WASHINGTON — Insurance premiums would soar for millions of Americans and 18 million more would be uninsured in just one year if Republicans scuttle much of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul without a replacement, Congress’ budget analysts said Tuesday. Spotlighting potential perils for Republicans, the report immediately became a flashing hazard light for this […]
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Angus King, Susan Collins split on repeal of Obamacare
Despite her push to delay efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins joined her Republican colleagues early Thursday to adopt a budget plan that would end the program and remove the threat of a filibuster by opponents of the move. Maine’s junior senator, independent Angus King, said the Senate “made a […]
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Sen. Angus King again credits insurance with saving his life
As a 29-year-old Senate aide, King beat a dangerous form of skin cancer — malignant melanoma — that was discovered during a routine checkup he may never had found had he lacked insurance. That experience left him with an abiding belief in the importance of health insurance, a commitment that has made him a staunch […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Sen. Susan Collins seeks to delay Obamacare’s repeal
Maine’s senior senator joined four Republican colleagues late Monday to hit the brakes on a bid to quickly repeal the Affordable Care Act. In her amendment to the budget reconciliation measure that includes a provision to repeal Obamacare, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins seeks to extend the bill’s timeline to allow GOP leaders to develop an […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Intelligence chiefs testify before Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Coverage of the accusations that Russia meddled in America’s presidential election to help Donald Trump win. This report will be updated. (all times local): Updated 11:35 a.m.: The Director of National Intelligence says attempts to deter foreign hackers don’t work, despite President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for a buildup of defensive cyber capabilities. […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. House re-elects Rep. Paul Ryan as Speaker of the house
Ryan promises to be bold in a time of change Updated 2:30 p.m.: House Speaker Paul Ryan says his message to the American people is that “we hear you, we will do right by you and we will deliver.” Ryan was speaking in the House chamber after winning election Tuesday to serve his first full […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Bruce Poliquin opposes GOP plan to restrict ethics office
Update: U.S. House Republicans drop plan to weaken its ethics office U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, Maine’s only House Republican, is opposing his party’s surprise vote Monday night to gut an independent ethics office. In a closed-door vote, Republicans endorsed moving the independent Office of Congressional Ethics — established in 2008 amid concerns that lawmakers on an […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Republicans primed for push to dismantle Obama’s policies
WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of the 115th Congress will be sworn in at noon Tuesday, setting off an aggressive campaign by Republicans who control the House and Senate to dismantle eight years of President Barack Obama’s Democratic policies. The first and biggest target is Obama’s health care law, which Republicans have long sought to gut […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Chellie Pingree leading push for more hops research to aid brewers
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree is helping lead a group of lawmakers in support of hops research. Hops are flowers of the hop plant, and they’re used to impart flavor and aroma to beer. More than 100 lawmakers are calling for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase its commitment to research of […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Sen. Angus King: Russian hacking ‘an attack on democracy’
BRUNSWICK — As a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Maine’s junior senator knows a lot he can’t talk about. But what U.S. Sen Angus King, I-Maine, could say Tuesday is that “the Russians were involved” in hacking Democratic Party computers and that they intended to influence the presidential election. “This is […]