House Passes Provision to Help Maine Emergency Management Agency

WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan provision pushed by Congressman Mike Michaud that will make an important change to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) hazard mitigation procedures. Under current law, states must submit hazard mitigation plans every 3 years in order to qualify for important FEMA grants that help communities rebuild critical infrastructure in the wake of natural disasters. Because of the importance of preventing a lapse in assistance, state agencies are forced to devote a significant portion of their limited resources to make sure that plans are approved before the deadline.

Michaud Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Maine’s Family Farms & Forest Owners

WASHINGTON, DC – This evening, Congressman Mike Michaud will join Diane Black (R-Tennessee) to introduce the Keep the Forest and Farm in the Family Act of 2012, which helps protect American farms, forests and ranches from the negative impacts of the estate tax. About 90% of Maine is covered in forestland, and 233,000 families own 5.7 million acres of the state’s forest. If families are forced to sell their forestland or harvest timber prematurely to pay the estate tax, Maine risks losing family-owned forests and the benefits they provide.

House Ensures Veterans Programs Won’t Expire

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the House of Representatives passed two veterans bills to ensure vital VA programs don’t expire at the end of the fiscal year and to protect veterans from fraud within VA. The VA Major Construction Authorization and Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2012 (H.R. 6375, as amended) and the Veterans Fiduciary Reform and Honoring Noble Service Act (H.R. 5948, as amended) passed by voice vote.

Millinocket Airport to Receive $540,000

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud praised the announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that the Town of Millinocket will receive a $540,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant for the final construction phase of the Millinocket Municipal Airport’s apron rehabilitation project.

Michaud Applauds Action to Support Over 2,000 Maine Jobs

Michaud Welcomes Cary Medical Center CEO to Veterans’ Affairs Hearing Today

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, welcomed Kris Doody, the CEO of Cary Medical Center in Caribou, who provided testimony at a hearing the subcommittee held on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) “Fee Basis Program,” which allows veterans to receive care through non-VA providers.

Michaud Joins New Balance to Fight for Maine Footwear Jobs

NORRIDGEWOCK, ME – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud joined with New Balance associates at their factory in Norridgewock to press U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk on the importance of preserving current footwear tariffs, which are threatened by the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a multination free trade agreement that is currently being negotiated. Michaud has been leading the fight in Congress to preserve current footwear tariffs and invited Kirk to Maine for today’s visit.

Michaud to Join U.S. Trade Rep. at New Balance Factory Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., Congressman Mike Michaud will join U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk for a tour of the New Balance factory on Depot Street in Norridgewock. After the tour, Michaud will join with New Balance associates to demonstrate to Kirk how critical current tariffs are to the preservation of U.S. jobs and specifically the ones at three New Balance facilities in Norway, Skowhegan, and Norridgewock. Kirk accepted Michaud’s invitation to visit Maine in July.

Michaud Statement on Libya Attack

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud issued the following statement in reaction to reports on the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya and the death of Christopher Stevens, U.S. ambassador to Libya, and other Americans: “I’m shocked by this attack on our consulate in Libya and saddened by the death of Ambassador Stevens and the other Americans killed in this heinous act. My heart goes out to their families and my prayers are with them.

Michaud Statement on 9/11 Anniversary

Today, we give thanks to all the first responders, servicemembers, veterans and everyday Americans who acted so heroically and selflessly on behalf of their fellow citizens. We remember not only what they did, but how they moved all of us, brought us together, and continue to impact our nation.