Sen. Susan Collins

United States Senator from Maine. All posts originate from the Press Office of Senator Susan Collins.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

I am pleased to announce that as of today at 2pm, all ICE enforcement officers in Maine have been equipped with body-worn cameras and trained in their use.

When I spoke with ICE Acting Director Venturella last month, he committed to deliver body-worn cameras to ICE agents across the country by the end of August. I urged him to prioritize Maine, and they have arrived more than two weeks ahead of schedule.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

I am so impressed by the Gray-New Gloucester-Raymond Little League team for bouncing back from a first-round loss in the New England Regional Tournament and fighting all the way to tonight’s regional championship game in Bristol, Connecticut. They have represented our state admirably and already made Maine proud.

Tonight at 7 p.m., they will take on the team representing Massachusetts in a winner-take-all game to decide which state will represent New England in the Little League World Series.

Good luck and play hard, boys! We’re all rooting for you.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Thank you, @ChuckGrassley. As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft this stopgap funding measure. After three unnecessary lapses in funding during the fiscal year 2026 cycle, putting the possibility of yet another harmful shutdown off the table should be a priority for each and every one of us.

[Chuck Grassley @ChuckGrassley]

Few in Congress can get things done like Appropriations Chair Susan Collins The govt funding deal is the latest example It passed the Senate 90-6 Sen Collins knows what’s best for our country GOVT WORKING FOR U

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Tonight on the Senate floor, I urged my colleagues to support the bipartisan continuing resolution I worked with members of both parties to craft as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

After three unnecessary lapses in funding during the fiscal year 2026 cycle, putting the possibility of yet another harmful government shutdown off the table should be a priority for each and every one of us.

This straightforward measure would keep the government funded through December 11, protect vital programs and services, and give Congress additional time to continue our work on bipartisan appropriations bills. We cannot allow another damaging shutdown to disrupt the lives of federal workers and the Americans who depend on their work.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Despite tight personal budgets, it is truly remarkable how often teachers in Maine and across the country use money out of their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies for their students. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated educators who make sacrifices to help ensure that every child has a learning environment that is safe, welcoming, and enriching.

That is why I am proud to announce that the Senate today passed the Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act, a bipartisan bill I introduced with Senator Michael Bennet. The SEED Act would provide tax relief for millions of teachers by expanding the above-the-line $300 educator expense deduction, established for K-12 teachers in 2002, to include pre-K and early childhood educators.

As the author of the original educator expense tax deduction for K-12 teachers, I am delighted to help lead this effort to expand this benefit to early childhood educators. We can never thank our teachers enough for all they do to prepare the next generation for success, but the Senate’s passage of this commonsense bill brings us one step closer to providing early childhood educators with well-deserved tax relief.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Today, the Senate unanimously passed my bipartisan bill with Senator Tina Smith to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, which we first authored in 2019.

Maine reported 4,257 cases of Lyme disease last year – more than three times the number of cases reported just six years ago – and 2026 is projected to set yet another record. This is a record that we do not want to set.

Our bill will expand efforts to combat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases while supporting promising work already underway in Maine, including a clinical trial for a human Lyme disease vaccine at the MaineHealth Institute for Research and the University of Maine Tick Lab, where Mainers can submit ticks to be identified and tested for pathogens.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

I have carefully reviewed Todd Blanche’s qualifications to be Attorney General. This includes his record and responses to questions from Senators at the Department of Justice Appropriations hearing, his confirmation hearing, and in the weeks that followed.

While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political.

Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation:

Mr. Blanche approved an order to shield the President, his sons, and the family business from IRS audits, protections unavailable to other American taxpayers.

He approved the creation of a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.

He promised an anti-abortion organization that he would seek to prohibit the mailing of abortion medication to women nationwide.

Under his leadership, the Department attempted to indict Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin over their ill-advised, but constitutionally protected, videos encouraging resistance to unlawful orders.

More than 1,200 former Department of Justice employees have opposed his nomination, arguing that he has undermined the institution.

For these reasons, I will vote against this nomination.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

I am pleased that this bipartisan agreement prevents the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s proposed rule regarding federal financial assistance from taking effect. I advocated for significant changes to the proposed rule in a July 6 letter to the agency, citing its potential to politicize grants and harm small, rural communities, families, and biomedical research.

[The Hill @thehill]

Spending bill blocks Trump plan to politicize grants
https://t.co/odEZ1BIr4s

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers form the backbone of the Navy’s surface fleet, and the men and women of Bath Iron Works make “Bath Built is Best Built” not just a slogan, but a way of life. Since 2020, I have been proud to secure more than $10.9 billion in Navy contract obligations related to DDG-51 destroyers and more than $1.2 billion for shipyard infrastructure improvements, wage enhancements, and workforce initiatives, including investments at BIW.

I wish the future USS William Charette fair winds and following seas. May God always speed her safely home.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

It was a privilege to join thousands of shipbuilders, Navy leaders and personnel, local residents, and supporters at Bath Iron Works today for the christening of the future USS William Charette (DDG-130).

This Bath-built ship is named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William Charette. During the Korean War, Charette shielded a wounded Marine from an enemy grenade with his own body. Despite suffering facial wounds and shock from the blast, he improvised bandages from his clothing and continued treating wounded Marines under enemy fire. His actions were directly responsible for saving many lives. Through this ship, his courage, humility, and devotion to others will continue to inspire generations of sailors.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Today, the Senate HELP Committee voted to advance bipartisan legislation I introduced with Senators Tim Kaine and Lisa Murkowski to prevent the Department of Education from transferring critical offices responsible for special education and rehabilitative services, postsecondary education, elementary and secondary education, and Indian education to other federal agencies that lack the staff and expertise needed to execute their missions.

One of the offices protected by our bill manages programs established under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, known as IDEA, that help meet the educational needs of more than 8 million children with disabilities. Moving this work to the Department of Health and Human Services fundamentally misunderstands the purpose of the Special Education program. It is focused primarily on students’ educational needs, not their health care needs.

Every American, regardless of background or disability, deserves access to a quality public education. These important landmark programs must remain at the Department of Education, where Congress specifically placed them and where they belong.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Yesterday, world leaders, loved ones, friends, and colleagues gathered to celebrate the extraordinary life of Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey was a skilled legislator, a strong leader, and undoubtedly a player on the world stage. For me, Lindsey was also a dear friend. His unsurpassed sense of humor, self-deprecating wit, and storytelling ability made serving with him a delight. I will miss Lindsey greatly.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

It is welcome news that following our recent outreach, the State Department has committed to contributing the full $600 million for GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. I have worked to ensure that the Department uses this funding Congress appropriated to replenish U.S. funding to GAVI, an organization that plays a critical role in averting the spread of preventable diseases globally and stopping outbreaks before they reach U.S. borders.

[POLITICO @politico]

State Department will dispense $600M for vaccines RFK Jr. held up, Collins says https://t.co/SzHrmUaoPt

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Since 1934, Casco Days has brought Mainers from the Lakes Region together to raise money for local causes, and I am grateful to the many volunteers whose time and dedication make this celebration possible year after year.

It was a pleasure to take part in the Grand Parade today and see Casco filled with families, friends, and neighbors enjoying this cherished summer tradition.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 40 percent of people with diabetes have rationed or skipped insulin doses due to the cost. No one should be forced to go without the treatment they need to survive.

Today, the landmark INSULIN Act that I authored with @SenatorShaheen, @SenatorWarnock, and @SenJohnKennedy advanced out of the Senate HELP Committee by a strong bipartisan vote of 17–5, marking a critical step toward getting this legislation signed into law.

By capping monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 for those with private insurance, creating a pilot program to make insulin available at the same cost to uninsured Americans, and addressing the perverse market incentives that drive up insulin prices, our bill would deliver real relief to the thousands of diabetes patients who have struggled for far too long to afford the medication they depend on.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

The United States military is one of the greatest meritocracies in the free world; we need to make sure that it stays that way.

Today, I pressed Secretary Hegseth on the alarming number of senior generals and admirals who were removed from their positions or blocked from promotions. More than half of these service members were female or black. For the first time in more than a decade, no active-duty female naval officers are likely to be promoted to admiral.

Reports that women and people of color are disproportionately fired or sidelined create the impression that their service is not valued. This will discourage well-qualified women and people of color from joining our Armed Forces, depriving us of their talent, dedication, and patriotism.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

For nearly eight decades, the Maine Potato Blossom Festival has brought people together from across The County to celebrate our proud agricultural heritage. As a native of Aroostook County, where my first job was picking potatoes for a local farmer, this festival has always felt like a celebration of home.

It was a joy to walk in the annual Potato Blossom Parade today in Fort Fairfield, see so many familiar faces, and feel the community spirit that makes this event one of the highlights of a County summer.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

In addition to calling on the DHS Inspector General to conduct an independent investigation of this week’s fatal shooting in Biddeford involving ICE personnel, @SenAngusKing and I are calling on the Department of Justice to coordinate with Maine state and local law enforcement throughout its investigation.

The people of Maine deserve clear answers about the circumstances surrounding this shooting. Cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement is essential to providing those answers and giving the public greater confidence that the investigation is thorough, fair, and impartial.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Today, I joined my colleagues in the Maine delegation – @SenAngusKing, @chelliepingree, and @RepGolden – in calling for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving ICE personnel in Biddeford.

We are also asking DHS to detail the extent to which it will collaborate with state and local agencies.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Today, I joined my colleagues in the Maine delegation – @SenAngusKing, @chelliepingree, and @RepGolden – in calling for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving ICE personnel in Biddeford.

We are also asking DHS to detail the extent to which it will collaborate with state and local agencies.