Recovering and Rebuilding After the Recent Winter Storms

The last few months, we’ve been hit hard by a rash of winter storms. Just when we were trying to recover from one, it felt like another would whip up and hit us even harder. These violent winter storms brought heavy snow, high winds and spurred coastal flooding from record-breaking tides. Countless homes, businesses and landmarks were damaged or destroyed, and communities across the state are still reeling from the devastating impact of these natural disasters.

We all know Maine is one big small town and we look out for one another — no matter what comes our way. And in the aftermath of an unprecedented onslaught like we just suffered, we will continue to support each other in the days, weeks, months and years to follow.

So, in light of the significant damage of the storms, I joined the Congressional Delegation in writing to President Biden urging him to approve Governor Mills' request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the counties that were impacted by the December storm. Approval of this declaration will allow for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make available federal assistance to the affected counties.

Additionally, the Delegation and I wrote to FEMA asking them to consider the two January storms as one single event for the purposes of damage assessment and reporting. After all, when January’s second storm struck us, officials had not had enough time to do their work calculating the damage assessments. Classifying these storms as one disastrous event will help to fast-track federal response time and ensure our communities quickly get back on their feet.

As we continue to recover from these storms, we must also look toward solutions to combat climate change. Unfortunately, severe weather and storms will continue to become more common if we sit on the sidelines and don't address this issue head-on. As a member of the Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, I'm committed to working with my colleagues to address the impact the climate crisis is having on Maine and the country.

I also want to extend my sincerest thanks to all the hard-working men and women who braved the weather to help keep our communities safe and informed during the storms. Your dedication and compassion are inspiring and make a tremendous difference in the lives of Maine people across our state.

If you need assistance please feel free to reach out to my office or visit www.disasterassistance.gov. My team is here and ready to support in any way possible.

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An Important Trip to Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia

Meeting with Jordanian military officials

In early January, I joined a small, bipartisan group of my colleagues — who also serve on the Select Senate Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) — to travel to the Middle East and meet with government and military officials about the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza. Over the course of just a few days, we met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jordanian leaders, and American officials to understand the impact that the war is having on Israel, Gaza and the entire Middle East region.

To be honest, the trip opened my eyes. In the United States, it is hard for many of us to fully grasp the sentiment of the Israeli people in the months since October 7th. It is an understatement to say it was — and continues to be — incredibly traumatic. For the Israeli people and many in the Jewish Diaspora, the tragedy of October 7th haunts them every single day. It is a dark reminder that persecution of the Jewish people, antisemitism and the desire to erase an entire nation, are very rampant against a people still just one generation removed from the Holocaust.

Which brings me to Hamas, a terrorist group that has announced its goal to eradicate Israel. One of the things that came through to me on this trip is how little Hamas cares for the Palestinian civilians. Hamas members intentionally immerse themselves in civilian society — like mosques, schools, hospitals and private homes — to use innocent civilians as human shields. Let me be clear, this war is between Israel and a terrorist organization that is hell-bent on the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people, not on providing a better life for ordinary Gazans.

It is clear we must destroy Hamas — it is the only way in which we can end this conflict and restore peace. Unfortunately, a ceasefire is not an option that would lead to those positive outcomes. We cannot allow Hamas and other terrorist groups to have time to regroup and come back stronger. Right now, our role as Americans is to support Israel’s appropriate and proportional defense, and protect civilians in Gaza.

In our meeting with Netanyahu, my colleagues and I conveyed that Israel must adopt a different approach; the actions they were taking at that time were harming its image and standing globally — putting the country at danger of losing support. Not long after our trip, Israel announced it would be scaling back its ground invasion. Israel has a right to defend itself, but how it does so is important. Everyone agrees this is a humanitarian crisis and I am hopeful Israel will continue to look toward ways to better aid and support Israelis as well as the innocent Palestinians trapped in Gaza. I want you to know that right now, America is responsible for providing the largest amount of aid to Palestinians of any nation – as we seek to stabilize the region and protect the civilians caught in this conflict.

And don't forget about the wider impact. Throughout the trip, we were reminded by our partners and allies in Saudi Arabia and Jordan that Iran is benefiting greatly from this conflict. By funding its terrorist proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Iran is trying to destabilize the region and disrupt the western economy. I think we're all in agreement that the only way to move forward is to eradicate terrorism and produce a Middle East with two states — where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in safety and peace. That's my goal, and I hope to work with my colleagues around the world to make it happen.

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Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing in Augusta

Last week, I held a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (SVAC) field hearing at the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) to listen directly to our veterans discuss the challenges they face here in Maine — along with the national and local officials committed to serving those who served. The hearing provided an opportunity to get a better understanding of these challenges and what the federal government can do to address them. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues both in Maine and D.C. to advocate on behalf of our veterans.

For example, over the years we have seen a steady decline in the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) workforce. And because of this lack of staff, we're having to cut back care or turn away veterans seeking care. These shortages are having significant impacts on our veterans' well-being and it is clear we need to expand the VA workforce. Maine’s veterans leaders suggested that we expand nursing programs or fill gaps with technology — two great ideas for a problem affecting so many of our veterans.

During the hearing we also heard from health care workers about the importance of helping Maine veterans continue to stand strong throughout their golden years. Half of Maine's veterans are over 65 and there is a large percentage of Maine veterans projected to reach this age over the next decade. Last year, I introduced the Stand Strong legislative package which aims to help older Americans avoid preventable injuries around the home from falls. I believe we can take that even further for our veterans by establishing a VA Office of Falls Prevention. As they say, 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,' and a dedicated office to enhance the mobility and quality of life of our veterans would make a difference for so many.

Maine's veterans' health care workers also shared that virtual VA services provide a critical lifeline for many Maine veterans — particularly those who are part of at-risk groups or live in rural areas far from VA providers. These virtual care appointments make a huge difference by cutting down on in-person visits and giving veterans' peace of mind that they can access high quality care anywhere.

In addition to bolstering telehealth, we discussed the need to update the procedures for Maine veterans who are dealing with mental and behavioral health challenges. Making telehealth visits easier, affordable and more accessible is just one part of a broader solution which also needs to include efforts such as expanding counseling and support resources, and easing the transition to civilian life.

Finally, I shared with the community that I recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would give combat veterans the option to pre-enroll in their health care benefits before officially transitioning out of active duty. The Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act would establish an opt-in program that would cut down on bureaucratic lag and ensure our veterans don't have gaps in care. This bill is another way in which we can guarantee our servicemembers experience a warm handoff during this pivotal life event.

At the end of the day, my goal is to always ensure veteran voices are being heard both in Maine and in D.C. We owe our veterans our very best, just as they gave to us during their career of service.

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Addressing Maine's Affordable Housing Shortage

Communities all across America are facing a serious affordable housing crisis, but we have some unique opportunities to tackle this crisis right here in Maine.

To encourage the redevelopment of older buildings into housing, I co-sponsored the bipartisan Historic Tax Credit Growth & Opportunity (HTC-GO) Act. This bill is a commonsense way to expand affordable housing availability by providing tax credits to people rehabbing and modernizing existing historical structures.

Let's say you own a historic Main Street store that you're planning to restore and renovate. The renovations are going to cost $3.5 million. Under the HTC-GO Act, you wouldn't have to rely solely on mortgage financing. Instead, you would become eligible for a federal tax credit that is 30% of the renovation cost — in this case, $1 million. If the property is renovated into affordable housing units, you would become eligible for even more tax credits under Maine state law.

Solving the affordable housing shortage will require a silver buckshot approach. But with creative solutions like this bill, we can combat the housing crisis, while supporting job creation and economic revitalization.

Learn more about this collaborative and bipartisan bill here.

Working Toward a More Sustainable Future

Acadia National Park is truly one of America's most extraordinary treasures. Every year, the Park brings millions from around the world to experience its awe-inspiring beauty and enjoy "The Way Life Should Be."

Earlier this month, I was excited to learn Acadia National Park will be receiving a $1 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE), authorized through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for the installation of rooftop solar panels and twelve electrical vehicle charging stations at the McFarland Hill headquarters campus in Bar Harbor. This funding will help to further drive Acadia's commitment to sustainability while also saving taxpayer dollars — it's a win-win for the environment and Maine people.

This month, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee also held its first hearing of the year. During the hearing, I made clear that we are not tackling the climate crisis with the urgency it demands. Sitting on the sidelines is not an option, and the longer we stall, the higher the costs to both the environment and the economy.

In this hearing, I highlighted the electric vehicle (EV) investments in the landmark Inflation Reduction Act. Since its enactment, more than $157 billion has been directed toward American EV and battery manufacturing — spurring growth in U.S. manufacturing and jobs, as well as bringing the supply chain home.

Maine is paving the way toward a sustainable energy future. I look forward to what lies ahead as we continue to be leaders in a greener, cleaner tomorrow.

Reducing U.S. Reliance on China

Critical minerals are essential to both America's national security, clean energy transition and our supply chain resiliency. These minerals — like lithium, nickel and cobalt — are used in military technologies and consumer goods. Ranging from smart phones to dishwashers to electric vehicle batteries, critical minerals touch the lives of every American. They also are vital to Department of Defense (DoD) operations and are crucial in the development of modern, high-precision military equipment.

Currently, however, the United States relies far too much on China for these critical minerals. The Critical Minerals Security Act, bipartisan legislation I introduced this month with Senator John Cornyn of Texas, would help us better understand these complex supply chains so we can secure the United States' access to critical minerals and counter Chinese dominance. Any continued reliance on China — and other bad actors — is downright dangerous, so, we must invest in our own rare earth minerals supply chain.

This bill seeks to make good on that promise by requiring the Department of the Interior to study and submit a report on all critical mineral and rare earth element resources around the world. It also would establish a process for assisting U.S. companies seeking to divest critical minerals from foreign countries and work to build jobs here at home.

Through this legislation, and partnerships with close allies, like Canada, we are one-step closer to securing access to critical minerals right here in North America.

You can get the scoop on this important bill here.

Happenings Around Town

Enjoying some homemade Maine blueberry bread with constituents visiting Washington, D.C.

Thank you to all who joined me during January for the first Capitol Coffees of 2024! The best way to start the morning is with a hot cup of coffee and homemade blueberry bread. Meeting Maine people from across the state is one of the best parts of my job, so, if you find yourself in D.C., I hope you will stop by and say hello.

Speaking with Bath Iron Works employees at the Surface Navy Association's Symposium

Maine people know better than anyone else that "Bath built is best built!" During the Surface Navy Association's 2024 Symposium, I had the opportunity to meet with some of the incredible folks from Bath Iron Works (BIW). Their hard work and dedication ensures our military is well equipped with world class vessels and cutting-edge technology.

Visiting the Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College in Brunswick

As Co-Chair of the Arctic Caucus, I was excited to visit the Peary-Macmillan Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College. Not only did I learn more about Bowdoin's Arctic Studies program, I gained a further appreciation for the culture and natural environment of the Arctic. This museum is the only one of its kind dedicated to Arctic studies in the continental U.S. and I'm proud its home is right here in Maine.

January Policy Update

As a reminder, you can read more on my regularly updated press release page at king.senate.gov. Here are some other priorities I’ve been working on

Protecting Maine Small Businesses. I joined a group of my colleagues urging federal banking regulators to support new capital rules that would strengthen the financial system and protect American jobs, businesses and money. Strong capital rules allow banks to continue serving communities during difficult financial periods, providing an economic lifeline to households and businesses when they need it the most. Read more HERE.
Advocating for Military Families to Receive Quality Reproductive Care. Alongside a bipartisan group of my colleagues, I joined legislation to ensure military families receive the same access to quality reproductive care as most Americans. Our servicemembers deserve the same line of care as civilians, regardless of where they are stationed due to their service. Read more HERE.
Supporting Maine's Organic Dairy Market. I'm excited to announce the Department of Agriculture (USDA) kicked off the year by awarding the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association a federal grant worth over $65 million. As Maine's organic farmers face increasing challenges from changing markets, climate change and more, these federal dollars will help our farmers expand and protect their businesses. Read more HERE.
Pushing for a Clean Power Grid Transition. After the recent bout of winter storms in Maine, it's clear we need a plan for grid resiliency. So, I joined dozens of my colleagues in both the Senate and House to urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC) to stress that improved and increased transmission is urgently needed for reliable, affordable and clean electricity. Read more HERE.
Streamlining Federal Response After Back-to-Back Storms. Alongside Maine's Congressional Delegation, I wrote to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in support of Governor Mills' request to treat the January 10th and 13th storms as a single disaster event. This would create a more streamlined approach while also reducing administrative burdens and costs. Read more HERE.
Making Paid Family Leave Permanent. I was proud to join my colleague from Nebraska, Senator Deb Fischer, to introduce a bipartisan bill to make paid family and medical leave permanent. No one should ever have to choose between caring for their families or receiving their next paycheck to put food on the table. This extension will be a lifeline to so many families across Maine and the country. Read more HERE.
Reclassifying Emergency Dispatchers as First Responders. During the Lewiston mass shooting and through the last several major winter storms, Maine's emergency dispatchers have provided invaluable support and assistance. The Enhancing First Response Act would reclassify these men and women as first responders, giving them access to the resources and training they need to succeed. Read more HERE.

Hearing Highlights

This month, in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee hearing, I addressed Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy, David Turk, about the significant impacts of climate change, making clear the tremendous costs to both the environment and the economy.

In a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, I questioned Dr. Aprille J. Ericsson, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, and Dr. Douglas C. Schmidt, nominee for Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, about the need for urgency in research and development of American hypersonic missile capabilities to deter adversaries like China and Russia.

In The News

Portland Press Herald — Sen. King visits Middle East, joins call to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza
WMTW — U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hears ideas in Augusta on improving care for aging veterans
News Center Maine — Sens. King, Collins among group to support bill to boost affordable housing using tax credit
Maine Public — Angus King calls for climate action after Wednesday storm
WABI — Sen. Angus King returns from bipartisan trip to Israel, Jordan & Saudi Arabia
WGME — Sen. Angus King proposes bill to reclassify emergency dispatchers as first responders
Portland Press Herald — Maine's congressional delegation renews call for crackdown on illegal pot-growing operations

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