Tribe to respond to climate-related environmental threats. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of the Interior’s newly announced Voluntary Community-Driven Relocation program and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “From rising sea levels to warming waters, the impacts of climate change are already threatening communities across Maine. This federal program, one of the first of its kind, will help the Passamaquoddy Tribe prepare for climate change with long-term resilience measures,” the Maine Delegation said. “As proud supporters of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re thrilled to see its investments are working to protect tribal communities in Maine and across the nation.” The Passamaquoddy Tribe is one of eight Tribal communities nationwide receiving a total of $40 million for planning grants. The Administration’s funding announcement was made during the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, which provides an opportunity for the Administration and Tribal leaders from the 574 federally recognized Tribes to discuss ways the federal government can invest in and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships as well as ensure that progress in Indian Country endures for years to come. Alaska Native villages and Tribal communities in the contiguous 48 states are at risk of severe infrastructure damage due to climate-related environmental impacts, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, extreme weather events threats, and threats from flooding, drought, and wildland fire. A 2020 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) study estimated that up to $5 billion will be needed over the next 50 years to address Tribal relocation infrastructure needs in response to climate change impacts. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a total of $466 million to the BIA over five years, including $216 million for climate resilience programs, provided as $43.2 million annually for five years. Of that funding, $130 million is provided for community relocation and $86 million is provided for Tribal climate resilience and adaptation projects. The Inflation Reduction Act provides BIA with an additional $220 million for climate adaptation and resilience, of which the Department anticipates spending $40 million to support Voluntary Community-Driven Relocation efforts, with the remainder supporting broader Tribal climate resilience activities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-800000-to-support-refugee-mental-health-services-in-maine,"Senators Collins, King Announce $800,000 to Support Refugee Mental Health Services in Maine",2022-12-02,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Spurwink has received $800,000 to support their ShifaME Trauma Systems Therapy for refugees. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Center for Mental Health Services. This federal funding will help to expand the trauma therapy capabilities of ShifaME, Spurwink’s refugee service provider. The organization currently offers case management and counseling services to refugees across the state. “No community is immune from mental health crises, but refugees who fled violence, disasters, or persecution in their home countries often experience unique traumas in addition to the challenges of adjusting to a new life in the United States,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Spurwink provides vital support to Maine’s refugee population, and this funding will help the dedicated staff expand access to mental health services for youth and families.” “Spurwink is grateful for the ongoing commitment of Senators Collins and King, and SAMHSA, to support our critical work with refugees in Portland,” said Eric Meyer, President & CEO of Spurwink. “Refugees contribute to a thriving economy in Maine and add a richness to our community, and our team is committed to working with them on a path to better health.” The Spurwink Refugee Mental Health Project is a multi-tiered mental health promotion model used to improve access to trauma-informed mental health services for refugee children and adolescents in Maine. The project is based on work with the Refugee Trauma and Resiliency Center at Boston Children’s Hospital and multiple partners in Maine including schools, community providers and immigrant and refugee-led organizations. The initiative includes broad-based prevention and community resilience building, community-based skill-building groups for youth, and intensive home-based family therapy for those with significant mental health needs. Spurwink’s project will increase access to effective trauma-focused services for participants by improving community awareness of the trauma-related needs of refugee youth and increasing acceptance of mental health services among refugee families. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in fiscal year 2022, Senator Collins helped secure a $394 million increase to expand mental health research, treatment, and prevention programs.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/strategic-forces-chair-king-ranking-member-fischer-celebrate-launch-of-next-generation-bomber,"Strategic Forces Chair King, Ranking Member Fischer Celebrate Launch of Next-Generation Bomber",2022-12-02,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, today celebrated the launch of America’s new nuclear-capable B-21 bomber. The next-generation stealth plane, unveiled by the Air Force and Northrop Grumman, will replace parts of the nation’s aging bomber fleet and help modernize the United States’ nuclear defense against growing aggression from Russia and China. For the last several years, Chairman King and Ranking Member Fischer have worked to modernize America’s land, air, and sea nuclear defenses – known as the Triad. Currently, only 10 percent of America’s bomber force is capable of penetrating advanced air defenses. As enemies continue investing in sophisticated technologies and weapons platforms like hypersonics, the capabilities of the new B-21 aircraft will be a critical deterrent for potential adversaries. “As history has shown time and again, the cost of defense can be high, but the cost of war is much higher. To prevent war, we must invest in modern defense systems, like the B-21, that can meet the rapidly growing threats of our adversaries,” said Senator King. “This new next-generation aircraft sends a clear signal of deterrence to our adversaries and is a significant step in the critical process of updating our nation’s ability to address, prepare, and respond to potential threats. As Russia continues its unprovoked assault on Ukraine and China rapidly grows its nuclear arsenal, it is vitally important that the United States is not left relying on our current Cold War-era deterrents. I’m grateful for all the hard work done by the Air Force and Northrop Grumman to develop this aircraft, and will continue to conduct the oversight necessary to make this project and the rest of the triad modernization a success.” “Earlier this week, a public report from the Dept. of Defense stated China will at least triple its nuclear arsenal by 2035. This is just the latest example of how the global threat environment we face is becoming more difficult. Tackling these challenges will require continued investments in the modernization of our nuclear triad, which is the bedrock of our national security. Thanks to the partnership between the Air Force and Northrop Grumman, the new B-21 will provide a significant capability upgrade to our aging bomber fleet. I look forward to continuing to build on the progress we’ve made through our work on the Armed Services Committee,” said Senator Fischer. The U.S. Air Force has stated plans to acquire at least 100 aircraft which have been named “Raider” after the World War II ‘Doolittle Raiders’ that conducted a surprise attack on Japan. The planes will be a modern, next generation replacement for the current Cold War-era B-1 and B-2 bombers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-continues-to-push-biden-administration-for-concrete-plan-to-keep-maine-homes-heated,Golden Continues to Push Biden Administration for Concrete Plan to Keep Maine Homes Heated,2022-12-01,2022,2022-12,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today Congressman Jared Golden (ME-01) joined Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), and Chris Pappas (NH-01) in sending a letter to President Biden and the U.S. Department of Energy urging them to work with Congress to proactively address natural gas and diesel supply shortages in the Northeast and rising energy costs and develop a plan to prevent rolling blackouts should the region experience frigid temperatures this winter. ""Widespread reporting indicates that the Northeast may not have sufficient fuel supply in the event of severe cold weather this winter, and if last week’s frigid temperatures and major snowstorms are any indication, it will be a long, cold winter resulting in rolling blackouts across the region, leaving millions of families in the dark and cold,"" the Members wrote.""It is imperative that your Administration is working proactively with Congress to ensure that winter electricity reliability in the most densely populated area of the United States is available to meet the power demand necessary to avoid devastating consequences for the people and businesses across the region."" Heating oil prices across the Northeast are at historical highs, exceeding $5 per gallon in Maine. Additionally, the lack of pipeline infrastructure in the Northeast region, limited shipments of foreign sourced LNG resulting from the war in Ukraine, the closure of coal, oil, and natural gas refineries, and the looming rail strike could lead to dire circumstances in the event of extreme weather. The Members continued: ""We are requesting that your Administration, led by the Secretary of Energy, present Congress with a comprehensive plan so we may ensure our constituents that concrete solutions are in place, and they will not be left in the dark this winter...To be effective, these actions will require complex planning and far-reaching communication efforts involving all relevant federal agencies and state and local parties should they be put into place… At a minimum, we ask that you and the Secretary of Energy ensure any Northeast fuel reserves released remain in the region and not be shipped overseas to the highest bidder. We understand the importance of assisting our allies in Europe; however, we must prioritize the well-being of our constituents given the realities we face at home."" Golden has also been working to lower oil and gas prices since fall 2021 and has consistently led his colleagues in Congress to push back against the administration and call on the White House to take more aggressive action to increase domestic energy production. In July, he and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) led a bipartisan, bicameral push to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps over 5.3 million households nationwide afford their energy bills. He introduced bipartisan legislation to increase funding for the program by $4 billionthis fiscal year. In September, Golden helped secure $1 billion in supplemental appropriations for the program in a short term government funding bill. He has also pressed the administration to adopt his bipartisan, multi-pronged proposal to boost energy production and boost supply, called for the suspension of the federal gas tax to help consumers save at the pump, and advocated for opening or expediting approval pipelines like Keystone, Dakota Access, and Mountain Valley. Read the letter HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-nearly-750000-to-increase-mental-health-resources-alleviate-pressure-on-law-enforcement-services,"Collins, King Announce Nearly $750,000 to Increase Mental Health Resources, Alleviate Pressure on Law Enforcement Services",2022-12-01,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that $746,562 has been awarded to emergency service providers in Cumberland, Knox, and Waldo counties to enhance their ability to safely respond to mental health crises. The funding will also help to divert more mental health calls to the appropriate service providers. This funding was awarded through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response Program. “When Mainers experience a mental health crisis, it’s important they can get quality and efficient assistance. Too often the only option available is to call 911 – this creates a missed opportunity to connect these individuals with long-term treatment services, and it puts unnecessary strain on law enforcement officers who are overwhelmed with calls and may not have the appropriate training for these types of situations,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We welcome this important funding, which will help local law enforcement agencies to do their jobs more effectively, strengthen resources for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, and promote public safety.” $203,319 will help the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office address a dramatic increase in mental health-related services, which have risen from 220 calls in 2019 to 648 calls in 2021. A significant number of these calls are for repeat subjects, thus putting a significant strain on the resources of the agency to answer routine calls for service. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office believes that an embedded mental health professional would provide targeted assistance to persons with mental health disorders by directing the individuals to local resources. $543,243 will help support ongoing efforts in Knox and Waldo counties to reduce encounters between law enforcement officers and those suffering with behavioral health issues. The funding will be used to expand the Co-occurring Community Connection (CCC) Project, which promotes effective strategies to identify and reduce the risk of harm to individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, propose interventions that have been shown to reduce recidivism, and improve access to treatment services.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cosponsors-bipartisan-bill-to-reduce-global-hunger,King Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Global Hunger,2022-12-01,2022,2022-12,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to reduce global hunger and continue the United States’ worldwide leadership in combatting food insecurity as Russia’s war on Ukraine imperils global food supply chains. The Global Food Security Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the nation’s Feed the Future hunger and agriculture initiative through 2028, improve food aid oversight, and require the Biden administration to develop a whole-of-government strategy to address global food challenges. Feed the Future is an initiative led by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to combat global food insecurity. The program addresses the root causes of hunger and poverty by boosting agriculture-led growth and nutrition in countries with great need and opportunity for improvement. “As dictators like Vladimir Putin seek to use hunger as a weapon, we must make sure that people have access to basic food and nutrition, regardless of the country or continent they live in,” said Senator King. “It’s imperative the United States helps people around the world access nutritious meals. The Global Food Security Reauthorization Act would strengthen our international leadership and global stability by building on the successful Feed the Future program that provides critical support for countries to develop agriculture and improve nutrition. I’m grateful for the broad bipartisan support the bill has already received, and hope we can get it passed for the sake of all the world’s most vulnerable communities.” The Global Food Security Act was first passed into law in 2016 and is set to expire in 2023. The bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator King is currently expected to be included as an amendment in the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act, and would extend the law for another five years. The bill also: Requires the Administration to develop a whole-of-government strategy to address global food insecurity and hunger. The strategy would emphasize agricultural development, improving maternal and child nutrition, building the resilience of communities, and civil society engagement. Ensures the alignment of U.S. assistance with country-owned strategies to enhance agricultural productivity, household income, local economies, and food and nutrition security to work toward the ultimate goal of transitioning countries and communities away from the need for U.S. assistance under this Act. Improves upon existing monitoring and evaluation practices to ensure the effective use of U.S. taxpayer dollars. Requires that the Administration report to Congress and to the American people annually about the strategy, its results and the use of foreign assistance funds. Authorizes appropriations through 2028 to carry out international development assistance programs and activities under the strategy.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-statement-on-house-votes-regarding-rail-labor-dispute,Golden Statement on House Votes Regarding Rail Labor Dispute,2022-11-30,2022,2022-11,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released a statement today following his vote against H. Res. 100 and his vote for H. Con. Res. 119. H. Res. 100 would force a labor agreement on rail unions that have not yet ratified it. H. Con. Res. 119, would provide for seven paid sick days for affected rail workers. “In prematurely rushing this legislation through the House, Congress undermines the fundamental bargaining power of workers and unions across the country. The right to bargain for fair wages and humane working conditions is a bright red line for me. While the stakes are high with these particular negotiations, in the end, nothing is better for our long-term economic security than a strong and resilient workforce. “A congressional intervention of this scale has not taken place in 30 years. Rather than weigh the gravity of such a move and pursue other viable steps that would have continued to respect the bargaining process, today the House opted for the option of last resort. I was glad to vote to support the unions’ efforts to make sure workers have seven sick days per year, and I will continue to stand up for their right to push for a better deal for workers and their families.” - Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/with-winter-looming-king-and-new-england-colleagues-urge-biden-administration-to-develop-energy-and-heating-plan,"With Winter Looming, King and New England Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Develop Energy and Heating Plan",2022-11-30,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King and a group of his New England Senate colleagues are urging the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a plan that will prevent blackouts or price hikes for New England households this winter; a serious concern given Russia’s continued disruptions to global energy markets. In a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the Senators ask the Secretary to work with key stakeholders and local governments to mitigate the risk of price hikes and shortages of natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and heating oil. “With the upcoming winter season comes a real threat to energy reliability for residents and businesses in New England. Global events caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are exacerbating the risk that the region will not have the fuel supplies needed to maintain heat and power during an extended cold snap,” wrote King and his New England colleagues. “We write to ask that you work with federal, regional, state, and local stakeholders to identify actions available to prevent energy disruption during the coldest months of the year.” “ISO New England, the region’s grid operator, has warned that colder-than-usual conditions could put the reliability of the grid at risk - perhaps even leading to extreme measures like rolling blackouts,” the Senators continued. “This could be devastating, particularly during the coldest days of winter. While the region’s overreliance on natural gas has long been an issue, the continued global disruption caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine means the risk is more urgent than ever,” “Given the gravity of these concerns, we urge you to convene key stakeholders, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), ISO New England, New England governors, public utility officials, generators, suppliers, and utilities to mitigate these risks. Additionally, we ask that you leverage resources within the Department of Energy to identify barriers to bringing non-fossil fuel energy online as quickly as possible. Lastly, we ask that you work across the Executive Branch to review the emergency powers available to the Department of Energy and other agencies to ensure New England has the resources needed to get through the winter without major supply disruptions or price spikes,” the Senators conclude. The letter was also signed by Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Read the full letter below or here. Senator King has consistently worked to ensure Maine people have low, reliable energy and heating costs. In a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year, he spoke out against increasing exports of LNG when more natural gas is desperately needed in Maine and across New England. Senator King has also been one of the Senate’s most vocal advocates for the Low Income Heating Aid Program (LIHEAP). He urged the administration to include LIHEAP aid in the American Rescue Plan, and announced that Maine would receive over $90 million – twice the average allocation – in 2022 LIHEAP funding thanks to increased investments included in the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. +++ Dear Secretary Granholm, With the upcoming winter season comes a real threat to energy reliability for residents and businesses in New England. Global events caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are exacerbating the risk that the region will not have the fuel supplies needed to maintain heat and power during an extended cold snap. We write to ask that you work with federal, regional, state, and local stakeholders to identify actions available to prevent energy disruption during the coldest months of the year. Leaders in the region are working hard to reduce our reliance on natural gas by bringing clean energy resources like offshore wind and hydropower online, and the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act will be a huge boost to those efforts. Replacing fossil fuels with clean energy alternatives is the only way to ensure adequate supply and to achieve U.S. energy independence. Building out this new, carbon-free generation, however, will take time. As a result, the region remains reliant on natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and heating oil to bridge supply gaps during the coldest stretch of New England winters. ISO New England, the region’s grid operator, has warned that colder-than-usual conditions could put the reliability of the grid at risk - perhaps even leading to extreme measures like rolling blackouts. This could be devastating, particularly during the coldest days of winter. While the region’s overreliance on natural gas has long been an issue, the continued global disruption caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine means the risk is more urgent than ever. In retaliation for Western sanctions following the invasion, Russia has weaponized energy supplies, reducing gas exports to Europe by 88% compared to 2021. This had led European nations to seek supplies elsewhere, further tightening the global supply. As a result, New England states will face serious challenges as they seek to secure LNG supply. Even if the lights stay on throughout our winter months, the price instability caused by the region’s reliance on the spot market could have devastating impacts on New England residents who already face some of the highest energy costs in the continental U.S. Given the gravity of these concerns, we urge you to convene key stakeholders, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), ISO New England, New England governors, public utility officials, generators, suppliers, and utilities to mitigate these risks. Additionally, we ask that you leverage resources within the Department of Energy to identify barriers to bringing non-fossil fuel energy online as quickly as possible. Lastly, we ask that you work across the Executive Branch to review the emergency powers available to the Department of Energy and other agencies to ensure New England has the resources needed to get through the winter without major supply disruptions or price spikes. We stand ready and willing to assist you in any way. We appreciate your attention to these concerns and look forward to working with you on this critical issue Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-announces-4-million-in-usda-loans-and-grants-for-blue-hill-treatment-plant,Golden Announces $4 Million in USDA Loans and Grants for Blue Hill Treatment Plant,2022-11-29,2022,2022-11,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today shared that USDA Rural Development awarded a loan of $2,750,000 and a grant of $1,250,000 million to the town of Blue Hill for upgrades and repairs to their wastewater treatment plant. The funding would go towards much-needed repairs to the facility that the congressman has been working with local leaders to secure for the past year. The total budget for upgrades at the 47-year-old facility exceeds $5 million. “As I saw in my visit to the plant in August, the last few years of rising tides in Blue Hill Harbor have left the plant in need of some upgrades and repairs,” said Congressman Golden. “Today’s USDA funding will go a long way to ensuring that the families and businesses in Blue Hill can continue to count on safe water.” Golden met with local leaders and toured the Blue Hill facility in August. Open since 1975 and last upgraded in 2000, Blue Hill’s Wastewater Treatment Facility is showing its age and has been impacted by rising tide levels from the surrounding waters. Earlier this year, Golden passed $1 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) for the facility through the House, although it remains unclear whether the Senate will act on the House-passed legislation. Read more about the USDA’s grant and loan announcement here. Read more about the Community Project Funding request Rep. Golden passed through the House here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-after-senate-passes-protections-for-marriage-equality,King Statement After Senate Passes Protections for Marriage Equality,2022-11-29,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King released the following statement after the United States Senate passed the Respect For Marriage Act on a bipartisan 61-36 vote. The bill, cosponsored by Senator King, expands federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages by requiring federal recognition of valid state marriages. The bill also guarantees that all marriages are given full legal status regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. “Marriage is one of life’s great gifts; it brings companionship, support, love, and joy. The decision to get married is a deeply personal choice between two people who love each other, it’s not an easy decision, and it’s not one where the government should have a say,” said Senator King. “The Respect For Marriage Act is a historic, long-overdue step to ensure Americans can marry the person they love without government interference while receiving significant tax and other benefits that come from the legally-recognized partnerships. “My decades-long marriage to my wife has been among the greatest privileges of my life. We were lucky that our marriage did not face legal barriers, and there shouldn’t be for others who share the same love. Maine has long understood this fundamental right – it’s why we were the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex civil marriage by popular vote, and it’s why I was a proud cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation. “It’s unfortunate that a law protecting the right to marry the person you love is even necessary. But with an activist Supreme Court that has repeatedly imposed their own religious views on the country and indicated it was open to reconsidering marriage equality rights, I feel this effort was critical to defend current and future loving couples. I’m deeply grateful that the Senate was able to come together and pass a commonsense, bipartisan law that carefully enshrines the right to same-sex and interracial marriage while respecting religious freedoms.” The Respect for Marriage Act, cosponsored by Senator King, will:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-5-million-to-restore-fish-habitat-on-the-st-croix-river,"Collins, King Announce $5 Million to Restore Fish Habitat on the St. Croix River",2022-11-28,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine is receiving $5,000,000 to improve fish migration at the Milltown and Woodland dams on the St. Croix River. The funding was allocated under the bipartisan infrastructure law through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC). The Maine Department of Marine Resources’ project will expand aquatic connectivity for river herring and other at-risk species. The project will also help to enhance watershed health and local economic vitality in the St. Croix River and the Bay of Fundy. The project will significantly improve fish passage in historic spawning habitat and continue collaboration between U.S. federal agencies, Canadian agencies, Tribal Nations, the State of Maine and other conservation partners. “The St. Croix River and its watershed play a key role in sustaining the health of the ecosystem and the economy in Eastern Maine,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “By improving fish passages along the river, this project will help restore critical habitat to protect native fish populations, while also supporting migratory birds and other wildlife. We welcome this investment to preserve the environment and benefit current and future generations of anglers.” ATBC grants support projects that conserve, restore, and connect habitats for wildlife while improving community resilience and access to nature. These grants are highly competitive. This year, applicants submitted 527 proposals requesting a total of $1.1 billion, and 55 were selected.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nov-22-pod,Arctic Caucus Co-Chair King Discusses Challenges and Opportunities of the High North in November Podcast,2022-11-28,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Listen to the November edition of Senator King’s podcast here or on Apple Podcasts. WASHINGTON D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the November episode of the Senator’s “Inside Maine” podcast, in which he and his guests discuss the opportunities and challenges of a warming Arctic. King, Co-Chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, was joined by President of the Maine International Trade Center, Wade Merritt, and former Alaska Lieutenant Governor and US Arctic Research Commission Chair, Fran Ulmer. Together, the Senator and his guests lay out the local and global implications of the shifting region; including the changing environment, better shipping routes and trade opportunities, and expanded competition with Russia and China. “It’s an unfortunate reality that the Arctic is warming, but it’s critical we realize that the region’s rapid changes are creating historic opportunities and challenges,” said Senator King. “From new trade routes to military instillations, the United States, Maine, and our global partners must be ready for this growing area of competition and collaboration – countries like China and India are already making major moves to gain leverage in the High North. It was great to be joined by Wade Merritt and Fran Ulmer to discuss the implications of the newly accessible region. I’m grateful for the work they are doing to study and seize Arctic opportunities and look forward to our continued efforts together to ensure Maine is well positioned in our Arctic future.” The Arctic is one of the world’s most rapidly changing bodies of water – warming 5° Fahrenheit since the mid-1960s, three times faster than the global average. The melting sea ice opens northern shipping lanes for northern ports in Alaska and Maine, while also increasing the potential for territorial disputes and greater militarization in the region. Currently, Russia is far outpacing the U.S. in the region, having already invested billions of dollars in military infrastructure along its northern Arctic coast. Without proper investment, the U.S. risks falling further behind in the critical, shifting region. Former Alaska Lieutenant Governor and Mayor of Juneau, Fran Ulmer served as chair of the US Arctic Research Commission (USARC) from March 2011 to July 2020 where she led a biennial report to the President and Congress outlining recommended scientific research goals and objectives for the Arctic. Ms. Ulmer also served as chancellor of Alaska’s largest public university, the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and is now a Senior Fellow in the Arctic Initiative at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School. Since 2017, Wade Merritt has served as the President of Maine International Trade Center (MITC) and State Director of International Trade within the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development. In this role, he is responsible for the directing the trade and investment policy for the state, including the delivery of international trade services to Maine’s business and academic community. His appointment is the culmination of 22 years at MITC, progressing up the organization from frontline staff to regional office director, followed by 11 years as Vice President. During his time, Wade has served Maine’s business community through the creation and development of several major subprograms including the Canada Desk and Invest in Maine, MITC’s investment attraction initiative. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Armed Services Committee, and Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, Senator King is an advocate for Maine and America’s interests in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. Along with Caucus co-chair Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), King introduced the Arctic Commitment Act earlier this year to improve America’s posture and opportunities in the Arctic. He’s been calling for the appointment of an Arctic Ambassador since 2015, and has continued to press the Administration on the effort this year. King also recently laid out the challenges and opportunities of a warming arctic in an article in the Wilson Quarterly, and in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, he successfully secured the inclusion of provisions to increase America’s activity and opportunities in the Far North. The “Inside Maine Podcast with Senator Angus King” is a 30-minute program that aims to help keep Maine people informed about issues of the day, how they affect life in the state, and how they factor into Senator King’s work as one of two independents in the U.S. Senate. Senator King’s podcast builds on his existing radio show that airs on Newsradio WGAN in Portland, Maine between 10 and 11 a.m. typically on the last Saturday of the month.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-and-governor-mills-voice-disappointment-urge-national-retailers-to-continue-selling-maine-lobster,"Maine Delegation and Governor Mills Voice Disappointment, Urge National Retailers to Continue Selling Maine Lobster",2022-11-22,2022,2022-11,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, MAINE—Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, and Governor Janet Mills today released the following statement after Whole Foods Market said it would stop selling Maine lobster nationwide: “We are disappointed by Whole Foods’ decision and deeply frustrated that the Marine Stewardship Council’s suspension of the lobster industry’s certificate of sustainability continues to harm the livelihoods of hardworking men and women up and down Maine’s coast. In an appeal to retailers just weeks ago, we outlined the facts: there has never been a right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear; Maine lobstermen have a 150-year history of sustainability; and Maine’s lobstering community has consistently demonstrated their commitment to protecting right whales. Despite this, the Marine Stewardship Council, with retailers following suit, wrongly and blindly decided to follow the recommendations of misguided environmental groups rather than science. We strongly urge the Marine Stewardship Council and retailers to reconsider their potentially devastating decisions.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-ensure-students-arent-forced-to-choose-between-housing-and-education,King Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Students Aren’t Forced to Choose Between Housing and Education,2022-11-22,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) have introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure students are not forced to choose between housing or pursuing an education. The Housing for Homeless Students Act would update current law to ensure students, including veterans, who have experienced homelessness or are currently homeless, can access affordable housing while pursuing their education. The legislation would also benefit youth who age out of foster care who experience higher rates of homelessness and unemployment. Currently, individuals pursuing full-time education are not eligible for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and can lose access to scholarships and grants if they switch to part-time education in order to retain access to affordable housing. “It should go without saying – no one should have to choose between getting an education or keeping a roof above their head,” said Senator King. “Our youth and veterans pursuing higher education are there to improve their lives and invest in their future and it’s completely unfair for them to lose federal housing support because they are investing their time and energy in seeking a college degree. The Housing for Homeless Students Act is a necessary, commonsense, and bipartisan step to right this wrong and ensure America’s youth and veterans have equal opportunities to grow, learn, and succeed.” “Students and veterans who have experienced homelessness shouldn’t be forced to choose between pursuing an education and access to affordable housing,” said Senator Brown. “I’m proud to work with Sens. King and Portman on the Housing for Homeless Students Act to ensure the housing tax credit works for students investing in their futures.” “Students shouldn’t have to choose between stable housing and going to school full-time,” said Senator Portman. “This legislation will provide low-income students access to affordable housing while they attend school. With secure housing we can help to ensure that they are able to focus on their education, graduate, and achieve their God-given potential.” The LIHTC Program provides tax incentives to developers who build or rehabilitate affordable housing units. Currently, the program does not allow tenants enrolled in the program to be full-time students. If students pursue a part-time education, they risk losing out on scholarships and grants available to full-time students only. The original intent of the rule was to prevent LIHTC funding from being used to construct student housing for students who have temporarily low-incomes at the expense of low-income families with long-term needs. However, current law provides no exception for homeless or formerly-homeless students. The Housing for Homeless Students Act would also benefit homeless veterans and young people who age out of foster care and often experience higher rates of homelessness and unemployment.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-join-celebration-of-waterville-downtown-revitalization-project,"Collins, King Join Celebration of Waterville Downtown Revitalization Project",2022-11-18,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Waterville, ME – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined representatives from the Maine Department of Transportation, the City of Waterville, and Colby College to celebrate the completion of the Downtown Waterville Revitalization Project. The project improved roadways, sidewalks, intersections, and public green spaces. In addition, traffic was reconfigured from one-way to two-way, and intersections and gateways were reconstructed to be safer for pedestrians and motorists. Colby College is also making significant downtown investments that will help the town draw more visitors. Senators Collins and King both strongly supported a $7.4 million federal grant for the project, and Senator Collins secured the funding through this highly competitive grant program as a leader of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. “This transformational project will contribute to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Waterville, expand access to the arts and education, create jobs, and bring the community together. The improvements to roadways, sidewalks, and public spaces we are celebrating are the result of the strong partnerships that have been forged among the city, Colby, and MaineDOT,” said Senator Collins. “As a leader of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, I was delighted to secure a $7.4 million BUILD grant to help move this remarkable project forward.” “Waterville has historically been the center of activity in northern Kennebec County and neighboring communities in Somerset; it’s a cornerstone of the economy for the region,” said Senator King. “The new two way-traffic on Main Street will bring more customers to small businesses, improve traffic flow, and make foot traffic better for pedestrians. Today’s ribbon cutting is a testament to the hard work of the city and to the value of the partnerships they’ve formed with Colby College and the MaineDOT. I’m proud to have supported funding for this significant project and look forward to seeing its impacts for years to come.” Construction on the Downtown Waterville Revitalization Project began in March 2021. Work involved converting Main Street and Front Street to two-way traffic, which will direct local traffic into the downtown commercial area to spur more economic activity. At the same time, state numbered routes that previously traversed Main Street have been rerouted away from Waterville’s center to divert through-traffic from Main Street. These traffic changes—coupled with wider sidewalks, updated traffic signals, new streetlights, and new trees—will make downtown Waterville a safer and more attractive environment for pedestrians. This city-led project complements investments by Colby College to bring new life to downtown Waterville, catalyze economic activity, and create a stronger connection between Colby’s Mayflower Hill campus and the city center. Recent building projects include Colby’s Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons, a mixed-use street level commercial building and student apartment complex; the contemporary world-class Lockwood Hotel, the arts-centered Greene Block + Studios that transformed a historic hardware store building; and the soon-to-open Paul J. Schupf Art Center, which will house the core of Waterville’s creative and performing arts community. This will include the Maine Film Center and the Maine International Film Festival, Ticonic Gallery and Studios, and the Colby Museum of Art Joan Dignam Schmaltz Gallery of Art. The new Paul J. Schupf Art Center will also connect to the 120-year-old Waterville Opera House via an elegant and accessible skywalk.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-bipartisan-group-of-colleagues-urge-biden-administration-to-address-winter-season-worker-shortage,"King, Bipartisan Group of Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Address Winter Season Worker Shortage",2022-11-18,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to call on the Biden administration to expedite H-2B work visas as many of Maine’s businesses prepare for the approaching winter ski and tourism season in Maine. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Department of Labor (DOL) Marty Walsh, the Senators highlight the urgent need for workers across the nation’s ski and winter tourism industry and stress that failure to quickly provide H-2Bs will cause harm to Maine skiing communities. Over the last several years, the seasonal tourism industry has struggled to hire enough American workers to meet demand. The H2-B work visa program allows U.S. employers to fill these open roles with foreign nationals in temporary nonagricultural jobs when the local workforce is not applying for them. “H-2B workers are especially vital to the ski and winter tourism industry nationwide, which is anticipating severe workforce shortages ahead of hiring for its busiest season,” the Senators wrote. “According to the National Ski Areas Association, 81% of all ski areas in the U.S. had unfilled winter jobs in the 2022 ski season. Additionally, the average number of winter positions that went unfilled at ski areas was 76 – a steep increase from an average of 55 unfilled positions in 2021.” “The urgency of addressing these workforce shortages cannot be overstated. In addition to ski and winter tourism businesses themselves, the rural mountain communities who host them depend heavily on winter tourism and recreation visitors for their overall economic health and growth. Because employment start dates for ski area employees typically occur in early December, the statutory H-2B cap has been met too early for the industry to effectively utilize the program every year since 2018,” the Senators continued. “Given the lengthy timelines involved in securing H-2B visa slots and hiring and onboarding recipients, each day that passes without action contributes to the risk of those challenges repeating themselves. Releasing the recently-announced 65,000 supplemental H-2B visas as soon as possible will ensure that major winter employers like ski areas, and the mountain communities that depend on them, have a fair shot at accessing the program when H-2Bs are needed most,” the Senators concluded. The Maine ski and winter tourism season traditionally runs from late-fall through early-spring. Senator King has long led efforts to address workforce shortages with the H-2B program. Following a push earlier this year, DHS and DOL announced that they will increase the number of H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2023 to the maximum number, approximately 65,000 additional visas, to help small businesses hire workers. These visas are on top of the 66,000 H-2B visas that are normally available each fiscal year. Senator King was joined on this letter by Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). The letter can be found here or below. +++ Dear Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Walsh: We write to urge you to address serious labor shortages affecting the ski and winter tourism industry in our states by providing H-2B visa cap relief. Specifically, we ask that the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor move expeditiously to issue the temporary final rule for the previously-announced 65,000 supplemental Fiscal Year 2023 H-2B visas. On September 15th, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the first half H-2B visa cap for FY23 had been reached – more than two weeks earlier than the same limit was met in FY22, which was previously the fastest this occurred. We thank your agencies for moving quickly to combat this shortage by announcing the release of 65,000 supplementary visas. However, should implementation and application guidelines for those additional visas not be issued quickly, not all industries will be able to benefit. H-2B workers are especially vital to the ski and winter tourism industry nationwide, which is anticipating severe workforce shortages ahead of hiring for its busiest season. The industry has sought to address these shortages independent of H-2B hiring, including through significant wage increases, with overall ski wage rates increasing by 28% in the past five years across the 37 states containing ski areas.[i] Despite this, vacancies and workforce shortages remain widespread even as demand for outdoor recreation continues to grow. According to the National Ski Areas Association, 81% of all ski areas in the U.S. had unfilled winter jobs in the 2022 ski season. Additionally, the average number of winter positions that went unfilled at ski areas was 76– a steep increase from an average of 55 unfilled positions in 2021. The urgency of addressing these workforce shortages cannot be overstated. In addition to ski and winter tourism businesses themselves, the rural mountain communities who host them depend heavily on winter tourism and recreation visitors for their overall economic health and growth. Because employment start dates for ski area employees typically occur in early December, the statutory H-2B cap has been met too early for the industry to effectively utilize the program every year since 2018. And while your agencies have traditionally released supplemental visas, in the past, they have come too late to mitigate severe workforce shortages that delayed openings and limited operational capacity. Given the lengthy timelines involved in securing H-2B visa slots and hiring and onboarding recipients, each day that passes without action contributes to the risk of those challenges repeating themselves. Releasing the recently-announced 65,000 supplemental H-2B visas as soon as possible will ensure that major winter employers like ski areas, and the mountain communities that depend on them, have a fair shot at accessing the program when H-2Bs are needed most. We thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cosponsors-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-veterans-from-benefits-fraud,King Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Protect Veterans from Benefits Fraud,2022-11-17,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to protect veterans from benefits fraud. The Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (GUARD) VA Benefits Act would reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited scam benefit representatives who charge unauthorized fees while helping veterans file a disability claim – something prohibited under current law, but without criminal charges in the statutes. “America’s veterans have served, sacrificed, and fought for their benefits and it is reprehensible that scammers would take advantage of servicemembers during their time of need,” said Senator King. “Unfortunately, while the shameful act of charging veterans fake ‘fees’ to file a disability claim is illegal, there are currently no legal penalties to deter bad actors. The GUARD VA Benefits Act would fix this oversight and ensure that scammers and unauthorized organizations are held responsible for exploiting our heroes. This is a commonsense bill to protect out veterans and I hope it can continue to receive bipartisan support across Congress.” The bipartisan measure has the support of numerous veterans advocacy organizations including the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “The Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars and it Auxiliary are very happy that Senator Angus King has signed on as a Cosponsor to the GUARD Act,” said Steven Sanpedro, VFW Department of Maine Legislative Chairman. “These predatory unaccredited companies have taken advantage of our Veterans and their families way too long. This law will create penalties on these business that over charge our Veterans. More importantly this will put them on notice that they are being watched and will no longer be allowed to take advantage of our Veterans and their families. Thank you Senator King for signing on to this very important bill!” ""The American Legion Department of Maine is proud hear Senator King is supporting and cosponsoring the Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (GUARD) VA Benefits Act. Providing claims assistance should be about service to veterans and their families,"" said Kirk Thurston, Commander of the Maine American Legion. ""The American Legion has been assisting the veterans’ community for more than a century, and we are committed to ensuring Maine veterans receive the care they have earned, not turning a profit."" The legislation is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of more than a dozen Senators and companion legislation has also been introduced in the House of Representatives. Click here to read the GUARD VA Benefits Act.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-182-million-contract-awarded-to-bath-iron-works,"Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $182 Million Contract Awarded to Bath Iron Works",2022-11-17,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works (BIW) a $181,983,583 contract modification to a previously awarded contract for Planning Yard Services for the DDG-51 Class Guided Missile Destroyer program. “Time and time again, the hardworking, highly-skilled men and women at Bath Iron Works demonstrate that Bath built is best built. This new funding is a testament to the shipyard’s expertise that will strengthen Maine’s economy and allow BIW’s engineers, designers, and planners to continue producing their world-class ships,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the workhorses of the Navy. We will continue our efforts to ensure that the shipyard has the resources it needs to construct these critical elements of our national security that protect our interests around the globe.” This funding is a cost-plus-award-fee modification to a previously awarded contract for planning yard services. The work will be performed in Bath and is expected to be completed by January 2024. Senator Collins is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Senator King is a member of the Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-and-governor-mills-respond-to-suspension-of-lobster-fishery-certification-by-marine-stewardship-council,Maine Delegation and Governor Mills Respond to Suspension of Lobster Fishery Certification by Marine Stewardship Council,2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, ME – Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, and Governor Janet Mills today released the following statement after the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) announced plans to temporarily suspend their certification of Maine’s lobster fishery. In their decision, MSC acknowledges that while the Maine fishery meets standards for sustainability and environmental impact and is unlikely to cause harm to right whales, it is unable to certify any fishery that is not in compliance with federal regulations – a standard MSC believes the fishery does not meet due to the ongoing litigation in CBD v. Ross. “Today’s decision by the Marine Stewardship Council to temporarily suspend certification of Maine’s lobster fishery is the result of a years-long campaign from misguided environmentalist groups who seem to be hellbent on putting a proud, sustainable industry out of business without regard to the consequences of their actions. While the Maine industry met the highest standards for environmental sustainability and impact, the current pending CBD v. Ross court case led by the Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Law Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Humane Society of the United States made certification impossible. This litigation is based more on activism than evidence and is putting livelihoods in jeopardy. “To be clear, this decision is not a reflection on the Maine lobster industry. As the MSC clearly states, ‘there is no recent evidence that the Maine lobster fishery is responsible for entanglements or interactions with right whales.’ The temporary suspension is purely because activists with an axe to grind have weaponized the court system and the Endangered Species Act to target the livelihoods of thousands of Maine lobstermen, their families, and the communities who work responsibly to maintain the delicate balance in Maine’s waters. The Maine lobster fishery has always complied with National Marine Fisheries Service regulations, and had the agency issued valid regulations, Maine’s lobster fishery would not have been in a position to lose its certification. It’s extraordinarily frustrating and incredibly unjust. “We are deeply disappointed by this action, and hope that the MSC will reconsider the decision as litigation is ongoing in the matter. Any companies purchasing Maine lobster, or people deciding to enjoy a lobster roll, should view MSC’s decision purely as a result of a continuing legal process that is no fault of the fishery or lobstermen. MSC’s own independent review found the industry to be operating sustainably. In the meantime, we will continue doing everything in our power to support the iconic Maine industry and ensure that they have the resources they need to continue complying with any federal regulations.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-blasts-inconsistencies-of-noaa-s-vessel-strike-rule-that-treats-lobster-industry-unequally,Maine Delegation Blasts Inconsistencies of NOAA’s Vessel Strike Rule that Treats Lobster Industry Unequally,2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—In response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) favoring the shipping industry over the lobster industry in its attempts to reduce the risk of right whale deaths, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden wrote to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to express their opposition to imposing stricter regulations on fishermen compared to other groups. Since 2019, there were six documented right whale deaths due to vessel strikes. NOAA recently proposed expanding the current mandatory seasonal vessel speed restrictions of 10 knots or fewer in designated ocean areas, which would reduce the risk of vessel strikes by only 27.5 percent. By contrast, NOAA is moving forward with implementing an onerous and unnecessary lobster gear rule that would purportedly reduce the risk of right whale mortalities by nearly 90 percent, even though there has never been a single right whale death or serious injury attributed to Maine’s lobster industry. “[T]this rule imposes different requirements on vessel traffic than it does commercial fisheries,” the Maine Delegation wrote. “Through this proposed rule, it is clear that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is holding Maine’s lobster industry to a much more stringent standard than other sectors…We encourage NMFS to take a hard look at the disparate regulatory treatment of vessel traffic and commercial fisheries before moving forward with additional rules for both sectors.” In their letter, the Maine Delegation outlined the numerous steps that Maine lobstermen have taken to reduce risks to right whales, and they renewed their push for NOAA to work with its Canadian counterpart to protect this fragile population. They also pointed out a number of contradictions of the new rule. For instance, unlike the lobster gear rule, which is based on estimated rather than confirmed deaths caused by entanglements, the vessel speed rule is confined to documented mortalities caused by ship strikes. Moreover, the vessel speed rule will not apply to the Gulf of Maine. Ironically, this amounts to a tacit admission that Maine waters pose a low risk to right whales. The Maine Delegation also asked NOAA several pointed questions to explain these discrepancies. Click HERE to read the letter. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-5-million-to-help-expand-broadband-in-rural-maine-communities,"Collins, King Announce $5 Million to Help Expand Broadband in Rural Maine Communities",2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced that the Maine Connectivity Authority will receive a total of $5,000,000 to support the development of a Five-Year action plan to close the broadband gap in rural Maine. This funding was authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provided through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program that was created and funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law. Senator Collins, the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was part of the core group of 10 Senators who negotiated the text of the bipartisan infrastructure law. Senators Collins and King both worked to negotiate and pass this historic legislation, which will deliver billions of dollars to Maine for investments in broadband, roads, bridges, and more. “Access to high-speed Internet is critical to the vitality of rural communities, which is why I have long championed expanding access to broadband across Maine,” said Senator Collins. “From spurring job creation to supporting telemedicine and education, the Internet unlocks almost endless benefits and possibilities. I co-authored the broadband section of the law to help bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas, and I am pleased that this funding will help Maine to take another step forward to extend its high-speed network to ensure that families have a reliable connection to their loved ones, co-workers, schools, and medical services.” “High-speed, affordable broadband access is essential for small businesses, telehealth patients, families, and students across rural and urban Maine,” said Senator King. “This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve internet speeds and bring important new opportunities to communities that need it most. I’m proud to see the continued impact of this bipartisan bill, and will continue working with my colleagues on programs that close the digital divide and help rural Maine thrive.” The BEAD Program is a formula grant program that provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in all states and territories. The first phase, the Planning Grants, allows states and territories to develop their high-speed Internet deployment plans to make sure all residents of the state are covered before receiving their allocation for capacity building. The Maine Connectivity Authority will use this grant to close the broadband availability gap and support the development of a Five-Year Action Plan. The following planning and pre-deployment activities will be taken: Research and data collection, including identification of unserved and underserved locations; Publications, outreach, and communications support; Establishing a broadband office that oversees broadband programs and deployment; Mapping of broadband adoption, affordability, equity, access, and deployment activities; and",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/delegation-msc-response,Maine Delegation and Governor Mills Respond to Suspension of Lobster Fishery Certification by Marine Stewardship Council,2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"PORTLAND, ME – Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, and Governor Janet Mills today released the following statement after the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) announced plans to temporarily suspend their certification of Maine’s lobster fishery. In their decision, MSC acknowledges that while the Maine fishery meets standards for sustainability and environmental impact and is unlikely to cause harm to right whales, it is unable to certify any fishery that is not in compliance with federal regulations – a standard MSC believes the fishery does not meet due to the ongoing litigation in CBD v. Ross. “Today’s decision by the Marine Stewardship Council to temporarily suspend certification of Maine’s lobster fishery is the result of a years-long campaign from misguided environmentalist groups who seem to be hellbent on putting a proud, sustainable industry out of business without regard to the consequences of their actions. While the Maine industry met the highest standards for environmental sustainability and impact, the current pending CBD v. Ross court case led by the Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Law Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Humane Society of the United States made certification impossible. This litigation is based more on activism than evidence and is putting livelihoods in jeopardy. “To be clear, this decision is not a reflection on the Maine lobster industry. As the MSC clearly states, ‘there is no recent evidence that the Maine lobster fishery is responsible for entanglements or interactions with right whales.’ The temporary suspension is purely because activists with an axe to grind have weaponized the court system and the Endangered Species Act to target the livelihoods of thousands of Maine lobstermen, their families, and the communities who work responsibly to maintain the delicate balance in Maine’s waters. The Maine lobster fishery has always complied with National Marine Fisheries Service regulations, and had the agency issued valid regulations, Maine’s lobster fishery would not have been in a position to lose its certification. It’s extraordinarily frustrating and incredibly unjust. “We are deeply disappointed by this action, and hope that the MSC will reconsider the decision as litigation is ongoing in the matter. Any companies purchasing Maine lobster, or people deciding to enjoy a lobster roll, should view MSC’s decision purely as a result of a continuing legal process that is no fault of the fishery or lobstermen. MSC’s own independent review found the industry to be operating sustainably. In the meantime, we will continue doing everything in our power to support the iconic Maine industry and ensure that they have the resources they need to continue complying with any federal regulations.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cosponsors-bipartisan-legislation-to-ensure-federal-broadband-grants-are-delivered-in-full-not-taxed,"King Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure Federal Broadband Grants Are Delivered in Full, Not Taxed",2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King, has cosponsored a bipartisan bill to maximize the historic broadband funding for residents across Maine. The Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act (BGTTA) would classify broadband funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) as non-taxable income, ensuring that the entirety of federal dollars awarded to companies for the purpose of deploying broadband in Maine can be used wholly for that purpose, rather than going back to the government through taxes. Currently, grants awarded to industry for broadband deployment are factored into a company’s income unless Congress acts to address the problem. This new bipartisan legislation moves to exclude broadband deployment grants awarded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and ARP from an organization’s income. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and American Rescue Plan made once-in-a-generation investments to help every Maine household get an affordable, reliable broadband connection. Now, we have to ensure the funding is delivered in full to accomplish our connectivity goals,” said Senator King. “Taxing federal broadband grants as income undermines the purpose of these historic internet connectivity programs and creates unnecessary hurdles for companies looking to invest in Maine. The Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act (BGTTA) is a commonsense step to make the most of the new broadband funding. As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s signing, I hope Congress will pass this bipartisan effort to further improve legislation that is providing game changing opportunities for Maine communities.” ""This is smart and focused legislation that will amplify the impact of both the BIL and ARP directly benefiting small businesses, communities, and consumers,” said Andrew Butcher, President of the Maine Connectivity Authority. “Maine's Internet Service Providers, contractors, and consumers have a huge job to build modern, world class high speed internet infrastructure and the BGTTA will help ensure that the federal investment reaches as far as possible to ensure internet for all. "" As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Broadband Caucus, Senator King has been a strong advocate for expanding affordable broadband access as a way to increase economic opportunity in rural Maine. After Senator King’s advocacy and negotiation, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to invest $65 billion in broadband infrastructure across the nation. The bills historic broadband provisions include over $40 billion in block grants to states and $2 billion for tribal governments, mirroring Senator King’s bipartisan BRIDGE Act and the Digital Equity Act, he championed to invest $2.75 billion in an array of projects at the state and local level that promote “digital equity.” This is in addition to securing $10 billion in funding for broadband in the American Rescue Plan, as well as more than $7 billion to close the digital divide for students nationwide. Together, these constitute the largest investment in broadband in the nation’s history. Recently, King also celebrated a $5 million grant to the Maine Connectivity Authority, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in rural Maine.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-after-senate-votes-to-advance-protections-for-marriage-equality,King Statement after Senate Votes to Advance Protections for Marriage Equality,2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King released the following statement after the United States Senate advanced the Respect For Marriage Act on a bipartisan 62-37 vote. The bill, cosponsored by Senator King, expands federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages by requiring federal recognition of valid state marriages. The bill also guarantees that all marriages are given full legal status regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. “Marriage is one of life’s great gifts; it brings companionship, support, love, and joy. The decision to get married is a deeply personal choice between two people who love each other, it’s not an easy decision, and it’s not one where the government should have a say,” said Senator King. “The Respect For Marriage Act is a historic, long-overdue step to ensure Americans can marry the person they love without government interference while receiving significant tax and other benefits that come from the legally-recognized partnerships. “My decades-long marriage to my wife has been among the greatest privileges of my life. We were lucky that that our marriage did not face legal barriers, and there shouldn’t be for others who share the same love. Maine has long understood this fundamental right – it’s why we were the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex civil marriage by popular vote, and it’s why I’m a proud cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation. “It’s unfortunate that a law protecting the right to marry the person you love is even necessary. But with an activist Supreme Court that has repeatedly imposed their own religious views on the country and indicated it was open to reconsidering marriage equality rights, I feel this effort was critical to defend current and future loving couples. I’m deeply grateful that the Senate was able to come together and craft a commonsense, bipartisan law that carefully enshrines the right to same-sex and interracial marriage while respecting religious freedoms.” The Respect for Marriage Act, cosponsored by Senator King, will:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-delegation-blasts-inconsistencies-of-noaas-vessel-strike-rule-that-treats-lobster-industry-unequally,Maine Delegation Blasts Inconsistencies of NOAA’s Vessel Strike Rule that Treats Lobster Industry Unequally,2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—In response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) favoring the shipping industry over the lobster industry in its attempts to reduce the risk of right whale deaths, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden wrote to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to express their opposition to imposing stricter regulations on fishermen compared to other groups. Since 2019, there were six documented right whale deaths due to vessel strikes. NOAA recently proposed expanding the current mandatory seasonal vessel speed restrictions of 10 knots or fewer in designated ocean areas, which would reduce the risk of vessel strikes by only 27.5 percent. By contrast, NOAA is moving forward with implementing an onerous and unnecessary lobster gear rule that would purportedly reduce the risk of right whale mortalities by nearly 90 percent, even though there has never been a single right whale death or serious injury attributed to Maine’s lobster industry. “[T]this rule imposes different requirements on vessel traffic than it does commercial fisheries,” the Maine Delegation wrote. “Through this proposed rule, it is clear that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is holding Maine’s lobster industry to a much more stringent standard than other sectors…We encourage NMFS to take a hard look at the disparate regulatory treatment of vessel traffic and commercial fisheries before moving forward with additional rules for both sectors.” In their letter, the Maine Delegation outlined the numerous steps that Maine lobstermen have taken to reduce risks to right whales, and they renewed their push for NOAA to work with its Canadian counterpart to protect this fragile population. They also pointed out a number of contradictions of the new rule. For instance, unlike the lobster gear rule, which is based on estimated rather than confirmed deaths caused by entanglements, the vessel speed rule is confined to documented mortalities caused by ship strikes. Moreover, the vessel speed rule will not apply to the Gulf of Maine. Ironically, this amounts to a tacit admission that Maine waters pose a low risk to right whales. The Maine Delegation also asked NOAA several pointed questions to explain these discrepancies.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-senate-floor-king-touts-historic-urgency-of-2023-defense-bill,"On Senate Floor, King Touts Historic Urgency of 2023 Defense Bill",2022-11-15,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Watch Senator King’s full floor speech HERE and download broadcast quality HERE. WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, today delivered remarks from the Senate Floor on the importance of protecting peace through strong military deterrence and passing the bipartisan 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In his speech, King explained the need to modernize the nation’s nuclear arsenal, support Ukraine as it fights for freedom, and improve resources for America’s servicemembers with pay raises and mental health care. Beginning his speech, Senator King explained the historic importance of preserving peace through strong military deterrence: “[The National Defense Authorization Act] is important because the essence of our defense policy since World War II has been deterrence. Deterrence means maintaining the capacity to inflict unacceptable costs on any potential adversary and the will to impose those costs if necessary,” began Senator King. “What we're really talking about in the National Defense Authorization Act is the capacity that we have at our disposal that can impose costs on our potential adversaries such that they will refrain from aggression and initiating a conflict, a conflict which in this day and age would be catastrophic.” “I would urge anyone who questions this assumption to Google Rhineland, 1936, Sudetenland, 1938, those were places Hitler could have been stopped, not with an enormous expenditure or enormous investment of troops or material, but by almost token resistance from the Western European powers that they utterly failed to do,” Senator King continued. “Had Hitler been confronted earlier before he completely rebuilt the Nazi war machine, World War II could have been avoided and all of those losses – tremendous losses in this country and around the world would have never happened… the only way to avoid war is to be prepared.” King, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee with oversight of the nation’s nuclear arsenal, continued by sharing the critical need to maintain a modern nuclear deterrent and updating the nation’s “triad” to better meet growing threats like hypersonic weapons. “Deterrence is also a key to nuclear weapons,” stressed King. “Nuclear weapons haven't been used in a confrontation or a conflict since 1945. Why? Because of the concept of deterrence that those other countries which have them realized that if they are used they will pay an enormous and unacceptable price. That has been the policy of this country for over 70 years and it's worked. It's worked – but it only works as long as the adversary believes that we do in fact have the capacity to inflict that kind of punishment.” “Deterrence is a matter of credibility and you have to have a credible deterrent in terms of the actual capacity, and you also have to be credible in terms of your will to use it,” Senator King continued. “Indeed, at this point in our history, we're talking about deterring the potential use of nuclear weapons in regard to the Ukraine conflict by Vladimir Putin.” “Deterrence means that capacity has to be credible and the problem is here in this country, we have allowed our nuclear deterrent to deteriorate and age to the point where we're having to, in effect, rebuild it, not from scratch, but rebuild it substantially all at the same time,” warned Senator King. “The triad: bombers, missiles, submarines – we have to rebuild them and it's happening at the same time and it's expensive. It's because this work was deferred for the prior 25 or 30 years that we're now having to do all three legs of the triad at one time which adds substantially to the defense budget, but it's necessary in order to maintain the deterrent that keeps the peace.” King continued by laying out how supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom against Vladimir Putin is key to deterring a future conflict that is “much worse.” “I don't get a lot of this, but occasionally people say, why send money to Ukraine? Well, Putin has told us who he is. He’s told us he feels the greatest tragedy of the 20th century was the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He wants to rebuild the Soviet Union and Ukraine is the first piece,” said Senator King. “I don't think there is any doubt if he was allowed to march in and take over Ukraine in a matter of weeks without any significant resistance, the next irritant for him would be the Baltics, and then Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia, and Poland.” “Maya Angelou says, if someone tells you who they are, you should believe them. He has told us who he is: he wants to rebuild the Soviet Union. That's why Ukraine is so important, and that's why what we have done and what we have provided and the leadership this administration and our country has provided to other countries in the world in order to resist that aggression is so important and critical to avoiding a worse – much worse confrontation involving all of our countries down the road,” King stressed. “That's why it is so important."" Concluding his speech, King highlighted key provisions in the bipartisan bill to support America’s servicemembers by providing them better pay, improving the transition out of service, and investing more in suicide prevention. “There's a raise for the troops. There's more money for the people defending our country, which they deserve in a time of inflation, they deserve a significant raise and that's in the bill,” Senator King concluded. “Another piece that's in the bill that I think is very important in terms of our veterans, and of course we're just coming out of the Veterans Day observance last weekend, is funding and attention in the Defense Department to the transition from active duty service to veteran status. I believe that we should be spending as much, or the Defense Department should be spending as much time, money, and effort on the transition out of the service as they spend on recruiting to bring people into the service. The data is that the tragedy of suicide among our veterans is most acute in the first two or three years after separation, and that's where we should focus additional attention and in fact that's in this bill.” Earlier this year, Senator King announced that Senate Armed Services Committee’s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 contained a number of key provisions he advocated for to strengthen national security. King worked as Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee to include critical investments that modernize the nation’s nuclear triad and address the threats posed by new hypersonic weapons.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressionally-directed-funding-secured-by-king-pingree-awarded-to-create-4-h-club-foundations-innovation-lab-in-bridgton,"Congressionally-Directed Funding Secured by King, Pingree Awarded to Create 4-H Club Foundation’s Innovation Lab in Bridgton",2022-11-14,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced that $450,000 in Congressionally-Directed Spending secured by the Maine leaders is headed to the Maine 4-H Club Foundation. The Maine 4-H Club Foundation intends to use the investment to leverage the purchase of Bridgton’s historic Magic Lantern Theater and operate an Innovation Lab and Learning Center. Run by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Innovation Lab and Learning Center is the most recent addition to the 4-H Foundation’s family of learning centers across Maine and will serve as a hub of creative activity for rural youth in the Maine Lakes Region. The center will engage 3,000-4,000 students annually in activities encompassing STEAM, theater, engineering, small business management, marketing and culinary arts, raising student performance in Bridgton and the surrounding Cumberland and Oxford County communities. This is the first award of Congressionally-Directed Spending to be announced in Maine since the signing of the FY 2022 Appropriations Bill by President Biden. “Maine 4-H Club Foundation’s Innovation Lab and Learning Center will transform an underused historic Bridgton landmark into a place for young people to be creative and engaged outside of the classroom. This community hub will createnew enrichment opportunities for local youth, catalyze economic development in the region by providing workforce development opportunities, and provide resources to parents and teachers,” King and Pingree said. “This project showshow beneficial Congressionally-Directed Spending has been to Maine. We’re proud to have fought for and secured federal funding to support this rural youth initiative and hundreds of other vital projects across Maine.” In 2021, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees brought back Congressionally-Directed Spending after a decade-long hiatus. A study by the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress found that congressionally directed spending boosted bipartisanship, facilitated member-to-member cooperation, and gave members an equal stake in the success of appropriations bills. King’s 93 submitted Maine projects received over $137 million in the FY22 Appropriations bill. Pingree is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, serving as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies since January 2021. In contrast to the Senate, members of the House were permitted to submit only 10 community project requests for FY 22. All 10 of Pingree’s requested projects were funded, totaling nearly $8 million.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-more-than-15-million-for-atlantic-salmon-habitat-restoration-projects,"Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $1.5 Million for Atlantic Salmon Habitat Restoration Projects",2022-11-14,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that four conservation organizations will receive a total of $1,569,333 to restore habitats for coastal and marine species in Maine, help support our nation’s fisheries, contribute to the recovery of threatened and endangered species, and build resilient coastal ecosystems and communities. The funding was awarded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “We welcome this funding, which will help to conserve and restore marine habitats and ecosystems for endangered Atlantic Salmon in waterways across Maine,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “In addition to making substantial ecological improvements, these projects will also produce significant benefits to private landowners and local communities, improve public safety, enhance opportunities for recreational and commercial fisheries, and create jobs in rural areas of the state.” The funding was allocated as follows: The Nature Conservancy received $570,000 to complete the final designs to remove Guilford Dam and restore the adjacent floodplain, which will reconnect habitat for Atlantic salmon in the Piscataquis River watershed. The Nature Conservancy will also restore access to high-quality habitat by improving fish passage at three high-priority road crossings over streams. Project SHARE received $444,237 to replace undersized culverts at 13 sites, connecting habitat for Atlantic salmon across multiple watersheds. Project SHARE will also conduct fish passage feasibility studies at the Great Works Dam and Marion Falls fishway, as well as perform freshwater habitat restoration work in the Narraguagus River watershed. The Atlantic Salmon Federation received $401,514 to implement five projects to restore access to Atlantic salmon spawning and rearing habitats in the Kennebec River watershed. They will also conduct a fish passage feasibility study at the Chesterville Wildlife Management Area Dam on Little Norridgewock Stream.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-statement-honoring-veterans-day-2022,King Statement Honoring Veterans Day,2022-11-11,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Watch Senator King’s Veterans Day video message and download broadcast quality HERE BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day. “In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation declaring November 11th as a day of ‘common purpose’ for all Americans to ‘remember the sacrifices of those who fought so valiantly to preserve our freedoms.’ Nearly 70 years later, we are still bound by this common purpose — to honor our servicemembers and to care for those who have shouldered the burden of our nation’s defense. “This sacrifice has resonated in our state from the nation’s earliest days as Maine people have embodied the Dirigo motto and proudly fought for the United States. With one of the nation’s highest rates of veterans per capita, those who served are woven into the fabric of every town and city across our state. So today at the dinner table, the grocery store, or the local veterans memorial, be sure to stop and thank a veteran – for their service and for their continued commitment to our communities. “While thanks are important and well deserved, that’s just the start. We also must commit to supporting our veterans in deeds as well as words. That means delivering stronger benefits, better healthcare, and improved educational and economic opportunity for those who served. These are all areas where, historically, the country has not done enough. We’ve made a lot of progress over the last few years, including with the passage of the PACT Act to support veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic hazards; but there is more work to be done. Today and every day, we must recommit ourselves to improving the lives of American veterans. “On this Veterans Day, it is my privilege to thank the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen who served and those that continue to serve our nation. I hope all Americans can join together in common purpose to honor these veterans and serve them just as they have served us. May God bless America, and may God bless all those who serve.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-veterans-day-senator-king-interviews-librarian-of-congress-on-importance-of-preserving-veterans-history,"On Veterans Day, Senator King Interviews Librarian of Congress on Importance of Preserving Veterans History",2022-11-11,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Watch the interview and download broadcast quality HERE BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, on Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released a conversation with Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden on the importance of preserving veteran history. In the interview, King and Dr. Hayden discussed Senator King’s ongoing contributions to the Library’s Veterans History Project (VHP) and the urgent need to save the stories of veterans for future generations. The conversation was recorded after King submitted nine of his Answering the Call Maine veteran interviews to the VHP. The project is an effort by the Library to collect, preserve, and distribute the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of what it means to serve our country. “The first interview I did for our Veterans History Project in Maine was with a fellow named Carmine Pecorelli,” said Senator King. “Carmine enlisted at 17 in the Navy and World War Two. He then came back into service in the Air Force in Korea and came back into service in the Army in Vietnam. Three wars, three different services. We just lost him a few months ago – so that's a piece of history that would have been lost but is preserved because of this project.” “That's the whole point, really – capturing those stories while you can and having them for future generations. There are so many veterans that will say, ‘well, I didn't do that much.’ Well, everyone did something,” replied Dr. Hayden. “That’s the difference with the Veterans History Project from a lot of the other histories written about wars: we tell the individual story.” “Usually history is about generals and presidents and dictators, but the history, as seen through the eyes of the people who actually had to execute those policies, was very powerful,” added Senator King. Continuing their conversation, Senator King explained to Dr. Hayden how lessons from his Answering the Call interviews have informed his work in Congress and inspired current legislation. King recently included a servicemember suicide report recommended to him during a veteran interview in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. “This has been a learning experience for me. I'm on the Armed Services and the Intelligence Committee, so I spend a great deal of time with the policies that our veterans, when they were in active duty, were executing,” said Senator King. “It's been very educational for me. One of the things, for example, that I've noticed is the incredible importance and value of the GI Bill. Practically everybody I interviewed said ‘I joined the military because of the GI Bill, because I couldn't pay for college and I knew this would be a way to do that.’… That sort of educated me about the importance of these programs. You know, it's one thing to be in Congress reading papers and passing papers back and forth and voting, but it’s another thing to see the actual impact in real people's lives.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-applaud-sappi-north-americas-investment-in-skowhegan-paper-mill-2022,"Senators Collins, King Applaud Sappi North America’s Investment in Skowhegan Paper Mill",2022-11-10,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) applauded the announcement of a $418 million investment from Sappi North America, Inc. at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan. The significant investment will help the mill convert?Paper Machine No. 2 to diversify its specialty product line and double its production capacity. Construction of the expansion is expected to support 1,000 contractor jobs across Maine. “The forest products industry is a vital part of our state’s economy and identity, particularly in rural communities,” said Senators Collins and King. “As the industry embraces new opportunities, it’s essential that companies make the necessary investments to evolve with the market and secure long-term success. Sappi has done just that with their recent upgrades at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, which supports hundreds of Maine jobs. This investment will help Sappi reach new customers, support their hard-working employees, and keep the local economy strong. We are excited about this upcoming project and look forward to working alongside Sappi and other state leaders to find new opportunities and markets for Maine’s forest products industry.” “This move complements our long-term Thrive25 strategy, which focuses on growing our portfolio in packaging and specialty papers, pulp and biomaterials,” said Mike Haws, President and CEO of Sappi North America. “By investing in our business to pursue growing areas of demand, we can remain profitable and competitive in the global marketplace” With this investment, Sappi will convert?its Paper Machine No. 2 from a mix of coated wood-free graphics paper and coated one-sided label papers to solid bleached sulphate (SBS) board. The machine capacity will increase from 235,000 metric tons to 470,000 metric tons per year. The project will be phased in and is expected to be completed in early 2025. Currently, the Somerset Mill supports approximately 800 jobs in Skowhegan and 1,300 jobs in Maine. Senators Collins and King are strong supporters of Maine’s forest economy. In 2016, they called on the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish the Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT), which would work across agencies and sectors to create strategies for job growth and economic development in Maine’s rural communities. The creation of the EDAT and subsequent federal funding from the EDA and U.S. Forest Service established the 2018 FOR/Maine Initiative, an industry-led effort that released recommendations to grow Maine’s forest economy through five priorities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-pingree-announce-12-million-to-strengthen-maines-lobster-industry-hold-noaa-accountable,"Collins, King, Pingree Announce $1.2 Million to Strengthen Maine’s Lobster Industry, Hold NOAA Accountable",2022-11-04,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representative Chellie Pingree, announced today that two Maine organizations will be receiving a total of $1.2 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative to support the health of Maine’s lobster industry and help lobstermen adapt to any potential regulatory changes. The funding will be used by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to research new, innovative gear technology, and by the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation to improve information and communications systems for lobstermen. These grants come after the Maine Delegation included language in the 2022 appropriations package that required Sea Grant to utilize this funding to support gear modernization. “The lobster industry is an integral part of Maine’s economy, plays a central role in our communities, and represents our state around the world. It is more than a fishery – it’s part of our identity,” said Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree. “With the industry facing new regulatory challenges from NOAA, these funds are a critical step to give our lobstermen the resources and gear options they need to stay in business. It is simply unacceptable for NOAA to demand changes of the Maine lobster industry without providing them the resources to do so – that is why we secured this funding in last year’s appropriations bill, and why we will continue to do everything in our power to protect the country’s most valuable and iconic fishery. There’s more to be done to secure the long-term health and success of our coastal communities, but this is real progress.” “Testing of new gear technology is critically important since it is currently far from a viable option for industry and managers,” said Maine Department of Marine Resource Commissioner Patrick Keliher. “This award will support the evaluation of different gear retrieval and location systems, all of which must work for this technology to be a feasible part of the future of this fishery. With the courts applying pressure to NMFS to reduce risk, it is imperative that we know what works and what doesn’t.” The funding will be distributed as follows: $750,000 for the Maine Department of Marine Resources to test and evaluate various lobster gear modification technologies. The project will collect information on the performance of these systems by outfitting voluntary lobster industry participants across multiple fishing areas with the prototype gear. The data will be used to determine the implications of NOAA’s Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan and develop adaptations to help lobstermen meet compliance with the plan. $404,564 for the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation to provide lobstermen with new data imaging and communications tools needed to navigate a changing environmental and regulatory landscape. The researchers will outfit dozens of commercial vessels with micro-computers, sensors, and various ship-to-shore communication modes that can help lobstermen provide real-time data to the shore and the rest of the fleet. The Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative, funded by NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program, addresses critical knowledge gaps about American lobster and its iconic fishery in a dynamic and changing environment. The initiative, which began in 2019 after Sen. Collins and Representative Pingree secured its inclusion through their work on Senate and House Appropriations Committees, supports both scientific research and a regional Sea Grant extension program in the Northeast. Together, the research and extension components of this initiative develop and share new knowledge and understanding with industry stakeholders and resource managers from Maine to New York.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-more-than-2-million-to-assist-native-american-crime-victims,"Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $2 Million to Assist Native American Crime Victims",2022-11-03,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine tribes will receive a total of $2,074,901 from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and Office on Violence Against Women to fund victim assistance programs and to help compensate Native American victims for crime-related losses. “We all have a responsibility to ensure that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault receive the resources they need for their safety, wellbeing and recovery,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This important investment will provide greater access to necessary services for Native American victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, who are disproportionately affected by these crimes. In addition, this funding will help Maine Tribes to strengthen their response to these crimes and protect vulnerable members of their communities.” The funding was allocated as follows: Mi'kmaq Nation received $410,246 to implement services for victims of crime that meet needs identified by the community and reflect tribal community values and traditions. The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians received $408,408 to implement services for victims of crime that meet needs identified by the community and reflect tribal community values and traditions. The Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township received $410,246 to implement services for victims of crime that meet needs identified by the community and reflect tribal community values and traditions. Penobscot Nation received $410,246 to implement services for victims of crime that meet needs identified by the community and reflect tribal community values and traditions and $100,000 to expand Back to Traditional Values. The goal of this youth program is to provide purpose and meaning for Penobscot youth by building a learning community grounded in cultural traditions, environmental stewardship, and creative expression that fosters mentorship, peer-to-peer support, intergenerational exchange, and leadership that results in better decision making, pro-social behavior, and an improved quality of life.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-gimenez-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-reauthorize-essential-firefighter-programs,"Golden, Giménez Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reauthorize Essential Firefighter Programs",2022-11-02,2022,2022-11,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressmen Jared Golden (D-ME), Carlos Giménez (R-FL), Dan Kildee (D-MI), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) announced last Friday the introduction of the Fire Grants and Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and increase federal resources for local fire departments across the nation. The legislation would boost critical federal funds for local fire departments to address staffing shortages, purchase new equipment, and improve training and emergency services. Fire departments across Maine, particularly in rural areas, are experiencing significant losses in staffing and slowing interest in the volunteer fire fighting work that is critical to smaller communities [source, source]. “The Mainers who make up our fire departments put their lives on the line to protect their neighbors,” said Congressman Golden.“The federal government has a responsibility to ensure they have what they need to do their job and do it well. Increasing access to these resources – especially at a time of staff shortages throughout Maine – is just common sense. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help advance this funding for departments in the Second District and across the country.” The Fire Grants and Safety Act would reauthorize funding for three key initiatives: the United States Fire Administration (USFA), the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. Since 2021, Maine fire departments have been awarded over $4 million in SAFER grants to assist in hiring new staff and more than $14 million in AFG grants. Without Congressional intervention, all three programs are set to expire starting in 2023 – endangering future recruitment, training, retention, and outfitting efforts. The bill is companion legislation to a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH). “As a former fire fighter and Chief of the City of Miami Fire Rescue Department, I know firsthand how crucial these vital programs and resources are to adequately prepare firefighters to respond to emergencies and protect our communities,” said Congressman Giménez. “In the past, both Monroe County and Miami-Dade County have benefited immensely from such initiatives. In Congress, it is our responsibility to support firemen as they make every effort to keep communities in South Florida and across the country safe.” “Our fire fighters keep us safe, and we must ensure they have the resources necessary to protect our communities,” said Congressman Kildee.“That’s why I’m working with Republicans and Democrats to provide critical federal funding for local fire departments. This bipartisan legislation will support mid-Michigan fire departments and fire fighters so they can be ready when our community needs them.” “Communities across our country rely on local fire departments to keep residents safe in the event of a life-threatening crisis,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.“I am proud to co-lead bipartisan legislation that will support volunteer fire departments and assist with volunteer recruitment and retention.” Advocates and members of the national and Maine firefighting community voiced their support for the bill: “Fire fighters across the State of Maine rely on the AFG and SAFER programs to ensure they have the staffing and tools to safely and effectively respond to emergencies,” said Michael Crouse, President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Maine.“We appreciate Rep. Golden’s consistent support of firefighters and his leadership in advancing legislation to reauthorize these critical programs. The Fire Grants and Safety Act also allows the US Fire Administration to continue accomplishing its important mission of educating the fire service and representing fire departments’ needs at the highest levels of government. The PFFM applauds Rep. Golden for his dedication to fire fighters and encourages Congress to reauthorize these programs this year.” “In a big state like Maine, volunteer fire fighters are invaluable.” said Ken Desmond, President of the Maine State Federation of Fire Fighters.“The funding that Representative Golden is working to secure will go a long way to making sure that our communities all across Maine are served by brigades, both professional and volunteer, with the best equipment, staffing, and training possible. The Maine State Federation of Fire Fighters is proud to support this legislation.” “Many fire departments across the State of Maine and our Nation are struggling to maintain basic response capabilities,” wrote Darrell White, President of the Maine Fire Chiefs Association, in a letter of support. “This program has been extremely beneficial to many communities here in Maine who have received grants for much needed equipment, apparatus, staffing and training that would not have been possible without the AFG funding.” “These grants are critical to public safety agencies across the country,” said Darren Woods Director of the Aroostook County Emergency Management and Fire Chief of the North Lakes Fire and Rescue.“These programs have done a lot of good in ensuring that public safety officials have the proper equipment to protect citizens at the community level across the United States.” “I thank Representatives Golden and Giménez for introducing the Fire Grants and Safety Act,” said Chief Donna Black, the President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.“This bill is a companion to Senate legislation, which we hope will pass this year. The Assistance to Firefighters and SAFER grant programs provide peer-reviewed matching grants directly to local fire departments. They help fund critical training, equipment, and staffing to ensure the safety of our fire and EMS personnel and our citizens. The bill also would authorize more funding for the U.S. Fire Administration, empowering it to better serve the needs of local fire chiefs.” “The IAFF is grateful to Representatives Golden, Kildee, Gimenez, and Fitzpatrick for introducing the Fire Grants and Safety Act, legislation that would reauthorize the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, and the United States Fire Administration (USFA),” said International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward Kelly.“These programs are vital to ensuring fire departments are fully staffed by trained and equipped firefighters to respond to any emergency that threatens our communities. Studies and our own experiences have proven that proper staffing levels are key to safe and effective emergency responses. ""The IAFF also applauds these members of Congress for advancing legislation that would strengthen the USFA’s role in educating the fire service and gathering the data we need to better protect our communities. The IAFF urges Congress to pass this critical legislation at the first opportunity."" “NFPA is pleased to support the bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the U.S. Fire Administration as well as the AFG and SAFER grant programs that are so critical to first responders across our country,” said Jim Pauley, President and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association. “FSI thanks Representatives Golden, Gimenez, Kildee, and Fitzpatrick for introducing the House companion to the Fire Grants and Safety Act and we look forward to working with them to reauthorize AFG, SAFER, and USFA this Congress,” said Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute.“AFG and SAFER are vital to America’s fire and emergency services and help to support proper staffing, training, and equipping of fire and EMS personnel. In addition, the U.S. Fire Administration is an essential voice of the fire and emergency services at the federal level, working every day to provide data, research, education, and training to the fire and emergency services and the general public.” In May, Golden voted to pass theFederal Firefighters Fairness Act, which would address the unjust burden of proof firefighters face when applying for disability retirement. Since joining Congress, he has also voted to pass thePFAS Action Act – bipartisan legislation that would help protect firefighters from exposure to dangerous ""forever chemicals"" – and joined Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) to introduce bipartisan legislation to help improve infrastructure at America's fire stations. Golden is a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-golden-celebrate-announcement-of-new-lp-houlton-mill-production-line,"Collins, King, Golden Celebrate Announcement of New LP Houlton Mill Production Line",2022-11-02,2022,2022-11,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Houlton, ME – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Jared Golden today celebrated Louisiana Pacific Building Solutions’ (LP) announcement that a new siding production line will be constructed at their Houlton facility. The $400 million investment will increase LP Houlton’s capacity by 340 million square feet of SmartSide siding a year and is expected to create approximately 100 jobs at the plant. This significant investment is in addition to the $150 million SmartSide facility LP Houlton announced earlier this summer. “LP Houlton’s new siding production line is a huge investment in the future of Northern Maine and its people. The $400 million expansion will create an estimated 100 additional jobs at LP and increase opportunities across the forest products industry – benefiting loggers, haulers, and everyone else in between who relies on Maine forests,” said Senators Collins and King and Representative Golden. “For over a generation, LP Houlton workers have embodied The County’s work ethic and spirit as they’ve manufactured modern wood products used around the globe. The new line will build on this proud legacy of excellence, grow the region’s economy, and help LP reach emerging markets with their world-class products. We’re grateful for this vote of confidence in the skill and dedication of LP’s workers and look forward to seeing the positive effect it will have across Aroostook communities.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-king-discusses-challenges-facing-maine-lobster-industry-in-october-podcast,Senator King Discusses Challenges Facing Maine Lobster Industry in October Podcast,2022-10-31,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the October episode of Senator King’s “Inside Maine” podcast, in which Senator King and his guests discuss the current regulatory challenges facing Maine lobstermen and what the state and Congressional delegation are doing to support the industry. Senator King was joined by Pat Keliher, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), and Curt Brown, a second-generation lobsterman and marine biologist. Together, King and his guests lay out the implications of new proposed lobster regulations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to protect right whales and explain how the regulations completely miss the facts on the ground – including sustainability measures already taken by lobstermen and the lack of any whale entanglements since 2004 or deaths attributed to the fishery. The Maine leaders also react to the harmful decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch to “Red List” Maine lobster without any real scientific evidence. “Maine lobstermen are fighting for their livelihoods. Between the possibility of harmful new federal regulations and baseless attacks from Seafood Watch, the iconic industry that supports countless coastal communities and contributes over $1 billion to our economy is facing serious challenges,” said Senator King. “As NOAA continues to move forward with its unreasonable lobster regulations, Maine leaders like Commissioner Pat Keliher and lobsterman Curt Brown are doing vital work to debunk the faulty science behind the proposed restrictions. Together, the state and Congressional Delegation will continue to oppose unfair and unwarranted burdens on the fishery and protect Maine’s future. There are no professionals more committed to the sustainability of Maine’s fisheries than Pat and his team, nor those who work the water and want to hand off a thriving future to children. It was a privilege to have these knowledgeable leaders join Inside Maine – I’m deeply thankful for their partnership and for their work supporting Maine’s 5,600 lobstermen.” As Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Marine Resources, Patrick “Pat” Keliher is charged with conserving and developing Maine’s marine resources and coastal fishing industries, and working to advise local, state, and federal officials concerning activities in coastal waters. Keliher, a native of Gardiner, previously worked as a registered Maine hunting guide and charter boat captain. He also served as Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation Association of Maine, the Executive Director of the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission, and Acting Commissioner of the Marine Resources Department before being appointed to serve as Maine's Department of Marine Resources Commissioner in 2012. He was re-appointed by Governor Mills in 2019 after serving in the same role in the prior administration. Curt Brown is a second-generation lobsterman. A marine biologist, he graduated from UMaine with an MS in Marine Policy in 2007, MS in Marine Biology, and also holds undergraduate degrees in history and biology from Union College. He is currently a marine biologist at Ready Seafood, one of the largest wholesale lobster businesses and the largest lobster processing facility in Maine. His main focus at Ready Seafood is “focusing on collaborative research projects that improve the sustainability and value of Maine lobster.” Curt is also the industry co-chair of the Seafood Economic Accelerator for Maine (SEA Maine), an economic development administration funded initiative “bringing together industry leaders and committed partners dedicated to developing a roadmap for economic growth, workforce development, and greater resiliency in Maine’s economy.” He now lobsters with his two children – a 7-year old son and 5-year old daughter. Senator King has strenuously opposed undue burdens that would threaten the lobster fishery without meaningfully protecting whales. Following the release of NOAA’s final Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan in late August 2021, the Maine Delegation and Governor Mills issued a statement in opposition to the rule and highlighting the Maine lobster fishery’s record of repeatedly making significant improvements to their practices and modifications to their gear to protect right whales. He has also backed legislation that would offset costs of the proposed regulations and worked to secure $17.1 million in funding for the industry. King has also pushed back on the unsubstantiated and speculative decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch to place Maine lobster on their seafood “Red List,” and introduced a bill that would prohibit federal taxpayer funds from going to the organization. The “Inside Maine Podcast with Senator Angus King” is a 30-minute program that aims to help keep Maine people informed about issues of the day, how they affect life in the state, and how they factor into Senator King’s work as one of two independents in the U.S. Senate. Senator King’s podcast builds on his existing radio show that airs on Newsradio WGAN in Portland, Maine between 10 and 11 a.m. typically on the last Saturday of the month.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-more-than-33-million-for-23-maine-fire-departments,"Collins, King Announce More Than $3.3 Million for 23 Maine Fire Departments",2022-10-27,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that 23 fire departments and organizations in Maine have received a total of $3,311,791 to upgrade equipment and support personnel. This funding was awarded through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and the FY 2021 Staffing for Adequate Fire Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins champions annual funding for these grant programs within the budget of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect Maine residents, homes, and businesses,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This funding will allow Maine firefighters to acquire updated equipment so they have the best tools available to protect themselves as they serve our families and communities.” The funding was allocated as follows: Bangor Fire Department received $273,021 for paramedic training Belgrade Fire Department received $104,905 to purchase firefighter breathing apparatus Boothbay Harbor Fire Department received $30,000 to purchase a vehicle exhaust removal system Casco Fire Rescue Department received $14,362 to purchase fit testers for firefighter breathing apparatus facepieces Clinton Fire Department received $62,527 to purchase a breathing air compressor and fill station Eddington Fire Department received $26,948 to purchase firefighting hose and equipment Falmouth Fire-EMS received $165,713 for firefighter training Gorham Fire Department received $84,000 to purchase vehicle exhaust removal systems Gray Fire Rescue received $18,321 to purchase a firefighter breathing air cylinder fill station. Maine Fire Service Institute in South Portland received $108,609 for firefighter turnout gear, portable radios, training props and equipment. Med-Care Ambulance Service in Mexico received $82,739 to purchase portable radios and mobile repeaters. Oakland Fire and Rescue received $47,159 to purchase firefighter turnout gear and a turnout gear dryer Orono Fire Department received $36,010 to purchase a turnout gear washer and dryer and $733,956 to hire 3 firefighters Portland Fire Department received $200,409 to purchase a fire station sprinkler system and support a firefighter wellness program Sabattus Fire Department received $1,152,792 to hire four firefighters Scarborough Fire Department received $65,045 to support firefighter training Sanford Fire Department received $174,545 to support firefighter training Sedgwick Volunteer Fire Department received $40,000 to purchase firefighter breathing apparatus and a gear dryer Southwest Harbor-Tremont Ambulance Service received $32,381 to purchase power cots and a power lift system Sweden Volunteer Fire Department received $84,706 to purchase mobile and portable radios Van Buren Fire Department received $176,190 to purchase a brush truck Wesley Volunteer Fire Department received $36,171 to purchase vehicle extrication tools and $203,236 to purchase a brush truck West Gardiner received $295,238 to purchase a pumper truck As a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Senator Collins has been a longstanding advocate for Maine's first responders. She annually leads a bipartisan letter, signed by Senator King, to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging robust funding for FEMA’s firefighter grant programs, which she helped create.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-joins-maine-state-chamber-and-us-chamber-of-commerce-at-lewiston-manufacturing-facility,Golden Joins Maine State Chamber and U.S. Chamber of Commerce at Lewiston Manufacturing Facility,2022-10-26,2022,2022-10,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"LEWISTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) joined leaders from the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at Elmet Technologies, a local metal manufacturing facility in Lewiston yesterday. During the visit, the group toured Elmet’s facilities and spoke with Elmet employees, and the U.S. Chamber recognized the congressman for his work on behalf of Maine small businesses with the “Advocate for American Business” award. “I’ve been proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Chamber of Commerce at the local, state, and national level to put party labels aside, work together, and get things done for small businesses in Maine,” said Golden. “I’ve valued working with the chamber to get the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed, to help bring manufacturing back to America, and to help small businesses in our state grow and hire. I’m honored to receive the U.S. Chamber’s Advocate for American Business Award and look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of small businesses throughout the Second District.” The Advocate for American Business award is given to honor those who work on a bipartisan basis to support pro-growth and pro-business legislation aimed to strengthen businesses across the country. Presenting the award, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Eastern Region Vice President Stephen McCallister noted Golden’s work to push the bipartisan infrastructure law over the finish line last year and highlighted that legislation’s benefits for businesses large and small. Representatives at yesterday’s event include Stephen McCallister from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Dana Connors from the Maine State Chamber, Shanna Cox from the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline. The group was hosted at Elmet Technologies by Peter Anania, the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Congressman Golden has worked to promote Maine manufacturing and jobs, including those at Elmet, during his time serving in the House of Representatives. In July, the House passed the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which included a Golden-led push to authorize more funding for the Defense Department’s Weapons and Munitions Product Improvement Program. This program will boost the development of high-temperature and leading-edge materials like the ones made at Elmet for use in next-generation weapons development. As a member of the House Small Business Committee Golden has been a champion of small business owners and entrepreneurs. He currently chairs the Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development Subcommittee, and he has used that role to consistently advocate for resources and support for small businesses. In April, the House of Representatives passed Golden’s bipartisan legislation to help more small businesses across the country launch, grow, and retain workers through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-over-725000-to-support-law-enforcement-officers-in-five-communities-across-maine,"Senators Collins, King Announce Over $725,000 to Support Law Enforcement Officers in Five Communities Across Maine",2022-10-26,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that four Maine municipalities and Penobscot County have received a total of $726,492 to hire law enforcement officers. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program. “In Maine and throughout the country, the dedicated men and women of our nation’s law enforcement community put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We welcome this important funding, which will help provide our local law enforcement agencies with the necessary resources and officers to protect families and promote public safety.” The funding was allocated as follows: The City of Biddeford received $125,000 The Town of Brunswick received $125,000 The City of Caribou received $125,000 The Town of Mexico received $101,492 Penobscot County received $250,000 The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. The program provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-350000-to-increase-school-safety-in-franklin-county,"Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $350,000 to Increase School Safety in Franklin County",2022-10-25,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that $347,495 has been awarded to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to increase school safety across western Maine. The funding will be used to improve coordination with local law enforcement, train local law enforcement officers to prevent school violence, upgrade infrastructure such as lighting, acquire technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency, and other measures. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office collaborated on the grant application process with the Jay, Farmington, Rangeley, Wilton, and Carrabasset Valley Police Departments. The school districts that will receive funding include: RSU 73, RSU 9, RSU 58, Rangeley Schools, and Stratton Schools. “Protecting students and ensuring that Maine schools remain safe learning environments are of paramount importance,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We welcome this investment, which will increase school safety by assisting communities with installing security measures and enhancing connections between schools and law enforcement to ensure that potential threats can be rapidly addressed. This funding is provided through the Department of Justice’s Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP): School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP), a competitive grant program that assists schools in purchasing and installing technology to increase safety in schools throughout the country through evidence-based school safety programs. The nearly $72 million in grants awarded during 2022 will fund 235 projects.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-collins-king-announce-maine-locations-for-2022-drug-take-back-day,"Senators Collins, King Announce Maine Locations for 2022 Drug Take-Back Day",2022-10-24,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Ahead of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 29, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced the locations of the Maine collection sites. “Unused prescription drugs that collect in our homes can accidentally fall into the wrong hands, creating unintended gateways to opioid addiction,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Maine is one of the top 10 states disposing prescription drugs through the DEA’s Drug Take-Back Program, and we are confident that our state will continue to lead efforts to stop the misuse of unused drugs that pose a serious threat to our children, our homes, and our environment.” National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. In 2020, the collection sites began accepting vaping devices and associated substances. At a previous Take-Back Event in April 2022, federal, state, and local government entities took back more than 721,000 pounds of unused, expired, or unwanted drugs at more than 5,100 locations across the United States. Over the course of the program, more than 15.9 million pounds of prescription drugs have been safely collected across the country, including over 525,000 pounds of medication in Maine alone. Federal regulations allow pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and other authorized collectors to serve as collection points for unused prescription medication. In 2014, following a bipartisan effort led by Senators Collins and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the Department of Justice granted the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) the ability to participate in prescription drug take-back programs at DoD and VA facilities. This initiative has helped to address the role of prescription drug abuse in many military and veteran suicides. In 2018, a sweeping opioids package known as the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act was signed into law. Senator Collins, a member of the Senate Health Committee, authored two provisions included in the final legislation that help ensure that unused prescription drugs do not fall into the wrong hands and bolster peer support networks for long-term recovery. The legislation also included provisions championed by Senator Collins and Senator King to expand opioid treatment capabilities, including a permanent authorization for nurse practitioners and physicians assistants to provide medication-assisted treatment and a provision that removes an arbitrary limit to allow residential treatment facilities to expand their efforts to save lives.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-introduces-bill-to-support-farmers-affected-by-pfas,Maine Delegation Introduces Bill to Support Farmers Affected by PFAS,2022-10-21,2022,2022-10,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—In a bipartisan, bicameral effort to provide vital assistance to farmers affected by PFAS, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden introduced the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act. The legislation, which was also co-sponsored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), would authorize grants for states to provide financial assistance to affected farmers, expand monitoring and testing, remediate PFAS, or even help farmers relocate. PFAS are man-made “forever” chemicals that are used in industry and consumer products and can lead to serious health effects. PFAS contamination has prevented some Maine farms from selling their products, creating financial hardship for many family farmers. In 2016, a dairy farmer in Arundel discovered that the milk produced on his farm contained some of the highest levels ever reported for a PFAS contaminant. In 2020, a dairy farm in Fairfield found PFAS levels in its milk were 153 times higher than the Maine standard. An organic vegetable farm in Unity uncovered PFAS contamination last year, and the couple who farmed the land have higher PFAS levels in their blood than chemical plant workers who manufactured PFAS for decades. Numerous other Maine farmers have had their livelihoods disrupted due to PFAS contamination, which originated in wastewater sludge that was spread as fertilizer by farmers who were told by the government that it was safe to use. “USDA needs to step up and provide support to farmers, who at no fault of their own, are at risk of losing their livelihoods,” said Senator Collins. “This is not just a problem in Maine—PFAS contamination has been discovered on farms in New Mexico and Michigan, and this problem will only become more evident as testing becomes more readily available. Thus far, the federal government’s response has failed to keep pace with this growing problem. I have repeatedly urged USDA Secretary Vilsack to come to the aid of these affected farmers, and the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act would finally activate the Department to help where it is needed most. “The threat of PFAS is not a hypothetical – Maine farmers are already losing crops, land, and livestock to contaminants, and if we don’t act quick, the crisis’ human health risks will escalate,” said Senator King. “The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act is a crucial step to assist farmers combatting the spread of PFAS and provide already-impacted farms with needed relief. The monitoring, testing, and remediation provisions in the bill will help the state study PFAS threats, clean up contaminated areas, and prevent further communities from facing the economic and health devastation of these contaminants. I hope this bipartisan, bicameral legislation can get broad support across Congress and give Maine farmers the help they deserve.” “The more we learn about forever chemicals, the more urgent addressing widespread contamination across the nation becomes. Our farmers’ livelihoods are in jeopardy, and we must do everything we can to support them through this crisis,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “The Relief for Famers Impacted by PFAS Act establishes a federal program to help farmers in Maine and across the country address PFAS contamination—through testing and medical treatment, compensating farmers for contaminated land, implementing remediation strategies and more. Our bill is an important step forward in mobilizing whole-of-government action on the PFAS crisis that’s impacting our food supply chain, economy, and way of life.” “At great costs to themselves, Maine farmers have gone above and beyond to protect consumers and mitigate the impacts of PFAS contamination,” said Congressman Golden. “Farms are facing deep financial hardship over a growing problem they did nothing to create. Keeping our communities and environment healthy requires a collaborative approach and this bill is a critical step toward increased partnerships to address this growing issue.” Specifically, the funds authorized by the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act could be used for a variety of purposes at the state level, including: More capacity for PFAS testing for soil or water sources; Blood monitoring for individuals to make informed decisions about their health; Equipment to ensure a farm remains profitable during or after known PFAS contamination; Relocation of a commercial farm if the land is no longer viable; Alternative cropping systems or remediation strategies; Educational programs for farmers experiencing PFAS contamination; and Research on soil and water remediation systems, and the viability of those systems for farms. The bill would also create a task force at USDA charged with identifying other USDA programs to which PFAS contamination should be added as an eligible activity. This would help bring even more resources to farmers through existing programs. Additionally, the task force would provide technical assistance to states to help them coordinate their responses effectively. ""Maine is leading the nation in cleaning up forever chemicals and supporting our farmers whose lands have been impacted, but we can do more,"" said Governor Janet Mills. ""This funding championed by the Congressional Delegation will help Maine and other states take even more aggressive action to identify and address PFAS contamination statewide, preserving the health of our people and the health of our farmland."" The legislation has been endorsed by Maine Farmland Trust, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Organic Farmers Association, and Defend Our Health. Click HERE to read their statements in support of the bill.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-announce-45-million-to-rehabilitate-and-replace-maine-bridges,"Collins, King Announce $45 Million to Rehabilitate and Replace Maine Bridges",2022-10-19,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced that Maine will receive a total of $45,000,000 to maintain and reconstruct bridges across the state. This funding was authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Senator Collins, the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was part of the core group of 10 Senators who negotiated the text of the bipartisan infrastructure law. Senators Collins and King both worked to negotiate and pass this historic legislation, which will deliver billions of dollars to Maine for investments in roads, bridges, broadband, and more. This funding will help to address the backlog of repairs needed for Maine’s transportation network. Maine currently has more than 300 bridges considered to be “structurally deficient.” “Improving Maine’s infrastructure is one of my top priorities as Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee,” said Senator Collins. “This $45 million investment to replace and rehabilitate deteriorated bridges will benefit residents and local economies across the state, particularly in rural communities. Without adequate funding for maintenance, bridges that fall into disrepair become unsafe and subject to eventual closure, resulting in substantial detours and economic harm. By supporting projects that will strengthen bridge reconstruction programs, this funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law will help ensure that Mainers can reach their homes and jobs quickly and safely.” “Go for a drive basically anywhere in the State of Maine, and you’ll see the need for investments in roads and bridges. Whether it’s potholes, erosion damage, or rust, these vital arteries of our communities are aging – creating unsafe conditions, hampering our economy, and inflicting an average of more than $500 in annual repair costs for Maine drivers. Fortunately, thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, historic investments are on the way,” said Senator King. “This funding to maintain and reconstruct bridges will improve our state’s infrastructure for decades, create good-paying jobs, and ensure that Maine people can travel without undue risks or expenses. I’m pleased to see this significant investment in Maine’s needs and look forward to the legislation’s continued support for our state’s communities.” FHWA announced that it is providing $59.9 billion in funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This apportioned funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 provides a $15.4 billion increase as compared to Fiscal Year 2021 for Federal-aid Highway Program apportionments. This funding is distributed annually by FHWA for the Federal-aid Highway Program based on a statutory formula contained in the bipartisan infrastructure law. This investment will help reduce the backlog of major repairs for highways and bridges and support communities’ efforts to reduce traffic deaths, serious injuries and carbon emissions. Federal-aid Highway Program funds are authorized periodically by Congress in multi-year laws to assist the States in providing for construction, reconstruction, and improvement of highways and bridges on eligible Federal-aid routes and for other special purpose programs and projects. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law establishes or continues FHWA programs and authorizes funding for those programs from the Highway Trust Fund.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-leads-bipartisan-veterans-calling-for-timely-construction-of-global-war-on-terrorism-memorial,Golden Leads Bipartisan Veterans Calling for Timely Construction of Global War on Terrorism Memorial,2022-10-17,2022,2022-10,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Golden (ME-02) led a bipartisan group of military veterans in calling for the thoughtful and timely construction of a Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial located on the National Mall. The letter comes ahead of the GWOT Memorial Foundation’s site selection review tomorrow, Tuesday, October 18th before the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC). The review is a crucial step in determining the specific location of the GWOT Memorial on the National Mall. The Memorial will honor the veterans and their families who served and sacrificed during America’s Global War on Terror. “For many Americans, the wounds of war – literal and otherwise – are still fresh,” the bipartisan group of members wrote. “Many Gold Star families, veterans, and others who supported America’s post-9/11 counterterrorism efforts need a national place of healing, empowerment, and unity. All Americans deserve a place to honor those who have served our country in different capacities. The Memorial will also help educate a generation of Americans too young to remember the 9/11 attacks and subsequent valorous efforts to keep our country safe."" “Perhaps most importantly, the Memorial must be built while the generation of warfighters who gave so much in places like Afghanistan and Iraq are still alive. Our veterans and others should not be forced to repeat the experience of our World War II veterans, who waited nearly 59 years from the end of World War II to see the inauguration of a Memorial in 2004.” As co-Chair of the For Country Caucus, Representative Golden helped lead the effort to secure the passage of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act in December 2021. The legislation was the final step needed to authorize the GWOT Memorial on the National Mall. The GWOT Memorial Foundation is now working to secure approval on specific location and design for a Memorial on the Reserve Area of the National Mall. The National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) advises the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the General Services Administration on proposals to establish commemorative works in Washington, D.C. and the National Capital Region. The Commission examines memorial proposals for conformance to the Commemorative Works Act, receives public comment, and makes recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator and to Members of Congress. Representative Golden led the letter with Representatives Jim Baird (IN-04), Jason Crow (CO-06), and Mike Gallagher (WI-08). Also signing the letter were Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), Brian Mast (FL-18), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-02), Mike Waltz (FL-06), Scott Franklin (FL-15), and Peter Meijer (MI-03). The cosigners are all members of the For Country Caucus, a bipartisan group of military veterans who are committed to strengthening U.S. national security, supporting veterans, and building a more productive government. Full text of the letter is below and can also be found HERE. +++ October 17, 2022 National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission Interior Region 1 – National Capital Area 1100 Ohio Drive, S.W. Washington, DC 20242 Dear Commission Members: We write in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation’s efforts to thoughtfully and expediently identify a site location on the National Mall for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial. As you know, last year Congress passed the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act, which specifically authorized a site in the Reserve area of the National Mall as the Memorial’s future home. As a bipartisan group of veterans, we were proud to lead this effort, which marked an historic step toward honoring all who have served and sacrificed in the Global War on Terrorism. We are glad that you will soon be meeting with GWOT Memorial Foundation representatives to discuss potential sites for the Memorial. We understand that site selection is a complicated process with many considerations at play, and therefore requires a collaborative, constructive dialogue to determine the best possible location. The foundation has been thorough and professional in their site analysis, and we appreciate you receiving them with a spirit of cooperation that reflects the honor and solemnity this project deserves. In addition to the importance of the Memorial’s ultimate location, it is also imperative that it be built as quickly as is practical. For many Americans, the wounds of war – literal and otherwise – are still fresh. Many Gold Star families, veterans, and others who supported America’s post-9/11 counterterrorism efforts need a national place of healing, empowerment, and unity. All Americans deserve a place to honor those who have served our country in different capacities. The Memorial will also help educate a generation of Americans too young to remember the 9/11 attacks and subsequent valorous efforts to keep our country safe. Perhaps most importantly, the Memorial must be built while the generation of warfighters who gave so much in places like Afghanistan and Iraq are still alive. Our veterans and others should not be forced to repeat the experience of our World War II veterans, who waited nearly 59 years from the end of World War II to see the inauguration of a Memorial in 2004. Thank you for your very good work to commemorate a key chapter in American history, and to honor all who helped write it. We know we speak for the people of our districts in expressing our desire for the Memorial to come to life as soon as possible.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/65000-additional-h-2b-visas-to-be-issued-to-support-small-businesses-and-address-worker-shortage,"65,000 Additional H-2B Visas to be Issued to Support Small Businesses & Address Worker Shortage",2022-10-17,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. —Following a push led by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) announced today that they will increase the number of H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2023 to the maximum number, approximately 65,000 additional visas, to help small businesses hire workers. These visas are on top of the 66,000 H-2B visas that are normally available each fiscal year. Notably, the announcement made clear that a portion of these additional visas will be “reserved to meet the demand for workers during the peak summer season.” DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called Senator Collins and Senator King to inform them of the additional visas. “As small businesses in Maine and America continue to face severe workforce shortages, these 65,000 additional H-2B visas will help our employers find the help they urgently need, ” said Senators Collins and King. “Although this relief is welcome news to many Maine small businesses, there is still an overwhelming need given the current tight labor market and record low unemployment. We must improve the H-2B program to ensure Maine small businesses do not continue to suffer from a lack of workers.” Senators Collins and King have long led efforts to address workforce shortages. Following a push in May, DHS and DOL announced that a temporary rule had been finalized that provided an additional 35,000 H-2B visas to help small businesses fill seasonal job openings during the busy summer season. These visas supplemented the previous supply of 33,000 H-2B visas for the second half of Fiscal Year 2022.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-joins-local-law-enforcement-leaders-and-veterans-at-operation-reboot-outdoors-in-byron,Golden Joins Local Law Enforcement Leaders and Veterans at Operation Reboot Outdoors in Byron,2022-10-07,2022,2022-10,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BYRON— Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) was in Byron yesterday to tour the site of Operation Reboot Outdoors, a camp dedicated to giving veterans the opportunity to get into nature. The congressman was joined for the tour by camp founders Dan and Nicole Waite, Oxford County Sheriff Chris Wainwright, and Androscoggin County Deputy Attorney General Neil McLain. Following the tour, the group discussed opportunities to expand the group's operations, including building an ADA-compliant cabin and facilities on the site. “I know firsthand how important it is to have a support system when veterans return to civilian life,” said Golden. “The work being done at Operation Reboot Outdoors offers a safe, healing environment for veterans making the transition back to life at home. It was great to hear from the Waites about the program and from some of our veteran leaders on the ground in Oxford county about ways our office can help them support veterans during their adjustment period.” Operation Reboot Outdoors is an organization that provides local veterans, regardless of ability, with the opportunity to reset in nature through hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-delegation-governor-call-on-noaa-to-hold-additional-scoping-meetings-for-lobstermen-in-downeast-maine,"Maine Delegation, Governor Call on NOAA to Hold Additional Scoping Meetings for Lobstermen in Downeast Maine",2022-10-07,2022,2022-10,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Governor Janet Mills sent a letter today to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) urging them to hold at least one additional in-person scoping hearing in Downeast Maine as the agency initiates Phase 2 of its heavily criticized Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) and corresponding regulations. The letter was sent following Wednesday evening’s widely attended public scoping meeting held by NOAA in Portland to gather community input to develop modifications to the ALWTRP. “As we have previously expressed to you, if implemented, the 90 percent risk reduction target NOAA Fisheries is pursuing in just two years would be a death knell for our nation’s lobster industry,” wrote the lawmakers.“It would close off thousands of miles of prime fishing areas and require lobstermen and women to make significant changes to how they harvest the resource, including the use of ‘ropeless’ fishing gear when it is not technologically or economically viable. Given these possible outcomes, it is unacceptable that your agency is only holding one in-person meeting hours away from some of our state’s largest lobster ports, forcing lobstermen to spend time off the water, which is their primary if not only source of income. This decision to knowingly limit opportunities to directly engage with the lobstermen and our coastal communities speaks volumes about your concern for their future.” As the lawmakers wrote in their letter, the site of Wednesday evening’s scoping meeting was hours away from some of the state’s most heavily trafficked lobster ports, the largest of which is in Stonington, a community over three hours away. The meeting was so highly attended that many of those present were not afforded the opportunity to speak in the time allotted for the meeting. “There is still time for NOAA officials to demonstrate their commitment to engaging with the people they are supposed to serve,”the lawmakers continued.“We implore you to schedule an additional in-person hearing so that the voices of all of those impacted by these new regulations can be heard.” This action by the Maine congressional delegation and the governor is a continuation of their persistent efforts to support Maine’s lobster fishery. Members of the delegation, the governor, and their staff were present at Wednesday evening’s scoping meeting in Portland. Following the unsubstantiated and speculative decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch to place Maine lobster on their seafood “Red List,” the delegation introduced and the governor backed a bill that would prohibit federal taxpayer funds from going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. As NOAA has worked to roll out their Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP), the congressional delegation has continually urged the organization to create regulations that are based on the best available evidence and don’t unfairly target the fishery. To help lobstermen bear the costs of complying with the regulations, the delegation has also backed legislation that would offset costs and worked to secure $17.1 million in funding for the industry in a yearly appropriations bill. The text of the letter can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maine-delegation-governor-call-on-noaa-to-hold-additional-scoping-meetings-for-lobstermen-in-downeast-maine,"Maine Delegation, Governor Call on NOAA to Hold Additional Scoping Meetings for Lobstermen in Downeast Maine",2022-10-07,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Governor Janet Mills sent a letter today to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) urging them to hold at least one additional in-person scoping hearing in Downeast Maine as the agency initiates Phase 2 of its heavily criticized Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) and corresponding regulations. The letter was sent following Wednesday evening’s widely attended public scoping meeting held by NOAA in Portland to gather community input to develop modifications to the ALWTRP. “As we have previously expressed to you, if implemented, the 90 percent risk reduction target NOAA Fisheries is pursuing in just two years would be a death knell for our nation’s lobster industry,” wrote the lawmakers. “It would close off thousands of miles of prime fishing areas and require lobstermen and women to make significant changes to how they harvest the resource, including the use of ‘ropeless’ fishing gear when it is not technologically or economically viable. Given these possible outcomes, it is unacceptable that your agency is only holding one in-person meeting hours away from some of our state’s largest lobster ports, forcing lobstermen to spend time off the water, which is their primary if not only source of income. This decision to knowingly limit opportunities to directly engage with the lobstermen and our coastal communities speaks volumes about your concern for their future.” As the lawmakers wrote in their letter, the site of Wednesday evening’s scoping meeting was hours away from some of the state’s most heavily trafficked lobster ports, the largest of which is in Stonington, a community over three hours away. The meeting was so highly attended that many of those present were not afforded the opportunity to speak in the time allotted for the meeting. “There is still time for NOAA officials to demonstrate their commitment to engaging with the people they are supposed to serve,” the lawmakers continued. “We implore you to schedule an additional in-person hearing so that the voices of all of those impacted by these new regulations can be heard.” This action by the Maine congressional delegation and the governor is a continuation of their persistent efforts to support Maine’s lobster fishery. Members of the delegation, the governor, and their staff were present at Wednesday evening’s scoping meeting in Portland. Following the unsubstantiated and speculative decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch to place Maine lobster on their seafood “Red List,” the delegation introduced and the governor backed a bill that would prohibit federal taxpayer funds from going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. As NOAA has worked to roll out their Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP), the congressional delegation has continually urged the organization to create regulations that are based on the best available evidence and don’t unfairly target the fishery. To help lobstermen bear the costs of complying with the regulations, the delegation has also backed legislation that would offset costs and worked to secure $17.1 million in funding for the industry in a yearly appropriations bill.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/ahead-of-attending-noaa-scoping-meeting-golden-calls-on-biden-to-uphold-promise-to-protect-maine-lobster-fishery,"Ahead of Attending NOAA Scoping Meeting, Golden Calls on Biden to Uphold Promise to Protect Maine Lobster Fishery",2022-10-05,2022,2022-10,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) sent a letter today to President Biden detailing the repercussions of his failure to protect Maine lobsterman as promised and urging him to oppose the right whale conservation measures currently proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA). The letter was sent in advance of Golden attending this evening’s public scoping meeting held by NOAA in Portland to gather community input to develop modifications to their heavily criticized Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) and its corresponding regulations. “Given what we know — and what the data clearly demonstrates — about the low risk of Maine’s lobster fishery relative to other activities in right whale habitat, I cannot comprehend how you can stand idly by and not oppose in the strongest terms a proposal that has the potential to destroy thousands of livelihoods, hundreds of coastal communities, and the economic backbone of our state and the New England region,” wrote Golden in the letter. “Your complicity thus far is a slap in the face to thousands of working people who are confronting the uncertainty of whether or not they can continue to provide for their families, that their communities will survive, and that their children will be able to continue Maine’s long-standing lobstering heritage.” In 2020, while running for president, Biden pledged “I will work to protect the livelihood and safety of the fishing community” in reference to lobstermen. He has yet to take a single action to make good on that pledge. “You cannot espouse being a president for working people while simultaneously overseeing the destruction of an entire blue-collar fishery and its community’s heritage and way of life,” Golden continued. “I implore you to recognize and oppose these proposed right whale conservation measures and to meet with Maine’s congressional delegation as well as leaders of the lobster community to find common sense solutions to ensure that Maine’s lobster and fishing industries and the right whales will survive for generations.” Since his election to Congress, Golden has been a tireless advocate for the Maine lobster fishery. Following the unsubstantiated and speculative decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch to place Maine lobster on their seafood “Red List,” Golden and Senator King introduced a bill would prohibit federal taxpayer funds from going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In the wake of new proposed regulations that would threaten the livelihoods of Maine lobstermen, Golden introduced a bold amendment to block the regulations until the underlying data had undergone a scientific peer review process. He has worked closely with the lobstering community to ensure that they have a voice in the process and that regulations are based on the best available evidence and don’t unfairly target the fishery. To help lobstermen bear the costs of complying with the regulations, Golden introduced legislation that would offset costs and worked with members of the Maine Delegation to secure $17.1 million in funding for the industry in a yearly appropriations bill. He also led the delegation to urge the president to intervene directly. The text of the letter can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-king-to-introduce-bill-that-blocks-federal-funding-for-monterey-bay-aquarium-seafood-watch,"Golden, King to Introduce Bill that Blocks Federal Funding for Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch",2022-10-05,2022,2022-10,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON— Following the unsubstantiated and speculative decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch to place Maine lobster on their seafood “Red List,” Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Senator Angus King (I-ME) today announced that they will be introducing the Red Listing Monterey Bay Aquarium Act in the House and Senate. This bill would prohibit federal taxpayer funds from going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which has received nearly $197 million in federal taxpayer dollars since 2001, and demonstrated a lack of adherence to transparency and basic scientific methods [source, source]. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) will sign on as cosponsors of the legislation. “Institutions like Monterey Bay Aquarium that claim to be scientific but openly flout available evidence and data should not receive taxpayer funds. It’s that simple,” said Congressman Golden. “This organization’s red list designation of American lobster could have a serious impact on the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working lobstermen, and I believe Congress must do something about it. There has never been a serious injury or death of the endangered North Atlantic right whale attributed to the Maine lobster fishery and to make recommendations or regulations in spite of that fact is a slap in the face to lobstermen and their families.” “The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s ‘Red Listing’ of Maine lobster is a baseless attack on a proud, sustainable fishery and a clear attempt to put thousands of Maine people out of work. By refusing to provide any evidence supporting their harmful decision and ignoring facts that undercut their conclusion, the Aquarium has made it clear that they are not a serious scientific organization, and certainly not one that deserves taxpayer funding,” said Senator King. “The Red Listing Monterey Bay Aquarium Act would ensure that Maine people’s hard-earned tax dollars aren’t funding the Aquarium’s pseudoscientific assault on our lobstering communities. It sends a clear message that we will not stand for this outrageous approach to scientific research.” “Our lobstermen are incredible conservation leaders, and our iconic Maine lobster industry is sustainable,” said Senator Collins. “There is zero evidence to justify this absurd decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch. Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be funding this kind of activism, which aims to deter restaurants and retailers from selling Maine lobster, threatening the livelihoods of hardworking men and women across the state of Maine.” “Maine’s lobster industry is sustainable, period. Our lobstermen have been outstanding stewards who have complied with every single regulation thrown their way,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “Monterey Bay’s Seafood Watch program’s unscientific ‘red list’ decision is not rooted in facts or data. That’s why I have urged them to revoke this harmful mischaracterization of our gold standard lobster industry.” Advocates and members of the Maine lobster fishery voiced their support for the bill. “Lobster is one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world due to the effective stewardship practices handed down through generations of lobstermen. These include strict protections for both the lobster resource and right whales. Decisions not based in sound science have the potential to seriously harm the men and women who work so hard to make our industry thrive. It defies logic that a group claiming to care about conservation and sustainability would give a poor rating to a fishery that has led the way in innovating safer gear and has not had a documented interaction with a right whale in nearly 20 years,” said Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen's Association. “Maine lobstermen have led the fishing industry in sustainability for more than 150 years, working together to keep lobster stock and the marine environment healthy through strict take and gear regulations. Now an organization thousands of miles away with no real understanding of Maine’s lobster fishery or evidence to justify their decisions is condemning our fishermen. Monterey Bay Aquarium's actions are an insult that is not grounded in science and should not be supported by the American taxpayer. The Maine Lobstering Union strongly supports this legislation from Congressman Golden and Senator King,” said Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and Director of the Maine Lobstering Union. There hasn’t been a whale entanglement attributed to Maine lobster gear since 2004 and no documented right whale death has ever been attributed to Maine lobster gear. The majority of right whale deaths since 2017 have been due to vessel strikes in Canada, and of the 33 right whale mortalities occurring between 2017 and 2020, 24 of those whales were confirmed to be attributed to entanglements in Canadian fishing gear and vessel strikes in Canadian waters. Golden, King, Senator Collins, Congresswoman Pingree, and Governor Janet Mills wrote to the Monterey Bay Aquarium shortly after the red listing decision was made public to call on the organization to immediately reverse the decision and to remedy the significant harm they have already caused the iconic industry. The Congressional Delegation and Governor Mills also published an open letter to retailers setting the facts straight and urging them to continue selling lobster. Senator King continued these calls in a press conference he held shortly after the Red Listing decision. Since his election to Congress, Golden has been a tireless advocate for the Maine lobster fishery. In the wake of new proposed regulations that would threaten the livelihoods of Maine lobstermen, Golden introduced a bold amendment to block the regulations until the underlying data had undergone a scientific peer review process. He has worked closely with the lobstering community to ensure that they have a voice in the process and has joined the Maine Delegation in urging NOAA to create regulations that are based on the best available evidence and don’t unfairly target the fishery. To help lobstermen bear the costs of complying with the regulations, Golden introduced legislation that would offset costs and worked with Senator King and members of the Maine Delegation to secure $17.1 million in funding for the industry in a yearly appropriations bill. He also led the Delegation to urge the president to intervene directly. The bill text can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/golden-king-to-introduce-bill-that-blocks-federal-funding-for-monterey-bay-aquarium-seafood-watch,"Golden, King to Introduce Bill that Blocks Federal Funding for Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch",2022-10-05,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON— Following the unsubstantiated and speculative decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch to place Maine lobster on their seafood “Red List,” Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Senator Angus King (I-ME) today announced that they will be introducing the Red Listing Monterey Bay Aquarium Act in the House and Senate. This bill would prohibit federal taxpayer funds from going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which has received nearly $197 million in federal taxpayer dollars since 2001, and demonstrated a lack of adherence to transparency and basic scientific methods [source, source]. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) will sign on as cosponsors of the legislation. “Institutions like Monterey Bay Aquarium that claim to be scientific but openly flout available evidence and data should not receive taxpayer funds. It’s that simple,” said Congressman Golden. “This organization’s red list designation of American lobster could have a serious impact on the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working lobstermen, and I believe Congress must do something about it. There has never been a serious injury or death of the endangered North Atlantic right whale attributed to the Maine lobster fishery and to make recommendations or regulations in spite of that fact is a slap in the face to lobstermen and their families.” “The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s ‘Red Listing’ of Maine lobster is a baseless attack on a proud, sustainable fishery and a clear attempt to put thousands of Maine people out of work. By refusing to provide any evidence supporting their harmful decision and ignoring facts that undercut their conclusion, the Aquarium has made it clear that they are not a serious scientific organization, and certainly not one that deserves taxpayer funding,” said Senator King. “The Red Listing Monterey Bay Aquarium Act would ensure that Maine people’s hard-earned tax dollars aren’t funding the Aquarium’s pseudoscientific assault on our lobstering communities. It sends a clear message that we will not stand for this outrageous approach to scientific research.” “Our lobstermen are incredible conservation leaders, and our iconic Maine lobster industry is sustainable,” said Senator Collins. “There is zero evidence to justify this absurd decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch. Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be funding this kind of activism, which aims to deter restaurants and retailers from selling Maine lobster, threatening the livelihoods of hardworking men and women across the state of Maine.” “Maine’s lobster industry is sustainable, period. Our lobstermen have been outstanding stewards who have complied with every single regulation thrown their way,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “Monterey Bay’s Seafood Watch program’s unscientific ‘red list’ decision is not rooted in facts or data. That’s why I have urged them to revoke this harmful mischaracterization of our gold standard lobster industry.” Advocates and members of the Maine lobster fishery voiced their support for the bill. “Lobster is one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world due to the effective stewardship practices handed down through generations of lobstermen. These include strict protections for both the lobster resource and right whales. Decisions not based in sound science have the potential to seriously harm the men and women who work so hard to make our industry thrive. It defies logic that a group claiming to care about conservation and sustainability would give a poor rating to a fishery that has led the way in innovating safer gear and has not had a documented interaction with a right whale in nearly 20 years,” said Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen's Association. “Maine lobstermen have led the fishing industry in sustainability for more than 150 years, working together to keep lobster stock and the marine environment healthy through strict take and gear regulations. Now an organization thousands of miles away with no real understanding of Maine’s lobster fishery or evidence to justify their decisions is condemning our fishermen. Monterey Bay Aquarium's actions are an insult that is not grounded in science and should not be supported by the American taxpayer. The Maine Lobstering Union strongly supports this legislation from Congressman Golden and Senator King,” said Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and Director of the Maine Lobstering Union. There hasn’t been a whale entanglement attributed to Maine lobster gear since 2004 and no documented right whale death has ever been attributed to Maine lobster gear. The majority of right whale deaths since 2017 have been due to vessel strikes in Canada, and of the 33 right whale mortalities occurring between 2017 and 2020, 24 of those whales were confirmed to be attributed to entanglements in Canadian fishing gear and vessel strikes in Canadian waters. Golden, King, Senator Collins, and Congresswoman Pingree wrote to the Monterey Bay Aquarium shortly after the red listing decision was made public to call on the organization to immediately reverse the decision and to remedy the significant harm they have already caused the iconic industry. The Congressional Delegation also published an open letter to retailers setting the facts straight and urging them to continue selling lobster. Senator King continued these calls in a press conference he held shortly after the Red Listing decision. Since his election to Congress, Golden has been a tireless advocate for the Maine lobster fishery. In the wake of new proposed regulations that would threaten the livelihoods of Maine lobstermen, Golden introduced a bold amendment to block the regulations until the underlying data had undergone a scientific peer review process. He has worked closely with the lobstering community to ensure that they have a voice in the process and has joined the Maine Delegation in urging NOAA to create regulations that are based on the best available evidence and don’t unfairly target the fishery. To help lobstermen bear the costs of complying with the regulations, Golden introduced legislation that would offset costs and worked with Senator King and members of the Maine Delegation to secure $17.1 million in funding for the industry in a yearly appropriations bill. He also led the Delegation to urge the president to intervene directly.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-kings-remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-at-noaa-lobster-regulation-meeting,Senator King’s Remarks as Prepared for Delivery at NOAA Lobster Regulation Meeting,2022-10-05,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released a copy of Senator King’s remarks that will be delivered by a staff member at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 6:00 PM, Wednesday, October 5th, Portland scoping meeting where the agency will receive feedback on their Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan and the impacts it would have on Maine lobstermen. In his remarks, Senator King directly addresses NOAA Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Coordinator Marisa Trego and urges her to better engage with lobstermen to prevent significant harm from the proposed regulations. Senator King’s remarks begin by laying out the importance of the scoping meeting, the potential harm of the 90% risk reduction proposed by NOAA, and the need for better engagement with the Maine lobstering community. “I appreciate NOAA hosting this in-person meeting tonight to discuss modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. The 90% risk reduction that NOAA has proposed will have a devastating impact on our fishing industry, working waterfronts, and coastal communities—it is critical that NOAA receive input from all of the impacted communities,” begins Senator King. “One additional in-person meeting, however, is simply not enough. Tonight’s meeting in Portland is hours away from our coastal communities like Stonington where the majority of lobster is landed.” The Senator’s remarks continue by highlighting the longstanding commitment to sustainability shared by Maine lobstermen. “For decades, [Maine] lobstermen have committed themselves to the sustainability and long-term health of our waters—because they know that one day, just like those who came before them, it will be the turn of future generations to take to these tides. NOAA’s proposed 90% risk reduction clouds that future though,” Senator King’s remarks continue. “As part of ongoing collaboration with NOAA, lobstermen have already spearheaded a number of efforts—at cost to their bottom-line—to reduce the risk the industry may pose to right whales. Lobstermen have applied gear markings; implemented sinking ground lines; have moved to weaker lines; inserted “weak links” into vertical lines; and increased the size of their trawls to reduce the number of vertical lines in the water. Through these efforts, the Maine lobster fishery has removed an estimated 30,000 miles of line from the water in order to protect whale species.” Continuing his remarks, the Senator calls on NOAA to ensure their Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan is based on real evidence and does not unfairly target the lobster fishery. “It is also critical that NOAA is basing these proposed regulations on the best available evidence and ensure they do not unfairly target the lobster fishery,” the Senator continues in his remarks. “If there are any figures that NOAA takes away from tonight’s meeting, it is ZERO and ZERO. There has been ZERO whale entanglements attributed to Maine lobster gear since 2004 and there has been ZERO documented right whale deaths attributed to Maine lobster gear.” In concluding his remarks, the Senator calls for more efforts from NOAA to ensure Maine lobstermen are not put out of business by the Reduction Plan. “To conclude, while I appreciate NOAA’s efforts to work with Maine’s fishing community, more needs to be done to ensure these regulations do not unfairly target our fisheries,” Senator King concludes. “NOAA must hold additional meetings to hear from these fishermen directly to understand their concerns about operational challenges, costs and safety. NOAA needs to ensure that the measures being developed are practical and feasible, and the process needs to be defensible. To date, that is not the case.” Senator King has been steadfastly opposed to undue burdens that would threaten the lobster fishery without meaningfully protecting whales. Following the release of the final Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan in late August 2021, the Maine Delegation and Governor Mills issued a statement in opposition to the rule and highlighting the Maine lobster fishery’s record of repeatedly making significant improvements to their practices and modifications to their gear to protect right whales. In October 2021, they wrote to Secretary Raimondo to urge her to rescind the rule, and in February 2022 called for a postponement of the rule due to difficulties lobstermen were having obtaining the necessary gear. You can read the full remarks HERE and below. +++ Dear Ms. Trego, I appreciate NOAA hosting this in-person meeting tonight to discuss modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. The 90% risk reduction that NOAA has proposed will have a devastating impact on our fishing industry, working waterfronts, and coastal communities—it is critical that NOAA receive input from all of the impacted communities. One additional in-person meeting, however, is simply not enough. Tonight’s meeting in Portland is hours away from our coastal communities like Stonington where the majority of lobster is landed. The least NOAA should do, given the demonstrable understanding of the potential impacts on Maine fishermen, their families and their communities, and the need for careful crafting of these measures, is to extend the current scoping period and to hold additional in-person sessions to hear directly from Maine fishing communities. When we speak about the Maine lobster industry, this is not about large corporate conglomerates reaping the delicious rewards of our waters with disregard to the environmental consequences. The “industry” is a loose collection of roughly five thousand sole proprietors who own their own boats, set their own traps, and sell their haul to make ends meet. For decades, these lobstermen have committed themselves to the sustainability and long-term health of our waters—because they know that one day, just like those who came before them, it will be the turn of future generations to take to these tides. NOAA’s proposed 90% risk reduction clouds that future though. As part of ongoing collaboration with NOAA, lobstermen have already spearheaded a number of efforts—at cost to their bottom-line—to reduce the risk the industry may pose to right whales. Lobstermen have applied gear markings; implemented sinking ground lines; have moved to weaker lines; inserted “weak links” into vertical lines; and increased the size of their trawls to reduce the number of vertical lines in the water. Through these efforts, the Maine lobster fishery has removed an estimated 30,000 miles of line from the water in order to protect whale species. It is also critical that NOAA is basing these proposed regulations on the best available evidence and ensure they do not unfairly target the lobster fishery. If there are any figures that NOAA takes away from tonight’s meeting, it is ZERO and ZERO. There has been ZERO whale entanglements attributed to Maine lobster gear since 2004 and there has been ZERO documented right whale deaths attributed to Maine lobster gear. In fact, according to NOAA, the majority of right whale deaths since 2017 has been due to vessel strikes in Canada, and of the 33 right whale mortalities occurring between 2017 and 2020, 24 of those whales were confirmed to be attributed to entanglements in Canadian fishing gear and vessel strikes in Canadian waters. NOAA must ensure that they are working with their counterparts in Canada to certify they are doing their part to reduce risk to right whales, otherwise, these regulations are falling on an industry that does not have documented harm to right whales. Right whales are also moving due to climate change. Right whales have been chasing migrating feed north and spending more time in Canadian waters (the Gulf of St. Lawrence and into the Labrador Sea), and less in the waters used by Maine fishermen. The overwhelming majority of lobsters caught in Maine come from outside of right whale critical habitat, which represents less than three percent of the overall risk to the species. I would hope that NOAA is using new data to ensure they know where right whales are and where the actual risk to these right whales lies—which is not in Maine waters. Lastly, the current scoping period extends from September 9 to October 11. This timeframe is exceptionally short, particularly when the most recent scoping period on the Phase II fisheries lasted over two months (August 11 – October 21, 2021). I ask that NOAA extend the current scoping period to ensure all concerns are heard from the community. To conclude, while I appreciate NOAA’s efforts to work with Maine’s fishing community, more needs to be done to ensure these regulations do not unfairly target our fisheries. NOAA must hold additional meetings to hear from these fishermen directly to understand their concerns about operational challenges, costs and safety. NOAA needs to ensure that the measures being developed are practical and feasible, and the process needs to be defensible. To date, that is not the case.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/continuing-their-advocacy-for-maines-small-dairy-farmers-collins-king-call-for-review-of-federal-milk-pricing-system,"Continuing Their Advocacy for Maine’s Small Dairy Farmers, Collins, King Call for Review of Federal Milk Pricing System",2022-10-03,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King called on the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the federal milk pricing system’s effectiveness, as it currently leaves many of Maine’s small and mid-sized dairy farmers at risk of inadequate pay. The requested GAO report would provide important information to help modernize the Federal Milk Marketing Order system (FMMO) and ensure that it is working in the best interests of all farms, regardless of the size of its operations. “We would like to ensure that the FMMO Program is being administered in a manner that accounts for the interests of smaller-scale operations, particularly in the regions of the country that are dependent on smaller-scale farms to provide stable and adequate supplies of milk,” the Senators wrote. “We would also like to ensure that the FMMO Program is being administered in a manner that does not cause undue burden and cost for state dairy regulatory and support programs that maintain the viability of small-scale farms.” Senators Collins and King are longstanding advocates for dairy farmers and have consistently worked to reform the FMMO system, which is one of the most complicated economic systems in the country and, in its current form, forces farmers to contend with potentially volatile milk prices and the risk of inadequate pay. These challenges, in addition to rising costs and intensifying competition, have forced many small dairy farmers to leave the industry. The U.S. has lost nearly 60% of its licensed dairy operations since 2003. The letter is a follow-up to a bill Senator Collins introduced and Senator King co-sponsored, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would pave the way for reforming and modernizing federal milk pricing. The bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to initiate the process of holding FMMO hearings within six months, allowing producers and industry to consider and review proposals that could change Class I skim milk pricing and other topics deemed necessary for reform by the dairy industry. This would ensure that producers who understand these dynamics firsthand will have a voice in formulating any potential changes in calculating the price of Class I milk and additional policy proposals. In order to have complete information to reform the FMMO system, Senators Collins and King are requesting that the GAO answer the following questions: Can the FMMO Program be administered under its current statutory authorization to maintain operation of smaller-scale farms, or must the enabling legislation be amended in order to achieve this objective? If needed, how should the FMMO Program’s enabling language be revised to best assure the sustainability of small and mid-size dairy farm operations while still accounting for the importance of larger scale farms? Should the enabling language replace the uniform national Class II-IV pricing series with differing pricing formulas and pooling provisions that reflect the distinct marketing conditions among the nation’s regional dairy markets? Is a tiered producer payment structure reflecting the different costs of production for different-sized operations a viable method of achieving the policy objective? Is incorporation of cooperative base excess plans into the FMMO Program, or some other form of governmental regulation of milk production, together with pooling and price regulation, necessary to achieve the policy objective? Would such revision to the FMMO program also reduce the costs for states that have implemented programs to maintain operation of small and mid-size dairy farms? In addition to Senators Collins and King, the letter was signed by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Roger Marshall (R-KS).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-calls-for-strong-implementation-of-corporate-minimum-tax-in-inflation-reduction-act,King Calls For Strong Implementation of Corporate Minimum Tax in Inflation Reduction Act,2022-10-03,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King today announced that Senator King is urging the United States Department of the Treasury to strongly implement the 15 percent corporate minimum tax on billion-dollar corporations included in the Inflation Reduction Act. In a letter to U.S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Representative Donald Beyer (D-Virginia), King lays out the deficit-cutting need for strong corporate minimum tax enforcement, and highlights how the important new tax-fairness provision prevents companies like Amazon from paying less in federal taxes than a welder at BIW. The provision was based on King’s Real Corporate Profits Minimum Tax Act that he introduced in October 2021. “We write to urge you to pursue strong implementation of the 15 percent corporate minimum tax on billion-dollar corporations in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” the lawmakers write. “After nearly three decades of corporate tax cuts, this historic legislation will prevent the largest, most profitable corporations from paying less in taxes than small businesses and middle-class families, while helping to pay down the deficit, lower energy and healthcare costs, and fight inflation.” “For years, many of America’s largest and most profitable corporations have paid far less than the statutory federal tax rate, or even nothing at all,” the lawmakers continue. “The Inflation Reduction Act will put a floor on this tax avoidance and limit the ability of these corporations that report at least $1 billion in profits to their shareholders to pay less than a minimum 15 percent federal tax rate, still well below the statutory rate of 21 percent. The Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation projected that the tax would raise more than $222 billion over the next ten years and impact only approximately 150 taxpayers annually.” “This corporate minimum tax on billion-dollar corporations has the strong support of hardworking Americans and businesses that do pay their fair share,” the lawmakers conclude. “As the leaders in Congress who championed passage of the corporate minimum tax as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Administration as the tax is implemented. Strong implementation necessitates standing firm against requests to dilute the regulations in such a way as to undermine the clear intent of the law.” In October 2021, Senators King, Warren, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced the Corporate Profits Minimum Tax – an adapted version of which was included in the Inflation Reduction Act, which resulted in the historic legislation producing deficit reduction. The provision imposes a 15% minimum tax on corporations with profits of more than $1 billion and is expected to raise more than $220 billion in the next 10 years. The full text of the letter can be read HERE and below. +++ We write to urge you to pursue strong implementation of the 15 percent corporate minimum tax on billion-dollar corporations in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. After nearly three decades of corporate tax cuts, this historic legislation will prevent the largest, most profitable corporations from paying less in taxes than small businesses and middle-class families, while helping to pay down the deficit, lower energy and healthcare costs, and fight inflation. We look forward to continuing to partner with you in the implementation of the corporate minimum tax to limit the ability of corporations that report $1 billion or more in profits to their shareholders to minimize or eliminate their federal income tax liability. For years, many of America’s largest and most profitable corporations have paid far less than the statutory federal tax rate, or even nothing at all. In the first three years following the 2017 corporate tax cuts, FedEx, Salesforce, and thirty-seven other profitable corporations in the S&P 500 or Fortune 500 paid $0 in federal income taxes. Meanwhile, Amazon has paid only 5.1 percent in federal tax on its $78.6 billion in U.S. profits from 2018 to 2021. The Inflation Reduction Act will put a floor on this tax avoidance and limit the ability of these corporations that report at least $1 billion in profits to their shareholders to pay less than a minimum 15 percent federal tax rate, still well below the statutory rate of 21 percent. The Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation projected that the tax would raise more than $222 billion over the next ten years and impact only approximately 150 taxpayers annually. This corporate minimum tax on billion-dollar corporations has the strong support of hardworking Americans and businesses that do pay their fair share. President Biden originally proposed a minimum tax on the corporate profits of the largest corporations during his campaign and then in the Treasury Green Book, and the final minimum tax provision included in the Inflation Reduction Act was developed based on close partnership between the Biden Administration and Congress. As the leaders in Congress who championed passage of the corporate minimum tax as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Administration as the tax is implemented. Strong implementation necessitates standing firm against requests to dilute the regulations in such a way as to undermine the clear intent of the law. While the Treasury Department has regulatory authority to implement the corporate minimum tax, that should be understood to relate to the proper functioning of the corporate minimum tax, including by “prevent[ing] the omission or duplication of any items” in the calculation of the tax. The legislation also makes clear that the starting point for determining the profits subject to the corporate minimum tax are those listed in annual financial statements, most importantly those used for reporting to shareholders, such as a 10-K form. Although the statute provides authority for determining the financial statements to be used, such authority should be understood to ensure that corporations cannot escape the tax by avoiding or manipulating specified types of financial reporting, not to facilitate escape of the tax. The Treasury Department’s authority to implement this statute should not be used to allow corporations to report over $1 billion in profits to their shareholders and yet avoid paying this tax. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you and working to ensure this tax fulfills its intended purpose of limiting the ability of billion-dollar corporations to pay less than a minimum 15 percent of their profits in federal income tax, and urge you to develop strong implementing regulations that prevent undermining of this purpose.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/with-cyberthreats-on-the-rise-king-joins-bipartisan-bill-to-improve-healthcare-cybersecurity,"With Cyberthreats on the Rise, King Joins Bipartisan Bill to Improve Healthcare Cybersecurity",2022-10-03,2022,2022-10,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King today announced that Senator King, Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, has joined bipartisan legislation to strengthen cybersecurity in the healthcare and public health sectors. As cyberthreats from Russia, China, and other bad actors increase, the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act would direct the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services on improving cybersecurity and combatting risks across public health infrastructure. Cyberattacks on healthcare systems – like the attacks on MaineHealth and Central Maine Medical Center – have become increasingly frequent; they pose serious risks to Americans’ health and sensitive personal medical information. “In just the last years alone, two of Maine’s major healthcare providers have been the victims of cyberattacks. This new threat to America’s critical infrastructure is real, and could literally mean the difference between life and death – we must take proactive steps to enhance the cybersecurity of our healthcare and public health sectors,” said Senator King. “The bipartisan Healthcare Cybersecurity Act would create a coordinated federal program to help healthcare systems across the country better understand and respond to the cyberthreats they face. This would mean less breaches, a better organized government response, and a greater peace of mind for Maine people seeking healthcare. As cyberthreats from our adversaries grow, this is a commonsense effort to keep our critical health infrastructure safe and I hope it can continue to get broad, bipartisan support.” “The protection of patient health information is essential to meeting MaineHealth's vision of supporting healthy communities,” said Daniel Nigrin, Chief Information Officer for MaineHealth. “We are grateful to Senator King and his co-sponsors for taking action through this bill to leverage existing federal resources in training and planning to protect our critical health care infrastructure.” “This bill would pave the way for increased effectiveness and efficiency in automated cyber threat information sharing and help the healthcare sector deal with a major cyber workforce shortage,” said Peter Wright, Senior Vice President of Central Maine Healthcare “The current situation challenges our ability to effectively defend against the daily barrage of cyber-attacks we face. We see this as a natural partnership on this common national security and public health and safety threat.” The bipartisan Healthcare Cybersecurity Act would increase information sharing and improve cybersecurity in the Healthcare and Public Health Sector. The bill: Directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collaborate on improving cybersecurity Requires CISA to coordinate with all relevant non-Federal entities in the Healthcare and Public Health Sector and share information relating to cyberthreats and defensive measures. Authorizes CISA and HHS to provide cybersecurity trainings to the Healthcare and Public Health Sector. Requires CISA and HHS to update the Healthcare and Public Health Sector-Specific Plan to include analysis of how cybersecurity risks specifically impacts the critical sector.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cornyn-kaine-introduce-legislation-to-create-a-china-grand-strategy-commission-to-navigate-growing-competition,"King, Cornyn, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Create a China Grand Strategy Commission to Navigate Growing Competition",2022-09-30,2022,2022-09,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) are introducing bipartisan legislation to establish a China Grand Strategy Commission tasked with developing a comprehensive whole-of-government approach for how the United States should address the economic, security, and diplomatic challenges posed by China. The proposed 2-year commission is modeled after the recent, successful Cyberspace Solarium Commission and President Eisenhower’s Solarium Commission that addressed the significant shift in global affairs at the end of World War II. The idea has already been praised by top military leaders. The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jackie Rosen (D-Nevada), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tom Young (R-Indiana), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Sasse (R-Nebr.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). The bipartisan group intends to add the bill as an amendment to the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. “The world is undergoing a period of significant change: economies are shifting, alliances are changing, and national security threats are rapidly evolving. At almost every turn, the United States is facing new challenges from an increasingly aggressive China. If we want to maintain our global status we must be able to answer the question I’ve been asking witnesses in the Armed Services Committee for years: ‘What Does China Want?” said Senator King, Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. “Much like the successful Cyberspace Solarium Commission, it would harness the smartest public and private sector minds to study, and evaluate on how our nations interact – striking the balance between avoiding conflict and fully pursuing our national interest. Most vitally, this commission isn’t putting a report on a shelf to collect dust; it will make actionable recommendations to develop a grand strategy across the entire government; this commission is to not admire the problem but make recommendations to address the needs of our national interests. There is too much at stake to face this threat shortsightedly – we simply cannot afford an ad hoc China policy that lacks a long-term strategy without accounting for all the instruments of power.” “The Chinese Communist Party is increasingly aggressive and well resourced, and its ambitions paint an alarming picture for our economic and national security,” said Senator Cornyn. “Confronting threats from China is the greatest security imperative of our generation and a strategic, whole-of-government approach is the only way forward. The China Grand Strategy Commission will provide invaluable recommendations to guide our long-term approach toward China.” “Over the years, the U.S-China relationship has evolved in ways few could have predicted. America has called out the PRC for its ongoing human rights violations in Xinjiang, invested in our economic competitiveness through the CHIPS and Science Act, and rallied our partners around the world in defense of democracy, including Taiwan’s. To remain the world’s preeminent power, the United States must take a more deliberate approach to its relations with the PRC,” said Senator Kaine. “A China Grand Strategy Commission would help accomplish that by creating a long-term, comprehensive strategy to manage this consequential relationship.” The China Grand Strategy Commission would develop recommendations over the next two years for a comprehensive grand strategy and whole-of-government approach with respect to the United States’ relationship with the People’s Republic of China for purposes of: Ensuring a holistic approach toward the People’s Republic of China across all federal departments and agencies; Defining specific steps necessary to build a stable international order that accounts for the People’s Republic of China participation in that order; Providing actionable recommendations with respect to the United States’ relationship with the People’s Republic of China, which are aimed at protecting and strengthening United States national security interests.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-introduces-bill-to-promote-electric-school-buses-improve-grid-stability,"King Introduces Bill to Promote Electric School Buses, Improve Grid Stability",2022-09-30,2022,2022-09,Independent,Senate,ME,"Angus S. King, Jr.",K000383,www.king.senate.gov,angusking,https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table,scraper,"BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has introduced legislation to promote electric school buses and improve electrical grid stability and reliability for Maine towns. The BIDIRECTIONAL Act would create a Department of Energy program dedicated to deploying electric school buses with “bidirectional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) flow capability,” or the ability to use the bus batteries to power the electrical grid when they’re not in use. Electric school buses work well for vehicle-to-grid because they have large batteries, sit idle for long, predictable periods, and operate in fleets. If properly deployed, the technologies have the possibility to discount the upfront cost of an electric school bus by returning energy to a school district or town. “Vehicle-to-grid school buses are another common sense tool that can help to create a reliable grid, promote clean energy, and cut costs for local towns and school districts,” said Senator King. “The BIDIRECTIONAL Act will assist school districts across Maine and America transition to electric buses and make sure these vehicles provide greater stability to their communities. Combined with electric bus investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, this will be an important step towards unlocking America’s clean energy future. It’s a simple, win-win bill and I hope it can get bipartisan support across Congress.” The BIDIRECTIONAL Act is supported by Advanced Energy Economy, Blue Bird, bp Pulse Fleet (formerly Amply), Community Organization for Resource Efficiency (CORE), EDF, Electrification Coalition, Environment America, Highland Electric, Lion Electric, La Plata Electric Association, NRECA, Nuvve, PIRG, Proterra, and Xcel Energy. For quotes from supporting organizations, CLICK HERE. The BIDIRECTIONAL Act would: Create a Department of Energy program dedicated to deploying electric school buses with bidirectional energy flow capability with priority given to applications that demonstrate economic viability and seek to use V2G buses in regions or applications where V2G is promising but not yet deployed. These buses could be used for V2G, vehicle-to-building (V2B), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) applications, which includes grid balancing, microgrid services, offsetting building energy use, and resiliency applications such as using an electric bus as a mobile power station after natural disasters. Require DOE to provide a report on the existing V2G school bus pilot programs, and would require states’ public utility commissions to consider measures to promote V2G integration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/1-billion-for-liheap-advances-following-advocacy-by-collins-golden-reed-welch-and-garbarino,"$1 Billion for LIHEAP Advances Following Advocacy by Collins, Golden, Reed, Welch and Garbarino",2022-09-29,2022,2022-09,Democrat,House,ME,Jared F. Golden,G000592,golden.house.gov,golden,https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, by a vote of 72-25, the Senate passed a short-term government spending bill to fund the federal government through December 16th and provide emergency funding for critical needs—including $1 billion in supplemental appropriations for LIHEAP. Maine will receive an estimated $8 million in additional LIHEAP funding, a roughly 20 percent increase above the state’s allotment in a typical year. The bill is expected to be voted on by the House of Representatives shortly before it is sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME), Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT), and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) secured this historic increase in funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP, a vital source of financial support for families struggling with high utility bills. LIHEAP helps low-income families meet their home energy needs by providing energy bill assistance. “In Maine, the average cost of home heating is expected to surge by more than 17 percent compared to last winter, and households will be paying the highest prices in more than a decade to keep their homes warm,” said Senator Collins. “To help alleviate this tremendous hardship, I strongly advocated for this substantial increase for LIHEAP to help compensate for record high fuel prices. These additional funds will help prevent low-income families and seniors from having to make the impossible choice between paying for heat and paying for food or medicine. Congress should pass and the Administration should distribute this relief expeditiously as the cold winter months approach.” “With home heating costs still way too high across the country and temperatures dropping, we cannot leave our most vulnerable community members out in the cold,” said Congressman Golden. “This much-needed funding will help to ensure that our seniors, friends and neighbors on fixed incomes, and other Mainers in need have the resources necessary to keep their homes warm in the coming months. I plan to continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the House and the Senate to secure additional resources to offer the same security to more Mainers in an end-of-year funding bill.” “Heating oil and utility costs are going through the roof. One way we can help seniors and families who are struggling to pay these costs is to increase assistance through LIHEAP. I am pleased we were able to convince our colleagues to include an additional $1 billion in emergency funding for LIHEAP in this short-term funding bill,” said Senator Reed. “This funding, combined with regular LIHEAP dollars, will make a huge difference for our most vulnerable friends and neighbors this winter.” “No family should ever have to choose between heating their home and paying for groceries,” said Congressman Welch. “For Vermonters who are struggling to do both, LIHEAP steps in to fill that need and help families make ends meet. With this injection of new funding, more Vermont families will be able to benefit from this critical program. I look forward to getting this across the finish line this week to bring immediate assistance to Vermonters in need.” “Families are bearing the brunt of sky-high energy costs and record inflation across the board,” said Congressman Garbarino. “At a time when many are finding it difficult to make ends meet, LIHEAP provides critical relief to help Long Islanders worried about how they will heat their homes this winter. I’m pleased to see this forthcoming supplemental funding increase that will ensure even more families can benefit from this essential program.” The legislators called for increased LIHEAP funding last month in a letter to appropriators, which is being fulfilled in this short-term funding bill. Since 1981, LIHEAP has helped working families keep cool in summer and warm in winter, without breaking the bank. The program is particularly important this year as families across the United States face high energy costs and record inflation. New supplemental funding will help more families in New England cope with higher costs, pay their bills, and keep their families safe and healthy.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z