Recovering from Winter Storms

As the calendar flips and April begins, it’s my hope that you’ve dug out and have gotten back to normal after that whopper of a winter storm that hit us last weekend. The snow and ice and outages were truly a test of our resiliency and sense of community — but a test I think we came together and passed.

It has been a difficult winter for Maine with communities across the state damaged by several, severe winter storms — first in December and then the back-to-back hit we took in January. These storms brought high winds and tides, causing historical levels of flooding and damage to our communities.

Now that the December disaster damage was processed and claims were made, it’s time to shift our focus to rebuilding from those January storms — and there’s good news on that front, as well. Long story short: help is on the way.

First, the Maine Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asking the agency to support Governor Mills' request to treat the January 10 and 13 storms as one event. After that, the Congressional Delegation followed up with a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to support Governor Mills' request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help address the estimated $70.3 million in damages that occurred during these two storms.

I am grateful to share that the Administration has approved the Governor's request for a Major Disaster Declaration. This declaration will release federal funds to help individuals and communities in the eight counties impacted start to recover and get back on their feet.

If you live in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington or York counties and were impacted by the January storms, then you are eligible to receive FEMA disaster assistance.

There are several ways to apply:

Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7:00 AM and 1:00 AM ET
Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
Visit the FEMA website to download the official mobile app

FEMA has started announcing locations where you can get in-person assistance. The first Disaster Recovery Center in York County is now open seven days a week from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.

York County Disaster Recovery Center
Wells Fire Station #2
585 N Berwick Rd
Wells, ME 04090

As recovery centers continue to open up, I’ll keep you posted via my social media channels. As always, if you need assistance please feel free to reach out to my office. My team is here and ready to support you in any way possible.

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Delivering for Maine

I have always said that Maine is one big town connected by long roads. A town that looks out for one another in times of need and a community that works to ensure everyone has a roof over their head and food on the table.

There are so many incredible organizations that help make this big small town feel successful, and this year, I am proud to have worked with the entire Maine Congressional Delegation to secure $454 million that is being invested in Maine. The bipartisan bill passed at 2:30 AM last Saturday, and while the news was that we avoided a shutdown, we also opened up opportunities for Maine.

From wastewater infrastructure updates to strengthening coastal resiliency, expanding childcare, and funding for mental health and behavioral services, these federal dollars are going to support important projects across our state that will improve the quality of life for Maine people and invest in the future of our communities.

Here are just a handful of projects that I was proud to secure funding for:

$831,000 for Mano en Mano/Hand in Hand organization to expand childcare for farmworkers in Downeast Maine
$1,672,00 for the City of Bath to upgrade its wastewater and sewer system infrastructure
750,000 for Kennebec Behavioral Health to support behavioral services
$2,500,000 for the State of Maine to support energy and community resiliency for disadvantaged communities throughout Maine
$510,000 for The Northern Lighthouse to expand services for homeless youth in Arookstook County

I know many of you might have thought that this “keep the government funded and open” legislation is about Washington, but I hope you realize the widespread impact of this bill for us back home in Maine. The nonprofits and local governments that are receiving these funds have proven track records of success and will use this support to expand and improve our daily lives.

Thanks to all of you for looking out for your neighbors and working toward a better future for all Maine people.

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Supporting Those Who Served

Meeting with the Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Our veterans and servicemembers have made many sacrifices when they served our nation, but they should never sacrifice when it comes to expanding their family. With recent war veterans experiencing infertility at higher rates than the general public due to service related injuries and disabilities, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments provide hope.

Yet, the recent Alabama Supreme Court decision that could have outlawed IVF made clear we need to protect critical family planning services.

This month, my colleagues and I introduced the bipartisan Veterans and Families Health Services Act. This pro-family bill would permanently authorize fertility treatments and counseling from the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA). It would also allow servicemembers to cryopreserve embryos and reproductive cells prior to deployment to a combat zone or hazardous duty zone.

We need to ensure the brave men and women who answered the call to serve are able to make their own family planning decisions.

And, to continue breaking down barriers for our veterans, I led a bipartisan group of my colleagues in writing to the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) urging the agency to make it easier for women veterans who experienced sexual trauma to access physical and mental health care.

This care is so necessary as statistics show that about 1 in 3 women experience sexual trauma during their time in service. Yet, right now, only half of the VA's services are utilized to help these survivors. We are calling on the VA to build trust and open doors so more women veterans can get the critical care they need to start recovering.

To read more about the importance of sexual trauma care or to find out where to access these services, click here.

Meeting with the Maine Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

I also joined the Maine Congressional Delegation in writing to the VA — this time requesting updates on a rule authorized in 2020 that would reimburse Maine Veterans' Homes (MVH) for domiciliary care. The delay in getting this rule changed is causing significant financial harm to veterans, their families and MVH.

As it stands, there are families in Maine unnecessarily paying over $1,500 per month to ensure their veteran get care, and MVH is expected to lose $3.9 million by the end of the fiscal year if nothing is changed. That is unacceptable.

I'm going to continue pressing the VA until we get this rule finalized and remove financial burdens that are causing undue stress both to our veterans and those that care for them.

And, to continue working on behalf of veterans requiring long term care (LTC), I joined my friend Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), in introducing bipartisan legislation that would assess the VA's ability to meet needs of elderly veterans.

Last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a minimum staffing rule for LTC facilities. However, while policy sometimes looks good on paper, it is not always good in practice. A one-size-fits-all solution has the potential to shut down rural care facilities that might not be able to meet the same staffing thresholds as larger communities, depriving veterans of the care they earned and deserve.

Whether its protecting family planning for our veterans or protecting rural LTC facilities, we have a solemn obligation to give back to those who gave so much for our country.

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Unlocking Homeownership for First Responders and Teachers

Towns all across Maine are facing a serious affordable housing crisis. In fact, a recent study from a group of housing experts found that our state is now short 84,000 homes. That's more homes than people who live in Portland alone. It's clear we need to come up with solutions that help every Maine person get a roof over their head.

To tackle this problem, I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in cosponsoring the HELPER Act. This legislation would help remove barriers to home ownership for public servants such as teachers and first responders — ensuring those that serve our communities can live there. What makes this legislation unique is it would eliminate mortgage down payments, which are often one of the biggest barriers for first time buyers.

There's no easy solution — or "silver bullet" — to the affordable housing problem, but each step is part of the silver buckshot approach to tackling a really complicated challenge. When we are able to work across the aisle, we can find new, creative ways to ensure housing for all. It's truly a win-win.

Learn more about this bipartisan legislation here.

Protecting the Postal Service

The postal service is a lifeline for so many Maine people who rely on the mail to conduct business, pay bills, receive medication, get Social Security checks, stay in touch with loved ones and more.

However, the United States Postal Service recently announced plans to move some of the Hampden postal facilities to Scarborough — nearly 130 miles down the road. This proposed change would not only further delay mail delivery, but also impact the jobs of our dedicated postal delivery workers.

Because of this, I joined a group of my colleagues in writing to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding he stop any structural changes that would affect service standards resulting in delayed mail and the loss of local jobs.

Our postal service is most beneficial to our communities when it treats workers right — along with us who head to the mailbox everyday and expect timely deliveries. I will continue pushing back against changes that would degrade the USPS and negatively impact the ability to deliver mail to Maine people.

Happenings Around Town

Meeting with the the Cape Elizabeth "WET" team at the Maine Fisherman Forum

In January, the Cape Elizabeth Water Extraction Team (WET) braved stormy seas to rescue four fishermen stranded aboard the Tara Lynn II. It was an honor to meet with these remarkable men at the Fishermen's Forum this month and thank them for their hard work keeping our fishermen safe.

Visiting with Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman.

Last year, I joined my friend Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) as Senate co-chair of the American-Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus which aims to strengthen the economic and national security relationship between the U.S. and Canada. This month, Senator Cramer and I teamed up once again to introduce a bipartisan resolution honoring this relationship, welcoming our neighbors from the north to our nation's capital to reaffirm our alliance and expressing our commitment to tackling shared challenges.

Hosting a virtual Capitol Class with students at Hampden Academy

I often say one of my favorite parts of the job is talking with young people across Maine — they are some of the best and brightest around. This month I joined a group of students from Hampden Academy to share what life is like as a U.S. Senator and answer their smart questions. I can tell you firsthand we have an incredible generation of future leaders here in Maine. Keep up the great work!

March 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:

Mental Health Funding for Lewiston. In the wake of last year's horrific shooting in Lewiston, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services will receive over $2 million from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to help meet mental health and substance abuse needs. Read more HERE.
Staying Tuned in with AM Radio. Many people across Maine, especially in rural areas, rely on AM radio for weather and business news, as well as emergency updates. Alongside Senator Collins, I joined a bipartisan bill to ensure auto manufactures continue to provide AM radio in every new vehicle at no extra charge. Read more HERE.
Bolstering Public Safety. We have a solemn obligation to keep our communities safe and criminals off our streets. To ensure this, I introduced legislation that will bolster communication between state and federal law enforcement regarding undocumented people charged with or convicted of violent crimes. Read more HERE.
Cutting Red Tape for Truck Drivers. We are in the midst of a nation-wide truck driver shortage. These workers are essential for our supply chain and we must doing everything in our power to simplify the credential process. I introduced bipartisan legislation to help cut red tape for our commercial driver and other transportation workers. Read more HERE.
Cracking Down on Scammers. We're all familiar with robocalls. At best they're an annoyance; at worst they are scams that target our most vulnerable. It's clear we need to better crack down on these illegal robocalls so I joined my colleagues in cosponsoring a bill that would create harsher penalties for scammers who are knowingly violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Read more HERE.
Cutting Costs for Vocational Training. Financial barriers are one of the biggest challenges when seeking an education. To help cut costs, I cosponsored the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act which would allow vocational workers to use tax-free education fund plans to help for secondary credentialing, such as commercial driver's license. Read more HERE.

Hearing Highlights

This month, in an open hearing of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee (SSCI), I asked the Director of National Intelligence and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Director about what the intelligence community is doing to help halt the flow of illegal drugs — like fentanyl — into the United States.

In an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, I shared a first person account of the deep commitment that wildland firefighters have — as well as the toll the job takes on them. We need to ensure we are supporting our firefighters so that no American community is left in danger without firefighters to protect it.

And, in a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, I urged the Department of Defense (DoD) to work alongside the private sector to build new defense technology that is both effective and cost-efficient. The longer we allow bureaucratic barriers to get in the way of of working with private, innovative companies, the more we allow ourselves to fall behind when it comes to accessing new defense technologies.

Finally, this month the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (SVAC) and the House Veterans' Affairs Committee (HVAC) held a joint hearing attended by veteran groups such as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). During that hearing, I spoke with veterans and veteran advocates to make sure these efforts were meeting the needs of the community.

In The News

Maine Public — Angus King pushes bill to ease upfront housing costs for teachers and first responders
WABI — King among Senators urging VA remove barriers for women veterans seeking support for sexual trauma
Portland Press Herald — Politicians, including Sen. King and Collins, close in on votes to keep AM radio in every car
WGME — Sen. King questions top intelligence officials about how U.S. is addressing fentanyl crisis
WFVX — King sponsors bill to cut cost of vocational training
WABI — Sen. King cosponsoring Right to Vote Act

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All the best!

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