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Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Maine Newsletter for 2026-05-19 ( 15 items )  
GSA Administrator Forst Testifies Before Senate Appropriations Subcommittee (10)
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government released the following written testimony by Edward C. Forst, administrator of the General Services Administration, from a May 13, 2026, hearing on the fiscal 2027 budget request: * * * Good afternoon, Chairman Hagerty, Ranking Member Reed, and members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Edward C. Forst, and I serve as the Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). more PR

Heinrich, Lujan Demand Answers on How USDA's Restructuring Will Affect New Mexico Farmers, Ranchers, & Rural Communities (10)
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich, Lujan Demand Answers on How USDA's Restructuring Will Affect New Mexico Farmers, Ranchers, & Rural Communities * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden raising concerns and demanding answers on how the restructuring of USDA's Research,  more PR

Heinrich, Lujan Join Entire Senate Democratic Caucus in Backing Resolution Affirming Abortion Pill as Safe, Effective (10)
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Heinrich, Lujan Join Entire Senate Democratic Caucus in Backing Resolution Affirming Abortion Pill as Safe, Effective * FDA approved mifepristone for use over two decades ago "Law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable, transparent, and based on the best available peer- reviewed evidence-based science." Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M. more PR

ICYMI: Moore, Sanders, Omar, McGovern Lead More Than 100 Colleagues in Helping End Child Hunger Through Universal School Meals (10)
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin, issued the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Moore, Sanders, Omar, McGovern Lead More Than 100 Colleagues in Helping End Child Hunger Through Universal School Meals * Rep. Gwen Moore, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. McGovern introduced legislation to end child hunger in the United States. The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 would offer free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack to every student in America -regardless of income -and eliminate school meal  more PR

ICYMI: Republicans "Underwater in All Seven [Senate] Battleground States" as Cratering Approval Ratings Signal Rejection of Toxic GOP Agenda (10)
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release on May 18, 2026: * * * ICYMI: Republicans "Underwater in all Seven [Senate] Battleground States" as Cratering Approval Ratings Signal Rejection of Toxic GOP Agenda In case you missed it, Republicans are on "rocky political footing heading into the midterm elections" as new polls show cratering approval ratings for the GOP and a majority of voters reporting that they "held deeply pessimistic views about the economy." Republicans are facing "p more PR

Long Island farm leverages Cornell research to adapt, expand (10)
ITHACA, New York, May 18 -- Cornell University posted the following news: * * * Long Island farm leverages Cornell research to adapt, expand * In 1985, Ed Harbes III grew a bumper crop of potatoes. The problem was, so did other farmers. Potato prices plummeted. It cost Harbes about $4 to grow 100 pounds of potatoes; the market paid just $2. He worked 100-hour weeks during the growing season and trucked potatoes from Long Island to Maine in the offseason. "We knew then that we had to find an alternative," said Harbes, a 12th-generation f more PR

Nearly 1,400 Students Graduate From University of New England at 191st Commencement (10)
BIDDEFORD, Maine, May 19 -- The University of New England issued the following news: * * * Nearly 1,400 students graduate from University of New England at 191st Commencement Speakers challenged graduates to forge lasting professional networks as they enter an evolving job market Story by Alan Bennett The University of New England celebrated its 191st Commencement on Saturday, May 16, awarding degrees to nearly 1,400 graduates during a ceremony at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Graduates received bachelor's, master's, and doctora more PR

Rebekah Williams urges graduates to "bring your gifts to the movement," at 154th Commencement (10)
BUFFALO, New York, May 18 -- Buffalo State University issued the following news release: * * * Rebekah Williams urges graduates to "bring your gifts to the movement," at 154th Commencement * Rebekah A. Williams, a community activist, strategic planner, facilitator, and co-founding director of Food for the Spirit, delivered a powerful speech to the graduating class of 2026 during the Graduate School's evening Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16. Williams addressed a full crowd in the Sports Arena for Buffalo State's 154th annual Comm more PR

Seeking to Help More Americans Lower Their Energy Bills, Bipartisan U.S. Senators Urge Trump Admin. to Release Weatherization Aid (10)
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * Seeking to Help More Americans Lower Their Energy Bills, Bipartisan U.S. Senators Urge Trump Admin. to Release Weatherization Aid * WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help residents save on their utility bills and make more homes energy efficient, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are teaming up with seventeen of their colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to release nearly $360 million for the Weatherization Assistance more PR

Senate Majority PAC Commits $10 Million to Defend New Hampshire Senate Seat (10)
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Senate Majority PAC, an organizations that works to elect Democratic senators who are committed to an economy that provides opportunity and security for America's working families and who stand up to protect the rights of all Americans, issued the following news release on May 18, 2026: * * * Senate Majority PAC Commits $10 Million to Defend New Hampshire Senate Seat Today, Senate Majority PAC announced an initial $10.2 million television reservation in New Hampshire to support Chris Pappas against the eventual Republic more PR

Senate Majority PAC Commits $20 Million to Defend Georgia Senate Seat (10)
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Senate Majority PAC, an organizations that works to elect Democratic senators who are committed to an economy that provides opportunity and security for America's working families and who stand up to protect the rights of all Americans, issued the following news release on May 18, 2026: * * * Senate Majority PAC Commits $20 Million to Defend Georgia Senate Seat Today, Senate Majority PAC announced an initial $20 million television reservation in Georgia to support Jon Ossoff against his eventual Republican opponent. Th more PR

Senate Republicans Confirm 13 U.S. Attorneys, 8 U.S. Marshals (10)
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on May 18, 2026: * * * Senate Republicans Confirm 13 U.S. Attorneys, 8 U.S. Marshals Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) applauded the Senate's confirmation of 13 U.S. Attorneys and eight U.S. Marshals. The nominees were confirmed as part of a nominations package of 49 executive nominees, by a vote of 46-43. Under Grassley's leadership in the 119th Congress, the Senate Judiciary Commit more PR

UK Armed Forces salute 250 years of American independence with US celebrations (10)
LONDON, England, May 18 -- The British Ministry of Defence issued the following news: * * * UK Armed Forces salute 250 years of American independence with US celebrations * * The Red Arrows will tour the United States this summer to support the UK's closest ally as it celebrates 250 years of independence * The iconic team will appear at 13 events across seven states this summer * Royal Navy ships will attend celebrations in New Orleans and New York The UK Armed Forces will visit the United States to mark 250 years of American indep more PR

UMFK's 144th Commencement Ceremony Held on May 9 (10)
FORT KENT, Maine, May 19 -- The University of Maine Fort Kent Campus issued the following news: * * * UMFK's 144th Commencement Ceremony Held on May 9 The University of Maine at Fort Kent held its 144th commencement exercises May 9 at the UMFK Sports Center. UMFK President Deb Hedeen presided over the ceremony. Students from 9 countries and 14 states were awarded 196 degrees this spring, including post-master's graduate certificates, Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science, Associate of Arts, and Associate of S more PR

Warren, King, Wyden Push Government Watchdog to Launch Probe Into Ineffective "Free File" Tax Program (10)
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Warren, King, Wyden Push Government Watchdog to Launch Probe Into Ineffective "Free File" Tax Program "Free File cannot efficiently, effectively, and securely serve the taxpayers who are statutorily entitled to free tax filing services." * U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Angus King (I-Maine), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, asked the Government Acc more PR