Recovering from the Winter Storms

After being hit hard by winter storms in December and January, the healing process has begun for Maine communities. We’re not going to fix and rebuild everything overnight, but action is being taken at the state and federal levels.

Last month, President Joe Biden approved Governor Mills' request for a Major Disaster Declaration — a request advocated for by the Congressional delegation. This declaration helps the 10 counties impacted by the December storms to repair public infrastructure — ensuring our communities are able to get back on their feet with the help of the federal government.

Federal officials also found that the high level of damage in Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford or Somerset counties met federal eligibility to receive in-person individual assistance at one of FEMA's five Disaster Recovery Centers.

Rumford Municipal Building 145 Congress Street Rumford, ME 04276	Lewiston Armory 65 Central Ave Lewiston, ME 04240
University of Maine Roberts Learning Center 270 Main Street Farmington, ME 04938	Somerset County Emergency Operations Center 4 County Drive Skowhegan, ME 04976
Manchester Fire Department 37 Readfield Rd Manchester, ME 0421	All centers are open seven days a week from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The back-to-back January storms we suffered were brutal, as well, for the eight counties that were especially impacted. I met with York County leadership a few weeks ago to get an update on the progress they were making in measuring the damage of the January storms.

Joining York County leadership for a roundtable to discuss the January storms

We’re making progress on this front, as well. Last week, Governor Mills requested that President Biden declare a Major Disaster Declaration for roughly 70 million dollars. The Maine Congressional Delegation supported this declaration and, if approved by the President, those communities will be able to receive additional federal assistance.

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

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Supporting Rural Vets

Folks living out in rural Maine already face many challenges when it comes to accessing affordable and quality health care — because of both their distance to medical facilities and the availability of health care workers in rural areas. We owe it to our veterans to ensure they have the best care possible.

That is why I teamed up with my friend Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) to introduce the bipartisan Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Service Act. This legislation would provide travel assistance for veterans living in rural areas to health care appointments at VA-authorized facilities.

Rural veterans also rely heavily on transportation reimbursements to help them make it to their Vet Center appointments. In Bangor, there are many veterans who rely on VA reimbursements but many more are unable to access these benefits due to a bureaucratic lag. This is preventing veterans from accessing care that is vital for their well-being and mental health, as well as contributing to their financial strain. It's hurting our veterans and it's unacceptable.

So, in a hearing of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I pressed Michael Fisher, the Chief Officer of Readjustment Counseling Service in the Veterans Health Administration about what the department is doing to speed up the rulemaking process.

I will continue working with my colleagues and the VA to ensure that no matter where our veterans choose to live, they have access to the benefits they've earned and the opportunity to visit with their health care providers. Just like they have served us during their career, we owe them that same service in their return to civilian life.

Learn more about this collaborative and bipartisan bill here.

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Defending Democracy

This month, the Senate took one of the most important votes any of us will ever have taken when we voted to pass The National Security Act of 2024 — legislation that will provide aid to our allies and partners in Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

A vote for The National Security Act of 2024 was a vote for American principles, people and productivity. By providing sorely-needed aid to Ukraine as it fights for its freedom against Putin’s brutal invasion, we demonstrated our commitment to freedom, sovereignty, and democracy at home and abroad. This war — now entering its third year — is costing us weapons, but is costing Ukrainians their lives. They are fighting a war that can stop Putin in his tracks before he attempts to invade our NATO allies.

In the days prior to that vote, I also spoke on the floor of the Senate to make clear we had to come together as a nation and reaffirm our commitment to our allies.

Not only is Putin watching closely, but so are Xi Jinping in China and Kim Jong-Un in North Korea. If we turn our backs on our Ukrainian allies, it will encourage these dictators to bulldoze democracies on their doorsteps.

One of our greatest strengths as a nation is our allies. We have allies across the world who trust us and will come to our aid, but that trust will diminish if we walk away. "Ally" means someone you can count on. We need to ensure that our allies know they can count on us.

Also included in this legislation is the FEND Off Fentanyl Act I co-sponsored. This bill gives the federal government more authority and resources to crack down on opioid traffickers that are killing Maine people and adds teeth to the nationwide effort against the most immediate threat to American lives.

Now that the Senate has done its job, it is time for the House to do theirs and reaffirm their support for our allies and Maine people right here at home.

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Making Child Care More Affordable for Working Families

Affordable and accessible child care is one of the most pressing needs for working families in Maine and across the nation. Right now, Maine's child care shortage is estimated to be costing our economy hundreds of millions of dollars and families are feeling the weight of rising costs. When families have access to care, they are able to succeed both at home and in their professional careers, but rising costs and a workforce shortage have made accessing and affording care that much more difficult.

So, to help with affordability and address the workforce shortage, I teamed up with my colleague Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to introduce the Right Start Child Care and Education Act. This legislation would help cut care costs by increasing the amount of tax-free money Maine families can save through dedicated flexible spending accounts. It would also expand employer-provided and small business child care credits. And, to address the workforce shortage, this bill would create a new tax credit for child care professionals with college degrees. It's a win-win for Maine families.

This legislation will help lessen the burden and set our families, workforce and economy up for success. Child care is more than a household priority; child care means business for our state.

Learn more about how this bill will help Maine working families here.

Combatting Health Care Cyber Attacks

Reports have shown a huge rise in cybersecurity attacks against healthcare systems across the country. Cyberattacks to health care infrastructure cost money, threaten privacy and, most dangerously, put lives at risk. And, in recent weeks, one of Maine's major health care providers was the victim of a cyberattack, as was the MaineCare pharmacy claims system.

So, to combat these threats and keep Maine people and health providers safe, I joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to introduce the bipartisan Strengthening Cybersecurity in Health Act. This legislation would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to evaluate the cybersecurity practices of health care systems, as well as provide biennial reports on the work being done to implement future safety practices.

As the threats continue to increase, being proactive will prove to be one of the greatest tools in our toolbox.

Learn more about how we're working to protect against cyberattacks here.

Happenings Around Town

Meeting with the famous 101st Maineiacs during their trip to Washington, D.C.

Bangor's 101st is one of the most recognized and dedicated National Guard units. I had the privilege to sit down with the incredible Maineiacs to discuss their contributions to global security, recruiting, 3-D printing capabilities and to reaffirm my support for their mission.

Visiting Rumery Boatyard to celebrate its USDA grant award to install solar panels

Maine innovation is at the forefront of a clean energy future and rural development investments are critical to driving us closer toward that goal. I had a great time celebrating Rumery Boatyard's USDA award that will help the boatyard develop solar panels — meeting more than 90% of its energy needs!

Discussing trends in the potato industry with the Maine Potato Board

Maine has a heritage of high quality, delicious potatoes that runs deep and feeds families across the country. I was excited to welcome the Maine Potato Board to Washington, D.C. earlier this week, where we discussed this past season's harvest, sustainable irrigation techniques, agricultural trade and more.

February 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 Kids Online. Far too many children in Maine and across the nation face risks when online. We need to ensure our laws keep up with rapidly evolving technology and a more online generation. To help do this, I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in cosponsoring the Kids Online Safety Act, legislation that will provide families with better tools to protect minors online, hold Big Tech accountable and provide transparency into online algorithms. Read more HERE.
Breaking Through the Traffic Jam of Information. We've all seen the clever highway signs telling us to "Click it or Ticket" or "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over." Recently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued new guidelines that restrict these roadside puns. I wrote to the DOT urging them to rethink these restrictions and prioritize on the back up of traffic safety issues such as districted or impaired driving. Read more HERE.
Fighting the Homework Gap. With learning now extending beyond the physical walls of a school, reliable WiFi is a critical education tool. To ensure the success of all our Maine students, I wrote to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking them to expand the existing E-Rate program that helps schools and libraries obtain and loan out affordable WiFi hotspots. Read more HERE.
Lowering Prescription Drug Costs. Rising prescription drug prices are preventing people in Maine and across the nation from accessing treatments they need. To address this critical issue, I led a group of my colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to finalize guidance to lower prescription drug cost and save taxpayer dollars. Read more HERE.
Protecting Maine's Drinking Water. Maine communities relying on wells for drinking water have to be extra cautious when dealing with hard or toxic chemicals like PFAS. Alongside Senator Collins, I introduced legislation that would provide states more flexibility when helping to mitigate PFAS contamination in private wells. Read more HERE.
Connecting Veterans with State Assistance. Currently, servicemembers are required to fill out a pre-separation form during their transition to civilian life. However, complicated wording in the form means many veterans do not get connected with the resources and help they need. Alongside Senator Cramer, a Republican from North Dakota, I wrote a letter to the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) asking them to make a small change in the wording so more veterans can access resources during their transition period. Read more HERE.
Simplifying the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps lessen the financial burden for so many students seeking a higher education. But recent delays and glitches with the new FAFSA form have raised concerns some students might be left out of the process entirely. Alongside my colleagues, I wrote to the Department of Education (DOE) urging them to quickly address these issues and ensure students across Maine and the country have access to an affordable education. Read more HERE.

Hearing Highlights

This month, in a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, I addressed U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo Jr., the nominee to be Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, on the possible ramifications of U.S. deterrence efforts against China if we turn our backs on Ukraine.

Also this month, in a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (SVAC) hearing, I questioned Michael Fisher, the Chief Officer of Readjustment Counseling Service in the Veterans Health Administration about what the Department is doing to address its slow approval process and how the workforce shortages at Vet Centers are creating unnecessary barriers for veterans seeking health care.

In The News

Time Magazine — America Must Choose Honor in Ukraine
Bangor Daily News — Maine’s congressional delegation again calls for crackdown on illegal marijuana operations
WGME — Sen. King touts bill to make it easier for businesses to offer paid leave to employees
WAGM — "Get on with it" — King presses VA to help rural vets get transportation to VET centers
WABI — Sen. King joins effort to lower drug prescription prices, save taxpayer dollars
Portland Press Herald — Sen. King enters the witty lane to defend humorous highway signs
Mount Desert Islander — King introduces bipartisan legislation to modernize fishing and boating navigation

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All the best!

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