WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * 'It is High Time we Stopped Thinking Politically as Republicans and Democrats,' King says as he Invokes Former Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith To watch the floor speech, click here The full transcript of the speech can be found here WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Angus King today spoke on the Senate floor to commemorate the 75 th anniversary of former U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith's (R  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security has released the following public communication dated April 1, 2025, from the American Forest and Paper Association: * * * To: Stephen Astle, Director, Defense Industrial Base Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Docket ID: BIS-2025-0011-0001; X-RIN 0694-XC117 RE: U.S. Department of Commerce Request for Public Comments on Secti  more

WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman Pingree Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Expand and Strengthen Local Meat Processing Today, U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.), along with U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), reintroduced legislation to support small meat and poultry processors throughout the U.S. The bipartisan, bicameral Strengthening Local Processing A  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * Cotton, Colleagues Reintroduce the Living Donor Protection Act Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 April 30, 2025 Cotton, Gillibrand, and Colleagues Reintroduce the Living Donor Protection Act Washington, D.C. -- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-New York) today reintroduced the Living Donor Protection Act, legislation that will protect the  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the following public communication dated April 7, 2025, from Heather Spalding, deputy director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Unity, Maine: * * * To: Administrator Lee Zeldin U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Office of Science and Technology, Health and Ecological Criteria Division Washington, D.C. Re: Comments of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MO  more

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The FBI issued the following news release: * * * New Englanders Report Over $446 Million in Losses According to Annual Internet Crime Report Victims reported a 42 percent increase in losses from 2023 The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has released its latest annual report. The 2024 Internet Crime Report combines information from 859,532 complaints of suspected internet crime and details reported losses exceeding $16 billion--a 33   more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich Announces Legislation to Address PFAS, Water Contamination in Private Wells WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that he has cosponsored new legislation to protect New Mexico communities from dangerous contaminants like per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich, Lujan Blast Trump Admin's Attacks on Head Start, Demand RFK Jr. Immediately Unfreeze Head Start Funding & Reverse Firings of Early Childhood Education Workers In a letter to RFK Jr., Heinrich & Lujan demand answers on Trump Admin's actions to undermine Head Start as Trump reportedly plans to eliminate the program WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Be  more

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- Rep. Jared Huffman, D-California, ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on April 30, 2025: * * * Huffman, Fitzpatrick, Markey Introduce Arctic Refuge Protection Act Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) and Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) reintroduced the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, legislation which will restore critical   more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * King Presses Interior Nominee on Protection of Public Lands WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), ranking member of the Senate National Parks Subcommittee, pressed Leslie Beyer, the nominee to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior overseeing lands and minerals management, about transferring public land away  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, May 1 -- The Maine Judicial Branch issued the following news on April 30, 2025: * * * Courthouse Greeter Pilot Program Launching at the York Judicial Center in Biddeford The Maine Judicial Branch is "looking for a few good volunteers" to help launch a pilot program at the York Judicial Center in Biddeford. The goal of the pilot is to help court visitors navigate the courthouse, find the legal resources they need, and be a welcoming presence for visitors. "The York Judicial Ce  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, April 30 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved Northern Utilities, Inc.'s final Targeted Infrastructure Replacement Adjustment (TIRA) rate adjustment. This adjustment allows the utility to recover costs associated with a 14-year program to replace leak-prone cast iron and bare steel gas pipes in greater Portland and Westbrook. In an order dated April 29, 2025, the PUC approved Northern's proposed rate schedules, finding that the 2025 TIRA adjustment was cal  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, April 30 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a stipulation agreement allowing Maine Natural Gas Corporation (MNG) to adjust its rates, effective May 1, 2025. The decision, detailed in an order dated April 29, 2025, follows MNG's February 28, 2025, filing requesting approval of its annual distribution rate adjustment. The PUC's order approves the stipulation entered into by MNG and the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA), the sole intervenor in the case. T  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, April 30 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved new Cost of Gas Factor (CGF) rates for Northern Utilities, Inc., doing business as Unitil, for the 2025 summer period, running from May 1, 2025, through October 31, 2025. The PUC's decision, detailed in an order dated April 29, 2025, also approves Unitil's updated Environmental Response Cost (ERC) revision, Re-Entry Rate, Conversion Rates, and Energy Efficiency Rate Assessment (EERA). Unitil's initial filing, m  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, April 30 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has suspended a request from The Maine Water Company, Oakland Division, to implement a water infrastructure surcharge. The suspension, detailed in an order dated April 29, 2025, delays the proposed charge from its requested effective date of May 15, 2025. The PUC is required by Maine law to make a determination on infrastructure surcharge requests within 75 days of filing. The Commission stated that the suspension is neces  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, May 1 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has approved the final Targeted Infrastructure Replacement Adjustment (TIRA) rate for Northern Utilities, Inc. d/b/a Unitil, effective today, May 1, 2025. This adjustment marks the culmination of a 14-year Cast Iron Replacement Program (CIRP) aimed at replacing leak-prone pipes in greater Portland and Westbrook. In its order issued April 30, 2025, the Commission granted Northern's request, finding that the proposed 2025 TIRA   more

AUGUSTA, Maine, May 1 -- The Maine Secretary of State issued the following news release on April 30, 2025: * * * Pine Tree license plates to begin replacing retiring Chickadee plates tomorrow Mainers will gradually receive their plates as they register their vehicles AUGUSTA, Maine - Beginning tomorrow, Mainers will have the option to choose either a "Pine Tree" design as the standard license plate offering or "No Tree" - a classic plain plate with text and numbers in blue and green and no   more

WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Markey, Huffman, Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect the Arctic Refuge Washington (April 29, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Representative Brian Fitzpa  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Slam Illegal DOGE Cuts to AmeriCorps Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their Congressional colleagues in an effort led by Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) to defend AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members. The lawmakers are calling on President Trump to immediately reverse cuts to the critical national  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Slam Illegal DOGE Cuts to AmeriCorps Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their Congressional colleagues in an effort led by Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) to defend AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members. The lawmakers are calling on President Trump to immediately reverse cuts to the critical national se  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Murkowski Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Push to Support Coastal Communities Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-01) and Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27) in introducing legislation to strengthen coastal communities and the blue economy across the U.S. The bipartisan, bicameral Ocean Regional Opportunity and  more

WASHINGTON, May 1 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) allowing the Maine Department of Transportation (ME DOT) to take six species of marine mammals during construction activities associated with the Lubec Harbor project in Lubec, Maine. The project, spanning from April 10, 2025 through April 9, 2026, aims to provide a sheltered harbor for mariners by installing a breakwater, boat la  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release: * * * Postal Service announces industry award winners at the National Postal Forum NASHVILLE, TN -- USPS today awarded its 2025 Delivering for America Partnership for Excellence awards to several recipients on the final day of the National Postal Forum (NPF), the country's premier mailing and shipping supply chain conference. The Delivering for America Partnership for Excellence awards are bestowed at NPF to re  more

WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, ranking minority member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news: * * * NEWS: Sanders, Murray, Baldwin, 39 Colleagues Blast Trump's Attacks on Head Start, Demand RFK Jr. Immediately Release Funding and Reverse Firings WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), alongside Sens. Patty Murray (D-W  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following floor remarks on April 29, 2025 (In this document, the reference to Mr. President refers to the presiding officer of the Senate at the time of the speech): * * * Mr. President, almost 75 years ago, the junior Senator from Maine rose in this Chamber to deliver a speech from her heart about a crisis then facing our country, a crisis not arising from a foreign adversary but from within, a crisis that threatened the valu  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Senate Appropriations Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 119-3) revising the allocations to its subcommittees for fiscal 2025. The report was advanced by Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, on March 14, 2025. Here are excerpts: * * * REPORT The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report revising the allocations to its subcommittees for fiscal year 2025 set forth in Senate Report 118-190 (July 10, 2024) and revised in Senate Report 118-197 (July 24, 2024)   more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 119-7) on the history, jurisdiction and a summary of its activities during the 118th Congress. The report was advanced by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, on March 31, 2025. Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM OF THE CHAIRMAN To Members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: The enclosed report reviews the accomplishments of the Committee in the 118th Congress. It wi  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 119-8) its activities during the 118th Congress. The report was advanced by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, on March 31, 2025. * * * (Continued from Part 4 of 7) S. 794--CTPAT Pilot Program of 2023. (Public Law 118-98). October 01, 2024. This act requires the Department of Homeland Security to carry out a pilot program that assesses whether allowing certain entities to participate   more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 119-2) on its legislative and oversight activities during the 118th Congress. The report was advanced by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, on March 12, 2025. Here are excerpts: * * * I. HEARINGS AND MEETINGS A. First Session (2023) During the First Session of the 118th Congress, the Committee held 20 hearings. At those hearings, there were 115 witness appearances. Two hearings (April 26 and July 12) focused ex  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 119-2) on its legislative and oversight activities during the 118th Congress. The report was advanced by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, on March 12, 2025. * * * (Continued from Part 1 of 2) This is about more than just funding. VA's planned medical workforce reductions in FY 2025, coupled with its existing "zero growth" initiative, which seeks to keep the full-time equivalent employee (FTE) number flat between  more

WASHINGTON, May 1 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on April 30, 2025: * * * Senator Collins Questions MDI Lab President on NIH Cap on Indirect Research Costs Washington, D.C. - At an U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing today chaired by Senator Susan Collins, she questioned Dr. Hermann Haller, President of the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDI Lab), on how the proposed National Institut  more

WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release: * * * Thune, Smith Reintroduce Legislation to Expand and Strengthen Local Meat Processing Capabilities WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today reintroduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, legislation that would provide support to America's small meat and poultry processors to help strengthen and upgrade their operations. The bill would give small meat process  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, issued the following news release: * * * Young, Kelly Introduce Legislation to Make American Ships Again WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) re-introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. There are currently 80 U.S.-flagged vessel  more