Late last night, I spoke on the Senate floor during a debate on the Affordable Care Act to share my story about how health insurance saved my life as a young Senate staffer forty-three years ago. It has always stayed with me that somewhere in America that week, that month, that year, there was a young man or a young woman who had a mole on their arm or their back or their neck, couldn't do anything about it, didn't really think about it, didn't do anything about it until it was too late, and they are gone. And I am here. I don't know why I was saved. Maybe I was saved in order to be here to lend my voice to this conversation. Watch my remarks HERE: http://bit.ly/2iYvVjj

Today, I joined with Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) to renew our push to protect critical U.S. energy infrastructure from potentially catastrophic cyber-attacks by reintroducing the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act. More than a year has passed since we saw Ukraine plunged into darkness as a result of a cyber-attack that cut electricity to hundreds of thousands of people. Meanwhile, here in the United States, we have been too slow to take meaningful action to protect ourselves from similar attacks. It’s vital that we act now to bolster the grid’s cyber defenses or we risk a potentially disastrous attack. This bill has broad, bipartisan support, and I hope we can advance it quickly in the new Congress: http://bit.ly/2j2ajox

I joined Andrea Mitchell yesterday to discuss the declassified report on Russia’s hacking during the presidential election. In Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, the Russians have continually worked to undermine democracies and exert influence on domestic politics – we must not let this happen in the United States. This isn’t about delegitimizing the election, but rather about how it happened and how to prevent it in the future.

I joined CNN New Day this morning to discuss our country’s cyber-security, border security and the Affordable Care Act. Watch HERE: http://bit.ly/2iM5OMt

The people of Maine and America deserve to know the facts, which is why the public hearing on Russia’s role in the U.S. election in the Senate Armed Services Committee today was so important. This cannot become a means to relitigate the election – but it is critical we listen and learn from intelligence professionals to inform the American people and develop a strategy of deterrence to protect our country’s sovereignty. Watch my remarks from today HERE: http://bit.ly/2igzvEE

It was an honor to receive the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award from Admiral Faller today in my office. I am humbled by this recognition and hope it reflects the long hours I have put in on the Armed Services Committee working on the behalf of the Navy and Maine. May we all renew our commitment to the brave men and women serving in our military and work to support them as they have supported us.

Proud to join with U.S. Senator Susan Collins to nominate an impressive group of Maine students to our nation’s distinguished service academies. The young people we have nominated have earned this honor through a commitment to strong scholarship, leadership, and character: http://bit.ly/2j9elfJ

From my family to yours, I wish you all the best in 2017. Happy New Year!

No matter what holiday tradition you follow – and for my family it’s both Christmas and Hanukkah – this is the season for joy, celebration, and reflection. It’s a time to come together with family and friends to show each other that we care, rejoice in another year together, and take stock of all we hold dear. So to everyone in Maine – and to Mainers in exile across the country and around the world – may you be surrounded by those you care about most, may you give more then you get, and may you have your best holiday season ever. Happy holidays from my family to yours!

Pleased to join with U.S. Senator Susan Collins to announce that the Navy has awarded Cianbro a $27 million contract for construction and dock repairs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The work done at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has a direct impact on our national security, and this contract for Cianbro will help make sure that the shipyard is well-equipped to continue in its important mission: http://bit.ly/2hk51Fk

#tbt to last Friday in Caribou for the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corporation annual holiday dinner! NMVCC has done incredible work to honor Aroostook County veterans and it was wonderful being with them to celebrate the holiday season. I remember helping establish the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery as Governor, and it’s wonderful to see all that NMVCC has accomplished for our vets in the years since then. It may be cold outside in the County, but being surrounded by such good company provides all the warmth you need!

Great news for our state – the USDA has awarded $6 million to the Nature Conservancy to reduce flooding on forest roads and support fish habitat in northern and eastern Maine. This project represents the very best of Maine – environmental stewardship combined with economic growth and driven by innovative collaboration – all of which once again shows that, in Maine, preserving our environment and building our economy go hand-in-hand. More from the Portland Press Herald: http://bit.ly/2hdPAN0

Serenity House in Portland is doing important work to help Maine people struggling with substance abuse and addiction. With the opioid and heroin epidemic tearing apart families and devastating communities across our state, it is critical we have comprehensive treatment options – because when someone needs help, the worst thing we can do is tell them there is none.

A kind letter from Sheldon Ellis in The Star-Herald thanking Sharon and Barb in my Presque Isle office for their constituent service work. I am so fortunate to have a great team supporting me both in Maine and down in Washington. If you need assistance with a federal issue, please don’t hesitate to contact me on my website or call one of my offices. We are here to serve on your behalf! https://www.king.senate.gov/contact‎