Minority News Releases

05.11.23

Senator Collins Underscores Critical Need to Support Ukraine, Calls for Accelerated Delivery of Abrams Tanks

  Washington, D.C. — At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Defense, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, called on the Administration to provide Ukraine with swift support.  In addition, Senator Collins questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the delivery of 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.   During her opening remarks, Senator Collins said:   One final point on Ukraine, about which… Continue Reading


05.11.23

Senator Collins Calls for Continued Support from FBI, DEA to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Maine

  Washington, D.C. — At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, urged FBI Director Christopher Wray and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram to provide support for the Southern Maine Gang Task Force and the New England Prescription Opioid Task Force.   Senator Collins said:   Last month, employe… Continue Reading


05.09.23

Senator Collins Calls for Increased Funding for Alzheimer’s Research & Broader Access to Alzheimer’s Therapies

  Washington, D.C. — At a hearing to review the fiscal year budget request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, called for increased funding for Alzheimer’s research.  In addition, Senator Collins questioned the Director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), Dr. Richard Hodes, on the devastating effect the Centers for Medicaid Services’ (CMS) refusal to provide coverage for FDA-app… Continue Reading


04.28.23

Senator Collins Questions USAID Administrator about Preventing Maternal and Child Deaths

Washington, D.C. - At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned the Administrator of USAID, Samantha Power, on the effectiveness of the Reach Every Mother and Child Act, bipartisan legislation she introduced last Congress, that would strengthen the United States’ efforts to end preventable deaths of mothers, newborns, and young children in the developing world by 2030. Specifically, Senator Collins emphasized the critical reforms needed to increase the success and impact of USAID's maternal and child survival programs.

Continue Reading


04.28.23

Senator Collins Questions Veterans Affairs Secretary on Need to Support Veterans’ Homes Without Delay

Washington, D.C. - At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned Secretary Denis McDonough on the importance of Veteran Affairs (VA) partnering with rural communities and supporting their veterans’ homes. Senator Collins also questioned Secretary McDonough on the delays in VA rulemaking, highlighting her legislation, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act.  Despite it being signed into law December 2020, the VA is still in the rulemaking process two years after the bill’s enactment.

Continue Reading


04.20.23

Senator Collins Questions Secretary of the Air Force on Alarming Leak of Classified Document

Washington, D.C.— At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and the Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, questioned the Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall about the alarming leak of classified documents by a junior member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.  The disclosures allegedly contained highly sensitive national security information, which has been widely reported in the press.

Continue Reading


03.31.23

Senator Collins Strongly Criticizes DHS’ Decision to Reallocate Funding for Houlton Border Station

Washington, D.C.—At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, expressed to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas her opposition to DHS’ decision to reallocate funds that were intended to replace the Houlton Border Patrol station. 

Continue Reading


03.29.23

Senator Collins Questions USDA’s Strict Nutrition Standards for School Meals

As one Maine school nutrition director told Senator Collins, ‘an uneaten meal is not nutritious’ Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ Q&A with Secretary Vilsack on school nutrition; Click HERE to download. Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack about a proposed rule that would impose strict new nutrition standards for meals served through the school lunch and brea… Continue Reading


03.29.23

Senator Collins to DHS Secretary: Achieve ‘Win-Win Situation’ by Helping Asylum Seekers Work Sooner

Washington, D.C.—At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, touted legislation she introduced with Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, which would shorten the waiting period before asylum seekers become eligible to receive work authorizations. 

Continue Reading


03.29.23

Senator Collins Continues to Press USDA for PFAS Research to Assist Farmers

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, once again raised the issue of PFAS with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, encouraging him to continue to focus on additional research to assist farmers who have been harmed by these forever chemicals.  Secretary Vilsack was testifying at an Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request for the USDA.

Continue Reading


03.28.23

Senator Collins Questions Administration’s Request to Hire Just 4 New Drug Enforcement Agents Amid Opioid Crisis

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland at a hearing to review the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) budget request for fiscal year 2024.

Continue Reading


03.28.23

Senator Collins Underscores Importance of Larger Naval Fleet to Deter China

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, questioned top Navy and Marine leaders about their shipbuilding plans for the next fiscal year.  Under the Administration’s proposal, the size of the Navy would actually shrink to 291 ships over the next five years.  By contrast, China’s fleet is projected to grow to 440 ships by 2030.

Continue Reading


03.23.23

Senator Collins Questions Secretary Yellen about Treasury’s Actions on Banking Crisis

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, asked Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen to justify why the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, and FDIC chose to insure all the deposits at Silicon Valley Bank.  Senator Collins noted that this creates an unfair situation for well-managed community banks, which will be forced to shoulder the cost of this action. 


Continue Reading


03.23.23

Senator Collins Opposes USDOT’s Attempts to Undermine Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Washington, D.C.—At a hearing today to review the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) fiscal year 2024 budget request, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, pressed Secretary Pete Buttigieg to explain why USDOT has proposed to eliminate funding for RAISE grants and the Bridge Formula Program.  RAISE grants provide federal assistance for vital transportation projects across the country, while the Bridge Formula Program is essential for bridge rehabilitation and replacement, with funding prioritized for bridges in poor condition.  

Continue Reading


03.23.23

Senator Collins to Administration: Build Public Support for Ukraine by Making U.S. National Security Case

Washington, D.C.—At a hearing to review the Department of State’s fiscal year 2024 budget request, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, pressed Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Biden Administration to make a much more forceful argument for supporting Ukraine in order to reverse declining public support.  Senator Collins explained that in addition to protecting Ukraine from the horrific human rights violations committed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, providing humanitarian and military assistance is firmly in the United States’ national security interest and will dissuade other potential aggressors, such as China, from attacking their neighbors.  Last May, Senator Collins traveled to Kyiv and met with President Zelensky for two hours.  

Continue Reading


03.23.23

Senator Collins Blasts CMS’ Refusal to Cover FDA-Approved Alzheimer’s Treatment, Calls on HHS Secretary Becerra to Change Course

Washington, D.C.—In a continuation of her efforts to expand Alzheimer’s patients’ access to treatments, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, urged U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reconsider its unfair coverage decision that is blocking a FDA-approved drug for Alzheimer’s patients.  Secretary Becerra was testifying today at a Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to justify HHS’ fiscal year 2024 budget request.

Continue Reading


03.22.23

Senator Collins Urges Secretary Blinken to Prioritize Reducing Flood of Fentanyl That is Killing Americans

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the limited funding increase requested by the State Department for a program intended to disrupt the deluge of deadly fentanyl coming into the United States.   Overdose fatalities have surged in recent years, claiming the lives of more than 100,000 Americans annually.

Continue Reading


02.15.23

Senator Collins Named Top Republican on Defense Appropriations Subcommittee

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins was named the Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees and sets the annual budget for the Department of Defense.  Senator Collins will serve in this new leadership role on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee in addition to serving as the Vice Chairman of the full Appropriations Committee. “As the Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will work hard to ensure that the highly skil… Continue Reading


02.15.23

Murray, Collins Announce Appropriations Subcommittees Leadership and Rosters for 118th Congress

(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, announced the Appropriations Subcommittees chairs, ranking members, and full rosters for the 118th Congress. “There are so many critical challenges our country faces right now, and we are glad to have this capable and committed group of Senators to lead our subcommittees this Congress and work to solve problems in people’s lives th… Continue Reading


12.22.22

Shelby: Senate Passes FY23 Omnibus Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the final act of the 117th Congress, the Senate has passed (68-29) the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) omnibus appropriations package containing all 12 appropriations measures, as well as $47 billion in emergency funding to support Ukraine's valiant efforts to repulse Russian invaders and bring the conflict to an end and $38 billion in much-needed emergency disaster assistance. The legislation, filed in the Senate, will now move to the House, where a vote on the package is expecte… Continue Reading

Showing page   of 32