Senate's Duty to Consider Supreme Court Nominee

I strongly believe the Senate has a Constitutional obligation to consider nominations to the Supreme Court, and I take that responsibility very seriously.

Judge Merrick Garland and I had a very thoughtful and productive discussion that helped me better understand his judicial philosophy and his temperament, and that just simply helped me get to know him better as a person. We discussed a wide variety of issues, including regulatory overreach, executive authority, the Second Amendment, the politicization of the Supreme Court, and the importance of consensus-building.

I was impressed by Judge Garland's answers, the depth and breadth of his knowledge, his measured demeanor, and his respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and precedent. He is very clearly an exceedingly intelligent, experienced, and well-informed man. And I found him to be what I call a 'small c conservative', meaning that he doesn't consider his rile to be one of an activist, and that was reassuring.

The meeting also reaffirmed my strong belief that his nomination should receive full, fair and open consideration from the Senate. Judge Garland has met with several senators, and it occurred to me what's really going on here is a slow-motion hearing without the public's ability to participate and observe, which I think is too bad. I think what we ought to be doing is letting the public see Judge Garland, hear him answer questions, get an idea of his judicial philosophy, who he is, what his temperament and personality are, and that's why I think a hearing would be so profitable.

At the end of it all, Judge Garland and I also discussed history, the founding of this country, and what an extraordinary moment in time it was when our forefathers came together to create an amazing concept of government that has persisted to this day. When I was a kid, we referred to it as the 'American experiment' and to this very day it's still an experiment. In the sweep of history, what we possess in America is unlike anything else -- but it's not self-executing. Democracy is not self-executing. It takes thoughtful, serious, capable, and responsible people with the temperament of quiet leadership to move this country forward. I hope we can summon that leadership to do the right thing for the American people and for the country and move this nomination forward. Learn more about my thoughts on Judge Garland and the Supreme Court vacancy HERE.

Recently, I also hosted former Maine Senator George Mitchell on my monthly podcast to discuss the Supreme Court nomination process. Senator Mitchell knows how this process can and should work -- having considered 9 Supreme Court Justices during his time in the Senate -- and he provides invaluable insight on this issue. You can listen to my conversation with Senator Mitchell HERE.

Report from Maine

At the end of March, I met with local leaders and toured several businesses in the Katahdin region to discuss economic development opportunities in the area. Here's a picture on the road in Millinocket with Katahdin in the distance. What a remarkable landscape -- a powerful symbol of the strength and resilience of Maine people. Read more about my Katahdin region economic tour HERE.

I joined representatives from Maine conservation and recreation groups for a forum at the Lakes Environmental Associate Science Center in Bridgton to highlight the impact of climate change on ice fishing and other winter recreation in Maine. In the face of increasingly unpredictable seasons and fluctuating weather patterns, it's clear that we have to work collaboratively -- not only to protect our time-honored outdoor traditions, but to safeguard our local economies as well. Read more HERE.

Scenes from Washington 

I surveyed our nation's emergency command and control operations -- which included a trip up in that big plane you see behind me, known as the National Airborne Operations Center. Our host for the day was Major General Tom Bussiere who is Deputy Director of Nuclear Homeland Defense, and Current Operations on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. Major General Bussiere was born in Vermont (not his fault!) but his family is from the Lewiston-Auburn area. So many people from Maine -- and people with Maine ties -- continue to play valuable roles in the defense of our country.

It was a great experience to have retired Major General Earl Adams here in Washington as my guest for the State of the Union Address. As head of the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management, Earl was one of my closest advisors as Governor and remains one of my closest friends today. It was an honor to have him here representing Maine Veterans. You can read my response to the State of the Union HERE. Learn more about Earl's long and storied service to our state HERE.

National Security Update

During a security tour in Europe, I joined NPR Morning Edition by satellite phone at 35,000 feet to discuss the Brussels attacks and national security.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, keeping the people of Maine and America safe remains my top priority. In March, I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues on the Intelligence Committee to visit Poland, Ukraine, France and Germany. While in Europe, we met with European and U.S. security and counter-terrorism officials to discuss our national security interests and how to best mitigate threats to our global society. It was an enlightening but sobering experience -- especially with the tragic events in Brussels.

At home in Maine, coordination and communication between local and federal law enforcement officials are also critical to keeping our communities safe. That's why in February I hosted two roundtables --  one in Portland and one in Bangor -- to discuss how we can all work together to combat terrorism on American soil. Read more HERE.

Combatting the Heroin and Opioid Crisis

At a roundtable discussion at the Paris Town Hall, I spoke with family members, local law enforcement, and health care providers about how we can work together to curb this crisis that impacts both rural and urban areas in Maine and across the country. 

Opioid Policy Update:

• In March, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. While this bill is not perfect, it's a significant step in the right direction as we work to tackle the relentless scourge of drug addiction across the country and across Maine. Read more HERE.
• In early February, President Obama announced that his forthcoming Fiscal Year 2017 Budget will include $1 billion in new mandatory funding over two years to expand access to treatment for prescription drug abuse and heroin use.
• I wrote a letter to CVS Health urging them to make the opioid overdose reversal medicine Naloxone available without a prescription at CVS Pharmacy locations in Maine.
• During meetings at the Hope House in Bangor and the Milestone Foundation in Portland, I discussed my proposed legislation to update an outdated limit on the number of beds at many drug treatment and recovery facilities. Read more about the Medicaid CARE Act HERE.
• Maine has been awarded $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help advance interventions for preventing prescription drug overdoses. This significant investment will help address this crisis by improving the state's ability to monitor inappropriate prescribing patterns and supporting overdose prevention efforts. Read more HERE.

Policy Update 

• I joined with Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to introduce legislation that would make it easier for small farms and ranches to provide locally sourced meats to consumers. By providing states with the option to regulate the processing and local sale of meats, the PRIME Act will restore a measure of common sense to the process, support Maine's farmers, and bolster the local foods movement, all the while protecting consumer safety. 
• In March, Senator Collins and I introduced legislation that would extend the Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) program for an additional 5 years. Our nation's veterans deserve easy and convenient access to high-quality health care and I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Collins to see that Maine's veterans receive the best care in a timely manner.
• I joined Senator Collins to cosponsor legislation to establish an independent National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges. The digital security commission will bring together all stakeholders, including tech leaders, law enforcement, the intelligence community, privacy and civil liberties advocates, computer science researchers, and global commerce leaders, who will be charged with developing recommendations for maintaining privacy and digital security while also finding ways to keep criminals and terrorists from exploiting these technologies to escape justice.
• I am pleased the Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously passed the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act with provisions I authored. This unanimous vote of approval from the Agriculture Committee will help provide healthy food for our students and flexibility for our schools.
• Together with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), I led a bipartisan letter calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update broadband speed definitions for the Community Connect Grant Program, which provides much-needed support for enhancing broadband in rural America.   

Good News from Around Maine

• The Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development and Coastal Enterprises Inc. have been awarded federal funding to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation in rural Maine. From Kittery to Madawaska, our state is filled with incredible people who have forward-thinking ideas, and with federal support like this, we're able to bring those ideas to life and cultivate a bright economic future for Maine. More from Mainebiz HERE.
• In January, Blue Ox Malthouse officially opened it's 7,500 square foot facility in Lisbon Falls. The new facility nearly doubles Maine and New England craft brewers' access to locally sourced and produced malts. More from Mainebiz HERE.
• The Navy has announced that it will lease a surplus Navy vessel to serve as the Portland to Nova Scotia ferry. The ferry service between Maine and Nova Scotia is a powerful economic force, driving commerce, bolstering our tourism industry, and supporting jobs in our state. It was a pleasure working with Representative Pingree to facilitate an expedited agreement between the Navy and Bay Ferries Limited. More from the Portland Press Herald HERE.
• Good news for the Midcoast region as SaviLinx has announced it will be adding 200 new jobs at the company's Brunswick Landing headquarters. SaviLinx -- a contact center specializing in technical support services and business processing for other companies -- is an important part of the redevelopment effort at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. More from The Forecaster HERE.

Constituent Services Update

Academy Nominations:

Are you a junior in high school? Our service academy nomination application cycle for the Class of 2021 opens on May 15th! Since 1802, many of America's finest students have sought to enroll as cadets or midshipmen at the nation's prestigious United States service academies. To apply to attend the Naval, Military, Air Force or Merchant Marine Academies, students must receive a nomination from one of their Members of Congress. For more information, please contact my Director of Service Academy Nominations Katie Fellows at (207) 883-1588. To learn more about the military academy option, you might also consider attending our Spring Service Academy Night at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor on the evening of April 13th. Information on this event and our Academy Nominations program can be found on our website HERE.

In the News

Portland Press Herald: Angus King says Senate Intelligence Committee being briefed on attacks

WCSH: Sen. King wants to close "homework gap"

NPR: Congress Should Decide Encryption Issue, Sen. Angus Kin Says

Bangor Daily News: Angus King lauds new defense budget as boon for Maine 

Please visit http://www.king.senate.gov for more information. Our toll free number in Maine is 1-800-432-1599.