Sen. Susan Collins

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

[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.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

I spoke with DHS Secretary Mullin last night and urged him to cease all non-urgent vehicle stops in the wake of yesterday’s deadly Biddeford shooting. I am encouraged that the Department has agreed to do so.

An impartial investigation into the shooting in Biddeford needs to proceed, as the details surrounding this tragedy are important. It is extremely unfortunate that the agent involved did not have a body-worn camera. In April, measures that I authored in the Homeland Security funding bill became law, including $20 million for expanded use of body-worn cameras, $2 million for de-escalation training, and a 17% increase in the independent Office of Inspector General’s budget to investigate matters such as this shooting. The Democratic government shutdown delayed enactment and implementation of these important safety measures.

While it is clear ICE needs to improve its performance, it is important to remember that the work ICE does to protect our country goes far beyond immigration enforcement. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is tasked with combating cartels, human smuggling, child exploitation, forced labor, and more. Eliminating ICE would make our country less safe and endanger the lives and welfare of countless individuals.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

While the investigation of the Biddeford shooting is not yet complete, it raises sufficient critical questions that I spoke with DHS Secretary Mullin last night and urged him to cease all non-urgent vehicle stops.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

While the investigation of the Biddeford shooting is not yet complete, it raises sufficient critical questions that I spoke with DHS Secretary Mullin last night and urged him to cease all non-urgent vehicle stops.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin has informed me that the Boston office of the DHS Inspector General has taken over the investigation of the Biddeford shooting in cooperation with the FBI.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

The shooting in Biddeford requires a full and impartial investigation of what happened. It is my understanding that the Biddeford police have secured the site and that the FBI is investigating.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

I am shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and valued colleague Lindsey Graham. His legislative skills and ever-present wit will be sorely missed by those of us fortunate enough to have served with him.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

For more than four decades, the Moxie Festival has drawn people from near and far to Lisbon for a celebration that is truly one of a kind and uniquely Maine.

It was a pleasure to walk in the annual Moxie Day Parade today and see the creativity, enthusiasm, and unmistakable Moxie that make this event such a memorable highlight of the summer.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Congratulations to Clinton Police Department Chief Stanley “Rusty” Bell on his retirement following 47 years of exemplary service to his community.

It was an honor to have the opportunity to recognize Rusty’s sacrifice and also celebrate new beginnings at the recent grand opening of Clinton’s new fire station. I thank him for his decades of dedication to law enforcement and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Excellent news: Following my questioning of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) closures in Maine at a recent Appropriations Committee hearing, the Department announced that the centers in Augusta and Bangor will reopen today.

This announcement is welcome news for Mainers who rely on this assistance to navigate our tax system. Reopening the TACs in Augusta and Bangor will make an enormous difference for our seniors, rural residents, and other Mainers who should not have to travel hundreds of miles to South Portland simply to get in-person help from the IRS.

I appreciate Secretary Bessent’s responsiveness to my concerns and will continue working to better ensure that Mainers have access to the federal services they need and deserve.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Machias has a proud place in America’s Revolutionary story, and it was an honor to join neighbors from across Washington County for this evening’s parade. From the marchers to the spectators lining the route to a great band, this Independence Day celebration showed the pride Downeast Maine takes in our country and in the traditions that bring us together.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

It was wonderful to celebrate Independence Day in Eastport today with so many Mainers, the sailors of the USS Lassen, and proud Americans from near and far.

Eastport’s Fourth of July celebration is one of Maine’s great traditions and today was a powerful reminder of the patriotism and community spirit that make our state and nation the greatest place to live.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Today, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence and the start of the great American experiment. We recognize the courage of our founders, who 250 years ago risked their lives to create a new nation founded on liberty and justice for all. As we gather with friends and family, let us show thanks to the brave men and women who defend our nation. Happy Independence Day and God bless America.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

It was great to kick off a weekend of celebrating America’s 250th birthday at the Tri-Town Parade with residents of Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls. Thank you to the first responders, organizers, and, of course, the many families who came out and made tonight so special!

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Click the link below to read more about this funding: https://t.co/5EDyFRku9Q

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Congratulations to the Eastport Port Authority on the approval of its $19.7 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant by the Department of Transportation.

These funds, which I advocated for directly to Transportation Secretary Duffy, will be used both to modernize Eastport’s 45-year-old fish pier, which has deteriorated and is at risk of structural failure, and to complete a 97-foot extension of the city’s breakwater.

This significant federal investment will strengthen Eastport’s working waterfront, further protect the harbor from storm damage, and support the individuals and businesses who depend on this critical shoreline infrastructure. I was proud to back this funding request for these important improvements, which will make Eastport’s harbor safer, more resilient, and better able to support the local economy for years to come.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Click the link below for an interactive map of the more than 670 local projects across all 16 Maine counties for which I have secured nearly $1.5 billion in funding through appropriations legislation over the past five years: https://t.co/tGcNH5N6Xv

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

It was a pleasure to join the Clinton community to cut the ribbon on its new fire station. The new station is a tremendous step forward for public safety in the Dairy Capital of Maine, and it will help ensure that Clinton’s firefighters and EMTs have the space, equipment, and training capacity they need to respond when every second counts.

I was proud to secure $2 million through appropriations legislation in 2022 to help make this important project a reality. In the past five years, I have worked to secure nearly $87 million to construct, renovate, or expand 45 outdated public safety facilities in Maine, improving conditions for first responders and strengthening emergency services in communities large and small across our state.

Congratulations to the Town of Clinton, Fire Chief Rick Barton, the Clinton Fire Department, town officials, and local supporters who helped bring this project to life. This effort was an outstanding example of community planning and building for the future.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Click the link below for an interactive map of the more than 670 local projects across all 16 Maine counties for which I have secured nearly $1.5 billion in funding through appropriations legislation over the past five years: https://t.co/tGcNH5N6Xv

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

Today in Saco, I joined local leaders, residents, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to mark the start of construction on the Camp Ellis Shore Damage Mitigation Project. For generations, severe erosion at Camp Ellis has taken a devastating toll. 38 homes have washed into the sea, the shoreline has receded by approximately 400 feet, and roads have been lost.

As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure $750,000 for this design of this project and $23 million to support construction of a new spur jetty and sand replenishment at Camp Ellis. By reducing wave energy generated by the existing north jetty and limiting the loss of sediment from the shoreline, this project will help protect property and restore the beachfront.

Thank you to the people of Saco, @CorpsNewEngland, and my delegation colleagues for your partnership in helping make this long-sought solution a reality.

[New England District @CorpsNewEngland]

The Honorable Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, with Senator Susan Collins discuss the start of construction for the long awaited Section 111 Camp Ellis Beach Shore Mitigation Project, located in Saco, Maine on June 30, 2026. #usace #newengland