WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2024: The Biden-Harris administration today announced the approval of the SouthCoast Wind Project - the nation's 11th commercial-scale offshore wind energy project approved under President Biden's leadership. With today's approval, the Department and its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management have approved over 19 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy from offshore wind  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) celebrated the Senate's passage of their bipartisan Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, legislation to improve the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups to access public land. The legislation was included in the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Mississippi, issued the following news release: Hyde-Smith Votes to Provide Aid to Farmers Stressed by Low Prices, High Input Costs, Dire Financing Outlook Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) early Saturday morning voted for a final agreement that will provide $10 billion in market loss assistance for farmers in Mississippi and around the country who are threatened by economic stresses that threaten the strength of U.S. agriculture. Hyde-Smith, w  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: Congress Approves Full Social Security Benefits for Public Sector Retirees The New York Times | Maya C. Miller "The Senate passed bipartisan legislation early Saturday that would give full Social Security benefits to a group of public sector retirees who currently receive them at a reduced level, sending the bill to President Biden. "The vote to clear the measure was a lopsided 76 to 20, reflecting the   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Angus King is applauding the long-sought Senate passage of a bipartisan, bicameral bill that will repair social security benefits for more than 2 million Americans who have devoted their careers to public service. The Social Security Fairness Act will eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), added to the Social Security Act in 1983, wh  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 21 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following radio address on Dec. 20, 2024: Well, it's that most wonderful time of the year, with several important holidays right around the corner, Christmas and Hanukkah. And of course, after that, New Year's. Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays. I have a big family, however, and I'm a little behind on wrapping presents for next week. You know, our state is home to people of many faiths, many backgrounds, many bel  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 21 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news on Dec. 20, 2024: Governor Janet Mills today signed an Executive Order establishing a task force to examine the opportunities and implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for Maine's people, economy, and institutions. The Governor's Executive Order comes in response to a rapid surge of technological advancements that are poised to revolutionize how people live and work. Nearly one-fifth of the U.S. workforce is  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 21 -- The Maine Secretary of State issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2024: Governor Janet Mills and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows signed the proclamation announcing a special election for the Maine House District 24 seat will be held Tuesday, February 25th, 2025. This House seat was previously held by State Representative Joseph C. Perry, who resigned having been elected State Treasurer on December 4th, 2024. House District 24 is comprised of the municipal  more

PORTLAND, Maine, Dec. 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2024: * * * Kenneth Adams was previously convicted in 2016 for trafficking in Aroostook County * * * A New York man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to distributing controlled substances and possessing them with intent to distribute. According to court records, based in part on information received from a confidential informant, investiga  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: Today, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King blasting the company's efforts to allegedly silence Missouri farmers who sued the company following the closure and sale of the Dexter, Missouri chicken plant. "You have previously stonewalled my efforts to learn the truth about your shutdown of poultry plants in Noel and Dexter, Missouri," the Senator wrote. "Now, your company   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: Today, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Social Security Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation authored by Senators Susan Collins and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), by a vote of 76-20. This bill, which passed the House last month by a vote of 327-75, will restore full Social Security benefits for teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other public servants by repealing two provisions of current law  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release: Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today announced the Senate Republican Conference committee assignments for the 119th Congress. The assignments have been ratified by the Senate Republican Conference and are expected to be ratified by the full Senate early next Congress. Agriculture John Boozman, Arkansas Mitch McConnell, Kentucky John Hoeven, North Dakota Joni Ernst, Iowa Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi Roge  more