Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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702 rows where party = "Republican", state = "ME" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-%E2%80%9Ctax-cut-plan-will-benefit-hardworking-mainers-not-dc-elites%E2%80%9D | ICYMI: Tax cut plan will benefit hardworking Mainers, not DC elites | 2017-12-27 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Tax cut plan will benefit hardworking Mainers, not DC elites By: Sen. Susan Collins Read Senator Collins op-ed in the Portland Press Herald HERE. "I have heard a number of conspiracy theories from pundits, political operatives and columnists about why I supported the tax cut plan that just became law. I thought that the best way to respond would be just to tell you directly. "I supported this legislation because it will help lower-income and middle-income families keep more of their hard-earned money, boost the economy and encourage businesses, both small and large, to grow and create jobs here in Maine and around the country. "The 72 percent of Mainers who already use the standard deduction will pay lower taxes. The law nearly doubles the standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for joint filers. The child tax credit will also be doubled from $1,000 to $2,000, and with my strong support up to $1,400 of that tax credit will now be refundable, benefiting low-income families who do not owe taxes. "A family with $24,000 in income will not pay anything to the federal government. A single mother earning $35,000 with one child will see her taxes drop by nearly 4,000 percent. Instead of paying money to Washington, she will be getting back nearly $1,100 to help her make ends meet. "A couple in Maine with no children, earning $60,000, will see their taxes fall by more than $900. And a couple with two children earning $60,000 will get a tax cut of about $1,700 a reduction of more than 100 percent. The bottom line is that most Maine households will see their taxes lowered and have more money in their paychecks starting early next year. "Ive heard liberal activists and commentators in Washington counter those facts by saying 'that just isnt much money.' I could tell you they dont get it, but why dont I just let them speak for themselves? One of the better Washington quotes, from Roll Call columnist Walter Shapiro, was 'good luck taking your entire family to the south of France on vacation' with a $1… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/aging-committee-warns-irs-scam-targeting-hotmail-users | Aging Committee Warns of IRS Scam Targeting Hotmail Users | 2017-12-23 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C.U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Bob Casey, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee, are warning of an email scam targeting Hotmail users in an attempt to steal personal and financial information. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has received numerous complaints about this scam in which someone claiming to be with the IRS will email a Hotmail user with a subject line that reads, Internal Revenue Service Email No. XXXX | Were processing your request soon | TXXXXXX-XXXXXXXX and asks the recipient to sign into what is a fake Microsoft page and provide his or her personal and financial information. The IRS impersonation scam is the most persistent scam Americans face, said Senator Collins. This example demonstrates the lengths criminals will go to scam people of their hard-earned money, and I urge the public to show caution when opening emails that appear to be from the IRS. As scammers increase their efforts and find new ways to steal personal information for financial gain, lawmakers, law enforcement and the private sector must remain committed to working together to keep Americans safe,said Senator Casey. I caution people to remain on high alert when communicating, whether through phone or email, with anyone who asks for personal information such as your address, bank or email accounts. In no instance will the IRS email you. If you receive an unsolicited email like this, you should forward the email to phishing@irs.gov and then delete it. To learn more about scams like these visit the Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts page on IRS.gov or contact the Aging Committees Fraud Hotline at 1-855-303-9470. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/congress-averts-25-billion-cut-medicare-following-effort-led-senator-collins | Congress Averts $25 Billion Cut to Medicare Following Effort Led by Senator Collins | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Senator Collins urged swift action to avert these cuts and secured commitments from Majority Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan to avoid an automatic 4% cut to Medicare Click HERE to watch Senator Collins remarks on the Senate floor Washington, D.C.U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) announced today that both the Senate and the House passed a continuing resolution that includes a provision that will prevent any automatic cuts to the Medicare program that could have been triggered as a result of the Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO). Prior to the vote, Senator Collins spoke on the Senate floor and urged her colleagues to support her motion to defeat an attempt that would have allowed the harmful, indiscriminate budget cuts to be triggered. Senator Collins motion passed by a vote of 91-8. As a result of Senator Collins efforts, the legislation protects Medicare and will now go to the Presidents desk for his signature. Congress took important action today to avert an automatic four percent cut to Medicareestimated to be roughly $25 billionthat could have been triggered as a result of PAYGO. Medicare provides essential health care benefits to our nations seniors, with 10,000 new beneficiaries added each day. These across the board cuts would also have had a devastating impact on hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other providers, which provide essential health services. It was critical for Congress to act quickly so that seniors would not have the anxiety of wondering whether the tax bill would somehow negatively affect their health care. In order to ensure these cuts were avoided, I wrote to the Senate Majority Leader, urging that we immediately remove the threat of an automatic cut in the programs funding. In response, the Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House released a joint statement that said: This will not happen. Today, I am pleased that Congress codified that commitment into law and prevented these sudden and harmful cuts. In a letter to House and Senate leadership, AARP highlighted the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/majority-leader-mcconnell-speaker-ryan-release-statement-recognizing-senator-collins%E2%80%99 | Majority Leader McConnell, Speaker Ryan Release Statement Recognizing Senator Collins Effort to Prevent $25 Billion Cut to Medicare | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Newsroom Majority Leader McConnell, Speaker Ryan Release Statement Recognizing Senator Collins Effort to Prevent $25 Billion Cut to Medicare Posted Thu, 12/21/2017 - 19:29 Washington, D.C.Following the passage of a continuing resolution that includes a provision preventing an automatic cut to Medicare, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) released a statement recognizing Senator Collins efforts to ensure this $25 billion reduction did not go into effect. Senator Collins was clear throughout that we can never allow these arbitrary cuts to take place. This was a commitment made, and a commitment kept, said Majority Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan. In November, Senator Collins wrote to Majority Leader McConnell to express her concern that Medicare could face an automatic four percent, or $25 billion, cut to Medicare as a result of the Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO). In response, Majority Leader McConnell promised in writing to preventing this automatic cut, a pledge that was joined by Speaker Ryan. That commitment was filled by the passage of the continuing resolution this evening. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-joins-bipartisan-group-seeking-enhance-support-america%E2%80%99s-libraries-museums | Senator Collins Joins Bipartisan Group in Seeking to Enhance Support for Americas Libraries & Museums | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. In an effort to strengthen library and museum services across the nation, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in introducing the bipartisan Museum and Library Services Act of 2017.This critical bill renews and builds on the $231million commitment to the federal museum and library programs administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. From offering job search resources and free Internet access to exposing children and families to literary and educational experiences, libraries and museums serve vital roles in our communities,said Senator Collins. The Museum and Library Services Act would bolster our commitment to supporting these institutions that enrich our communities. I urge my colleagues to join this effort to improve and update programs that help libraries and museums across Maine and the United States. Libraries and museums areanchor institutions for their communities,and we need to do all we can to support them in their mission. The Museum and Library Services Act represents our national commitment to ensuring these institutions are funded, staffed, and accessible to all. Through a relatively modest federal investment, this law helps build capacity to support and expand access to library and museum services at the state and local level. It will help fully leverage the role of libraries and museums in supporting the learning, educational, and workforce development needs of Americans nationwide,said Senator Reed, who noted that, since the last reauthorization in 2010, Rhode Island libraries and museums have received over$10million in federal grants from these programs. This year, Rhode Island has received $1,070,238 from IMLS under theLibrary and Services and Technology ActGrants to States Program. The Institute of Museum and Library Services plays a vital role in helping museums better serve the unique needs of their communities. We are proud to support this legislati… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-and-king-announce-nearly-450000-nine-maine-housing-programs | Senators Collins and King Announce Nearly $450,000 for Nine Maine Housing Programs | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Newsroom Senators Collins and King Announce Nearly $450,000 for Nine Maine Housing Programs Posted Fri, 12/22/2017 - 12:04 Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee,and Angus King announced today that nine housing programs across the State of Maine have been awarded a total of $449,554 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. Maines housing authorities provide a vital service to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. By supporting public housing agencies, these grants will help connect Mainers with the resources they need to achieve economic independence. The funding is awarded as follows: Housing Authority of the City of Old Town: $24,124 Westbrook Housing: $42,870 MaineHousing: $55,808 Caribou Housing Agency: $50,787 Portland Housing Authority: $72,000 Augusta Housing Authority: $33,247 Bangor Housing Authority: $57,526 Brewer Housing Authority: $54,319 Lewiston Housing Authority: $58,873 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/aging-committee-warns-email-phishing-scam-targeting-homeowners | Aging Committee Warns of Email Phishing Scam Targeting Homeowners | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee and Chairman of the Senate Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, is warning of a new phishing email scam involving impersonators claiming to work for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Aging Committee, and other government agencies, have received complaints about this scam in which someone fraudulently claiming to be with HUD will email potential victims and request that they click on a link to access information on home loan refinancing. This document, however, could have a virus, malware, or ransomware attached to it and cause serious harm to the victim's computer. It could also leave an individual susceptible to financial loss or identity theft. Government impersonation scams like this demonstrate the nuanced manner in which scammers can operate,said Senator Collins.I urge the public to show careful consideration of the different methods these criminals will use to steal the money or personal identity of hardworking Americans. Never open a document or click on a link in an email if you do not know the sender. If you receive an email from someone claiming to work for a government agency with an email address ending in anything other than .gov, it is fraudulent. If you or someone you know receives an email like this, forward it tospam@uce.govand report it to the HUD Office of Inspector Generals Fraud Hotline at1-800-347-3735or to the Senate Aging Committees Fraud Hotline at1-855-303-9470. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-application-period-assistance-firefighters-grant | Collins, King Announce Application Period for Assistance to Firefighters Grant | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin accepting applications for grant funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program on Tuesday, December 26 at 8:00am. The application period will close Friday, February 2, 2018 at 5:00pm.This year, Maine applicants received more than $2.3 million in grants ranging from $10,000 to $349,143 in FY16 funds. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provides invaluable support to the firefighters and emergency health professionals who risk their lives protecting us every day, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. We encourage Maine fire departments and emergency organizations to apply for funding through this program to help obtain the vital resources they need to do their jobs and keep our communities safe. The AFG Program funding assists fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations in improving their emergency response capabilities. The program provides federal funding that enables these organizations to purchase equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources to better protect emergency personnel and the communities they serve. Senator Collins serves as the Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, and Senator King is a member of the Caucus. Grant guidance for fire departments and other organizations interested in applying for AFG grants can be found HERE and the AFG Get Ready Guide can be found HERE. Applicants that require assistance should contact the AFG Help Desk by email at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov or by calling 1-866-274-0960. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-klobuchar-baldwin-press-strongbridge-biopharma-answers-dramatic-price-increase | Collins, Klobuchar, Baldwin Press Strongbridge Biopharma for Answers on Dramatic Price Increase for Keveyis Drug that Treats Glaucoma and Rare Genetic Disease | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have pressed Strongbridge Biopharma for answers on the dramatic price increase for Keveyis, formerly known as Daranide, a drug that treats glaucoma and a type of rare genetic disease known as periodic paralysis, which causes attacks of muscle weakness or loss of muscle movement. After a series of companies bought and sold the right to the decades-old dichlorphenamide, the list price was hiked from $50 to $13,650 for 100 pills in 2015. Strongbridge recently acquired the drug and hiked the price even further to $15,001. In a letter to Chief Executive Officer Matthew Pauls, Collins, Klobuchar, and Baldwin urge Strongbridge to take immediate steps to alleviate the burden their price increases have put on patients and to ensure the companys behavior fully complies with relevant laws, regulations and guidance. We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the dramatic price increase for Keveyis, formerly known as Daranide, after Strongbridge Biopharma acquired the drug. As recently as the early 2000s, patients could obtain 100 pills of dichlorphenamide at a list price of $50, the senators wrote. Yet, after a series of companies bought and sold the rights to this decades-old drug and obtained a new rare disease designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the list price increased to $13,650 for 100 pills in 2015. Strongbridge recently acquired the drug and hiked the price even further to $15,001. According to a Strongbridge, patients might pay up to $219,000 a year for this medication. The senators continued, We are committed to combatting sudden astronomical price increases as well as any anticompetitive conduct and attempts to game the regulatory process at the expense of Americans in need of life-saving therapies. We urge you to take immediate steps to alleviate the burden your price increases have imposed on patients and to ensure your companys behavior fully complies with relevant laws, regulation… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-joins-bipartisan-group-introducing-election-security-bill | Senator Collins Joins Bipartisan Group in Introducing Election Security Bill | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -U.S.Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joinedSenators James Lankford (R-OK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC)today in introducingtheSecure Elections Act, a bill to strengthen election cybersecurity in America and protect against foreign interference in future elections. During the 2016 election, intelligence reports have factually established that Russia hacked presidential campaign accounts, launched cyberattacks against at least 21 state election systems, and attacked a US voting systems software company. While there is no evidence that a single vote outcome was tampered with, this dangerous precedent should be a wake-up call as we head into the 2018 election cycle.To protect against these threats, the Secure Elections Act streamlines cybersecurity information-sharing between federal intelligence entities and state election agencies; provides security clearances to state election officials; and provides support for state election cybersecurity operations. This bipartisan solution to fix these existing problems aims to bolster our election systems against future threats while protecting states primacy in running elections. While there is no indication that the Russians were able to change vote totals, we know that Russian actors repeatedly tried to breach state election systems or public websites,said Senator Collins. Our bipartisan legislation will strengthen the integrity of our election process by ensuring that local voting officials have the information and financial resources they need to secure their voting systems. These safeguards will protect and bolster public confidence in our elections. Safe and free elections run by individual states are at the core of our national identity,said Lankford.We were born as a nation because patriots stood up against foreign tyranny.During the 2016 elections, Russia tried to interfere in our elections. Although they didnt change actual votes or alter the outcome, their efforts were an attack on ou… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/alexander-collins-statement-bills-lower-health-insurance-premiums | Alexander, Collins Statement on Bills to Lower Health Insurance Premiums | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 20, 2017United States Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today jointly released the following statement: Rather than considering a broad year-end funding agreement as we expected, it has become clear that Congress will only be able to pass another short-term extension to prevent a government shutdown and to continue a few essential programs, said the Senators. For this reason, we have asked Senator McConnell not to offer this week our legislation which independent analysts Avalere and Oliver-Wyman say would reduce premiums by about 20 percent for the 9 million Americans who have no government subsidies to help them buy insurance in the individual market. Instead, we will offer it after the first of the year when the Senate will consider the omnibus spending bill, the Childrens Health Insurance Program reauthorization, funding for Community Health Centers, and other legislation that was to have been enacted this week. Also, in order to succeed, our legislation must be bipartisan, andthe Senate Democratic leader said on Tuesday that Democrats would not support it in the current environment even though as recently as October he said that all Democrats would. There is every reason to believe that these important provisions can and will be delivered as part of a bipartisan agreement.And Majority Leader McConnell has told us that he will uphold his commitment to schedule and support the legislation. Americans with no government subsidy for health insurance have seen their premiums more than double on average over the last five years, making health care unaffordable for millions of people. The Alexander-Murray legislation,which funds cost-sharing payments and gives states more authority to reduce rates,was introduced by 24 senators, half Democrats and half Republicans. The Collins-Nelson risk pool proposal was supported by almost every witness who came before the Senate's health committee during our four hearings on stabilizing the individual market. President Trump and M… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-simplifies-tax-code-average-maine-family-doubles-standard | Rep. Poliquin Simplifies Tax Code for Average Maine Family, Doubles the Standard Deduction, and Works to Save Mainers More of Their Hard-Earned Money | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) released the following statement after the House passed tax reform legislation that simplifies the tax code for the average Maine family by doubling the standard deduction and making it easier for Mainers to benefit from the tax code: I agree with my colleague Senator Collins that this new law will drastically simplify our tax code for the vast majority of Mainers and save more money for more of our hardworking families, said Congressman Poliquin. Under this simpler tax code, we are doubling the standard deduction, meaning the average married couple in Maine will not pay any federal income tax for the first $24,000 they earn, a huge boost for our families. In addition, this increases the child tax credit to $2,000, meaning the average Maine family will save an additional $2,000 on their taxes per child in their family. This makes it easier for ordinary Maine families to benefit from the tax code. This improved tax code will also greatly benefit the more than 140,000 small businesses and job creators throughout Maine and their 275,000 employees by lowering the effective rate for pass-throughs, of which almost all small businesses are organized. It will allow small businesses in all industries to benefit from it. We are giving our small businessesthe backbone of Maines economyrelief so they can grow and create more jobs for our fellow Mainers. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/house-passes-collins-authored-bill-support-family-caregivers | House Passes Collins-Authored Bill to Support Family Caregivers | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today applauded House passage of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senators Collins and Baldwin in May 2017, would establish a coordinated strategy to support family caregivers. The RAISE Family Caregivers Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and sustain a strategy to recognize and support the more than 40 million family caregivers in the United States. This bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by more than 60 aging and disability organizations, including the AARP, the Alzheimers Association, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Arc. Family caregivers play an essential role in our communities by dedicating time and attention and making countless personal and financial sacrifices to care for their loved ones, said Senator Collins. I am delighted that the House has now passed our bipartisan legislation, which will develop a coordinated strategic plan to leverage our resources, promote best practices, and expand services and training available to caregivers. I look forward to our bill becoming law. Every day, family caregivers do right by their loved ones and we need to do right by them by formally recognizing and supporting family caregivers, said Senator Baldwin. This bipartisan effort is especially personal to me as I was raised by my maternal grandparents and later served as my grandmothers primary caretaker as she grew older. I know the challenges that family caregivers face. Ive listened to family caregivers across Wisconsin and worked to help make a difference in their lives. Our legislation will provide much-needed support for family caregivers, ensuring that our older adults and loved ones with disabilities receive the highest quality care in their own homes. I look forward to seeing our bipartisan legislation signed into law. The RAISE Family Caregivers Act was suppo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-announces-support-passage-comprehensive-tax-reform | Senator Collins Announces Support for Passage of Comprehensive Tax Reform | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | As a result of her negotiations with Senate leaders, Senator Collins secured multiple changes that equaled a tenth of the total tax cut to provide additional benefits for the middle class The legislation is the first comprehensive reform of our nations tax code in three decades Click HERE to watch Senator Collins floor remarks Click HERE to read Senator Collins floor remarks Washington, D.C.In remarks from the Senate floor this afternoon, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) announced her support for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the first major overhaul of our nations tax code since 1986. This bill puts money back in the pockets of the American public with tax cuts beginning January 1st. As soon as the IRS updates withholding tables this winter, taxpayers will see the benefit of this bill in higher take-home-pay. Over time, Americans will continue to benefit from this legislation in the form of higher wages. Businesses, small and large, will make the investments that create more jobs, said Senator Collins. While this legislation is by no means perfect, on balance, it will provide much-needed tax relief. It will benefit lower- and middle-income families, while spurring the creation of good jobs and greater economic growth for our nation. Most Maine Households Will See Their Taxes Lowered: The legislation nearly doubles the standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for joint filers. The child tax credit will also be doubled from $1,000 to $2,000, and up to $1,400 of that tax credit will be refundable in order to benefit low-income families. The 72 percent of Mainers who already use the standard deduction will have their taxes reduced. A family with $24,000 in income will pay no federal income tax. A single mother earning $35,000 with one child will see her taxes drop by nearly 4,000 percent. Instead of paying money to Washington, she will be getting back nearly $1,100 to help her make ends meet. A couple with no children, earning $60,000, will see their taxes fall by more than $900. And a couple w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-and-duckworth-introduce-legislation-support-women-pursuing-careers | Senators Collins and Duckworth Introduce Legislation to Support Women Pursuing Careers in Aviation | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Chairman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the Promoting Women in the Aviation Workforce Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation that would encourage women to pursue careers in aviation and promote programs to support their professional development in the field. Representatives Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), and Mimi Walters (R-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Although women make up more than 50 percent of our nations workforce, they are significantly underrepresented in the aviation industry, representing just six percent of pilots, four percent of flight engineers, and two percent of airline mechanics, said Senator Collins. Our bipartisan legislation encourages the aviation industry to offer opportunities, such as pilot training, STEM education, and mentorship programs that would help women to pursue and succeed in aviation-related careers. Senator Duckworth and I urge our colleagues to join this effort to improve and increase the educational opportunities for women in aviation. When I was training to become a pilot, it was rare to see another woman in my class, said Senator Duckworth, one of the first Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Although some progress has been made to help women enter the aviation field, we are still dramatically underrepresented among pilots and we need to do more. Im proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Collins to help level the playing field for women and encourage them to enter the aviation industry. Specifically, the Promoting Women in Aviation Workforce Act of 2017 would: Express the sense of Congress that the aviation industry should explore all opportunities to encourage and support women to pursue a career in aviation; Direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create and facilitate a Women in Aviation Advisory Board to promote… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/naic-says-provisions-alexander-murray-and-collins-nelson-will-significantly-reduce-health | NAIC Says the Provisions of Alexander-Murray and Collins-Nelson Will Significantly Reduce Health Insurance Premiums, Stabilize the Individual Market | 2017-12-16 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Newsroom NAIC Says the Provisions of Alexander-Murray and Collins-Nelson Will Significantly Reduce Health Insurance Premiums, Stabilize the Individual Market According to NAIC, passage of these bills would reduce premium increases as much as 20% and could encourage some carriers to stay in the market. Posted Fri, 12/15/2017 - 18:26 Washington, D.C. -Today, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced their support for the provisions of the Alexander-MurrayBipartisan Health Care Stabilization Actand the Collins-NelsonLower Premiums Through Reinsurance Act. In a letter to U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Patty Murray (R-WA), NAIC noted that these bills would significantly reduce health insurance premiums and help stabilize the individual market. Providing reliable federal funding to reimburse health insurance carriers for the Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR) program assistance they give to low-income consumers and grants for states to establish invisible high risk pools or reinsurance programs would reduce premium increases as much as 20% and could encourage some carriers to stay in the market, wrote NAIC. Such funding is not a 'bailout for insurers' as some have argued, but rather goes directly to improving the availability and affordability of health insurance for our most financially vulnerable consumers. NAIC also expressed their support for the revisions to the Section 1332 waiver process, which they said will reduce administrative obstacles to state waiver requests and provide greater flexibility to states to meet the needs of their consumers and stabilize their markets. Senator Collinsreceived a commitmentfrom Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the Congressional Record that both Alexander-Murray and Collins-Nelson will be passed before the end of the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-500000-grant-aroostook-band-micmacs | Collins, King Announce $500,000 Grant for Aroostook Band of Micmacs | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $500,000 to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs through USDA Rural Developments Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.The funding will be used to construct a two-story, multifunction facility in Presque Isle that will provide space for important tribal programs. Investing in infrastructure for the Aroostook Band of Micmacs ensures that the tribe can provide programs crucial to the community, said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. We applaud the USDA for supporting Maine tribes like the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and helping to strengthen our rural communities. The Presque Isle facility will include housing, realty, and assets programs; Head Start; and programs for youth and seniors. In addition, the construction project will include road, water, sewer, and electrical upgrades and a new paved parking area. USDA Rural Development programs provide grants and loans to assist economic expansion and job creation. Funds are directed towards infrastructure improvement, business development, homeownership, community services, public safety, and broadband access in rural areas across the country. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-join-bipartisan-group-senators-urge-congressional-leadership-commit-resources | Collins, King Join Bipartisan Group of Senators to Urge Congressional Leadership to Commit Resources to Opioid Epidemic | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King joined a bipartisan group of nine senators in a letter to Leaders McConnell (R-Ky.) and Schumer (D-N.Y.) today calling on them to provide states like Maine with the resources they need to tackle the ongoing opioid epidemic.In their letter, the bipartisan group urged Senate leadership to include additional funding dedicated to addressing the public health crisis in the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation. Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation, wrote the Senators. We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from Acting Secretary Hargan that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again. As the Senate considers pending supplemental and omnibus appropriation legislation, please make every effort to ensure that new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic is included in any legislative package. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins has secured significant funding for addiction treatment services. Earlier this fall, she announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee hasapproved $816 million a $665 million increase over the past two years for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opioid abuse treatment and prevention programs. The bill directs $500 million to State opioid crisis grants, which were authorized through the 21st Century Cures Act, a bill that was championed by Senator Collins and signed into law in December 2016. Senator King has been a leading proponent of providing additional funding to fight the heroin and opioid crisis, which kills more than one person per day in Maine. He has repeatedly called onCongressand both theObamaandTrumpadministrations to fund laws and agencies that help address the drug epidemic. This fall, heled a letter to the Trum… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/leading-health-care-experts-oliver-wyman-show-alexander-murray-collins-nelson-will-more | Leading Health Care Experts at Oliver Wyman Show Alexander-Murray, Collins-Nelson Will More Than Offset Impact of Individual Mandate Repeal | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Newsroom Leading Health Care Experts at Oliver Wyman Show Alexander-Murray, Collins-Nelson Will More Than Offset Impact of Individual Mandate Repeal Compared to premiums without the individual mandate & CSR payments, Alexander-Murray & Collins-Nelson would actually reduce premiums by 20% and provide coverage to an additional 700,0000 people. Posted Fri, 12/15/2017 - 12:51 Washington, D.C. -Today, health care experts at Oliver Wyman released an analysis that showed that the passage of the Alexander-Murray Bipartisan Health Care Stabilization Act and the Collins-Nelson Lower Premiums Through Reinsurance Act will more than offset the impact of repealing the individual mandate. From the experts at Oliver Wyman: We estimate that with $5 billion in funding, states collectively could provide more than $15 billion in reinsurance coverage, and that this, combined with the funding of CSRs, would result in another 700,000 people with coverage in the individual market and premiums that were more than 20% lower than if the individual mandate were repealed and the package of provisions was not implemented. U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) received a commitment from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the Congressional Record that both of these bills will be passed before the end of the year. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-secures-major-wins-final-tax-reform-bill | Senator Collins Secures Major Wins in Final Tax Reform Bill | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -Following the release of the final text of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act this afternoon, the first major overhaul of our nations tax code since 1986, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) applauded the inclusion of multiple amendments she championed that will help working and middle class families. Americans deserve a tax system that is fair, simple, and promotes economic growth, said Senator Collins. I am pleased that the final tax reform bill includes all three of the amendments I authored, along with a number of provisions for which I strongly advocated, that will benefit lower- and middle-income families. In a significant victory for middle-income Americans, the legislation includes three amendments Senator Collins authored that will further reduce the tax burden on hardworking Americans, enhance retirement security, and help families who are struggling to afford high medical costs. Specifically, her provisions will: Allow taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 for state and local taxes. This is especially important to Maine, which has the 13th highest state and local tax burden in the nation; Retain and reduce the income threshold for deducting medical expenses, which will help people with high medical costs, particularly seniors and people with chronic conditions. Approximately 8.8 million Americans use this deduction, nearly half of whom have incomes of $50,000 or less; and Reverse an ill-advised elimination of catch-up contributions to retirement accounts for church, charity, school, and public employees. This provision will protect the ability of public employees, including firefighters, teachers, and police officers; clergy; and non-profit employees to save for retirement. Senator Collins also advocated for a number of additional improvements that were reflected in the final bill. Those changes include: Maintaining the deductibility of interest on student loans, as well as the tax exemption for employer-provided tuition assistance and for graduate student tuition waivers; … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/republicans-and-democrats-join-pass-rep-poliquin-s-bill-disclose-secret | Republicans and Democrats Join to Pass Rep. Poliquins Bill to Disclose Secret Funds of Iranian Regime Leaders | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s (ME-02) Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act with broad bipartisan support in a 289-135 vote, including 56 Democrats and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05). This is Congressman Poliquin’s fourth bill to pass the House this year. The Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act publicly discloses the assets of Iran’s tyrannical regime, which have been used to support and sponsor terrorism. “Iran’s top regime leaders—the Supreme Leader and the country’s top political and military brass—have amassed huge wealth through their tyrannical rule and corrupt and covert structure,” said Congressman Poliquin. “Reports have indicated these funds are being used to support and sponsor terrorism around the region and to undermine our own national security interests. Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, cannot be trusted and it’s important for the security of the region and for the United States for these secret funds to be exposed publicly to the world. I’m extremely pleased my colleagues in the House—Democrats and Republicans—passed this important legislation.” Congressman Bruce Poliquin speaks on the House Floor in support of the Iran Leadership Asset Transparency Act, his fourth bill to pass the House this year. Congressman Poliquin is a member of the Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee, the congressional body charged with investigating, identifying and helping to disrupt financial sources for terrorist organizations and sponsors of terrorism. Background on the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act: The Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act will publicize the assets associated with members of Iran’s tyrannical government leadership, including the Supreme Leader of Iran, Members of the Council of Guardians, Members of the Expediency Council and the top military leaders. The Department of Treasury would submit a report to Congress on the assets under control, how the assets were acquired and how t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-urge-fcc-chairman-cancel-vote-net-neutrality | Collins, King Urge FCC Chairman to Cancel Vote on Net Neutrality | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai in support of the agency’s existing net neutrality rules. The senators’ letter comes ahead of today’s planned vote by the FCC on rolling back the existing net neutrality protections. “We are writing to urge you to cancel today’s vote on the Restoring Internet Freedom Order,” the Senators wrote in their letter. “Repealing the FCC’s net neutrality rules will undermine longstanding protections that have ensured the open internet as a powerful and transformative platform of innovation and economic opportunity. We are concerned about the proposed order’s impact on the free market that has driven growth in our economy for years, and the potential adverse effect on rural America’s ability to realize the internet’s full potential. Given that this change will affect every sector of the U.S. economy, we are also concerned about the speed of the process, the lack of public hearings, and the underlying rationale for repealing net neutrality without an adequate replacement.” The complete text of the letter is available HERE and below. +++ The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: We are writing to urge you to cancel today’s vote on the Restoring Internet Freedom Order (Docket 17-108). This is a matter of enormous importance with significant implications for our entire economy, and therefore merits the most thorough, deliberate, and thoughtful process that can be provided. The process thus far in this important matter has not met that standard. Repealing the FCC’s net neutrality rules will undermine longstanding protections that have ensured the open internet as a powerful and transformative platform of innovation and economic opportunity. We are concerned about the proposed order’s impact on the free market that has driven growth in our economy for years, and the potential… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-murray-call-additional-funding-and-legislative-measures-address-sexual | Senators Collins, Murray Call for Additional Funding and Legislative Measures to Address Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA) wrote to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), urging them to take additional steps to address sexual harassment and workplace misconduct in the United States Congress. “The reported accounts of misconduct on Capitol Hill necessitate a review of our workplace culture and processes to ensure that equality and justice prevail throughout,” Senators Collins and Murray wrote. Senators Collins and Murray urged the Senate and Appropriations Committee leaders to provide additional funding to support updated and improved sexual harassment training for legislative branch employees. They also urged the inclusion of legislative measures to improve the ways that congressional offices respond to both the causes and consequences of these incidents. “On November 9, the Senate passed unanimously a resolution requiring Senators, staff, interns, fellows, and detailees to participate in workplace harassment training, including sexual harassment,” Senators Collins and Murray continued. “This is a welcome first step to reforming the culture on Capitol Hill. It also invites an opportunity to invest in necessary improvements to training modules and to hire staff with expertise in workplace harassment and worker-advocate support. We request that you include sufficient funding to the Office of Compliance (OOC) and other appropriate Senate offices to improve these trainings and supports.” Senators Collins and Murray also urged Leadership to take additional steps to fully address issues of harassment and misconduct, including implementing, at a minimum, the following common sense reforms that have support on both sides of the aisle: Covering every member of the Congressional community (staff, fellows, interns, pages, and detailees) by the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and fully inf… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-murray-call-additional-funding-and-legislative-measures-address-sexual-0 | Senators Collins, Murray Call for Additional Funding and Legislative Measures to Address Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA) wrote to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), urging them to take additional steps to address sexual harassment and workplace misconduct in the United States Congress. “The reported accounts of misconduct on Capitol Hill necessitate a review of our workplace culture and processes to ensure that equality and justice prevail throughout,” Senators Collins and Murray wrote. Senators Collins and Murray urged the Senate and Appropriations Committee leaders to provide additional funding to support updated and improved sexual harassment training for legislative branch employees. They also urged the inclusion of legislative measures to improve the ways that congressional offices respond to both the causes and consequences of these incidents. “On November 9, the Senate passed unanimously a resolution requiring Senators, staff, interns, fellows, and detailees to participate in workplace harassment training, including sexual harassment,” Senators Collins and Murray continued. “This is a welcome first step to reforming the culture on Capitol Hill. It also invites an opportunity to invest in necessary improvements to training modules and to hire staff with expertise in workplace harassment and worker-advocate support. We request that you include sufficient funding to the Office of Compliance (OOC) and other appropriate Senate offices to improve these trainings and supports.” Senators Collins and Murray also urged Leadership to take additional steps to fully address issues of harassment and misconduct, including implementing, at a minimum, the following common sense reforms that have support on both sides of the aisle: Covering every member of the Congressional community (staff, fellows, interns, pages, and detailees) by the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and fully inf… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-s-bill-help-maine-clam-and-worm-harvesters-and-clarify | Rep. Poliquins Bill to Help Maine Clam and Worm Harvesters and to Clarify Boundaries at Acadia Advances in the House | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – In a unanimous, bipartisan vote, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) had his legislation pass through the House Natural Resources Committee, clearing a key step toward a final vote in the House. The bill, H.R. 4266, will make important revisions to boundary policies at Acadia National Park (ANP) and help resolve recent disputes between local harvesters and the National Park Service (NPS) in and around the park. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) is an original cosponsor of the bill, while Senators Angus King and Susan Collins have introduced an identical bill in the Senate. “I’ve worked closely with the entire Maine Delegation and have worked to hear from all stakeholders to put forward this comprehensive solution in resolving boundary and traditional harvesting issues at Acadia,” said Congressman Poliquin. “In the past months and years, I’ve made sure to hear from, meet with, and understand the perspectives of groups on all sides and of all different interests in these discussions—from holding a roundtable discussion with local wormers and clammers last summer in Ellsworth to meeting or talking directly with Acadia National Park officials and local town officials. I’m extremely pleased this bipartisan and bicameral legislation is moving forward in Congress with broad support, and I will continue to push in the House to get it across the finish line.” In November, Congressman Poliquin testified before the House Natural Resources Committee on the legislation. Background: In 2015, ANP was deeded more than 1,400 acres on the Schoodic Peninsula by an anonymous donor. This was a welcome gift from the local towns and communities. It was only after the land was transferred to ANP that the NPS informed the public that the legal authority they used for the transfer came from a 1929 law that many in the Bar Harbor area believed had been repealed in 1986, after successful efforts to pass a law that set boundary limits on the park. The boundary law was crafted due to growing concerns about the size of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-more-23-million-navy-contract-bath-iron-works | Collins, King Announce More Than $23 Million Navy Contract for Bath Iron Works | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Newsroom Collins, King Announce More Than $23 Million Navy Contract for Bath Iron Works Posted Tue, 12/12/2017 - 11:55 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works (BIW) a $23,902,104 contract modification. The funding will be used to continue lead yard services for Arleigh Burke-class ships. “This funding is critical to ensuring that the highly skilled men and women of Bath Iron Works have the necessary resources to continue building the best, most advanced destroyers in the world,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “We applaud the Navy for this contract modification that supports the hardworking employees at BIW, strengthens Maine’s economy, and bolsters our national security.” This funding is a cost-plus-award-fee modification to a previously awarded contract for lead yard services. The modification provides engineering and technical assistance for the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, and tasks include planning and DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class Flight III upgrade design efforts. Senator Collins is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/maine-delegation-applauds-va-announcement-fund-veteran-support-specialists-maine | Maine Delegation Applauds VA Announcement to Fund Veteran Support Specialists in Maine | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin today applauded the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announcement that it will fund three new positions in Maine to better serve the needs of justice-involved Maine veterans confronting homelessness, mental health, or substance abuse issues. The funding will support a Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialist, a Health Care for Re-entry Veterans (HCRV) coordinator, and a specialist focused on veteran suicide prevention. VA Deputy Secretary Thomas Bowman made the announcement during the First Annual Military Veteran Symposium in Portland this morning. “As our population of veterans has grown, aged, and diversified, the Togus VA Medical Center has adapted to these changes to meet the needs of patients,” said Senator Collins. “Today’s announcement that the VA is funding three critical positions at Togus to help promote suicide prevention, assist veterans returning to society, and prevent unnecessary criminalization of those with mental illness will enhance the hospital’s work to provide high-quality care for veterans. I applaud the VA for making this important investment.” “Maine veterans answered the call to uphold our freedoms, and those struggling with mental health issues, substance abuse, or homelessness deserve our comprehensive support,” Senator King said. “These new positions in Maine provide veterans with expanded access to specialists so they can get the treatments and services they need. Maine is a community – we care for our neighbors and for each other – and with the VA’s announcement today, we have taken an important step to strengthen our community and better care for veterans across the state.” "The high rate of veteran suicides is one of the most heartbreaking issues our country faces. We owe it to these brave men and women to do everything we can to prevent these tragedies and ensure they have someone to turn to. I appreciate the VA giving attention to this and other… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-questions-experts-ways-reduce-prescription-drug-costs | Senator Collins Questions Experts on Ways to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ Q&A with hearing witnesses Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for high-quality video of Senator Collins’ Q&A with hearing witnesses Washington, D.C. - Today, the Senate Health Committee held the final hearing in a three-part series on reducing the cost of prescription drugs. The hearing focused on the recently released report from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the rising costs of prescription drugs titled, “Making Medicines Affordable: A National Imperative.” The committee examined the recommendations of the report and listened to testimony from experts on how best to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for consumers while preserving access and innovation. U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Health Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, has championed bipartisan efforts in Congress to increase funding for opioid abuse prevention and treatment as well as medical research. During the hearing, Senator Collins referenced a report broadcast in October by NBC “Nightly News,” which revealed that some contracts between pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacies prohibit pharmacists from telling consumers if their prescription would cost less if they paid for it out-of-pocket rather than using their insurance. “NBC did a piece that showed that a consumer who had a co-pay of $43 for a cholesterol drug would have only payed $19 if that consumer had paid out-of-pocket,” said Senator Collins. “What would you think of having the federal government ban this practice of gag clauses as a condition of participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs?” In response, Norm Augustine, the Chair of the Committee on Ensuring Patient Access to Affordable Drug Therapies, said, “Our committee addressed the broad issue that you raised, and it’s our belief that the way to resolve that is dealing with a larger issue: the lack of transparency. The fact is that people don’t know what is in the agreements… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-signs-holiday-cards-servicemembers-veterans-and-their-families | Senator Collins Signs Holiday Cards for Servicemembers, Veterans, and Their Families | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE and HERE for high-resolution photos of Senator Collins signing holiday cards Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Military Family Caucus, participated in the American Red Cross Holiday for Heroes programs, which allows Senators and congressional staff to send holiday cards to servicemembers, veterans, and their families. “The men and women serving in our military, along with their families and our nation’s veterans, deserve our respect, compassion, and support for the many sacrifices they make to defend our nation’s freedom,” said Senator Collins. “Members of our military are often deployed to distant places, far from their families and the comfort of home. For those brave men and women in our Armed Forces who can’t be with their loved ones this holiday season, we should join together to support these heroes and their families and express our gratitude for all that they do on our behalf.” In December 2007, Walter Reed Army Medical Center asked the Red Cross to help distribute thousands of holiday cards for wounded service men and women. In response to the request, the Red Cross turned the project into a nationwide effort that could reach members of the military at other facilities in the U.S. and around the world. In previous Capitol Hill signing events, organizers collected more than 2,000 holiday cards. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-and-king-participate-wreaths-across-america-ceremony-us-capitol | Senators Collins and King Participate in Wreaths Across America Ceremony at U.S. Capitol | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senators Collins and King Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for b-roll of Senators Collins and King Click HERE for video of Senator Collins’ remarks Click HERE for video of Senator King’s remarks Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King participated in the Wreaths Across America Capitol wreath laying ceremony this morning in Washington. Beginning in 2007, and each December since, Wreaths Across America, based out of Columbia Falls, Maine, has placed a remembrance Wreath at the U.S. Capitol Building. The wreath laid at the U.S. Capitol is adorned with flags representing each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and POWs/MIAs, and it is decorated with a red bow. During the ceremony, which coincided with similar ceremonies at all 50 state capitols across our country, Senators Collins and King delivered remarks and joined in a moment of silence to reflect on the holiday season and to honor and remember our nation’s veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices. “Wreaths Across America is a powerful demonstration of respect and appreciation for our veterans – both those that we’ve lost and those still with us,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “In this season of giving, the thoughts of all Americans turn to those who have given us the most precious gift of all: our freedom. All Mainers should be proud that Wreaths Across America, this heartfelt expression of America’s gratitude, began in our State.” A convoy of volunteers and thousands of Maine-made balsam wreaths departed from Maine yesterday, December 10th, and are scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery on December 16th. Thousands of volunteers are expected to lay the wreaths at the graves of each American veteran. In addition to Arlington National Cemetery, volunteers will place approximately 1.2 million wreaths at over 1,200 locations in all 50 states and numerous national veteran cemeteries on foreign soil. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-senator-collins-interviewed-cbs%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cface-nation%E2%80%9D-0 | ICYMI: Senator Collins Interviewed on CBSs Face the Nation | 2017-12-10 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE to watch the interview Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for high-quality video of the interview Washington, D.C. - This morning, U.S. Senator Susan Collins discussed tax reform and other topics on CBS’s “Face the Nation” with host John Dickerson. A transcript of the interview follows: “Face the Nation” December 10, 2017 DICKERSON: We want to turn now to Maine’s Republican Senator Susan Collins. Welcome, Senator. We have some important tax business to get to, but I want to stay with this question of the revolution going on in the way that sexual assault is being dealt with. This week the Republican National Committee supported Roy Moore. You do not support him. You say you believe his accusers. Your colleague Republican Ben Sasse wrote this, “I believe the women and RNC previously did, too, what's changed? Or is the party just indifferent?” You're a Republican, what do you think about the RNC supporting Roy Moore? COLLINS: I'm disappointed that the RNC has resumed its support of Roy Moore. I think that is a mistake. I would point out that I did not support Mr. Moore even prior to these allegations of sexual misconduct because I was concerned about his anti-Muslim comments, his anti-LGBT comments, and also, most important of all, he's been removed twice from the Alabama Supreme Court for failure to follow lawful judicial orders. DICKERSON: You also, with the news about Al Franken this week you called for him to resign. Are you closer to the Democratic Party on these issues than the Republican Party? COLLINS: I think Republicans care just as much as Democrats about sexual misconduct and sexual harassment. There's a new awakening in our country that this is pervasive, whether we're talking about Hollywood or Wall Street or the media or Capitol Hill. And that's why I’m joining a bipartisan group of senators who are trying to look at our own procedures on Capitol Hill to [en]sure that allegations of sexual misconduct involving members or staff are dealt with seriously. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-%E2%80%9C-tax-overhaul-susan-collins-stretches-her-political-powers%E2%80%9D | ICYMI: With Tax Overhaul, Susan Collins Stretches Her Political Powers | 2017-12-08 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE to read the article in the Wall Street Journal. The full article is below. WASHINGTON - Maine Sen. Susan Collins earlier this year decided to stay in her job instead of running for governor because she thought she could play a decisive role at a consequential time for the Senate. Last week, as her Republican colleagues inched toward passage of a $1.4 trillion tax bill, she tested that theory and brokered some of the most significant last-minute changes to the measure in exchange for her vote. Ms. Collins managed to make changes equal to a tenth of the net $1.4 trillion tax cuts in the bill by preserving some tax deductions, expanding others and protecting a retirement-contribution exclusion, based on data from the Joint Committee on Taxation. She won inclusion of an amendment that would return the medical-expense deduction to pre-Affordable Care Act levels for two years. She also got Republican tax writers to back down from an attempt to stop elementary-school teachers and others from putting more money into retirement accounts than what other types of taxpayers may set aside. The biggest-ticket item was her battle to preserve a property-tax deduction of up to $10,000, the elimination of which would have brought in $148.4 billion in revenue. The most challenging bit of horse-trading involved a willingness by Ms. Collins to accept that the tax bill would repeal the health law’s mandate that most Americans buy insurance or pay a penalty, a politically risky step that could cause premiums to rise for those who buy private health-insurance, based on Congressional Budget Office forecasts. Ms. Collins, 65 years old, is perhaps the most high-profile example of what has become an important characteristic of the modern Senate: female lawmakers who, in an increasingly visible way, are putting their imprint on legislation and driving the political discussion. She is one of the few remaining swing votes in the chamber and she is comfortable using that leverage. Democratic women are leading the crac… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senate-passes-collins-king-resolution-marking-december-16-2017-%E2%80%9Cwreaths-across-america-day%E2%80%9D | Senate Passes Collins, King Resolution Marking December 16, 2017, as Wreaths Across America Day | 2017-12-08 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Saturday, December 16, 2017 as “Wreaths Across America Day.” On December 16th, a convoy of volunteers is scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery to lay Maine-made balsam wreaths at the grave site of American veterans interred there. “In its twenty-six year history, Wreaths Across America has become an enduring symbol of valor and sacrifice, and reaffirms our never-ending obligation to thank those who served in defense of our nation,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This Maine-led tradition is an inspiring example of the generosity and gratitude to our nation’s veterans that makes the holiday season so special. We are grateful for the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who ‘Remember, Honor, Teach’ through Wreaths Across America.” To honor our fallen heroes, wreaths will be laid at the graves of American servicemembers as part of a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition to Arlington National Cemetery, wreaths will be laid at more than 1,200 other locations across the country and at numerous national veterans cemeteries on foreign soil. Patriot Guard Riders will once again continue their tradition of escorting the wreath trucks from Maine down the East Coast, along with other patriotic escorts including motorcycle units, law enforcement, and first responders. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in this proud tradition. The resolution is available HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-receives-caregiving-leader-congress-award-caregiver-action-network | Senator Collins Receives Caregiving Leader in Congress Award from Caregiver Action Network | 2017-12-08 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins and John Schall, CEO of Caregiver Action Network Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for b-roll of the award presentation Washington, D.C. - The Caregiver Action Network honored U.S. Senator Susan Collins with the Caregiving Leader in Congress Award for her long-time leadership on caregiver advancements. John Schall, CEO of Caregiver Action Network, presented Senator Collins with the award in her Washington, D.C., office this morning. “Working to improve support and respite for the 90 million Americans who care for a loved one is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. I am deeply honored to receive this award and want to express my thanks to the Caregiver Action Network and its members, who have helped lead the way in representing the concerns of family caregivers,” said Senator Collins. “Family caregivers play an essential role in our communities by dedicating time and attention as well as making countless personal and financial sacrifices to care for their loved ones.” “Thank you so much for the RAISE Act and everything you do for aging,” said John Schall, CEO of Caregiver Action Network. “You are really our hero for family caregivers. We were just so honored to be able to give you the Caregiving Leader in Congress Award.” In September, the Senate passed the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, legislation introduced by Senator Collins that would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and sustain a coordinated strategy to recognize and support family caregivers. This bipartisan bill has been endorsed by more than 60 aging and disabilities organizations, including the AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Michael J. Foxx Foundation, and the Arc. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-markey-van-hollen-capito-introduce-legislation-extend-availability-new | Senators Collins, Markey, Van Hollen, Capito Introduce Legislation to Extend Availability of New Alzheimers Semipostal Stamp | 2017-12-08 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today introduced legislation with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to authorize the recently-released United States Postal Service Alzheimer’s research stamp for an additional six years, providing more time to raise additional Alzheimer’s research funds for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Representatives Elijah Cummings (MD-07) and Maxine Waters (CA-43) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this year. “In addition to the human suffering it causes, Alzheimer’s is our nation’s costliest disease. As the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s, I strongly advocated for the $1.8 billion for Alzheimer’s research that was included in the proposed funding bill for the upcoming fiscal year,” said Senator Collins. “By allowing Americans to continue to purchase Alzheimer’s research stamps, our legislation will promote additional funding for the NIH to help combat this devastating disease.” “While we’ve made significant progress in our fight against Alzheimer’s, we need continued research investments through the National Institutes of Health to help us end this disease,” said Senator Markey. “This stamp will help us achieve that, but we need more than two years that the Postal Service has dedicated to build upon the momentum that this stamp will create. The issuance of this stamp gives me a renewed hope that, as the stamp art depicts, we will continue to bring Alzheimer’s out of the darkness and into the light. And together, we will find a cure.” “Alzheimer’s is an irreversible disease that slowly robs people of their memories, their identities, and their ability to care for themselves,” said Rep. Cummings. “That’s why this stamp is so important—it will enable Americans everywhere who are touched by Alzheimer’s to make a contribution to help us win the fight against it. The Breast Cancer stamp issued nearly 20 years ago has raised more… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/democratic-leader-maine-state-senate-appreciates-congressman-bruce | Democratic Leader of the Maine State Senate Appreciates Congressman Bruce Poliquin for Fighting Unfair Foreign Trade | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – The Democratic Leader of the Maine State Senate, Troy Jackson (D-Allagash), said this week he appreciates Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) for his successful efforts to fight against illegal and unfair foreign trade, resulting in a sweeping decision by the Nation’s top trade officials to impose tariffs on Chinese imports and level the playing field for 161 workers in Maine. WAGM-8 in Presque Isle reported the story HERE. In a sweeping 4-0 vote, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Nation’s top federal trade officials, ruled in favor of Maine forest products jobs against illegal Chinese subsidies, after Congressman Poliquin strongly implored them to do so at a hearing in October. The ITC’s unanimous ruling activates significant tariffs on the imports of Chinese hardwood plywood, helping to level the playing field for American and Maine wood products manufacturers. “On behalf of the 161 Columbia Forest Products employees in Presque Isle, Maine, we are both thrilled and thankful with the results at the ITC. This victory for American manufacturing is in no small part due to the tireless support of Congressman Poliquin,” said Gary Gillespie, Vice President of Northern Operations for Columbia Forest Products, based in Presque Isle. In October, Congressman Poliquin joined a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers to testify in-person at the ITC, where he implored the trade officials to act on hardwood dumping by Chinese companies that adversely impact American competitors from Maine and elsewhere across our Nation. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/case-you-missed-it-new-balance-applauds-senator-collins%E2%80%99-support-domestic-manufacturing | In Case You Missed It: New Balance Applauds Senator Collins Support for Domestic Manufacturing | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | December 6, 2017 -- Skowhegan, Maine -- New Balance released a statement today commending U.S. Senator Susan Collins on her support for comprehensive tax reform which will enhance the ability of the company to grow and create additional jobs in key U.S. regions like Maine. New Balance currently has five manufacturing facilities in New England. The facilities in Maine are located in Skowhegan, Norridgewock, and Norway and employ approximately 900 people. “New Balance is proud to employ thousands of hardworking Americans and produce athletic footwear in the U.S. We applaud Senator Collins’ efforts to encourage greater growth at our U.S. factories by reducing the corporate tax burden, incentivizing capital investment and creating long-term certainty. The Senate bill will allow New Balance to be more competitive and manufacture more footwear in Maine that we can export across the globe.” Among the many pro-growth provisions included in the Senate tax bill, three changes to the tax code in particular are important to New Balance: First, the bill lowers the corporate tax rate. This significantly reduces the incentive for companies to move operations overseas in search of lower tax rates. Companies like New Balance, which already has a strong domestic manufacturing presence, will be able to increase investments in their facilities and be more globally competitive while remaining a U.S. company hiring U.S. workers. Second, the bill improves cost recovery for capital investments. These provisions will allow businesses to fully expense or more quickly depreciate newly purchased assets, meaning companies will buy more property, equipment, and machines for use in the U.S. This will lead to more jobs for U.S. workers, more revenue for sellers, and bigger paychecks for employees. Third, the ability to bring back foreign profits through deemed repatriation. The return of foreign profits at lower tax rate is a major incentive to build and grow in our communities. New Balance will invest these funds in the developm… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-%E2%80%9Cretailers-consumers-and-state-will-benefit-tax-reform-bill%E2%80%9D | ICYMI: Retailers, consumers and state will benefit from tax reform bill | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Retailers, consumers and state will benefit from tax reform bill By: Curtis Picard, president and CEO of the Augusta-based Retail Association of Maine Click HERE to read the op-ed in the Portland Press Herald. AUGUSTA — After more than three decades, Congress finally passed much-needed and long-overdue tax relief for millions of families and businesses. For Maine and its nearly 9,000 retail establishments and over 80,000 retail jobs, this is a welcome relief for small businesses. We owe Sen. Susan Collins a heartfelt "thank you" for helping push the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act over the finish line. As she has done many times throughout her career, Sen. Collins was a critical force during the negotiations and was able to make significant changes to the bill addressing some of her major concerns. SMALL COMPANIES ARE BIG WINNERS We elect all of our congressional representatives to work hard for the people of Maine, and if these issues were all easy, all four would vote the same way each time. However, the issues are often complex and the process can be frustrating, but we rely on our elected officials to work hard and make informed decisions. Tax reform is a great example of that, and Sen. Collins used her leverage wisely to improve the bill. Retailers in Maine have been advocating for tax reform for years, calling on Congress to push against tax breaks that benefit only select industries and instead use that revenue to lower rates for all companies, including small businesses. The retail industry is Maine’s largest private-sector employer and contributes $1.5 billion to the state gross domestic product, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Maine deserves legislation that will help generate jobs and economic growth. While some critics will argue that this tax bill only benefits large companies, that is simply not true. They need to remember that 95 percent of retailers operate in just one location and 98 percent of retailers have 50 or fewer employees. Retailers are truly small businesses, and i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-questions-experts-progress-made-implementation-21st-century-cures-act | Senator Collins Questions Experts on the Progress Made Since Implementation of 21st Century Cures Act | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ Q&A with hearing witnesses Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for high-quality video of Senator Collins’ Q&A with hearing witnesses Washington, D.C. - Today, the Senate Health Committee held the second hearing in a series to discuss implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act since it became law on December 13, 2016. The committee questioned experts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on how they have implemented the 21st Century Cures Act to advance biomedical research, decrease development time, and improve the regulatory process to advance safe and effective medical treatments. U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Health Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, has championed bipartisan efforts in Congress to increase funding for opioid abuse prevention and treatment as well as medical research. Senator Collins highlighted the promise of the NIH Regenerative Medicine Innovation Project, funded by the 21st Century Cures Act, and how this research is making a difference for Mainers, such as Presque Isle native, Doug Oliver, who shared his story about losing and regaining his sight through regenerative therapy. Senator Collins noted that one of the eight awards that has been made as part of this Cures project went to the Maine Medical Center Research Institute, towards the development of regenerative therapies for chronic kidney disease. She also recognized the cutting-edge work of MDI Biological Laboratory. “MDI Biological Laboratory in Maine is leading the development of regenerative therapies that hold significant potential for slowing degenerative changes that occur with aging,” remarked Senator Collins. Senator Collins asked Dr. Collins about which aspects of the Accelerated Medicine Projects he found most promising. “For Alzheimer’s, there are two areas that we are really pushing: one is biomarkers… and the other part is this systems biology where we’r… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-receives-%E2%80%98champion-rural-america%E2%80%99-award-national-grange%E2%80%99s-150th-birthday | Senator Collins Receives Champion of Rural America Award at National Granges 150th Birthday Celebration | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins with Rick Grotton Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) was recently honored as a Champion of Rural America by the National Grange for her leadership on issues related to agriculture and rural America as well as for her bipartisan approach to policymaking. Former Maine State Grange President Rick Grotton of Monmouth presented the award to Senator Collins at the National Grange’s 150th birthday celebration in Washington, D.C. “I was honored to be recognized as a Champion of Rural America by the National Grange," said Senator Collins. "For 150 years, Grange has worked to promote public policy that recognizes the unique needs and strengths of rural America, and I am proud to join the organization’s nearly 5,000 Maine members in this effort. As their motto states, the Grange stands on a foundation of unity, liberty, and charity. With those qualities as our guide, we can build a new and vibrant economy for rural America.” Maine has more than 100 Grange Halls that serve as centers of community life. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN), and Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) were also honored at the celebration. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/former-verso-paper-worker-maine-testifies-senate-aging-committee-hearing | Former Verso Paper Worker from Maine Testifies at Senate Aging Committee Hearing | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins and Mr. Jellison Click HERE for a copy of Senator Collins’ opening statement Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ opening remarks Click HERE to watch Senator Collins questioning Mr. Jellison Note to assignment editors and news directors: For high-quality video, click HERE for b-roll of Senator Collins meeting Mr. Jellison, click HERE for video of Mr. Jellison’s testimony, click HERE for video of Senator Collins’ opening statement, and click HERE for video of Senator Collins questioning Mr. Jellison Washington, D.C. - Ralph Jellison, from Orland, Maine, had worked at the Verso Paper Mill (formerly Champion Paper) in Bucksport for 27 years when the company announced in 2014 that the mill would close. “My life was turned upside down when I was 52 years old,” Mr. Jellison told the Senate Aging Committee today. “The job market had been flooded with hundreds of unemployed mill workers… I live in a small town where there are not a whole lot of options for me to just go out and find another job that paid as well as the mill.” Senator Susan Collins, Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, invited Mr. Jellison to Washington to share his experience during a hearing focused on the challenges and opportunities facing America’s aging workforce. Following the mill closure, Mr. Jellison enrolled in a retraining program at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, eventually securing a job at Hinckley Yachts and later at the GAC Chemical Corporation in Searsport. “This opportunity to go back to school has brought me to this point in my life. We’re back on our feet and I’m providing for my family again. I can’t tell you how good that makes me feel,” said Mr. Jellison. With Americans living and working longer, the workplace has transformed in an unprecedented way. For the past year, Senator Collins’ committee has been examining the nation’s aging workforce, and today released its report, “America’s Aging Workforce: Opportunities and Challenges.” The report finds … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-%E2%80%9Cstudy-obamacare-bills-backed-collins-would-lower-premiums%E2%80%9D | ICYMI: Study: ObamaCare bills backed by Collins would lower premiums | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | “Study: ObamaCare bills backed by Collins would lower premiums” By: Peter Sullivan Click HERE to read the full article online. An excerpt of the article is below. “Two bipartisan ObamaCare fixes being pushed by GOP Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) would reduce premiums by 18 percent in 2019, according to a new study. “The study from Avalere, a consulting firm, finds that the two bills would more than cancel out the projected premium increase from repealing ObamaCare’s individual mandate. “Collins secured a commitment from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to support passage of the two bills before the end of the year, in exchange for her vote for tax reform, which includes repeal of the ObamaCare mandate. “The two bills provide funding for payments to insurers, known as Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs), and for “reinsurance,” which is money to pay for the costs of sick enrollees and bring down premiums. “Avalere finds those two proposals, with $5 billion per year in reinsurance funding, would reduce premiums by 18 percent in 2019. That is more than the 10 percent increase in premiums from repealing the mandate. “Reinsurance accounts for 4 percent and CSRs for the other 14 percent. “‘From a premium point of view, we do think reinsurance and CSRs probably covers the mandate,’ said Caroline Pearson, a senior vice president at Avalere.” Click HERE to read the full article online. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-mccaskill-announce-senior-afe-clears-key-hurdle | Senators Collins, McCaskill Announce Senior $afe Clears Key Hurdle | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) announced today that the Senate Banking Committee included the Senior $afe Act as part of a bipartisan legislative proposal to improve our nation’s financial regulatory framework. Senators Collins and McCaskill, the Chairman and former Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee, introduced the Senior $afe Act in January, which would put in place a plan to help protect American seniors from financial exploitation and fraud by providing support to regulators, financial institutions, and legal organizations to educate their employees about how to identify and prevent financial exploitation of older Americans. “As Chair of the Senate Aging Committee, I have made preventing the financial exploitation of seniors a top priority,” said Senator Collins. “I am pleased that the Banking Committee approved our commonsense plan, based on Maine’s innovative Senior$afe program, which will empower and encourage our financial service representatives to identify warning signs of common scams and help stop financial fraud targeting our seniors.” “The unfortunate fact is that our seniors are particularly vulnerable to exploitation,” said Senator McCaskill, a former courtroom prosecutor. “Giving financial processionals – the folks in the best position to identify signs of fraud or abuse—the tools to safely and securely protect seniors’ life savings is the commonsense thing to do, and I’m glad our bipartisan plan to do it is one step closer to becoming law.” According to the Government Accountability Office, financial fraud targeting older Americans is a growing epidemic that costs seniors an estimated $2.9 billion annually. These scams range from the “Jamaican Lottery Scam,” to the IRS impersonation scam, to the financial exploitation of seniors through guardianships. Current bank privacy laws can make it difficult for financial institutions to report suspected fraud to the proper authorities The Senior$afe Act would address this problem by:… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-urges-daca-solution-years-end | Rep. Poliquin Urges DACA Solution Before Years End | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) is calling on Congress to find a permanent legislative solution for DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, before the end of December. The letter from the 34 Republican lawmakers states: “While we firmly believe Congress must work to address other issues within our broken immigration system, it is imperative that Republicans and Democrats come together to solve this problem now and not wait until next year. We all agree that our border must be enforced, our national security defended, and our broken immigration system reformed, but in this moment, we must address the urgent matter before us in a balanced approach that does not harm valuable sectors of our economy nor the lives of these hard-working young people. We must pass legislation that protects DACA recipients from deportation and gives them the opportunity to apply for a more secured status in our country as soon as possible.” In addition, Congressman Poliquin also released the following statement: “Congress has waited far too long to act on serious border security and to implement an effective system to control who enters our county. It’s the federal government’s responsibility to establish immigration laws that work for American families while welcoming those wanting to become law-abiding citizens of the United States. “America is a country of immigrants, like my own family. However, no President can simply side-step Congress and create immigration laws on his or her own. The Constitution is clear that the Legislative branch is responsible for passing laws to be presented to the President for signature. The Obama Administration acted illegally in creating the DACA program in 2012. I strongly opposed this action—joining a resolution condemning it—because it was unconstitutional and a violation of executive power. Now, the current Administration is facing legal challenges from several states if the DACA policy continues. “Congress must act to improve our border security; to find a solution t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-727846-funding-greater-portland-health | Collins, King Announce $727,846 in Funding for Greater Portland Health | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Newsroom Collins, King Announce $727,846 in Funding for Greater Portland Health Posted Tue, 12/05/2017 - 11:46 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded two grants totaling $727,846 to Greater Portland Health. The Department’s Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) will grant $581,024 to Greater Portland Health through its Health Center Cluster program and $146,822 through its Ryan White Part C Outpatient EIS program. “Community health centers, like Greater Portland Health, help Mainers across our state receive the high quality care they deserve,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “These federal grants offer critical support for people in the Greater Portland area, and we applaud HHS for recognizing Greater Portland Health’s commitment to the surrounding community.” HRSA is an agency within HHS that is tasked with improving access to health care by building healthy communities, strengthening the health care workforce, and achieving health equity. HRSA’s Health Cluster programs targets the economic and medically vulnerable as well as the geographically isolated. The Ryan White Part C Outpatient EIS Program funds primary care for those living with HIV. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-senator-collins-secures-commitment-pass-legislation-lower-health-insurance-premiums | ICYMI: Senator Collins Secures Commitment to Pass Legislation to Lower Health Insurance Premiums Before the End of the Year | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - In case you missed it, on Friday, December 1st, U.S. Senator Susan Collins received a commitment from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that appears in the Congressional Record to pass two important bipartisan bills before year’s end to mitigate premium increases: Alexander-Murray, legislation to help low-income families afford insurance, and Collins-Nelson, legislation to help protect people with pre-existing conditions via high-risk pools. The first bill Senator McConnell committed to pass is the Bipartisan Health Care Stabilization Act introduced by Senators Alexander and Murray, which will provide vital funding in 2019 and 2020 for the cost-sharing reductions received by low-income enrollees in the ACA exchanges. This funding helps low-income families pay their out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and co-pays. The second bill Senator McConnell committed to pass is bipartisan legislation Senator Collins introduced, which will protect people with pre-existing conditions while lowering premiums through the use of high-risk pools. This plan will provide states with a total of $10.5 billion—$500 million in 2018 to help states set up the pools and $5 billion per year in 2019 and 2020 in seed money—to establish invisible high-risk pools or traditional reinsurance programs. In Maine and Alaska, high-risk pools were used to lower premiums substantially – by an average of 20 percent. Click HERE to read the colloquy in the Congressional Record. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/14-maine-students-nominated-us-military-service-academies | 14 Maine Students Nominated for U.S. Military Service Academies | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) announced that he has nominated 14 students from Maine’s 2nd District to attend one of our Nation’s prestigious military service academies next year. The Congressman will personally call each nominee to congratulate them. Congressman Poliquin released the following statement: “These dedicated and hardworking young Mainers have demonstrated their incredible talent, commitment to duty, and academic excellence,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I’m extremely proud and excited to nominate these extraordinary young adults for consideration for admission to one of our Nation’s great military service academies. Congratulations on your success so far, and keep up the great work on your grand journeys ahead!” The 2017 nominees include: Tristan Cosby, Houlton – Houlton High School: U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy Cody Craig, Skowhegan – The Hill School: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Elizabeth Diaz, Jay – Kents Hill School: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Haley Donovan, Crawford – Calais High School: U.S. Air Force Academy Elinor Haldane, Blue Hill – George Stevens Academy: U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Chase Harkins, Bethel – Gould Academy: U.S. Military Academy Alexander Howell, Islesboro – Islesboro Central School: U.S. Naval Academy Alexander Inman, Eddington – Bangor High School: U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy Anthony Mason, Beaver Cove – Greenville High School: U.S. Naval Academy Maria Maxsimic, Holden – Brewer High School: U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy Emily Mikoud, Dover-Foxcroft – Foxcroft Academy: U.S. Military Academy Emily Mousseau, Lewiston – Lewiston High School: U.S. Naval Academy Connor Roy, Hampden – Hampden Academy: U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy Anna Sewall, East Millinocket – Schenck High School: U.S. Naval Academy Congressman Poliquin’s nominations were informed by the recommendations of his… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-s-testimony-top-federal-trade-officials-results-unanimous | Rep. Poliquins Testimony Before Top Federal Trade Officials Results in Unanimous Ruling in Favor of Maine Forest Products Jobs Against Chinese Manufacturers | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – In a sweeping 4-0 vote, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Nation’s top federal trade officials, ruled in favor of Maine forest products jobs against illegal Chinese subsidies, after Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) strongly implored them to do so at a hearing in October. The ITC’s unanimous ruling Friday activates significant tariffs on the imports of Chinese hardwood plywood, helping to level the playing field for American and Maine wood products manufacturers. “Mainers are the hardest working people in the world and can compete and win against anyone, but the rules have to be fair,” said Congressman Poliquin. “For too long, Mainers have borne the brunt of unfair and illegal trade practices from foreign competition. In particular, Chinese manufacturers, backed by the Chinese government, have had an unfair advantage over our wood products industry, not playing by the rules. “The ITC’s unanimous ruling in favor of Maine jobs is a strong and encouraging victory for hundreds of hardworking Mainers in Presque Isle. I am thrilled with the commission’s definitive ruling and will continue to fight to ensure Mainers can compete on a level playing field.” Said Gary Gillespie, Vice President of Northern Operations for Columbia Forest Products, based in Presque Isle, “On behalf of the 161 Columbia Forest Products employees in Presque Isle, Maine, we are both thrilled and thankful with the results at the ITC. This victory for American manufacturing is in no small part due to the tireless support of Congressman Poliquin.” In October, Congressman Poliquin joined a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers to testify in-person at the ITC, where he implored the trade officials to act on hardwood dumping by Chinese companies that adversely impact American competitors from Maine and elsewhere across our Nation. Congressman Poliquin testifies before the ITC in October, imploring the federal trade officials to condemn unfair trade from Chinese competitors and to protect Maine jobs. Congressma… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-more-44-million-naval-contract-bath-iron-works | Collins, King Announce More Than $44 million Naval Contract with Bath Iron Works | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Navy awarded Bath Iron Works a $44,305,474 option last month on a previously awarded contract. The funding will be used to continue Integrated Planning Yard services for Arleigh Burke-class and Oliver Hazard Perry-class ships. “This announcement is welcome news for the hardworking men and women at Bath Iron Works,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “These contracts show the Navy’s commitment to BIW and its confidence in the shipyard’s highly skilled employees, who are vital to our state’s economy and to our nation’s security.” This funding is a cost-plus-award-fee modification to a previously awarded contract for the continuation of Integrated Planning Yard services. The modification covers integrated planning and support for the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Oliver Hazard Perry-class of frigates built at Bath, and tasks include design, planning, and modernization efforts. Senator Collins is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-senator-collins-discusses-russia-investigation-tax-reform-nbc%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cmeet-press%E2%80%9D | ICYMI: Senator Collins Discusses Russia Investigation, Tax Reform on NBCs Meet the Press | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE to watch the interview Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for high-quality video of the interview Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” this morning with host Chuck Todd to discuss the Russia investigation and tax reform A transcript of the interview follows: “Meet the Press” December 3, 2017 TODD: Joining me now is Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine. She sits on the Intelligence Committee. Senator Collins, welcome back to "Meet the Press." COLLINS: Thank you, Chuck. TODD: Obviously, I want to get to two stories. I’m going to start though with Russia. Taken at face value, there are two sort of alarming quotes over the weekend. One comes from the president's twitter feed—we referenced it earlier in the lead in—that he said the reason he fired Flynn is he lied to the vice president and the FBI, apparently invoking the idea that he knowingly obstructed justice, perhaps. And then let me show you this K.T. McFarland quote. She was the deputy national security adviser for a short period of time. There is an e-mail that she sent around during the transition that apparently said this, “If there is a tit-for-tat escalation, Trump will have difficulty improving relations with Russia, which has just thrown USA election to him.” Now we have the White House trying to backtrack, clarify all of those things. How alarming are those two quotes to you? COLLINS: Well, they're the reason why we have two investigations underway right now. The special counsel's investigation clearly is bearing fruit, as we've seen with the guilty plea with General Flynn. And we have the Senate Intelligence Committee investigation, which is a different kind of investigation, a counterintelligence investigation, and we're also making progress. TODD: It's interesting you said “bearing fruit.” Do you believe that there was collusion? Do you think that this is where this is headed, that Mueller is slowly but surely proving his case there was collusion between t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-and-king-announce-maine-nominees-united-states-military-service-1 | Senators Collins and King Announce Maine Nominees to the United States Military Service Academies | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced their nominees to the United States Military Academies. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy, also a federal service academy, does not require a congressional nomination. “We are proud to have the honor to nominate such an impressive group of Maine students to our nation’s distinguished service academies,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “The young people we have nominated have earned this honor through a commitment to strong scholarship, leadership, and character.” The following students from Maine have received nominations as candidates to the military academies from Senators Collins and King: United States Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs Name Home Town High School Tristan Cosby Houlton Houlton High School Haley Donovan Crawford Calais High School Mia Ferrante Buxton Bonny Eagle High School Zachary Grant Brunswick Brunswick High School Brinley Harrison South Bristol Lincoln Academy Patrick Hopkins Winslow Winslow High School Alexander Inman Eddington Bangor High School James Mannette Windham Windham High School Maria Maxsimic Holden Brewer High School Connor Roy Hampden Hampden Academy United States Merchant Marine Academy- Kings Point Name … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-reform-bill-senate-includes-improvements-rep-poliquin-strongly | Tax Reform Bill in Senate Includes Improvements Rep. Poliquin Strongly Supports | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – A comprehensive tax reform proposal, which will double the standard deduction for the average Maine family and retain the highest tax rate for top earners, had improvements made to it by Senator Susan Collins (ME) and others that Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) strongly supports. Congressman Poliquin released the following statement: “Mainers deserve a tax break,” said Congressman Bruce Poliquin. “We’re going to deliver it to them. “Earlier this month, I voted to move the tax proposal forward in the House, trusting the Senate would continue to work on it and improve it. Now, they are doing their work, like we did in the House. “My colleague Senator Collins helped to make improvements to this proposal that I strongly support and that will benefit Maine families and small businesses, such as retaining the medical expense deduction and improving the provision dealing with historic tax credits. Senator Collins and I have both said there are problems with ObamaCare, the Affordable Care Act, that we need to fix, and I’m pleased this new law starts to fix those problems. “As the Senate works to finalize and vote on this tax reform proposal, I look forward to continuing our work, across the aisle and across the Capitol, to finish this landmark tax reform proposal to help our Maine families keep more of their hard-earned money and to giving our small businesses—the backbone of Maine’s economy—relief so they can grow and create more jobs for our fellow Mainers.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-support-senate-tax-reform-bill | Senator Collins Statement in Support of Senate Tax Reform Bill | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that, after securing significant changes, she will support The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the first major overhaul of our nation’s tax code since 1986. She released the following statement: “I don’t think there is a single American who thinks that our current tax code is fair, simple, or promotes economic growth. We need a tax system that will boost the economy, help the middle class, and encourage small businesses to grow and create jobs. If we stimulate the economy through tax reform, we can significantly increase federal revenues while boosting Americans’ take-home pay. “By nearly doubling the standard deduction and expanding the child tax credit, this bill will provide significant relief to lower- and middle-income taxpayers. For example, a single mother with one child earning $35,000 will see her taxes drop by nearly 4,000 percent. Instead of paying money to Washington, she will be getting more than $1,100 back each year to help her make ends meet. “Over the past several weeks, I have worked to ensure that the Senate bill includes a number of important changes. “First, I advocated strongly for restoring the state and local property tax deduction up to $10,000, a critical provision that will provide much-needed tax relief for hard-working, middle-income families. Passage of my amendment will allow the vast majority of Mainers who itemize to fully deduct their property tax bill. In Maine, 166,000 taxpayers who itemize deduct a total of $725 million in property taxes on their federal income tax returns. This is often the largest deduction taken by Mainers. In fact, Mainers have the 11th highest per capita property tax burden in the nation. “Second, my amendment to help Americans struggling with high unreimbursed health care costs was incorporated into the bill. I am pleased that the final bill will include my amendment to lower the threshold for claiming the deduction for these unreimbursed expenses from 10 percent to 7.5 percent of inc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/i-think-you-re-protecting-your-butts-s-what-i-think-s-happening | I Think Youre Protecting Your Butts; Thats What I Thinks Happening. This Mismanagement is Breathtaking | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – In the wake of serious failures at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that could have put Veterans at risk nationwide, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) grilled the department’s top officials at a Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, making national headlines. From the USA Today: “I think you’re protecting your butts; That’s what I think’s happening,” Poliquin said while grilling VA officials at a VA oversight committee hearing. “This mismanagement is breathtaking.” Poliquin recounted one of the cases profiled by USA TODAY, that of podiatrist Thomas Franchini, whom the VA found had harmed 88 veterans but didn't report him to state licensing boards or tell the veterans for years. They included Iraq veteran Kenneth "Jake" Myrick, who endured years of debilitating pain after Franchini surgeries, and April Wood, who after two surgeries by the Maine VA podiatrist, chose to have her leg amputated rather then endure the ongoing pain. "What do you tell April Wood who has one leg now?" Poliquin said. "You can't return that." Congressman Poliquin grills top VA officials at a congressional hearing. The hearing came after a nonpartisan watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), produced a scathing report detailing the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) failure to report potentially dangerous medical practitioners to their national database, which is intended to prevent such bad actors from crossing state lines and putting patients at risk elsewhere. In October, reports surfaced of the VA’s failure to disclose bad medical practitioners to their Veteran patients, state licensing boards, and the public, including one of the most notorious offenders, Thomas Franchini, a surgeon at Togus who the VA has concluded committed malpractice in 88 separate cases at Togus, leaving Maine Veterans with permanent suffering and pain. One of those Maine Veterans was Kenneth “Jake” Myrick, who submitted testimony to yesterday’s hearing of his story, his hardships and his pain caused by Dr. Franchini at… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senate-floor-senator-collins-urges-colleagues-support-amendments-she-introduced-support-tax | From the Senate Floor, Senator Collins Urges Colleagues to Support Amendments She Introduced to Support Tax Relief for the Middle Class | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE to read Senator Collins’ floor remarks Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ floor remarks Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for high-quality video of Senator Collins’ floor remarks Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins spoke from the Senate floor this afternoon to urge her colleagues to support four amendments she introduced to the Senate tax reform bill that would strengthen the legislation in important ways for middle-income Americans. “By reforming our nation’s tax code, we can reduce the tax burden on hardworking Americans and help spur job creation and economic growth,” said Senator Collins. “My amendments would improve upon the Senate’s current tax reform proposal by allowing filers to deduct state and local property taxes, protecting retirement benefits for employees of nonprofit organizations and local governments, making the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit refundable, and reducing the threshold for deducting medical expenses. These amendments would provide essential tax relief for many middle-class families in Maine and across the country.” Senator Collins’ first amendment would allow taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 in state and local property taxes. In recent years more than 95 percent of all itemizers, and 28 percent of all federal income tax filers, deducted state and local taxes, including property taxes. Yet, the Senate bill would eliminate this deduction altogether. This deduction is especially important to Maine, where 166,000 itemizers deducted a total of $725 million in property taxes on their federal income tax returns each year. Senator Collins’ amendment would allow the vast majority of Mainers who itemize to fully deduct their property taxes. The second amendment Senator Collins introduced would strike a provision that could reduce the retirement benefits of church, charity, school, and government employees, including firefighters, teachers, and police officers. As drafted, the Senate bill would eliminate critical tax rules that al… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hearing-requested-rep-poliquin-take-place-tomorrow-right-heels-scathing | Hearing Requested By Rep. Poliquin to Take Place Tomorrow, Right on the Heels of Scathing Watchdog Report of Major Failures at the VA to Report Potentially Dangerous Medical Practitioners | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) will participate in a hearing he requested as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee after the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan watchdog, produced a scathing report detailing the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) failure to report potentially dangerous medical practitioners to their national database, which is intended to prevent such bad actors from crossing state lines and putting patients at risk elsewhere. The GAO report has made national headlines: In October, reports surfaced of the VA’s failure to disclose bad medical practitioners to their Veteran patients, state licensing boards, and the public, including one of the most notorious offenders, Thomas Franchini, a surgeon at Togus who the VA has concluded committed malpractice in 88 separate cases at Togus, leaving Maine Veterans with permanent suffering and pain. Congressman Poliquin immediately introduced legislation that would help prevent this from ever happening again by requiring VA medical professionals to report directly to state licensing boards if they witness unacceptable or unethical behavior from other medical professionals at the VA. “This latest report from the GAO is extremely troubling and absolutely unacceptable,” said Congressman Poliquin. “There is absolutely no excuse for our Veterans to have any doubt about the quality of care they receive and the personnel who administer it. The VA should be held to the highest standard and direct accountability for all those who fail to do their jobs and who could put our Veterans at risk. We must see some changes made. I look forward to this week’s hearing to get to the bottom of these troubling findings.” Congressman Poliquin will be participating in a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing tomorrow at 10 a.m. hosted by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, of which he is a member. Witnesses at the hearing will include the Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health at the VA, Gerard R. Co… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-vote-tomorrow-anti-harassment-training-and-prevention-resolution | House Passes Anti-Harassment Resolution Co-Authored By Rep. Poliquin Unanimously | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider a sexual harassment awareness and prevention measure introduced by Congressman Bruce Poliquin (R-ME-02), Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA-14), and a bipartisan group of lawmakers to require workplace sexual harassment awareness training for Members of Congress and their staffs. The new resolution expands upon a measure introduced by Poliquin and Speier earlier this month. “Employees should always feel safe and comfortable in their own workplace, and it’s past time Congress moves in that direction,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I’m proud and pleased to work across the aisle on this issue to bring about some important and long overdue changes to Capitol Hill.” Currently, it is optional for House Members and staff to take the sexual harassment awareness and prevention training. This resolution makes the training mandatory. Congressman Poliquin and his staff have all completed the training. The new resolution, expected to be voted on in the House tomorrow, makes minor adjustments to the original measure to also require House offices to physically post a statement of employees’ rights and protections in the workplace. It is being introduced today by Congressman Poliquin, Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), Congressmen Gregg Harper (R-MS) and Robert Brady (D-PA). | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-hires-freeport-native-her-augusta-office | Senator Collins Hires Freeport Native to Her Augusta Office | 2017-11-27 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins with Mark Winter Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that Mark Winter, a Freeport native, has been hired as a State Office Representative in her Augusta office. Mark, a Captain in the United States Navy Reserve, previously served as a Legislative Assistant and as Counsel on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in Senator Collins’ Washington, D.C., office. “Mark has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, a deep understanding of the legislative process, and a devotion to not only the State of Maine, but to our country,” said Senator Collins. “I am thrilled to welcome Mark back to my staff, where I know he will continue to work hard to serve his fellow Mainers.” As a State Office Representative, Mark will oversee the Augusta office, represent the Senator at local events, and assist Mainers with issues relating to federal agencies. Mark is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy and the University of Maine School of Law. In addition to working for Senator Collins on the Homeland Security Committee, Mark previously served as General Counsel at the National Maritime Intelligence Center and as the National Security/Counter-Terrorism/Intelligence Specialist at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland. In 2014, Mark was recalled to active duty, first serving as Chief of Staff at Joint Task Force – Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and then as the Deputy Director and Director of the Detainee Affairs Branch on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. Mark resides in Freeport, Maine, with his wife, Meredeth, and two children, William and Eleanor. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-king-announce-22-million-guaranteed-loan-katahdin-valley-health-center | Senators Collins, King Announce $2.2 Million Guaranteed Loan for Katahdin Valley Health Center | 2017-11-24 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Katahdin Valley Health Center has been approved for a $2,200,000 guaranteed loan through the USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans program. The loan, which was provided through a partnership with Bangor Savings Bank, will be used to fund a renovation and expansion project at the Millinocket Clinic. “Access to high-quality, affordable health care is essential to the well-being of Mainers across the state. That’s why investing in community health centers is so important,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This crucial financial support will improve the care Katahdin Valley Health Center provides to Mainers by creating additional space for new health services.” The one-story, 4,200 square-foot addition will provide space for optometry, behavioral counseling, dental services, labs, exams rooms, and a pharmacy. The project is also expected to create six medical profession jobs. The total cost of the expansion project is $2,503,035. In addition to the guaranteed loan from USDA, $303,035 will be provided by Katahdin Valley Health Center. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-king-announce-nearly-150000-houlton-band-maliseet-indians | Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $150,000 for Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | 2017-11-24 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Newsroom Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $150,000 for Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Posted Fri, 11/24/2017 - 14:29 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians have received $141,013 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program. “Indian Community Development Block Grants offer crucial assistance to tribal communities working to maintain and improve housing, living environments, and economic opportunities on their lands,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This investment will help support projects that provide safe, affordable housing for members of the Houlton Band of Maliseet.” The ICDBG program assists grant recipients with affordable housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities, primarily for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-greets-machias-native-and-former-staffer-meredith-cherry | Senator Collins Greets Machias Native and Former Staffer Meredith Cherry | 2017-11-22 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Meredith Cherry and her fiancé, Matt McLaughlin Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with Meredith Cherry, a Machias native, and her fiancé, Matt McLaughlin, in her Washington, D.C., office. Meredith is the current Policy Director for the Maine Senate Majority Office and previously worked in the Senator’s D.C. office as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff. “As a former member of my staff, Meredith demonstrated her strong work ethic, public policy acumen, and devotion to public service. She did an outstanding job serving Mainers in my D.C. office, and she continues to work hard for the people of Maine as the Policy Director for the Maine Senate Majority Office,” said Senator Collins. “It was wonderful to see Meredith again and to meet her fiancé, Matt.” After working in Senator Collins’ D.C. office for three years, Meredith moved back to Maine in 2014 and worked as a Policy Assistant for the Office of the Maine Senate President until being promoted in 2016 to Policy Director for the Maine Senate Majority Office. She currently resides in Topsham. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-king-announce-500000-three-maine-police-departments | Senators Collins, King Announce $500,000 for Three Maine Police Departments | 2017-11-22 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded three Maine police departments a total of $500,000 to hire additional full-time law enforcement officers. Of that funding, Jay Police Department and Madawaska Police Department will each receive $125,000, and the Somerset County Police Department will receive $250,000. “Mainers across the state rely on local law enforcement to help keep them safe, and federal investments can play an important role in assisting those community efforts,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This funding will provide vital assistance to the Jay, Madawaska, and Somerset County Police Departments as they work to protect families and promote public safety.” This funding was awarded through the DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing officers, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/during-busy-week-washington-rep-poliquin-has-fourth-bill-pass-out-house | During Busy Week in Washington, Rep. Poliquin Has Fourth Bill Pass Out of a House Committee This Year | 2017-11-21 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – During a busy week in Washington, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) had his fourth bill this year pass out of a committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act passed out of the House Financial Services Committee last week with Democratic and Republican support in a 43-16 vote. The legislation publicly discloses the assets of Iran’s tyrannical regime, which have been used to support and sponsor terrorism. Congressman Poliquin is a member of the Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee, a part of the House Financial Services Committee. “Iran’s top regime leaders—the Supreme Leader and the country’s top political and military brass—have amassed huge wealth through their tyrannical rule and corrupt and covert structure,” said Congressman Poliquin. “Reports have indicated these funds are being used to support and sponsor terrorism around the region and to undermine our own national security interests. Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, cannot be trusted and it’s important for the security of the region and for the United States for these secret funds to be exposed publicly to the world.” Congressman Poliquin’s legislative accomplishments so far this year… * = lead cosponsor Since January, Congressman Poliquin has had four of his bills pass out of committees in the House and three of his bills pass the full House, all with broad and bipartisan support. He has also been the lead cosponsor of two bipartisan bills that passed out of committees: the Senior Safe Act with Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ-09) and legislation to ease regulatory burdens on Maine sea urchin harvesters with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01). Background on the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act: The Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act will publicize the assets associated with members of Iran’s tyrannical government leadership, including the Supreme Leader of Iran, Members of the Council of Guardians, Members of the Expediency Coun… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-400000-funding-st-mary%E2%80%99s-nutrition-center | Collins, King Announce $400,000 in Funding for St. Marys Nutrition Center | 2017-11-21 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Newsroom Collins, King Announce $400,000 in Funding for St. Mary’s Nutrition Center Posted Tue, 11/21/2017 - 09:47 Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $400,000 to St. Mary’s Regional Nutrition Center in Lewiston to develop local and self-reliant food systems. This funding was provided through NIFA’s Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “It is essential that our neighbors in need have both enough to eat and that they have access to food that contributes to good health,” said Senators Collins and King. “We are delighted that St. Mary’s Nutrition Center received this funding to promote local food programs and to provide our most vulnerable citizens with nutritious meals.” For nearly 18 years, the St. Mary's Nutrition Center has helped build a stronger, more accessible food system in greater Lewiston-Auburn by creating opportunities for people of all ages to take part in growing, cooking, and sharing healthy, local food. The organization has established a network of community gardens in low-income neighborhoods to grow fresh vegetables, created youth programs that help teens to develop leadership skills and engage with their community through food, and enabled underserved people to bring home more healthy food. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-388000-usda-university-maine%E2%80%99s-potato-breeding-research | Collins, King Announce $388,000 from USDA for University of Maines Potato Breeding Research | 2017-11-20 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded a grant totaling $388,000 to the University of Maine at Orono to study potato breeding and improve quality and pest resistance in the eastern United States. “Maine potatoes are a staple in homes around the country and are a testament to the quality of our farmers and small businesses,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This funding from the USDA will support the University of Maine’s cutting-edge research into potato breeding and help the state build on our strong agricultural traditions so we can make Maine potato products more economically resilient. We’re glad the Department of Agriculture recognizes the University of Maine’s innovative research and our state’s important role in the country’s agriculture.” The grant, awarded through NIFA’s Potato Breeding Research Program, aims to increase the productivity, profitability, and natural resource stewardship of potato cultivation. The University of Maine will serve as the lead on an eastern United States potato breeding project focused on developing attractive, productive, disease- and insect-resistant potato varieties for both large and small scale production. This will positively impact productivity and quality of eastern U.S. potatoes, while also decreasing the economic impact of pests. Senators Collins and King have been longtime advocates for Maine’s agricultural heritage. In September, they introduced the bipartisan Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act, which would double the funding for two USDA export promotion programs and help U.S. farmers stay competitive in the global markets. Senator King recently attended the Harvest Festival in Bangor and met with members of the Maine Potato Board to highlight the CREAATE Act and the impact it would have on Maine’s local farmers. The U… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-participates-main-street-walk-downtown-waterville-colby-president-david | Senator Collins Participates in Main Street Walk of Downtown Waterville with Colby President David Greene | 2017-11-20 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Photo 1: Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins with Colby President David Greene Photo 2: Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins with Derek Albet, project manager for Landry French Construction (L) and Paul Ureneck, Director of Real Estate for Colby (R) Waterville, ME - U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Colby President David Greene visited Waterville’s Main Street this afternoon. They toured 173 Main Street, a building Colby College recently renovated for a technology center, and 150 Main Street, a building that is currently under construction that will provide housing for 200 students and faculty, as well as retail space on the first floor. “It was marvelous to join President Greene in Waterville this afternoon to see the remarkable progress in the revitalization of the downtown area. The partnership between the City of Waterville and Colby College has helped to stimulate economic activity throughout this vibrant Maine city, and it was a pleasure to see some of these successful projects firsthand,” said Senator Collins. “I enjoyed speaking with President Greene about Colby’s projects designed to enhance the college’s intellectual culture and invest in the Waterville community.” As Colby College’s 20th president, David A. Greene has worked to ensure Colby’s place among the world’s finest liberal arts colleges. Founded in 1813, Colby is the 12th-oldest private liberal arts college in the country and serves approximately 2,000 students from nearly every state and more than 70 countries. Senator Collins received an honorary degree from Colby College at the inauguration of President Greene in 2014 for her commitment to facilitating strong bipartisan compromise to achieve progress. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-senator-collins-discusses-tax-reform-abc%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9C-week%E2%80%9D | ICYMI: Senator Collins Discusses Tax Reform on ABCs This Week | 2017-11-19 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE to watch the interview Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for high-quality video of the interview Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins appeared on ABC’s “This Week” today with host George Stephanopoulos to discuss tax reform, Senator Al Franken, and Roy Moore. A transcript of the interview follows: “This Week” November 19, 2017 GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, HOST: Want to continue it now with Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Senator Collins, thank you for joining us this morning. You just heard our panel right there. Weigh in, please. Do you think this is a moment where we're going to see real change? SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R), MAINE: I do. But I thought that there was one aspect that hasn't been discussed. And that is that the women who bring forth these allegations are often trashed. They're attacked. Their credibility is undermined. We saw that with some of President Clinton's accusers. We know the elaborate attempts that Harvey Weinstein went to in order to discredit his accusers. And that has to stop, as well. STEPHANOPOULOS: And we see -- we saw just recently both -- we're seeing it right now. You mentioned President Clinton. And it certainly did happen then. We also see Roy Moore now calling all of his accusers liars. President Trump, more than a dozen women came forward during the campaign He says that every single one of them are lying. COLLINS: He did say that. And, President Trump was not my choice for the Republican nominee for president. And, I did not support him in part because of the way that all of these reports about how he was treating women. He is president now. And, I am working with him on some issues. But those allegations remain very disturbing. STEPHANOPOULOS: Can you work with Roy Moore? If he gets elected, should he be investigated? Will you vote to expel? COLLINS: Well, first of all, my hope is that we won't get to that point, and that the voters of Alabama will not elect Roy Moore. I've read his denials. I've listened to his … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-senator-collins-discusses-tax-reform-cnn%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cstate-union%E2%80%9D | ICYMI: Senator Collins Discusses Tax Reform on CNNs State of the Union | 2017-11-19 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE to watch the interview Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for high-quality video of the interview Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” today with host Jake Tapper to discuss tax reform, Senator Al Franken, and Roy Moore. A transcript of the interview follows: “State of the Union” November 19, 2017 TAPPER: And joining us now is Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Senator, I want to get to taxes in a moment, but I do want to start with the Alabama Senate race where Republican nominee Roy Moore has been accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl, sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. You've urged Moore to withdrawal from the race, but you also said that if he wins, the Senate would have, quote, no choice but to seat him. I do wonder, though, if Moore is elected, I understand he would have to be seated, but would you want the Senate to vote to expel him? COLLINS: It's too early for me to say what the Ethics Committee recommendation would be. And obviously I came out against Roy Moore very early, in fact before these terrible allegations were levied against him, because I was concerned about his performance as a member of the Alabama Supreme Court, where he had been removed twice for failing to follow lawful orders and also because of his comments on Muslims and LGBT individuals. So, these allegations are extremely disturbing. But under the Constitution, the test on whether or not you seat someone is whether they satisfy the age and residency requirements. So, we would have to seat him, but I hope we don't get there. I think we're getting ahead of ourselves. And I hope that the voters of Alabama choose not to elect him. TAPPER: Would you rather serve with Doug Jones, the Democrat, than with Roy Moore? COLLINS: I don't know Doug Jones at all, but I've never supported Roy Moore. And I hope that he does not end up being in the United States Senate. TAPPER: And just to be clear, and then we'll move on from Roy … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/commemorating-veterans-day-freedom-maine | Commemorating Veterans Day in Freedom, Maine | 2017-11-17 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Veterans Day is one of the most sacred days on our national calendar. This year, it was a special pleasure to spend that day of remembrance and gratitude in Freedom, Maine, a town whose very name celebrates the great gift we have been given by our veterans and those who serve today. Freedom is more than the name of that lovely Waldo County community; it is its heritage. The first settler in 1794 was Stephen Smith, a patriot who fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War. The town was incorporated during the War of 1812, the first challenge to our young nation’s freedom. In 1863, with the Civil War raging, a young man from Freedom named Daniel Davis left school and joined the 1st Maine Cavalry Regiment so that the blessing of freedom would be extended to all Americans. In 1880, he became Maine’s 37th Governor. On Veterans Day 2017, the people of Freedom paid tribute to their family members, friends, and neighbors who served in our time. The celebration coincided with the 98th birthday of Roy Ward, the town’s oldest citizen, whose courageous Navy service during World War II inspires us today. While Freedom’s history is unique, the virtues it describes unite our great nation. It is estimated that some 48 million Americans have served in uniform since the founding of our nation. Today, more than 20 million veterans live among us, more than 116,000 right here in Maine. To put that in perspective, Maine has more veterans per capita than all but two of the other states in the country. We are proud of our State’s contributions to protecting our nation. Those numbers are impressive not only because of their sheer size, but also because they describe the history of a people united by the highest ideals of humanity. Those numbers are not cold statistics. Each one tells a story of courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty. On Veterans Day, we honor those who paid the ultimate price, whether they lie at rest in foreign lands or in their hometowns. We honor those who lived beyond their years of military service bu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-delivers-remarks-fourteenth-street-school-blue-ribbon-ceremony | Senator Collins Delivers Remarks at Fourteenth Street School Blue Ribbon Ceremony | 2017-11-17 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE, HERE, and HERE for high-resolution photos Bangor, ME -U.S. Senator Susan Collins visited Fourteenth Street School in Bangor today, where she delivered remarks at an assembly recognizing the school’s recent designation as a National Blue Ribbon School and presented a copy of her Congressional Record Statement on the school’s outstanding achievement. Fourteenth Street School, which serves students in kindergarten through third grade, was recognized in September by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School. It is one of only three Maine schools—and one of only 342 public and private schools nationwide—to receive this highly prestigious distinction in 2017. “I am delighted to visit your wonderful school today. To be named a Blue Ribbon School is a tremendous honor. It is an honor that all of you earned by working together. You should be very proud that out of all the schools in America, Fourteenth Street School is one of just 342 to achieve this award this year. Bangor is filled with people who work very hard to make sure everyone can receive a good education,” Senator Collins told the assembled Fourteenth Street School administrators, faculty, and students. “After I heard about your award, I had the great pleasure of putting a statement in the Congressional Record to tell members of Congress from all around the country about Fourteenth Street School, a Blue Ribbon Award winner.” During the assembly, Senator Collins also showed students her slideshow, “A Day in the Life of Senator Susan Collins.” The presentation gives students an opportunity to see some of the work Senator Collins does on a daily basis, including meeting with Mainers, touring Maine businesses, chairing Senate hearings, and speaking on the Senate floor. Following the presentation, Senator Collins took photos with each grade level and read Antlers Forever! to 1st grade students. For 35 years, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. Bl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-doubles-standard-deduction-average-maine-family-retains | Rep. Poliquin Doubles Standard Deduction for Average Maine Family, Retains Highest Tax Rate for Top Earners | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) voted to move forward the House tax reform proposal, which keeps intact the current highest tax rate for top earners. The Congressman released the following statement: “Since before this proposal in the House was put forward, I have made clear the current highest tax rate for top earners—those making $1 million or more—must remain intact. This is an important aspect that is included in this House tax reform proposal. “I’ve pushed for this House proposal to also include framework so the first $24,000 of Maine families’ income would not be taxed—a huge boost to our hardworking families. Maine families will finally be able to keep more of the money that they work hard to earn. “For decades, Washington has continued to add to a maze of loopholes and separate deductions that have advantaged the few while making the entire system more complex for ordinary taxpayers. I am committed to simplify our tax system so ordinary Mainers and Americans—not just the wealthy and well connected—can keep more of their own money. “This will also be a boost to our small businesses, the core of Maine’s 2nd District economy. The National Federation of Independent Businesses, representing more than 325,000 small businesses, and Proctor & Gamble, employing more than 400 Mainers in the 2nd District, have expressed their support for this proposal. “This House proposal is not perfect and there are portions of it that I do not agree with, such as eliminating the medical expense deduction. I am encouraged that the current Senate bill does not include the elimination of the medical expense deduction and I look forward to continuing these discussions on the details of tax reform as Congress moves toward finalizing legislation. “This proposal is a positive step for Maine families, for our Maine economy, and for Maine jobs. I am committed to simplifying our complex tax system, to making sure our families in Maine can keep more of their hard-earned money, and to giving our small b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-whitehouse-carper-request-gao-review-air-quality-monitoring-networks | Collins, Whitehouse, Carper Request GAO Review of Air Quality Monitoring Networks | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -Today, a bipartisan trio of Senators from states that cope with cross-state air pollution requested a review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) operation of the nation’s air quality monitoring networks. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tom Carper (D-DE) asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for a top-to-bottom review of the EPA’s air quality monitoring work, including a look at whether the networks yield enough good-quality data to effectively protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of air pollution. “These networks play a critical role in protecting public health, especially for children, seniors, and members of other vulnerable populations and disadvantaged communities with chronic and acute health problems such as asthma,” the Senators write. “These air quality monitoring networks are increasingly important in implementing and tracking compliance with the Clean Air Act, protecting public health, sharing monitoring data with other agencies, state and local governments, and the public, and informing policy decisions.” Air pollutants, such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter, are serious threats to public health. Emissions carried on prevailing winds from smokestacks in the Midwest, for instance, often end up in downwind states like Maine, Rhode Island, and Delaware. Such pollution has led to higher observed rates of asthma and other serious ailments. Full text of the Senators’ letter is below. Click HERE to view a copy of the letter. November 16, 2017 The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro Comptroller General U.S. Government Accountability Office 441 G Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20548 Dear Mr. Dodaro: We write to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) evaluate the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air quality monitoring networks for ambient and hazardous air pollutants. These networks play a critical role in protecting public health, especially for children, seniors, and members of other v… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-joins-rep-speier-sen-gillibrand-introduce-bipartisan | Rep. Poliquin Joins Rep. Speier & Sen. Gillibrand to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent & Respond to Sexual Harassment in Congress | 2017-11-15 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) joined Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Representatives Ryan Costello (R-PA), and Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), to introduced bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to prevent and respond to sexual harassment in Congress. The Member and Employee Training and Oversight On (ME TOO) Congress Act will require more transparency, overhaul the flawed complaint process, and provide better support for victims and whistleblowers. Additionally, both the House and Senate bills will require mandatory annual training for Members and staff, implement climate surveys to show the true scope of this problem, give interns and fellows the same protections as full-time staff, and end forced mediation. “Every employee should always feel safe and comfortable in their own workplace, and its past time that Congress acts to ensure the employees in the Legislative Branch have the support to act on and prevent sexual harassment,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I applaud Congresswoman Speier for her bravery in bringing this issue to the forefront and am proud to work across the aisle and across the Capitol to make these necessary fixes. There can be no tolerance of any kind for sexual harassment anywhere—period.” “In 1995, Congress created the Office of Congressional Compliance to protect itself from being exposed, and it has been remarkably successful. Twenty years later, 260 settlements and more than $15 million have permanently silenced victims of all types of workplace discrimination,” said Congresswoman Speier. “Zero tolerance is meaningless unless it is backed up with enforcement and accountability. Today, I am proud that my colleagues in the House and the Senate, from both sides of the aisle, are joining me to end the era of impunity for disgraceful behavior and to protect the survivors.” “We need to create a workplace climate where our staff members can come in and do their jobs without having to worry about being harassed –… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senate-passes-bill-requiring-us-amateur-athletic-organizations-members-report-sexual-abuse | Senate Passes Bill Requiring U.S. Amateur Athletic Organizations, Members to Report Sexual Abuse | 2017-11-15 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -The U.S. Senate passed legislation led by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) to require amateur athletics governing bodies to report sex-abuse allegations immediately to local or federal law enforcement, or a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department. The bill further authorizes the United States Center for Safe Sport to ensure that aspiring U.S. Olympic athletes can report allegations of abuse to an independent and non-conflicted entity for investigation and resolution, and to make sure that all national governing bodies follow the strictest standards for child abuse prevention and detection. The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act stems from recent allegations of sexual abuse made against personnel involved with USA Gymnastics, USA Swimming and USA Taekwondo and follows hearings earlier this year before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee on athlete safety issues. “Sexual abuse has absolutely no place in our society and must be eradicated,” said Senator Collins. “I have long worked to prevent sexual assault and ensure that survivors have access to every resource and support they need. By requiring amateur athletic governing organizations to promptly report every allegation of sexual abuse to the proper authorities, our legislation will help survivors obtain justice and protect more people from these repugnant crimes.” “Sexual abuse is one of the most heinous crimes and our legislation will finally ensure that adults who are responsible for the safety of millions of young athletes will be held accountable for preventing abuse and reporting any allegation of abuse,” said Senator Feinstein. “Passage of our legislation wouldn’t have been possible without the courage of women who came forward to say ‘enough is enough.’ They shared deeply personal, horrific experiences to help prevent other young … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-recognizes-wwii-combat-veteran-wayne-maine-congressional-record | Senator Collins Recognizes WWII Combat Veteran of Wayne, Maine, in Congressional Record | 2017-11-15 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Mark Winter (L) and Richard Lincoln (R) Washington, D.C. -In a statement submitted to the Congressional Record this week, U.S. Senator Susan Collins recognized Richard Lincoln, a 91-year-old combat veteran of Wayne, Maine, for his leadership and bravery demonstrated during World War II. Mark Winter, Senator Collins’ Augusta State Office Representative, presented the Congressional Record Statement to Mr. Lincoln on the Senator’s behalf at a ceremony at the Augusta Maine Veterans Home. “Showing courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty, the all-draftee 88th Infantry Division played a significant role in the defeat of the German Army in Italy during World War II,” said Senator Collins. “Mr. Lincoln truly embodies these patriotic values, and I thank him for the personal sacrifices he has made to preserve our freedom at home and to keep us safe.” At the age of 17, Mr. Lincoln served as a First Scout in the 88th Infantry Division in the pivotal battle of Anzio, which permitted the Allied capture of Rome. During this grueling assault in the Italian Campaign of World War II, Mr. Lincoln repeatedly risked his life on the front lines to illuminate enemy batteries and regularly endured enemy fire, earning the Bronze Star. The 88th became the first draftee division to enter a combat zone in World War II. In 344 days of combat, the 88th Infantry Division lost nearly 3,000 men, with more than 9,000 wounded. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen and Current Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis learned of Mr. Lincoln’s story, and both wrote him letters thanking him for his service. Additionally, Secretary Mattis delivered remarks regarding the Maine veteran’s story in an address to the Association of the United States Army earlier this month. In addition to the copy of the Congressional Record presentation, last month Mr. Lincoln was presented Secretaries Cohen’s and Mattis’ letters and shown a video of Secretary Mattis’ remarks at a ceremony in Augusta, where more than two dozen … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-announces-new-beginnings-lewiston-chosen-join-100-day-challenge-end-rural | Senator Collins Announces New Beginnings in Lewiston Chosen to Join 100-Day Challenge to End Rural Youth Homelessness | 2017-11-14 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that New Beginnings, Inc., an organization dedicated to serving runaway and homeless youth and Maine families in crisis, has been chosen as one of only ten sites nationally to join the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 100-Day Challenge on Youth Homelessness. The 100-Day Challenge is a project designed to foster community collaboration to accelerate efforts to end youth homelessness. With just 100 days to identify and implement changes that significantly reduce the number of young people without a safe place to go each night, everyone from community leaders to front-line workers are challenged to do their work differently, change systems, and innovate. The compressed time frame, high visibility, and support from coaches, peers, and federal leaders help create rapid progress. “For nearly four decades, the dedicated staff and volunteers at New Beginnings have served runaway and homeless youth, improving lives and creating brighter futures,” said Senator Collins. “I am pleased that this organization has been chosen to participate in the 100-Day Challenge, which will help accelerate their successful outreach to at-risk populations in Western Maine. I look forward to continuing to work with them to address our shared priority to prevent and end youth homelessness.” Earlier this year, Senator Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, authored the FY18 Transportation and Housing Act, which includes $55 million for grants and technical assistance to test comprehensive efforts to end youth homelessness in urban and rural areas and $20 million for new family unification vouchers to prevent youth exiting foster care from becoming homeless. This bipartisan bill unanimously passed the Appropriations Committee in July. Since 1980, New Beginnings has helped homeless youth and Maine families in crisis gain the sense of safety and security of having a place to call home and provide… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-shaheen-introduce-international-violence-against-women-act | Senators Collins, Shaheen Introduce International Violence Against Women Act | 2017-11-14 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) reintroduced the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), bipartisan legislation that would ensure combatting gender-based violence around the world remains a top diplomatic and development priority for the United States. “Our legislation will ensure that the U.S. continues to take a leadership role in combatting violence against women and girls around the world. In addition to being a pressing human rights issue, such violence contributes to inequality and political instability, making it a security issue as well as a moral issue for us all,” said Senator Collins. “I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues to end violence against women and girls and to provide the assistance and resources necessary to achieve this goal.” "One in three women and girls around the world will report experiencing gender-based violence in their lifetimes,” said Senator Shaheen. “By denying women and girls the chance to rise to their full potential, gender-based violence stunts economic, political and social progress in our communities. While we have made important progress since the first U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Globally was implemented in 2012, combatting gender-based violence must remain a cornerstone of U.S. efforts to empower women and girls. This not only means stopping sexual abuse and trafficking, domestic violence, early and forced marriages and other forms of gender-based violence, but also changing societal views and norms in places around the world where women and girls are not agents of their own future.” Specifically, the International Violence Against Women Act would: Require the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop and implement a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Additionally, the State Department and USAID would be responsible for identifying four eligible low and lower-middle income c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-announces-steps-improve-free-legal-services-maine-veterans | Rep. Poliquin Announces Steps to Improve Free Legal Services for Maine Veterans Through the VA | 2017-11-13 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02), a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, today announced efforts by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve Veterans’ access to free legal services, including those provided by Pine Tree Legal Assistance from their clinic at Togus. Congressman Poliquin released the following statement: “So many of our Veterans in Maine and across the Nation are confronted with challenges that require legal assistance, and in many cases they must rely on important services offered through the VA’s network of legal assistance clinics,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I applaud VA Secretary Shulkin’s commitment to supporting these important services for our Veterans and stand ready to assist him and the VA where I can to make sure our Veterans can continue to benefit from them.” Today, the VA signed a Memorandum of Agreement—together with the American Bar Association, The Veterans Consortium and National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium—aimed at improving Veterans’ access to free legal services. Congressman Poliquin opposed portions of President Trump’s 2018 Budget Proposal that would have cut funding for Legal Services Corporation, the entity which funds Pine Tree Legal Assistance at Togus. In addition, the Congressman has opposed multiple amendments in funding bills in years past that would have also stripped this funding. Pine Tree Legal Assistance at Togus is one of the more than 150 different free legal clinics hosted by the VA at different locations across the country. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/bold-approach-fighting-alzheimer%E2%80%99s | A Bold Approach to Fighting Alzheimers | 2017-11-13 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, first declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Just 11 years later, President Reagan himself was diagnosed with the terrible disease that eventually claimed his life, as it has claimed the lives of so many others. This month is dedicated to those who have been stricken with Alzheimer’s, their family members and other devoted caregivers, and to the medical professionals and researchers who are working to advance our understanding of the disease, find an effective treatment, and, ultimately, discover a cure and a means of prevention. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the greatest under-recognized public health threats of our time. Five and a half million Americans are living with the disease, including 27,000 here in Maine, and that number is soaring as our overall population grows older and lives longer. In addition to the human suffering it causes, Alzheimer’s is our nation’s costliest disease. The United States spends more than $259 billion per year, including $175 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. By 2050, if we continue along this trajectory, costs are projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion, and the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is expected to reach 16 million. While Alzheimer’s is the only one of our nation’s most deadly diseases without an effective treatment or cure, new research is showing that there are actions we can take to promote prevention and improve treatment. The first step we should take is to recognize Alzheimer’s as a public health crisis. I have introduced bipartisan legislation, the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, to create a public health infrastructure to combat Alzheimer’s disease and preserve brain health through early detection and diagnosis as well as improved treatment and care. It is because of public health advancements that we have safe water to drink, vaccines to prevent deadly diseases, and emergency preparedness tools to save lives.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-ask-doj-provide-guidance-boosting-support-forensic-labs-efforts-combat-opioid | Collins, King Ask DOJ to Provide Guidance on Boosting Support for Forensic Labs in Efforts to Combat Opioid Epidemic | 2017-11-13 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) joined a bipartisan group of 30 senators in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, asking him to provide Congress with information detailing how the Department of Justice (DOJ) is supporting and prioritizing forensic science service providers across the nation as a part of a broader approach to combat the opioid epidemic. “The opioid crisis knows no boundaries; it reaches into homes in every community in every region of this country. Stopping the flow of these drugs is critical to ending the crisis, but to do so requires the ability to trace the drugs to their source. This demands a forceful and vigorous effort by our forensic science community,” wrote the senators. The senators continued, “The current opioid crisis has overwhelmed the nation’s collective laboratory systems with more than a 6000% increase in the last four years, according to National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) data provided by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. Case backlogs and turnaround times are growing. Dangerous emerging drugs are not being scheduled to make them illegal, and deaths likely associated with drug overdose are not being investigated completely by medical examiners and coroners.” The bipartisan coalition of senators, led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and John Cornyn (R-TX), called upon the DOJ to provide Congress with a comprehensive list detailing DOJ efforts to support and prioritize forensic science service providers within 30 days, and to also explain how the Department is including grant programs and technical assistance for providers at the state, county, and local levels to help combat the public health crisis. The forensic science community plays a critical role in communities affected by the opioid epidemic. Labs and other forensic science service personnel help local law enforcement and federal agencies trace drugs to their source by helping to analyze evidence, find importers, manu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-commemorates-veterans-day-ceremony-freedom-maine | Senator Collins Commemorates Veterans Day at Ceremony in Freedom, Maine | 2017-11-11 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Photo 1: Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Sen. Collins with the Kennebec Valley Chordsmen Photo 2: Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Sen. Collins with WWII veteran and Freedom resident Roy Ward, who celebrated his 98th birthday today Photo 3: Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Sen. Collins speaking at the Freedom Veterans Day ceremony Photo 4: Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Sen. Collins at the Freedom Veterans Day Ceremony Freedom, ME - This morning, U.S. Senator Susan Collins visited the Town of Freedom to deliver remarks at the community’s Veterans Day ceremony. The event honored the more than 20 million veterans in the United States and the more than 116,000 veterans in Maine. The ceremony featured performances by the Kennebec Valley Chordsmen. Freedom was first settled in 1794 by Stephen Smith, a patriot who fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War. The town was incorporated during the War of 1812, the first challenge to our young nation’s freedom. In 1863, with the Civil War raging, Freedom native Daniel Davis left school and joined the 1st Maine Cavalry Regiment so that the blessing of freedom would be extended to all Americans. In 1880, he became Maine’s 37th Governor. Senator Collins also issued this statement on Veterans Day: “It was a special pleasure to have the opportunity to commemorate Veterans Day in Freedom, Maine, a town whose very name celebrates the great gift we have been given by our veterans and those who serve today. “On this sacred day, we honor those who paid the ultimate price, whether they lie at rest in foreign lands or in their hometowns. We honor those who lived beyond their years of military service but who have since passed on. We honor those who remain missing and pledge that they never will be forgotten. And we honor those veterans who are with us today. We owe them all a great debt. “It is estimated that some 48 million Americans have served in uniform since the founding of our nation. Today, more than 20 million veterans li… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/advisor-president-ivanka-trump-and-treasurer-united-states-jovita-carranza-join-senator | Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and Treasurer of the United States Jovita Carranza Join Senator Collins at a Forum on Tax Reform at Volk Packaging in Biddeford | 2017-11-10 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Biddeford, ME - Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and Treasurer of the United States Jovita Carranza joined U.S. Senator Susan Collins at a forum on tax reform at Volk Packaging Corporation in Biddeford, Maine. The forum was moderated by former Congresswoman Nan Hayworth and attended by more than 225 small business owners, community leaders, and advocates from across the State of Maine. “Ivanka is a passionate advocate for working families and working mothers across the United States. I have truly enjoyed our discussions, and it was a pleasure to welcome her and Treasurer Jovita Carranza to Maine today to discuss the importance of making our tax system fairer, simpler, and more pro-growth,” said Senator Collins during her opening remarks. “There is widespread support for reforming our tax code. Reform is not going to be easy, but I want to seize this opportunity to provide our working families and small businesses with tax relief that helps to grow our economy and increase paychecks.” "Tax reform is the Administration's top legislative priority so it was wonderful to join Senator Collins and U.S. Treasurer Carranza in Maine to talk about how tax reform will provide much needed relief for hard working American families and enable American businesses to be competitive and thrive. I want to thank Senator Collins for hosting us today and being such a great champion for working families,” said Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump. “It was an honor to visit the great state of Maine to discuss the administration's plan for tax reform. Our plan focuses on a middle income tax cut that will put real money in the hands of Americans to help them invest in their children’s futures and their own retirements,” said U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza. “Fiscally responsible tax reform that boosts economic growth and provides relief for working families is a goal that is shared by Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Americans all know how to spend, save, and invest their own money and we want to make it easier fo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-advance-veterans-day | Senator Collins Statement in Advance of Veterans Day | 2017-11-10 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Freedom, ME - Tomorrow, U.S. Senator Susan Collins will visit the Town of Freedom to deliver remarks at the community’s Veterans Day ceremony in Veteran’s Memorial Park. The event honors the more than 20 million veterans in the United States and the more than 116,000 veterans in Maine. The ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. and will feature a wreath laying and performances by the Kennebec Valley Chordsmen. Freedom was first settled in 1794 by Stephen Smith, a patriot who fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War. The town was incorporated during the War of 1812, the first challenge to our young nation’s freedom. In 1863, with the Civil War raging, Freedom native Daniel Davis left school and joined the 1st Maine Cavalry Regiment so that the blessing of freedom would be extended to all Americans. In 1880, he became Maine’s 37th Governor. Senator Collins also issued this statement in advance of Veterans Day: “It is a special pleasure to have the opportunity to commemorate Veterans Day in Freedom, Maine, a town whose very name celebrates the great gift we have been given by our veterans and those who serve today. “On this sacred day, we honor those who paid the ultimate price, whether they lie at rest in foreign lands or in their hometowns. We honor those who lived beyond their years of military service but who have since passed on. We honor those who remain missing and pledge that they never will be forgotten. And we honor those veterans who are with us today. We owe them all a great debt. “It is estimated that some 48 million Americans have served in uniform since the founding of our nation. Today, more than 20 million veterans live among us, including more than 116,000 right here in Maine. To put that in perspective, Maine has more veterans per capita than all but two of the other states in the country. We are proud of our State’s contributions to protecting our nation. “My father, Don Collins, is a World War II veteran who was wounded twice during the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-receives-2017-claddagh-award-maine-irish-heritage-center | Senator Collins Receives 2017 Claddagh Award from Maine Irish Heritage Center | 2017-11-10 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Portland, ME -The Maine Irish Heritage Center (MIHC) honored U.S. Senator Susan Collins with the 2017 Claddagh Award for her lifelong devotion to serving and improving communities throughout Maine, while always remembering and honoring her Irish roots. “The Maine Irish Heritage Center is the steward of the inspiring story of our Irish ancestors making Maine a place where all are welcome, and where all work together to build something great and lasting,” said Senator Collins. “Growing up, I saw my parents live every day by the defining qualities of hard work, determination, and commitment to service. Standing tall for one’s beliefs is in our blood, while respecting the beliefs of others is in our hearts. I am honored to receive the Maine Irish Heritage Center’s 2017 Claddagh Award.” Raised in Aroostook County, known for its delicious potatoes and rich history, Senator Collins is a fifth-generation Mainer whose first job was picking potatoes as a teenager. She has Irish heritage on both sides of her family. According to the last Census, nearly one-fifth of the people in Caribou trace their roots to Ireland and actively cherish their Irish history, culture, and the contributions their ancestors made to the State of Maine. The Claddagh, which exemplifies the ideals of friendship, loyalty and love, is a beloved symbol of Irish culture and tradition all over the world. Each year the Maine Irish Heritage Center honors a distinguished Irish-American in Maine who has devoted his or her life to serving and improving our community and the State of Maine, and brought honor to their Irish roots by doing so. During the ceremony, Senator Collins and attendees were shown recorded video messages from former Vice President of the United States Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) congratulating Senator Collins on receiving this prestigious award. You can watch Vice President Biden’s video HERE and Senator King’s video HERE. Senator Collins is the 10th annual Claddagh recipient and joins ranks that include f… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-s-old-town-jobs-bill-moves-forward-senate | Rep. Poliquins Old Town Jobs Bill Moves Forward in the Senate | 2017-11-09 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – This morning, Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s (ME-02) bill to help create jobs and economic development in Old Town moved forward in the U.S. Senate. Congressman Poliquin’s bill was included in a larger package of bills, the Federal Land Management Act of 2017, which passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry unanimously, a major step toward becoming law. “After coordinating and working closely with town leaders in developing this legislation and pushing it through the House with bipartisan support earlier this year, I’m extremely pleased it is moving closer to becoming law,” said Congressman Poliquin. “This is a simple and commonsense fix that will allow for new jobs and important economic growth for Old Town and the surrounding communities, and I’ll continue to push until it gets across the finish line.” Said Ron Harriman, Economic Development Director for the City of Old Town, “We are very pleased with the Congressman's work to remove archaic deed restrictions to allow for new industry and job creation in the City of Old Town. Congressman Poliquin and his staff have made this issue a high priority and have kept in very close contact with the City throughout the process. We are hopeful this bill to promote economic development will have strong support.” The Congressman’s bill, called the Removing Outdated Restrictions to Allow for Job Growth Act, will revise an outdated law in Old Town by removing an obsolete deed restriction on a parcel of land next to the Old Town Airport. It will allow the airport to move forward with the project of developing the land to attract and welcome new interested businesses and jobs to the area. Congressman Poliquin’s bill passed in the House earlier this year. The Congressman held a press conference in Old Town to announce the bill in February. Additional Background: Congressman Poliquin has worked closely with town officials from Old Town, local business leaders and officials from the Old Town Municipal Airport in developing this leg… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-s-request-house-committee-will-hold-hearing-his-and-rep | At Rep. Poliquins Request, House Committee Will Hold Hearing on His and Rep. Pingrees Bill to Resolve Boundary Issues and Harvesting Disputes at Acadia | 2017-11-09 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – At the urgency of Congressman Bruce Poliquin, the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on his and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s legislation to make important revisions to boundary policies at Acadia National Park (ANP) and to resolve recent disputes between local harvesters and the National Park Service (NPS) in and around the park. First introduced in January, Poliquin and Pingree recently introduced an amended bill after receiving feedback from local community members, Friends of Acadia, the National Park Service, and other stakeholders. Senators King and Collins have introduced an identical bill in the Senate. “This bipartisan and bicameral legislation is a comprehensive solution in resolving boundary and traditional harvesting issues at Acadia, and I am extremely pleased the Natural Resources Committee has answered my request for a hearing and to move this bill forward in Congress, "said Congressman Poliquin. “In the past months and years, I’ve made sure to hear from, meet with, and understand the perspectives of groups on all sides and of all different interests in these discussions—from holding a roundtable discussion with local wormers and clammers last summer in Ellsworth to meeting or talking directly with Acadia National Park officials and local town officials. This comprehensive legislation has received input from all stakeholders and I am pleased to work with the entire Congressional delegation on this.” “I am pleased that a hearing on this legislation has been scheduled so that we can soon reach a resolution that supports the needs of residents and those who make their living harvesting on the flats near the park,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “I am grateful to Mainers who have provided input on this legislation and especially for the clammers and wormers who’ve shared their stories about this issue. I am thankful for Rep. Poliquin’s leadership on this issue and am glad to join him working toward a solution.” The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 10… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-introduce-legislation-address-acadia-national-park-boundary-issues | Collins, King Introduce Legislation to Address Acadia National Park Boundary Issues | 2017-11-09 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) today announced they have introduced Senate legislation that would help address the concerns of communities near Acadia National Park (ANP) about boundary issues and the use of intertidal zones by harvesters of clams and worms. The bill reflects feedback from the local community on the legislation introduced in January by Senators Collins and King and Representatives Bruce Poliquin and Chellie Pingree. A companion bill was also introduced by U.S. Representatives Bruce Poliquin and Chellie Pingree in the House of Representatives. “Generations of Maine harvesters and wormers have earned their livings and provided for their families on the flats of the intertidal zone at Acadia,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “The federal government must respect the longstanding rights of local people so they can support their livelihoods and strengthen Maine’s economy. This bill responds to community concerns and seeks to find commonsense solutions to ensure the National Park Service remains a good neighbor to the surrounding communities.” The legislation will also address a wide range of issues related to Acadia, including: Allowing for the 2015 Schoodic Woods land transfer to the NPS while making clear that the 1986 boundary law remains permanent. Ensuring that traditional uses of the intertidal zone are protected and harvesters’ rights upheld. Responds to community concerns on correcting park boundary survey errors. Makes permanent the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission, which ensures important local input in park issues. In 2015, ANP was deeded more than 1,400 acres on the Schoodic Peninsula by an anonymous donor. This was a welcome gift from the local towns and communities. It was only after the land was transferred to ANP that the NPS informed the public that the legal authority they used for the transfer came from a 1929 law that many in the Bar Harbor area believed had been… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-susan-collins-joe-manchin-serve-honorary-co-chairs-bipartisan-group-no-labels | Senators Susan Collins & Joe Manchin to Serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of Bipartisan Group No Labels | 2017-11-09 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WATCH "Morning Joe" WATCH "New Day" Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) will serve as honorary co-chairs of No Labels, a bipartisan group committed to bringing leaders together to solve problems. This morning, the bipartisan Senate duo appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and CNN’s “New Day” to discuss the need to “energize the middle.” “What No Labels is trying to do—and [Senator Manchin and I are] happy to join as honorary co-chairs—is to bring people together and energize the middle,” Senator Collins said. “I don't diminish the power of people in the Senate coming together, listening respectfully and trying to find common ground. And what we're hoping to do with No Labels' help is to institutionalize that.” “Our hope is that with the support of members of No Labels all across our country that we can begin a process of bringing people together in Washington, to listen respectfully to one another and forge bipartisan solutions,” Senator Collins continued. “When legislation is passed with input from both parties we get far better products in the end.” Click HERE for the full transcript of Senator Collins’ interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” Click HERE for high-quality video of Senator Collins’ interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Click HERE for the full transcript of Senator Collins’ interview on CNN’s “New Day.” Click HERE for high-quality video of Senator Collins’ interview on CNN’s “New Day” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-s-third-bill-passes-house-year | Rep. Poliquins Third Bill Passes the House This Year | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has had his third bill pass the U.S. House of Representatives this year, with broad, bipartisan support. The commonsense legislation will ensure that Veterans’ family members who are buried at tribal Veterans cemeteries—such as the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Tribal Veterans Cemetery in Aroostook County—are provided government furnished headstones, the same treatment as those buried at national and state Veterans cemeteries. Congressman Poliquin, who represents the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and their Tribal Veterans Cemetery in Aroostook County, spoke on the House Floor this week and released the following statement: “I am tremendously proud to have my third piece of legislation pass through the House this year with bipartisan support to help our Maine families and Veterans,” said Congressman Poliquin. “Veterans laid to rest in tribal Veterans cemeteries should have the honor of being buried with their families and all should have access to headstones commemorating their sacrifices. I’m proud of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians for creating the first Tribal Veterans Cemetery not only in Maine, but on the entire East Coast. It is a great honor to serve them and to make this commonsense fix so all our Veterans and their families can be properly honored when they are laid to rest. I’m going to continue to push until this legislation is on the President’s desk for signature.” Clarissa Sabattis, Chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, said, “I would like to express our appreciation and support to Congressman Poliquin’s for his efforts in addressing this existing inequity. This Bill will ensure that the family members who are buried in our Tribal Veteran’s Cemetery, and others like ours, will be provided with headstones, as they are in state and national Veterans Cemeteries.” Congressman Poliquin speaks on the House Floor in support of his legislation, his third bill to pass the House this … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/principal-and-teacher-conners-emerson-school-meet-senator-collins-washington | Principal and Teacher from Conners-Emerson School Meet with Senator Collins in Washington | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Susan Collins met today with Conners-Emerson School Principal Barbara Neilly and teacher Rebecca Edmondson in her Washington, D.C., office. Earlier this year, Conners-Emerson School in Bar Harbor was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School. Conners-Emmerson School is one of only three Maine schools—and one of only 342 public and private schools nationwide—to be recognized for this highly prestigious achievement in 2017. Conners-Emerson School was first named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2004. “Since first being named a National Blue Ribbon School 13 years ago, educators and staff at Conners-Emerson School have deepened and expanded standards-based teaching and learning,” said Senators Collins. “This Blue Ribbon Award is a tribute not only to the students, but also to the administrators, teachers, staff, and parents of Connors-Emerson School. I congratulate the entire Bar Harbor community for this well-deserved recognition.” For 35 years, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. Blue Ribbon schools are recognized for overall academic excellence or for making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-hires-augusta-native-her-washington-dc-office | Senator Collins Hires Augusta Native to Her Washington, D.C., Office | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins with Cameron in 2011 (L) Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins with Cameron in 2017 (R) Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that Cameron O’Brien, an Augusta native, has been hired as a Legislative Assistant in her Washington, D.C., office. Cameron is the son of Mark and Julie O’Brien of Augusta. He previously served as an intern in Senator Collins’ Augusta and Bangor offices and as a Legislative Correspondent in Senator Collins’ D.C. office. “As a former intern and Legislative Correspondent in my office, Cameron demonstrated a strong work ethic, a deep understanding of the legislative process, and a devotion to the State of Maine that made him a valuable member of my team,” said Senator Collins. “I am delighted to welcome Cameron back to my staff, where I know he will continue to work hard to serve his fellow Mainers.” As a Legislative Assistant, Cameron will work on policy matters pertaining to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, science, transportation, and infrastructure. Cameron graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha from the Honors College at the University of Maine at Orono, where he majored in political science. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-meets-principal-and-teacher-falmouth-elementary-school-national-blue-ribbon | Senator Collins Meets with Principal and Teacher of Falmouth Elementary School, a National Blue Ribbon Recipient, in Washington | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with Falmouth Elementary School Principal Gloria Noyes and physical education teacher Kathy Earle in her Washington, D.C., office. In September, Falmouth Elementary School was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School. Falmouth Elementary School is one of only three Maine schools—and one of only 342 public and private schools nationwide—to be recognized for this highly prestigious achievement in 2017. “The Blue Ribbon designation is the highest honor an American school can obtain, and out of this year’s 342 honorees, three are from Maine. Falmouth Elementary School earned this designation through a deep commitment to excellence by both the faculty and the community as a whole,” said Senator Collins. “I was delighted to have Molly Ryan and Katie Seelen, two of my dedicated staffers and alumnae of Falmouth Elementary School, join me in presenting Gloria and Kathy with a Congressional Record statement recognizing the school’s success.” For 35 years, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. Blue Ribbon schools are recognized for overall academic excellence or for making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-announces-100000-grant-aroostook-county-infrastructure | Rep. Poliquin Announces $100,000 Grant for Aroostook County Infrastructure Development and Other Initiatives | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) announced a $100,000 grant awarded to Aroostook County to support a number of different rural development initiatives including public infrastructure development. Congressman Poliquin said, “Our communities succeed when they have the tools to grow. I’m very pleased this important support will go toward enhancing our infrastructure in the County and helping our communities most effectively carry out critical development projects.” The grant, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will be used to provide training and technical assistance through a series of seminars for town administrators, city managers, boards of selectpersons and other municipal officials and staff in Aroostook County which are focused on building the local capacity to carry out projects like housing rehabilitation, community and economic development, and public infrastructure development. The federal grant will provide for $100,000 of the total cost of the project of $200,000. Click HERE for additional information on the USDA grant. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/casey-collins-introduce-nourishing-our-golden-years-act | Casey, Collins Introduce the Nourishing Our Golden Years Act | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Read the bill here. Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), leaders of the Special Committee on Aging, introduced the Nourishing Our Golden Years Act to streamline the application process and reduce the burden on states in the administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), also known as the Senior Food Box Program. “Federal nutrition assistance, like the Senior Food Box Program, is a vital lifeline for many seniors,” said Ranking Member Casey. “The Nourishing Our Golden Years Act would make it easier for older adults to benefit from the Senior Food Box Program and reduces the likelihood that a recipient would miss a re-certification deadline and become ineligible. This bill would help us fulfill our sacred responsibility to older Americans by ensuring they have access to nutritious foods.” “Far too many seniors in Maine and across the nation find themselves forced to choose between buying food and buying prescriptions drugs or paying essential bills,” said Chairman Collins. “The Senior Food Box program provides qualified seniors with healthy fruits, vegetables, and other non-perishable foods. Our bipartisan legislation would not only make it easier for seniors to continue to receive the assistance, but it would simplify the process for agencies that provide this critical support. Senator Casey and I encourage our colleagues to join our efforts to change the trajectory of our nation by supporting the Nourishing Our Golden Years Act.” The Senior Food Box Program improves the health of low-income Americans, ages 60 and up, by providing non-perishable items to program participants once a month. By extending how often participants must recertify, from a minimum of six months to a once a year, the Nourishing Our Golden Years Act would minimize the burden for both participants and states. Currently, in some states, seniors who receive a food box must re-certify by proving their eligibility to participate every six mont… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-casey-introduce-nourishing-our-golden-years-act | Collins, Casey Introduce the Nourishing Our Golden Years Act | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bob Casey (D-PA), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, introduced the Nourishing Our Golden Years Act to streamline the application process and reduce the burden on states in the administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), also known as the Senior Food Box Program. “Far too many seniors in Maine and across the nation find themselves forced to choose between buying food and buying prescriptions drugs or paying essential bills,” said Senator Collins. “The Senior Food Box program provides qualified seniors with healthy fruits, vegetables, and other non-perishable foods. Our bipartisan legislation would not only make it easier for seniors to continue to receive the assistance, but it would simplify the process for agencies that provide this critical support. Senator Casey and I encourage our colleagues to join our efforts to change the trajectory of our nation by supporting the Nourishing Our Golden Years Act.” “Federal nutrition assistance, like the Senior Food Box Program, is a vital lifeline for many seniors,” Sen. Casey said. “The Nourishing Our Golden Years Act would make it easier for older adults to benefit from the Senior Food Box Program and reduces the likelihood that a recipient would miss a re-certification deadline and become ineligible. This bill would help us fulfill our sacred responsibility to older Americans by ensuring they have access to nutritious foods.” The Senior Food Box Program improves the health of low-income Americans, ages 60 and up, by providing non-perishable items, and fresh fruits and vegetables, to program participants once a month. By extending how often participants must recertify, from a minimum of six months to a once a year, the Nourishing Our Golden Years Act would minimize the burden for both participants and states. Currently, in some states, seniors who receive a food box must re-certify by proving their eligi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-join-bipartisan-group-senators-urge-federal-communications-commission-ensure | Collins, King Join Bipartisan Group of Senators to Urge Federal Communications Commission to Ensure Access to Affordable Broadband in Rural Communities | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) as part of a bipartisan group of thirty-nine senators in a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure its commitment to affordable and reliable broadband for consumers in hardest to reach communities across rural America. “A lack of resources to meet our [shared national broadband] goals is undermining investment and consumer access to affordable broadband across much of rural America. For this reason, we write to encourage the FCC to take the much-needed step of addressing the High-Cost Universal Service Fund budget shortfall,” the senators wrote in the letter. The senators continued, “Many of the providers that serve rural consumers and businesses in our states have already begun to feel the pain of an arbitrary budget cap on High-Cost USF support. We urge the FCC to take action as quickly as possible to ensure the High-Cost USF program provides sufficient and predictable support to help deliver affordable, high-quality broadband to rural consumers.” The effort has the support of key industry associations, including NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association and the Western Telecommunications Alliance. Access to affordable, high-quality broadband is critical to our state's future and economy, and for that reason Senators Collins and King press for laws and regulations that encourage robust broadband investment in rural areas. In February, Senator King joined with Senators Klobuchar, Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and John Boozman (R-AR) to lead a letter in which 48 senators, including Senator Collins, urged the President to include broadband in any infrastructure initiative. In May 2015, Senators Collins and King signed onto a letter led by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to then-FCC Chairman Wheeler urging an update to the USF to support the delivery of communications services to con… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/following-tragic-shooting-sutherland-springs-senators-collins-toomey-call-comprehensive | Following the Tragic Shooting in Sutherland Springs, Senators Collins, Toomey Call for Comprehensive Review of Military Policies to Ensure Individuals Who are Prohibited from Possessing Firearms are Properly Reported to FBI | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | In light of the Air Force’s failure to report Sutherland Springs shooter Devin Kelley’s criminal record to the FBI, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) wrote to Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke today, urging them to conduct a comprehensive review of the military’s reporting procedures of criminal records. The Senators requested a report as well as regular updates on the investigation. If the Air Force had submitted Kelley’s 2014 domestic violence conviction to the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) database in accordance with federal law, he would have been prohibited from purchasing or owning a firearm. As a result of this oversight, Kelley was able to purchase at least four firearms since his conviction, including the firearm that was used in Sunday’s shooting. The Air Force has initiated an investigation into this case, but Senators Collins and Toomey called for a wider review to help prevent a tragedy like the one that occurred in Sutherland Springs from occurring in the future. “We urge you to conduct a review of the NCIC database reporting procedures across all Armed Services components for the past decade,” Senators Collins and Toomey wrote. “We further request a full review of military records and databases to ensure criminal records in other cases have been reported correctly.” “The 2007 NICS Improvement Act directs federal agencies to report records identifying prohibited persons to the Attorney General no less than quarterly,” Senators Collins and Toomey continued. “This incident raises the question of whether there are other gaps in the military’s criminal records reporting procedures. In addition, inmate in-processing could provide an additional opportunity for the Armed Services to check that cases are properly reported.” The signed letter can be read HERE. The full text of the letter is below: Dear Secretary Mattis and Acting Secretary Duke: We write to express our strong concerns with the apparen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-king-announce-two-mainers-have-been-named-fill-key-usda-posts-dedicated | Senators Collins, King Announce Two Mainers Have Been Named to Fill Key USDA Posts Dedicated to Assisting Maine | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | Newsroom Senators Collins, King Announce Two Mainers Have Been Named to Fill Key USDA Posts Dedicated to Assisting Maine Posted Tue, 11/07/2017 - 09:53 Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced that President Donald Trump has named two Mainers to fill key positions in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for serving the State of Maine. Tim Hobbs has been named Maine State Director of USDA Rural Development, and Dave Lavway has been named Maine State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency. “Tim and Dave have a long history serving the agricultural community in Maine and come with a wealth of knowledge about the USDA programs they are tapped to lead,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “With that understanding and experience, they will be exceptional leaders of these USDA programs that are instrumental in assisting rural areas with economic development and supporting agricultural needs across our state. We look forward to working with Tim and Dave as they assume their new roles serving Mainers.” Mr. Hobbs has served as the Director of Development and Grower Relations for the Maine Potato Board for the past 15 years. Prior to his service on the Maine Potato Board, Mr. Hobbs worked for five years as the Executive Director of the Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District. Mr. Lavway was most recently the Deputy Commissioner of Operations of the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services. He previously served as the Maine State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency from 2001 until 2009 and is also the former Executive Director of the Maine Potato Board. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-1308121-grant-york-county-community-action-corporation%E2%80%99s-head-start | Collins, King Announce $1,308,121 Grant for York County Community Action Corporations Head Start Programs | 2017-11-06 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced today the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families has awarded the York County Community Action Corporation $1,308,121 for their Head Start and Early Head Start projects. “Head Start gives young children and families in Maine the tools they need to succeed,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “By expanding access to early childhood education, we are building a foundation of opportunity for Maine children and encouraging a will to learn. York County Community Action Corporation helps to strengthen Maine communities and support our state’s working families, and this federal grant money allows them to continue in their important work.” The York County Community Action Corporation helps alleviate and solve poverty for the people of York County by assisting families and seniors within the York County community. York County Community Action Corporation helps to administer economic stability programs such as Head Start, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, and WIC. Head Start was established in 1965 to promote school readiness and provide a comprehensive array of health, nutritional, and social services to eligible four- and five-year-old preschoolers and their families. Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being. The Office of Head Start (OHS), an office with the Administration for Children and Families, administers grant funding and oversight to the local agencies that provide Head Start services in Maine and across the country. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/icymi-bipartisan-bill-pushes-%E2%80%98next-step%E2%80%99-solving-alzheimer%E2%80%99s | ICYMI: "Bipartisan bill pushes for the next step in solving Alzheimers" | 2017-11-06 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | ME | Susan Collins | C001035 | www.collins.senate.gov | legacy | ICYMI: "Bipartisan bill pushes for the ‘next step’ in solving Alzheimer’s" Click HERE to read the article. “A bipartisan group of four senators on Monday introduced a bill they say would better align Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention strategies with public health approaches for other chronic health conditions, allowing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ‘create a modern infrastructure for the prevention, treatment, and care of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.’ “The legislation, authored by Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), focuses on improving early detection mechanisms, local health program coordination, and data-gathering operations. “The Alzheimer’s Association, an advocacy group backing the legislation, estimates that nearly one-half of Americans with Alzheimer’s currently go undiagnosed, and that the disease’s prevalence among multiple minority groups is at least 50 percent higher than in white Americans. “Collins, in introducing the bill, referred to Alzheimer’s disease as one of the country’s most under-recognized health conditions. “'Five and a half million Americans are living with the disease, and that number is soaring as our overall population grows older and lives longer,’ she said in a statement. ‘After decades of expanding biomedical research in Alzheimer’s, we are ready for the next step: to translate research into practice.’ “Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) introduced an equivalent version of the legislation in the House. Like the Senate version, it would authorize roughly $37 million in funding for the CDC to implement goals that also take aim at shrinking health disparities and reducing burdens for caregivers. “An analysis from the Alzheimer’s Association also estimated that one-quarter of hospitalizations related to the disease are preventable, which could save Medicare $2.6 billion annually. Legislators cited the country’s annual Alzheimer’s related expendit… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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