Learning from Lewiston and Honoring the Memories of the Victims

This past week marked the six-month anniversary of the Lewiston mass shooting that took the lives of 18 people and shattered all of us. However, even in the darkest of times, Maine people have shown unwavering strength and resiliency — coming together to support one another and help forge a path forward.

As we learn more about the events that occurred that night, we must determine the likely causes and address them responsibly. A recent analysis of the shooter's brain showed evidence of a severe traumatic brain injury. As an Army reservist, he worked as an instructor at a hand grenade training range where it is believed he was repeatedly exposed to low-level blasts.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from explosive weapons — used both in the field and in training exercises — are affecting the health and quality of life of our service members and veterans.

So, together with my colleagues, we introduced the bipartisan Blast Overpressure Safety Act, a bill that will ramp up efforts to measure and treat the harm resulting from repeated exposure to blasts. This bill is a long overdue, common-sense step forward to expand access to care for those with traumatic brain injuries caused by their time in service.

Days after that bill’s introduction, I asked the Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth about the Army’s plans to better protect servicemembers from TBI at a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing.

We owe it to the Lewiston victims and their families to expand research, provide care for TBI injuries, and follow the data and science of preventable brain damage. It’s the least we can do, and I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their work to address this critical and preventable issue.

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Standing Up For Freedom and Democracy

Murderous dictators and terrorist groups around the world have been betting that Congress couldn’t come together to pass a bipartisan agreement to support our allies. They've been betting that democracy can't work, that we can't make tough decisions and tough commitments and live up to them. I want to stand on the right side of history in fighting authoritarianism. I want to stand on the side of democracy — and that is why I voted in support of the supplemental national security legislation that passed the Senate last week by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 79-18.

I believe aiding our allies and partners is critical to securing American interests and stability around the world. We are confronting Putin and Xi Jinping against the threats they pose to Ukraine and Taiwan. We are supporting Israel’s right to defend itself from its terrorist neighbors intent on erasing the country, and we are providing critical humanitarian aid to the innocent civilians of Gaza.

Closer to home, here in Maine, this bill will help tackle the fentanyl problem that affects so many of our family and friends, by incorporating the Fend Off Fentanyl Act — a bill I cosponsored to address the opioid epidemic’s devastating toll.

But the clear takeaway from the vote is that the American people share the goals of freedom, self-determination, and sovereignty of our allies — and will step up in a bipartisan fashion to deliver that message to our adversaries.

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Recovering from the Winter Storms

The past few months have been difficult for Maine as we've weathered several historic storms — first in December and again in January — causing significant severe, unprecedented coastal flooding and damages. But, as we always do, we have come together as a community and rallied together to recover and rebuild. The federal government has stepped up in a serious way, too.

In the past month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved over $1.45 million in disaster aid and helped over 338 Maine families recover. And this is just the beginning of the federal support that will continue flowing into communities across Maine.

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 apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

There are several ways to apply:

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

FEMA has announced locations where you can get in-person assistance. The Disaster Recovery Centers are open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in York, Cumberland Hancock and Washington counties. All centers are closed on Sundays.

Old Orr's Island Schoolhouse 1594 Harpswell Islands Road Orr's Island, ME 04066	University of Maine Torrey Building 40 University Drive Machias, ME 04654
Moore Community Center 125 State Street Ellsworth, ME 04605	Wells Fire Station #2 585 N Berwick Rd Wells, ME 04090

I’ll keep you updated 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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Supporting Our Veterans

Our veterans and servicemembers have made many sacrifices serving our nation, and we have an obligation to serve them now that they have hung up their uniforms.

In 2022, we held true to our promise when we passed the PACT Act, a law that expanded the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

Since then, countless veterans have been able to access the critical care they need. However, those that suffer from constrictive bronchiolitis (CB), a chronic respiratory disease, and hypertension have struggled to get disability benefits because of how the VA determines the severity of service-connected disabilities.

Currently, the VA’s process for determining service-connection for these two conditions often leads to veterans being denied, leaving them unable to access disability benefits they have earned.

So, to help ensure veterans suffering from CB and hypertension have access to disability benefits, I wrote a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough calling on him to update the regulations for disability benefits so the PACT Act delivers more thoroughly for our veterans.

Additionally, as we focus on ensuring our veterans receive the care they deserve, we also must make sure they are able to access that care and support in a timely manner.

In 2020, Congress created a pilot program to permanently allow licensed medical professionals to conduct medical examinations across state lines for the Department of Veteran Affairs — helping expedite the disability claims process.

Given the progress and positive feedback surrounding this commonsense pilot program, I introduced a bipartisan bill with my friend Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to make this program permanent. If we let our veterans work with any VA approved licensed medical professional, that will help shrink the backlog and get veterans the care they need in a more efficient manner.

Meetings with Maine People

Celebrating the opening of the new Presque Isle VA Clinic

It is important we work to make sure our veterans have access to the health care benefits they earned while serving our country. I was honored to attend the opening of the Presque Isle VA Clinic which will help to better serve veterans across Aroostook County and cut down on the need for them to travel downstate for care and support.

Meeting with the Maine Hospital Association

Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable care when health issues arise. It was great to sit down with the Maine Hospital Association and our hospital leaders to discuss how we can combat workforce shortages in the health care industry.

Hosting a virtual Capitol Class with students at Saco Middle School

I often say one of my favorite parts of the job is talking with young people across Maine — hearing their smart, sharp questions is inspiring. This month I joined students at Saco Middle School to give a behind the scenes look into life as a U.S. Senator and answer their great questions. I was so impressed with this incredible group of students and can tell you they have bright futures ahead. Keep up the great work!

April Policy Updates

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:

Revitalizing the Long-Term Care Workforce. Maine seniors already face many challenges accessing affordable, quality health care because of both availability of health care workers and distance to medical facilities. To help strengthen the workforce, I introduced a bill to ensure caregiving can be a sustainable, lifelong career path. Read more HERE.
Celebrating Our National Parks. From the rocky coasts of Acadia to the breathtaking canyons of Zion, our National Parks preserve some of our nation's more inspiring landmarks. To celebrate our Parks, I teamed up with National Parks Subcommittee partner Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) to pass a resolution commemorating National Park Week. Read more HERE.
Preventing Campus Hazing. Hazing is a harmful, far too common practice that puts students' well-being in danger. I joined Senator Collins in cosponsoring bipartisan legislation that requires institutions of higher education to better educate students on the dangers of hazing, as well as increase transparency and accountability for student organizations with a history of hazing. Read more HERE.
Minimizing AI Risks. In the ever-evolving global threat landscape, the U.S. has to stay one step ahead of new technologies to protect both our national security and interests at home and abroad. I led a bipartisan Congressional framework to help identify and minimize AI risks. Read more HERE.
Combatting Terrorism. Extremists threaten lives around the world with weapons, believers willing to kill innocent civilians, and aggression — but it takes money to fund their murderous campaigns. That’s why Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and I introduced bipartisan legislation that will eliminate the tax-exempt status of any group providing material support to terrorist organizations. Read more HERE.

Hearing Highlights

This month, in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), I highlighted that, on a percentage basis, many European countries are spending more than the U.S. to support Ukraine. Backing down now is not an option, and many nations are giving more, proportionately, than America. The entire free world is stepping up in the fight for democracy and sovereignty around the globe.

As our nation prepares to modernize its energy grid for a clean energy future, I encouraged the Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, in an Energy hearing, to incentivize utility companies to invest in newer, more effective energy technologies as our nation prepares to modernize its energy grid for a clean energy future.

And, in a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing (SVAC), I heard testimony from VA officials and women veterans on ways to help those who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST) during their military service.

In The News

Piscataquis Observer — OpEd: Delivering for Maine
WABI — Sen. King Urges Army Secretary to prioritize servicemembers' brain health
WGME — Maine delegation supports bill requiring military brain health checks after mass shooting
Portland Press Herald — Sen. Angus King discusses climate change, 2024 presidential race with Saco Middle Schoolers
WAGM — Sen. King cosponsors resolution highlighting importance of local news

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