Minority News Releases
Senate Committee Approves FY 2025 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, providing critical security assistance to allies, promoting democracy abroad, and continuing lifesaving humanitarian and global health assistance. The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 24-5, provides $61.6 billion in discretionary funding. “Recognizing America’s leadership in the world, this legislation invests in programs tha… Continue Reading
07.25.24
Senate Committee Approves FY 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act, providing support to improve America’s infrastructure and address housing affordability challenges. The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 28-1, provides $98.7 billion in discretionary funding, including $448 million in defense and $98.3 billion in nondefense funding. “It is critical that we prioriti… Continue Reading
07.25.24
Bill to Fund Key Transportation and Housing Programs in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House. The measure, which was advanced by vote of 28-1, provides $98.7 billion in discretionary funding… Continue Reading
07.25.24
Senate Committee Approves FY 2025 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act, providing support for law enforcement, economic development, scientific research, and other national priorities. The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 26-3, provides $73.7 billion in discretionary funding, including $6.6 billion in defense funding and $67.1 billion in nondefense funding. "The brave men and women that ma… Continue Reading
07.25.24
Bill to Support Maine’s Lobster Industry Clears Appropriations Committee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced significant funding and key language to support Maine’s lobster industry in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House. “This funding would support Maine’s lobster industry… Continue Reading
07.25.24
Bill to Fund Key Interior and Environmental Programs in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House. The measure, which was advanced by vote of 28-1, provides $41.9 billion in discretionary fundi… Continue Reading
07.25.24
Collins Advances Provision Strengthening Federal Response to Illegal Marijuana Grows in Maine
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, advanced language in the Fiscal Year 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act that directs the Departments of State and Treasury to disclose any information on Chinese criminal syndicates involved in illegal marijuana grows and money laundering in Maine and throughout the United States. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee tod… Continue Reading
07.25.24
Senate Committee Approves FY 2025 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, providing support for tribal programs, National Parks, public lands, and federal efforts to suppress wildfires. The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 28-1, provides $41.9 billion in discretionary funding. The bill also includes nearly $2.8 billion in funding provided through the wildfire suppression cap adjustment. “Fr… Continue Reading
07.11.24
Senate Committee Approves FY 2025 Agriculture Appropriations Bill
Bill passes Committee by a vote of 27-0 Washington, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, providing support for critical agriculture, rural development, nutrition, conservation, and food and drug safety programs. The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 27-0, provides $27 billion in discretionary funding. “This important bill s… Continue Reading
07.11.24
Senate Committee Approves FY 2025 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
Bill passes Committee by a vote of 27-0 Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, providing support for physical and cyber security, technology infrastructure, and overall legislative work capacity. The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 27-0, provides $7 billion in discretionary funding for legislative branch agencies, when combined with funding for the U.S. House of Representa… Continue Reading
07.11.24
Bill to Fund Key Military Construction Projects in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee
Bill passes Committee by a vote of 27-0 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act. The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 27-0, provides $148.9 billion in discretionary funding, including $19.3 billion in defense funding and $129.6 billion in … Continue Reading
07.11.24
Bill to Fund Key Agricultural Programs in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee
Bill passes Committee by a vote of 27-0 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for projects in Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 27-0, provides $27 billion in discretionary funding. “This important legislation will assist … Continue Reading
07.11.24
Senate Committee Approves FY 2025 MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill
Bill passes Committee by a vote of 27-0 Washington, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act, providing support for critical housing, infrastructure, and facilities for U.S. military forces and their families, as well as increased funding for veterans health care and benefits. The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 27-0, provides $148.9 bill… Continue Reading
06.18.24
Senator Collins Presses Top Army Reserve Official on Investigations into Lewiston Shooting
Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At an Appropriations hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the U.S. National Guard and Army Reserves, U.S. Senator Susan Collins questioned Army Reserve Chief Lieutenant General Jody Daniels about the Army’s investigations into the horrific mass shooting that occurred in Lewiston, Maine on October 25, 2023. The killer, Robert Card, was a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army Reserve. During her questions, Senato… Continue Reading
06.06.24
Senator Collins Questions Secretary of the Treasury on Lack of IRS Employees Returning to Workplace Full-Time
Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, questioned Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen on the lack of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees returning to the workplace full-time. As of May 5th, the IRS expects its employees to return to the office for half of all their workdays. The IRS is one of … Continue Reading
06.05.24
Senator Collins Questions FBI Director Wray on China’s Involvement in Illegal Marijuana Grow Operations in Maine
Director Wray: “But we are starting to see… more ties between a lot of these growing operations and Chinese organized crime.” Opening remarks: Click HERE to watch and HERE to download Q&A with FBI Director Wray: Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the FBI yesterday, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray on potential involvemen… Continue Reading
05.30.24
Senator Collins Questions Top Health Officials on Tick-Borne Diseases
Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At an Appropriations hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Senator Susan Collins questioned Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo on the progress made in Lyme and tick-borne disease prevention and treatment. In February, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the National Public Health… Continue Reading
05.23.24
Senator Collins Questions Top Health Officials on Tick-Borne Diseases
Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At an Appropriations hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Senator Susan Collins questioned Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo on the progress made in Lyme and tick-borne disease prevention and treatment. In February, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the National Public Health… Continue Reading
05.21.24
Senator Collins Questions Secretary of State on China’s Involvement in Illegal Marijuana Grow Operations in Maine
Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the Government of China’s potential involvement in the illegal marijuana grow operations in Maine and elsewhere. Below is the full transcript of their exchange. Sen. Collins said: Illegal marijuana grows in … Continue Reading
05.21.24
Collins, Capito Raise Concerns About SSA Beneficiary Access after SSA Shutters Operations During Business Hours
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) sent a letter to Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Martin O’Malley raising concerns that SSA beneficiaries would have difficulty accessing benefit services following a decision to close SSA offices nationwide during business hours. Senator Collins is the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Senator Capito is the Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.
“We write to express concern regarding your decision to close all Social Security Administration (SSA) offices at noon on May 10 and May 24 in honor of ‘Public Service Recognition Week.’ Like you, we value the contributions of public servants, but displays of employee appreciation should not come at the expense of beneficiary access to SSA services,” the Senators wrote.
“SSA plays a crucial role in ensuring that our nation’s retired workers and most vulnerable populations have timely access to the benefits to which they are entitled. SSA abdicated its core function of service to the public by undertaking this sweeping operational change with little notice and accommodation for beneficiaries,” the Senators continued.
On May 8, the Senate Appropriations Committee was notified that SSA would provide all SSA employees with several hours of administrative leave in honor of Public Service Recognition Week, closing all offices at noon on Friday, May 10 and Friday, May 24.
In the letter, Senators Collins and Capito requested responses to questions regarding the impacts of this decision on beneficiary services as well as the associated costs by May 28, 2024.
Click HERE to read the full letter.
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