Weekly Columns

January 15, 2010

“Hearing Will Examine Ways To Strengthen Nation’s Security”

On Christmas night at my parents’ home in Caribou, I glanced at my Blackberry and found missed telephone calls from the Department of Homeland Security and urgent messages...

January 08, 2010

“Bipartisan Commission To Tackle America’s Deficit”

As difficult as it is, we must face a harsh reality: America’s out-of-control debt is becoming a grave threat to our nation’s future prosperity. The United States has...

November 06, 2009

“Defense Bill Benefits America’s Military And Maine’s Economy”

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have always worked to support our troops and their...

October 23, 2009

“H1N1 Flu: Monitoring The Response”

There is no question that federal, state, and local public health officials need to take the H1N1 flu seriously. The virus spreads easily and quickly. Recently, Bates...

October 16, 2009

“A Windfall For Wind Energy Research And Jobs In Maine”

With some of the strongest and most consistent winds in the nation off our coast, Maine has great potential as an ideal location for deepwater offshore wind research. Our...

October 09, 2009

The Story Of Maine’s Troop Greeters

The story of the Maine Troop Greeters is that of hundreds of patriotic citizens who, for many years, have met every single flight carrying our military personnel across the...

October 02, 2009

“Open Czars: A Demand For Government Transparency, Accountability”

Imagine a scenario where an American company deliberately puts two senior managers in charge of the same critical business mission, with each reporting to different branches of the...

September 25, 2009

"Angels In Adoption"

Every child needs and deserves a safe and loving home, a family to provide support, stability, and hugs. But for hundreds of thousands of children in America, tragic circumstances...

September 11, 2009

“September 11th: A Nation Transformed”

Our nation today marks the eighth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on our country. Some of us acknowledge the solemn occasion by gathering with family...

September 04, 2009

“Middle East Visit Finds Progress In Iraq, Looming Problems In Afghanistan”

In Congress, lawmakers are privy to myriad reports, studies and analyses. Much time is spent immersed in hearings, witness testimony, high-level briefings and the never-ending...

August 28, 2009

“Border Matters: U.S. And Canada”

The United States and Canada have a long history of cooperation on matters ranging from defense and national security to environmental protection and trade. This relationship...

August 21, 2009

“Increase Agent Orange Awareness”

More than 8.7 million American men and women bravely served our nation during the Vietnam War. More than 58,000 gave their lives defending freedom, including 339 from Maine. Some...

August 14, 2009

“Hannibal Hamlin: The First Mainer To Serve As Vice President”

2009 is the bicentennial of the birth of one of America's greatest leaders, President Abraham Lincoln. It also marks the 200th birthday of the Mainer that President Lincoln chose...

August 07, 2009

“Maine Seniors Going For Gold”

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Joan Benoit Samuelson's gold winning run during the women's marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympics. While their performance won't garner the...

July 31, 2009

“A Pilot Project To Increase Maine’s Federal Highway Truck Weight Limits”

Increasing the federal highway truck weight limit on Maine's interstate highways has always been one of my top priorities in the Senate. But, to say that it has been...

July 24, 2009

“A Lesson In Democracy”

Recently, I welcomed to Washington four outstanding high-school students from Maine – our state’s delegates to Boys and Girls Nation. Robert Michaud of Limington,...

July 17, 2009

“Clearing The Air: Reducing Black Carbon Worldwide”

We call it “soot,” but it is officially known as “black carbon.” Soot is the fine, black residue that can be found inside our fireplaces and on the outside...

July 09, 2009

Vacation Close To Home

The economic downturn and rising gas prices have added a new word to our national vocabulary. “Staycation” combines the fun of the traditional summer vacation with the...

June 26, 2009

“Juvenile Diabetes: Striving For A Cure”

It was not a typical Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing. For one thing, more than 150 energetic children sat on the floor, many cross-legged, in...

June 19, 2009

“Regulating Tobacco To Promote Better Health”

Most people, smokers and non-smokers alike, know that tobacco products are harmful to their health. What many may be surprised to learn is that, in the past, no federal agency had...