Senate Passes Appropriations Bills with Significant Wins for Maine
For the first time since 2018, Senate passes appropriations legislation before August recess
Click HERE to watch and HERE to download Senator Collins’ floor remarks ahead of the vote.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, advanced significant funding and legislative language for Maine in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations legislation that passed the Senate today. Senate passage is an important step in the appropriations process, and the bills can now be conferenced with the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) and Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies bills passed the Senate by a vote of 87-9. The Legislative Branch bill also passed the Senate by a vote of 81-15. These three bills were approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee last month with overwhelming bipartisan support.
“Today’s legislative action marks the first time since 2018 that the Senate has passed appropriations bills before the start of August recess. The MilCon-VA bill would provide significant support for Maine’s shipbuilding workforce and National Guard. By assisting farmers and investing in critical agricultural research and nutrition programs, the Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA bill would support rural communities throughout the state,” said Senator Collins. “As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I am delighted with today's accomplishment and will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
MilCon-VA Bill Highlights:
Local Projects: $9 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects that support the Maine National Guard and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Power Reliability & Water Resiliency Upgrades: Nearly $228 million for the first increment of Power Reliability & Water Resilience Upgrades at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The project would increase reliability, resiliency, and capacity of electric and water utility systems that support nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear support facilities.
Multi-Mission Drydock #1: Nearly $221 million for the sixth increment of the Multi-Mission Drydock #1 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP): Report language on the SIOP emphasizing its importance and urging the Navy to prioritize the timely funding of public shipyard infrastructure.
GI Bill Apprenticeship Program: Report language driving attention on the underutilization of apprenticeship and on-the-job training under the GI Bill.
Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Bill Highlights:
Local Projects: More than $25 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine.
PFAS Research: $10 million, an increase of $3 million above the FY 2025 enacted level, for the Center of Excellence for PFAS solutions throughout Agricultural and Food Systems in conjunction with the University of Maine.
Potato Research: Maintains full funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s potato research programs.
Potatoes in School Breakfast: Maintains provision that allows school food authorities to provide potatoes through the School Breakfast Program.
Farm Loss: Includes language directing the Farm Services Agency to provide a report to the Committee on what factors are leading to agricultural production and farm loss in New England, and to include historical and projected data on acreage and crop types.
Neurology Drug Program: $5 million for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Neurology Drug Program to support the development of policies and guidance to keep pace with emerging brain science.
Nutrition: Fully funds nutrition assistance programs that support low-income women, children, and seniors.
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