Minority News Releases
Senator Collins’ Statement on Nomination of CQ Brown to Serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released this statement following the announcement that United States Air Force General Charles Q. "CQ" Brown has been nominated by President Biden as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: “As the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, I have valued General Brown̵… Continue Reading
05.17.23
Senator Collins Stresses Need to Arm Taiwan for Self-Defense, Replenish U.S. Military Stockpiles to Deter China
Washington, D.C. – At a full Appropriations Committee hearing to review the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request related to U.S.-China policy, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Committee, questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on U.S. military stockpiles affected by obligations of legislation to provide Taiwan with means to defend itself. Secretary Austin confirmed press reports that the Administration will be exercising authority to provide addition… Continue Reading
05.17.23
Murray and Collins Plan to Begin Bipartisan Senate Appropriations Markups in June
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, announced their plans to hold markups of bipartisan funding bills in June. “As yesterday’s hearing made clear, passing bipartisan, on-time appropriations bills is critical if we want to stay ahead of competitors like the Chinese government,” said Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins. “Ther… Continue Reading
05.16.23
Senator Collins: The Fentanyl Crisis ‘Begins and Ends in China’
Washington, D.C. — At a full Appropriations Committee hearing to review the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request related to U.S.-China policy, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Committee, stressed the need to curtail China’s involvement in the fentanyl crisis in America. In her opening remarks, Senator Collins said: As one Department of Homeland Security official recently testified, the fentanyl crisis ‘begins and ends… Continue Reading
05.15.23
Senator Collins Calls for Increased Funding to Cover Military Fuel Shortfalls
Washington, D.C. — At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Defense, U.S. Senator Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley on the Administration’s under-budgeted calculations for fuel costs to maintain military readiness. Senator Collins said: Let's assume that we do achieve our goal, of enacting the [Department of Defense] appropriations bill on time.… Continue Reading
05.12.23
Senator Collins Questions Secretary of Defense on Terrorism Threat From Afghanistan
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, questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on U.S. military equipment left behind in Afghanistan that fell into the hands of U.S. adversaries. Senator Collins said: Another threat to the United States is a terrorist attack. I think with our focus on China, Russia, Iran, and … Continue Reading
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 Reading04.28.23
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 Reading04.20.23
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 Reading03.31.23
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 Reading03.29.23
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 Reading03.29.23
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 Reading03.28.23
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 Reading03.28.23
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 Reading03.23.23
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.
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 Reading03.23.23
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.
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