WASHINGTON — The sweeping farm bill that Congress sent to President Obama Tuesday has something for almost everyone, from the nation’s 47 million food stamp recipients to Southern peanut growers, Midwest corn farmers and the maple syrup industry in the Northeast. After years of setbacks, the Senate on Tuesday sent the nearly $100 billion-a-year measure […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Senate women score legislative wins as influence grows
WASHINGTON — After decades of trying to amass power, several woman have vaulted to the top of influential congressional committees, putting them in charge of some of the most consequential legislation being considered on Capitol Hill. The $1.1 trillion spending plan Congress approved this week was the handiwork of Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Barbara Mikulski, […]
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Collins doesn’t see extension of unemployment benefits coming
WASHINGTON — The Senate failed Tuesday to move forward a Democratic plan to restore emergency jobless benefits that expired Dec. 28 for 1.3 million Americans. A dispute over how to cover the cost of the benefits and how long they should continue — for three months or almost a year — stalled the measure since […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Federal appropriations bill could send submarine work to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
KITTERY — Maine and New Hampshire’s U.S. senators say that $11.5 million in construction funding and the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has been listed in a pending appropriations bill. Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and New Hampshire Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte say the provisions are […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
EMCC professor explores running for U.S. Senate as an independent
BANGOR — An adjunct ethics professor at Eastern Maine Community College is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Susan Collins, he announced during a sparsely attended Tuesday morning press conference at the Bangor Public Library. Mike Turcotte, 49, said he has set up an exploratory committee and launched a website, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Collins, King support bill to extend unemployment benefits
WASHINGTON — White House-backed legislation to renew benefits for the long-term unemployed unexpectedly cleared an initial Senate hurdle on Tuesday, but the bill’s fate remained in doubt in a politically charged election year. The vote came as the two parties made clear they intend to battle for the support of millions of voters who have […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
GOP candidate says his time in jail shows integrity
PORTLAND — Erick Bennett, a conservative Portland consultant who has launched a Republican primary campaign against incumbent U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, says his experience with the justice system — which he obtained when he was convicted of domestic violence assault 10 years ago — is driving him toward what he calls a “pro-family” agenda. Bennett […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Conservative Erick Bennett to challenge Collins in U.S. Senate primary
AUGUSTA — Republican Sen. Susan Collins won’t be unopposed on the primary ballot. The head of a group that opposed same-sex marriage in Maine says he will offer a conservative voice in the GOP primary. Erick Bennett, director of the Maine Equal Rights Center, said he was filing his paperwork Monday. Bennett accused Collins of […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Collins, King split on vote to restrict Senate filibusters
WASHINGTON — Maine’s U.S. Senators split on a Democratic effort to weaken filibusters and make it harder for Republicans to block confirmation of the president’s nominees for judges and other top posts. Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins voted against the restriction while the independent U.S. Sen. Angus King voted for it. It passed 52-48 — […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Senate Panel approves Yellen’s nomination as Fed chairwoman
WASHINGTON — Janet Yellen’s nomination to be chairman of the Federal Reserve was approved by the Senate Banking Committee Thursday with a vote of 14-8. Yellen was approved by 11 of the 12 Democrats on the banking committee, and three of the panel’s Republicans. Republican Sens. Mark Kirk of Illinois, Bob Corker of Tennessee and […]