President Donald Trump, flanked by Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, for his address to a joint session of Congress. WASHINGTON (AP) — Heralding a “new chapter of American greatness,” President Donald Trump stood before Congress for the first time […]
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Posted inLetters, sj-web
Opposing President Trump
The United States faces a test. We have always valued the system of three independent branches of government. We value the tradition of a free press and free speech enshrined in the First Amendment. For 241 years, the United States has survived many crises because the system has proved resilient and able to temper the […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Medicare needs permission to negotiate with drug companies, Sen. Angus King says
Calling it “a travesty on the taxpayers,” U.S. Sen. Angus King is pressing to secure congressional approval to let Medicare negotiate lower prescription drug prices. The proposal would allow the government health care program for seniors to seek volume discounts from pharmaceutical companies that provide drugs for Medicare Part D’s 41 million participants. Since the passage […]
Posted inMaine
Maine’s congressional delegation opposes repeal of coal rule
When Congress voted this week to wipe out a new federal regulation making it harder to dump coal-mining debris into nearby streams, all of Maine’s congressional representatives opposed the move. U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a Republican from Maine’s 2nd District, said the rule adopted during the last days of the Obama administration “should move forward […]
Posted inMaine
Sen. Susan Collins introduces Obamacare alternative
As the new Republican administration targets repeal of the Affordable Care Act, Maine’s senior senator took a major step Monday to offer a replacement plan. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins introduced The Patient Freedom Act of 2017 with her Republican colleague Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, modeled in part on a bill they pushed two years ago […]
Posted inLetters
Congress has failed the public
As a longtime proponent of complete overhaul of the national health care system, I feel that Congress (both Democrats and Republicans) has failed us. Sen. Susan Collins wants to extend the deadline to remove Obamacare and allow GOP leaders more time to develop alternatives. Sen. Angus King opposes the repeal, preferring to make it better […]
Posted inLetters
Boycotting the inauguration
I believe that any decision by a member of Congress to boycott the inauguration is a disgrace. One of the triumphs of the U.S. is a form of government was established that allows for the orderly, peaceful transfer of power on a regular basis. Part of the way the Constitution was written was to prevent […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Congressional analyst warns 18 million would lose insurance after ACA repeal
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 […]
Posted inMaine
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 […]