url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-passing-md-harmon,Senator Collins Statement on Passing of M.D. Harmon,2016-12-29,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins’ Statement on Passing of M.D. Harmon 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Thu, 12/29/2016 - 17:25    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement regarding the passing of M.D. Harmon:
""I was so saddened to learn of M.D. Harmon's tragic death. For four decades, M.D. Harmon was a dedicated editor and columnist. His passing is a loss to his family and friends, his colleagues, and to generations of readers across our state.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-passing-graham-shimmield,Senator Collins Statement on the Passing of Graham Shimmield,2016-12-28,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins’ Statement on the Passing of Graham Shimmield 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Wed, 12/28/2016 - 16:31    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement regarding the passing of Dr. Graham Shimmield, the executive director of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences:
“Graham was an accomplished scientist and leader who transformed Bigelow Laboratory through his energy and vision.“Under Graham’s leadership, Bigelow made important contributions to Maine’s economy and research sector and expanded its influence internationally. I enjoyed working with Graham to secure federal funding that assisted in nearly doubling the size of the institution a few years ago.“Graham helped enhance our understanding of the ocean and emphasized the need to protect this vital ecosystem. Graham’s passing is a loss to his family and friends, the research community, the State of Maine, and all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/countering-boko-haram-senator-collins%E2%80%99-legislation-combat-ruthless-terrorist-organization,Countering Boko Haram: Senator Collins Legislation to Combat This Ruthless Terrorist Organization Becomes Law,2016-12-27,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"In 2014, the terrorist group Boko Haram shocked the world by kidnapping 276 Nigerian schoolgirls, sending them into lives of sexual slavery and forced “marriages.” That horrific act was part of a nearly decade-long campaign of brutal violence by the extremist organization against the people of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger in West and Central Africa.
Last year, in response to the horrific kidnapping, I led all 20 women of the United States Senate in urging Secretary of State John Kerry to seek Boko Haram’s addition to the United Nation’s ISIL & Al-Qaida Sanctions List. Subsequently, the United Nations Security Council voted to subject Boko Haram to a complete asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo. This crucial vote followed a Global Terrorism Index Report finding that Boko Haram killed 6,664 people in 2014, more than the Islamic State.
As this Congress comes to a close, our nation has taken stronger steps to stop the spread of Boko Haram. In September 2015, the Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation I authored calling for a concerted strategy by the State and Defense Departments to counter this threat. The House passed it unanimously in early December of this year, and it was signed into law by the President on December 14th.
The need for this legislation was recently underscored when Boko Haram bombers attacked a busy market in Madagali, Nigeria, killing at least 50 and critically wounding many more.
Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and continues to commit terrible acts of brutal violence against innocent civilians. My bipartisan legislation signals a renewed congressional commitment to pursuing Boko Haram and bolstering U.S. efforts throughout the region. The already dire situation there will continue to worsen, and this terrorist group will pose a threat not only to African countries but also to the United States and our allies.
The passage of my legislation in the House was aided by the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. In a letter of support, the CBC notes that Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people since 2009. Additionally, as a result of the terrorist insurgency in northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, 2.6 million people have become refugees and millions more face starvation. Untold numbers have been tortured, sexually abused, and murdered, creating a humanitarian crisis that may take generations to heal.Indeed, the very name of the terrorist group proclaims its goal of destroying hope for a better future in the region. By definition, Boko Haram means “Western education is forbidden.” We must never forget that the girls of Nigeria were targeted simply because they chose to pursue an education. That mass kidnapping was not an isolated incident: Boko Haram is particularly focused on terrorizing women, girls, and religious minorities, just as the Taliban sought to silence Malala Yousafzai, the teenage girl who was shot by a gunman after she took a school exam in Pakistan.
My legislation strengthens our efforts against Boko Haram, including the development of a long-term diplomatic and military strategy to counter the threat. This strategy includes bolstering the government of Nigeria’s ability to protect schoolchildren and to combat gender-based violence and inequality.
Combatting oppression against women and girls and increasing their opportunities around the world has been a long-standing priority of mine. This legislation sends a clear signal to the international community that these girls are not forgotten and that America will not sit idly by and allow these atrocities committed by Boko Haram or any other terrorist group to continue.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/merry-christmas-rep-poliquin,Merry Christmas from Rep. Poliquin,2016-12-25,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) released the following statement:
 
“I want to wish everyone a very blessed and Merry Christmas!” said Congressman Poliquin.
 
“On this Christmas Day, as friends and family gather around the Christmas Tree and dinner table, let’s all keep in mind those who are selflessly serving our communities and Nation right now to keep use safe. From the thousands of firefighters, police officers, nurses, doctors and emergency personnel in Maine to all those serving in our Armed Forces overseas, thank you for your sacrifice to protect our families and communities.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-signs-defense-bill-law-securing-900-maine-shoemaking-jobs,"President Signs Defense Bill Into Law, Securing 900 Maine Shoemaking Jobs",2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama signed the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law, marking the end of a months-long, hard-fought battle led in the House by Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) to secure 900 Maine shoemaking jobs at New Balance. The bill that was signed into law today includes critical language championed by Congressman Poliquin and Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to require the Department of Defense (DOD) to follow the law and issue American-made athletic shoes to its new recruits. Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:
 
“This has been a long and hard-fought battle, but today it’s finally done,” said Congressman Poliquin. “The 900 shoemakers at New Balance in Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Norway are the hardest working individuals in the world and unquestionably deserve this huge win. I applaud New Balance’s leadership in keeping jobs here in America and in our State of Maine. Today, their investment in Maine workers has paid off.”
 
For the past several months, Congressman Poliquin has resiliently advocated and taken strong legislative action to push the DOD to comply with the Berry Amendment, the provision which requires the Pentagon to use American-made products for recruits whenever possible.
 
This final provision, which was maintained in the NDAA during the conference committee between the House and Senate due to strong support from Congressman Poliquin and Senators Collins and King, mandates that the DOD consider athletic footwear issued to military recruits as subject to the Berry Amendment, requiring the Department to treat athletic footwear like other uniform items.
 
The Berry Amendment is a provision in law that requires the DOD to use American-made products for new recruits whenever possible. However, since 2002 the DOD has circumvented this policy by issuing cash allowances to new recruits for training shoes, which are not required to be American-made or Berry Amendment-compliant. In 2014, the DOD agreed to change its policy and close this footwear loophole. Despite that announcement, more than two years later, the DOD has yet to actually implement it and rectify this fundamental inequity in the application of the Berry Amendment.
 
Timeline of Progress:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 September-November 2016: The House and the Senate go to conference to hash out the differences in the two chambers’ versions of the NDAA
  
 
 
 
 Today: The NDAA is officially signed into law
  
Items to Note:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-nearly-27-million-contract-cianbro-construction-and-dock-repairs,"Collins, King Announce Nearly $27 Million Contract to Cianbro for Construction and Dock Repairs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard",2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Navy is awarding Cianbro Corp. of Pittsfield a $26,969,000 contract for construction and dock repairs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery.
“The work done at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has a direct impact on our national security, and this contract for Cianbro will help make sure that the shipyard is well-equipped to continue in its important mission,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We commend the Navy for investing in PNSY, our national defense, and the Maine economy. And as always, we applaud the men and women at the shipyard for their hard work and dedication.”
This competitively-awarded contract will support replacement of the caisson at PSNY’s dry dock number #3. The work will also provide repairs to the concrete entrance structures of the dry dock, and is expected to be completed by May 2019.
Senator Collins is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Cianbro is a construction and construction services company based in Pittsfield.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-king-poliquin-applaud-6-million-usda-investment-private-road,"Collins, King, Poliquin Applaud $6 Million USDA Investment in Private Road Infrastructure and Fish Habitat in Northern and Eastern Maine",2016-12-21,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congressman Bruce Poliquin applauded today’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding a $6 million grant to a Maine partnership led by the Nature Conservancy that will help private forestland owners reduce the impacts that flooding has on road networks and restore more than 250 miles of fish habitat in northern and eastern Maine. Senators Collins and King and Congressman Poliquin wrote a joint letter of support for the initiative, called the Maine Aquatic Connectivity Restoration Project, in September.
 
“By restoring and reconnecting waterways and improving roads and bridges, this project will help improve fish habitats and enhance the forest economy in northern and eastern Maine,” said Senator Collins.  “I commend The Nature Conservancy for partnering with local landowners and others on this collaborative effort that will help protect our environment, improve fishing, and benefit communities throughout the region.”
 
“This project represents the very best of Maine – environmental stewardship combined with economic growth and driven by innovative collaboration – all of which once again shows that, in Maine, preserving our environment and building our economy can go hand-in-hand,” Senator King said. “I commend the Nature Conservancy for bringing this group together with the shared goal of improving fish habitats while also strengthening our forest roadway infrastructure, and appreciate the significant investment in Maine’s future from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”
 
“Our State’s fisheries and coastal habitats are treasures and key parts of Maine’s identity, providing for thousands of jobs through tourism, harvesting and other critical industries,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I’m proud to have urged support for this important project and am thrilled to see its approval to help advance our infrastructure and protect our environment and the thousands of Maine families who depend on it.”
 
The 5-year Maine Aquatic Connectivity Restoration Project aims to replace several hundred culverts and fix fractured aquatic connectivity to over a dozen priority watersheds with the goal of restoring 250 miles of brooks, streams and rivers in northern and eastern Maine. This partnership is led by the Nature Conservancy and includes more than two dozen entities that include private forestland owners, tribal communities, federal agencies, conservation groups and local operators. 
 
The grant announced today comes through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which is administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-moves-new-office-location-washington-start-new-congress,Rep. Poliquin Moves to New Office Location in Washington for Start of a New Congress,2016-12-21,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – The start of the new Congress brings with it a change of scenery for Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02), his Washington, D.C. staff, and his Murphy bed, as the team moves into a new office space.  Congressman Poliquin and his Washington, D.C. staff completed their move this week from their previous location at 426 Cannon House Office Building to their new one at 1208 Longworth House Office Building.
 
“I’m looking forward to returning to work for Mainers at the start of the 115th Congress and am ready to immediately act to fix the most important problems facing our State and our Nation,” said Congressman Poliquin. “While my staff and I will have a new location, we aren’t going to let up an inch in our commitment to serving on behalf of our Maine families, small businesses and communities. For all Mainers visiting Washington, please make sure to come by our new office for an ice cold Moxie.”
 
Office supplies are removed from Congressman Poliquin’s former office location during the move.
 
Office supplies are boxed up and made ready for the move.
 
Workers disassemble Congressman Poliquin’s Murphy bed to bring it to the new office location.
 
Congressman Poliquin’s new Washington, D.C. office location at 1208 Longworth House Office Building.
 
Note: Congressman Poliquin’s Washington, D.C. office phone and fax numbers will remain unchanged. Phone: 202-225-6306.  Fax: 202-225-2943. 
 
All future mail should be addressed to 1208 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-poliquin-applaud-6-million-usda-investment-private-road-infrastructure-and,"Collins, King, Poliquin Applaud $6 Million USDA Investment in Private Road Infrastructure and Fish Habitat in Northern and Eastern Maine",2016-12-21,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congressman Bruce Poliquin applauded today’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding a $6 million grant to a Maine partnership led by the Nature Conservancy that will help private forestland owners reduce the impacts that flooding has on road networks and restore more than 250 miles of fish habitat in northern and eastern Maine. Senators Collins and King and Congressman Poliquin wrote a joint letter of support for the initiative, called the Maine Aquatic Connectivity Restoration Project, in September.
“By restoring and reconnecting waterways and improving roads and bridges, this project will help improve fish habitats and enhance the forest economy in northern and eastern Maine,” said Senator Collins.  “I commend The Nature Conservancy for partnering with local landowners and others on this collaborative effort that will help protect our environment, improve fishing, and benefit communities throughout the region.”
“This project represents the very best of Maine – environmental stewardship combined with economic growth and driven by innovative collaboration – all of which once again shows that, in Maine, preserving our environment and building our economy can go hand-in-hand,” Senator King said. “I commend the Nature Conservancy for bringing this group together with the shared goal of improving fish habitats while also strengthening our forest roadway infrastructure, and appreciate the significant investment in Maine’s future from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”
“Our State’s fisheries and coastal habitats are treasures and key parts of Maine’s identity, providing for thousands of jobs through tourism, harvesting and other critical industries,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I’m proud to have urged support for this important project and am thrilled to see its approval to help advance our infrastructure and protect our environment and the thousands of Maine families who depend on it.”
The 5-year Maine Aquatic Connectivity Restoration Project aims to replace several hundred culverts and fix fractured aquatic connectivity to over a dozen priority watersheds with the goal of restoring 250 miles of brooks, streams and rivers in northern and eastern Maine. This partnership is led by the Nature Conservancy and includes more than two dozen entities that include private forestland owners, tribal communities, federal agencies, conservation groups and local operators. 
The grant announced today comes through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which is administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-mccaskill-release-committee-report-bipartisan-drug-pricing-investigation,"Collins, McCaskill Release Committee Report of Bipartisan Drug Pricing Investigation",2016-12-21,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee, released a report on drug pricing today titled, “Sudden Price Spikes in Off-Patent Prescription Drugs: The Monopoly Business Model that Harms Patients, Taxpayers, and the U.S. Health Care System.” The comprehensive report details the findings stemming from the Committee’s bipartisan investigation into abrupt and dramatic price increases for prescription drugs whose patents expired long ago. Through close examination of the monopoly business model used by four pharmaceutical companies to exploit market failures, the report examines how companies acquired decades-old, off-patent, and previously affordable drugs and then raised the prices suddenly and astronomically at the expense of patients. The report provides case studies of the four companies; explores the influence of investors; assesses the impacts of price hikes on patients, payers, providers, hospitals, and the government; and discusses potential policy responses. 
""The skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs affect every American family, particularly our seniors,"" said Chairman Collins. ""This report is the culmination of the Senate Aging Committee's year-long, bipartisan investigation into the egregious price increases on a number of decades-old drugs acquired by pharmaceutical companies that act more like hedge funds. We must work to stop the bad actors who are driving up the prices of drugs that they did nothing to develop at the expense of patients just because, as one executive essentially said, “because I can.”“The hedge fund model of drug pricing is predatory, and immoral for the patients and taxpayers who ultimately foot the bill—especially for generic drugs that can be made for pennies per dose,” Ranking Member McCaskill said. “We’ve got to find ways to increase competition for medicines and ensure that patients and their families aren’t being gouged.”Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill launched the Aging Committee’s bipartisan investigation in November 2015 following a series of media reports detailing dramatic drug price increases after the acquisition of decades-old, off-patent, and previously affordable drugs. The investigation centered on Turing Pharmaceuticals, Retrophin, Inc., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., and Rodelis Therapeutics. Evidence gathered by the Committee also suggests that additional companies have employed the monopoly business model uncovered in this report, putting the health and lives of Americans at risk.The views of a wide-range of health policy experts and clinicians were considered, and the report identifies potential policy responses:
 
Enact the Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act, introduced by Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill, to incentivize competition to address regulatory uncertainty, small market size, and other factors that serve as limitations to generic entry;
 
 
Encourage generic competition by ensuring the right to obtain samples and simplifying Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies;
 
 
Consider allowing highly targeted, temporary prescription drug importation to provide prompt price relief for major price increases in off-patent drugs;
 
 
Take steps to prevent the misuse of patient assistance programs and copay coupons;
 
 
Reinvigorate the Federal Trade Commission to take greater enforcement action on drug company mergers, operations, and drug market dynamics; and
 
 
Improve transparency in the health care system.
 
Throughout the investigation, Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill have been committed to promoting innovation while improving access and affordability of prescription medications for patients, particularly for the 90 percent of our nation’s seniors who take prescription drugs. Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill strongly support continued efforts to stop bad actors who are acquiring drugs that have been off-patent for decades and driving up their prices solely because they can.Background on the Aging Committee’s InvestigationDuring the course of its bipartisan investigation, the Aging Committee held three hearings; interviewed scores of patients, doctors, hospital administrators, consumer advocates, health experts, and pharmaceutical industry executives and board members; reviewed more than one million pages of documents obtained from the four companies; and deposed or took transcribed interviews of numerous corporate witnesses.The first hearing of the series, held on December 9, 2015, sought to identify and define the problems resulting from these price increases. The second hearing, held on March 17, 2016, took an in-depth look inside the monopoly business models of Turing and Retrophin, both formerly headed by Martin Shkreli. The third hearing, held on April 27, 2016, investigated Valeant’s business model, its investor relationships, and the harm caused to patients and the health care system by the enormous price increases Valeant imposed on certain drugs it acquired.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-126-million-contract-modification-bath-iron-works,"Collins, King Announce $126 Million Contract Modification for Bath Iron Works",2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Collins, King Announce $126 Million Contract Modification for Bath Iron Works 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Mon, 12/19/2016 - 12:14    
    
    
    
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works a $125,950,046 contract modification. The funding will be used to continue Integrated Planning Yard services for Arleigh Burke-class and Oliver Hazard Perry-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 manufacturing the best, most-advanced destroyers in our Navy,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “We applaud the Navy for this contract modification, which will support our country’s national security and the Maine economy.”
 
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. Funding was allocated through the Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command.
 
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/manufacturing-bill-cosponsored-collins-king-set-become-law,"Manufacturing Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King Set To Become Law",2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,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 President Obama is expected to sign into law soon bipartisan legislation they cosponsored that will help support small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies across Maine.
 
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act, which will be signed into law as part of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, will expand and improve the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program – the premier federal program that addresses the crucial needs of small- and medium-sized manufacturers by offering resources to help them compete globally, support greater supply chain integration, and provide access to information, training, and technologies that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
 
“In Maine, manufacturing has always driven economic prosperity and helped create stable, good-paying jobs for people across our state,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “To continue that success in this globally-competitive economy will require forging new relationships, increasing collaboration among public and private sectors, and prioritizing innovation – all of which Maine MEP does day-in and day-out in support of manufacturers throughout the state. This legislation will enhance Maine MEP’s ability to provide critical resources to companies that will create jobs and spur economic growth.”
 
Built on a nationwide network of centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP program is a partnership between the federal government and a variety of private sector entities that serve as trusted business advisors and technical experts to thousands of small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies.
 
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act was introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-over-12-million-funding-promise-early-education-center,"Collins, King Announce Over $1.2 Million in Funding for Promise Early Education Center",2016-12-16,2016,2016-12,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 Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families has awarded Promise Early Education Center in Lewiston $1,227,569 to support early childhood education.
 
“Early childhood education provides the essential building blocks for a healthy life,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Promise Early Education Center works day in and day out to encourage educational opportunity for all children, and we commend this investment in Maine’s future.”
 
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 within 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.  
 
Promise Early Education Center aims to provide a safe, affordable, and engaging place for children to learn and grow. The center serves children from six weeks to five years old and their families throughout Androscoggin County.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/us-senators-collins-king-welcome-navy%E2%80%99s-new-fleet-plan,U.S. Senators Collins & King Welcome Navys New Fleet Plan,2016-12-16,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         U.S. Senators Collins & King Welcome Navy’s New Fleet Plan 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Fri, 12/16/2016 - 15:15    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement after the Navy announced a new fleet plan calling for a goal of 355 battle force ships. This includes an increase of 16 large surface combatant ships compared to the Navy’s current goal. These ships include the DDG-1000 and Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyers produced by Bath Iron Works. In light of the increasing capabilities of foreign adversaries, the Navy has determined that these additional destroyers are necessary to increase air defense and ballistic missile defense capacity, as well as provide escorts for additional aircraft carriers. The Navy’s new assessment is also consistent with President-elect Trump’s stated goal of building a 350-ship Navy.
“We welcome the Navy’s candid assessment of the naval fleet that is necessary to protect the United States. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has been a staunch supporter of shipbuilding during his eight year tenure, and we applaud him today for taking a fresh look at the necessary size and capability of the Navy’s fleet, particularly while China continues to modernize its own naval forces,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “The Navy’s new 355 ship goal is not only an important benchmark to achieve for our nation’s security, but good news for Bath Iron Works and the State of Maine, where the Navy’s world-class destroyers are built.”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/president-signs-bipartisan-bill-cosponsored-collins-king-protect-northern-border-law,"President Signs Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King to Protect Northern Border into Law",2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the President has signed the Northern Border Security Review Act, a bipartisan bill to assess and strengthen American security at the Northern Border, into law. Both Senators Collins and King are cosponsors of the legislation, which will help to make sure that Maine communities remain strong and safe.
 
“It’s absolutely critical that we have a secure Northern Border, and the comprehensive review triggered by this bill is a valuable step forward in assessing and strengthening those efforts on the ground,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We’re glad that the President has signed the Northern Border Security Review Act into law, and will continue to work with Maine law enforcement, federal partners, and other border community members with the shared goal of keeping Maine safe and secure.” 
 
Now law, the Northern Border Security Review Act requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to evaluate security threats at the border – the longest common land border in the world – through a comprehensive examination of current resources and personnel levels. The assessments called for in the bill will help tackle the coordination challenges that federal border security officials and local law enforcement face, and address how to recruit and retain a strong border security workforce.
 
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the bill late last month, just weeks after it unanimously passed in the U.S. Senate. After the bill passed the Senate, Senators Collins and King received a classified briefing by high-ranking officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on threat reporting, smuggling and trafficking trends, border security technology requirements, and staffing in remote locations.
At 5,500 miles long, including 1,500 miles between Alaska and Canada, the Northern Border has more than 120 border crossings, many of which are small and in rural areas. Approximately 300,000 people and $910 million in trade cross the Northern Border every day, representing the largest bilateral flow of goods and people in the world. The Northern Border Security Review Act will require a comprehensive examination of how to strengthen American security at the Northern Border by looking into issues with:
 
 
Recruiting and retaining border security officials to cover the Northern Border, including at more remote areas of the border;
Determining tools border security officials need to effectively combat drug and human trafficking at the Northern Border;
Identifying technology that could expand the reach of border agents; and
Finding vulnerabilities in cooperation between state, county, local, tribal, and Canadian law enforcement.
 
 
The bill was led by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). Other cosponsors include Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). A summary of the bill is available HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/signaling-renewed-commitment-pursuing-terrorist-organizations-worldwide-senator-collins%E2%80%99,"Signaling a Renewed Commitment to Pursuing Terrorist Organizations Worldwide,  Senator Collins Legislation to Combat Boko Haram is Signed into Law",2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that the President has signed into law bipartisan legislation she authored aimed at stopping the spread of the terrorist organization Boko Haram. The new law will strengthen the United States’ response to Boko Haram’s brazen and vicious acts of terrorism. Senator Collins’ legislation unanimously passed the Senate in September of 2015 and unanimously passed the House last week. 
Senator Collins’ legislation requires a new five-year U.S. government strategy to counter the threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria in addressing the legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations affected by this terrorist organization.
“Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to ISIS and continues to commit terrible acts of brutal violence against civilians in Nigeria as well as in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. This new law, which received strong bipartisan support, signals a renewed commitment to pursuing Boko Haram and bolstering U.S. efforts throughout the region. The already dire situation there will continue to worsen if the current trajectory is not significantly altered,” Senator Collins stated. “By definition, Boko Haram means Western education is forbidden. As we develop this comprehensive five-year strategy, we will send an international signal that we will never forget the girls of Nigeria who were targeted simply because they chose to pursue an education.”
In 2014, in response to Boko Haram’s kidnapping of the 276 school girls in Nigeria, Senator Collins, joined by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), led all twenty women Senators in urging Secretary Kerry to seek Boko Haram’s addition to the United Nation’s al-Qaeda Sanctions List. Following this letter, the United Nations Security Council voted to subject Boko Haram to a complete asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.
Co-sponsors of Senator Collins’ legislation included eighteen Senators: Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patty Murray (R-WA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), David Vitter (R-LA), and James Inhofe (R-OK).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-retirement-john-leonard-president-memic,"Senator Collins Statement on Retirement of John Leonard, President of MEMIC",2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins’ Statement on Retirement of John Leonard, President of MEMIC 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Wed, 12/14/2016 - 16:08    
    
    
    
  U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued this statement following the announcement that John Leonard, the president of MEMIC, plans to retire:
“John Leonard has had a truly remarkable career, capped by 23 years at the helm of Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company.
“When John came to MEMIC as its first permanent CEO in early 1993, Maine was struggling to implement crucial reforms passed to avert the near-collapse of our workers’ comp insurance market. Employers faced sky-high premiums they could not afford, while workers faced injury rates far above the national average. Right away, John and his team at MEMIC set out to improve workplace safety and reduce premiums.
“Under John’s leadership, MEMIC has far exceeded its goals, helping to make a safer, fairer, and more affordable workplace a reality for employers and employees across Maine. I congratulate John on his remarkable success, and wish him all the best in the years to come.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/21st-century-cures-act-signed-law-today-5-provisions-authored-senator-collins,21st Century Cures Act Signed into Law Today with 5 Provisions Authored by Senator Collins,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The Act Will Help Fight Against Opioid Abuse Through $1 Billion in State Grants; Spur Innovative Treatments and Cures for Alzheimer’s, Cancer, and Many Other Diseases; and Improve Mental Health Programs
 
To read a copy of Senator Collins' floor statement in support of the 21st Century Cures Act, click HERE
To watch Senator Collins' floor statement, click HERE
Washington, D.C. — The 21st Century Cures Act, legislation that was championed by U.S. Senator Susan Collins and will benefit every American, was signed into law today. The new law will spur the advancement of biomedical research, help combat the opioid abuse epidemic, and improve our mental health system. 
Senator Collins, the Chairman of the Aging Committee and a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, authored or co-authored five provisions contained within the legislation, which passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 94-5 last week. The legislation cleared the House in a similarly overwhelming bipartisan vote of 392-26. Senator Collins recently spoke on the Senate floor in support of this important legislation to promote medical innovation and attended the enrollment ceremony in the U.S. Capitol with other Committee leaders and members of House and Senate leadership.
“All of us know someone who courageously faces the struggles of living with a debilitating chronic illness or rare disease, or who received a devastating diagnosis and was gone too soon. Through the strong support of research and development, the 21st Century Cures Act will help us achieve our dream of conquering disease,” said Senator Collins. “The 21st Century Cures Act will also make the most significant reforms to our mental health system in more than a decade and help direct $1 billion in much-needed funding to address the heroin and opioid epidemic in this country, which has hit Maine communities particularly hard. As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I am proud to have pushed for and contributed to this landmark law, which will make a tremendous difference in the life of every American.”“The 21st Century Cures Act is an important step forward for life-saving biomedical research. The Jackson Laboratory is leading the search for tomorrow’s cures and we are so grateful to Senator Collins for her leadership and advocacy in passing this act,” said Ed Liu, M.D., President and CEO, The Jackson Laboratory.Advancing Biomedical ResearchThe 21st Century Cures Act provides $4.8 billion over ten years for the National Institutes of Health. That funding includes $1.6 billion for the BRAIN Initiative to improve our understanding of diseases like Alzheimer’s, our nation’s costliest disease. Additionally, it will help allocate $1.8 billion for the Vice President’s Cancer Moonshot, $1.5 billion for the President’s Precision Medicine Initiative, and $30 million for regenerative medicine using adult stem cells. The law’s cancer provisions are named after Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Beau Biden, who died from cancer last year.The 21st Century Cures Act also incorporates several notable bipartisan provisions introduced by Senator Collins to encourage medical innovation, including:
 
Senator Collins’ provisions to encourage the use of Health Information Exchanges to promote patient access to health information.
 
  Improving the Mental Health SystemThe 21st Century Cures Act also strengthens and improves important mental health programs for the first time in more than a decade. One in five Americans—nearly 44 million people—experience some type of mental illness each year. The reforms in the law will enhance coordination, address a lack of resources, and develop real solutions to improve outcomes for individuals with serious mental illness and their families.Notable mental health provisions introduced by Senator Collins include:
 
The Durbin-Collins Mental Health Reform Act, which will support college and university efforts to directly provide mental health services; increase awareness and training to respond effectively to students with mental health and substance use disorders; and establish an interagency working group to promote federal agency collaboration to support innovations in mental health services for students on college and university campuses; and
 
 
Language requiring the Government Accountability Office to study the Protection and Advocacy programs.
 
Fighting Opioid Abuse EpidemicThe 21st Century Cures Act also includes $1 billion over two years for grants to states to supplement opioid abuse prevention and treatment activities, including prescription drug monitoring programs, prevention activities, training for health care providers, and improving access to opioid treatment programs. This money will benefit every state, including Maine, which has tragically experienced a record number of overdose deaths.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/maine-congressional-delegation-urges-va-fill-vacancies-maine-vet-centers-0,Maine Congressional Delegation Urges VA to Fill Vacancies at Maine Vet Centers,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the Maine Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the Veterans Administration (VA) expressing concern about several long-unfilled vacancies at two Vet Centers in Maine. The letter from Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin urges the VA to fill those vacancies with qualified staff as soon as possible to ensure that Maine veterans have access to the quality and timely care they deserve.
 
“We understand that the Veterans Health Administration’s Regional Counseling Service is in the process of overhauling the human resources processes related to Vet Centers, and we support this effort to optimize the hiring practices,” the Maine Delegation wrote in their letter. “Nevertheless, the vacancies in Caribou and Portland have been open for far too long and need to be filled as soon as possible. Our veterans selflessly served the United States and their communities, and as such, they deserve access to the highest level of care when they return home. We urge you to fill these positions as soon as possible so that no veteran is denied the care they deserve.”
 
Maine has one of the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. There are five Vet Centers across the state that are administered by the VA – in Bangor, Caribou, Lewiston, Portland, and Sanford-Springvale.  These Vet Centers help veterans readjust to civilian life by providing free counseling, screening, and referral services, while removing the stigma of seeking mental health care.
 
However, the Caribou and Portland Vet Centers have had inadequate staff levels for months. While the Caribou Vet Center is authorized to have five employees, it has had multiple vacancies for some time, which has led to a lack of consistent counseling for veterans in Northern Maine. The Portland Vet Center currently has only four staff members despite being authorized for six, and lacks administrative staff. As a result, staff may have to cover both mental health needs while taking on additional administrative duties.
 
The delegation’s letter, which was addressed to VA Undersecretary for Health David Shulkin, also asks the VA to provide a timeline for the hiring process to fill these vacancies in Maine.
 
The letter is available HERE and the text is below:
 
+++
 
Dear Honorable Dr. Shulkin,
 
We are writing to express our concerns regarding several, long-unfilled vacancies at two Vet Centers in the State of Maine. The Readjustment Counseling Service provides a variety of social and psychological services to veterans, and due to the current staffing vacancies at Vet Centers in Caribou and Portland, veterans are not receiving the level and consistency of care they deserve. This has unfortunately been a persistent problem, and we urge the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to act quickly to fill vacancies with qualified staff to ensure our veterans can access the quality care they have earned. We also ask that you provide us with a hiring timeline for filling these vacancies. 
 
With one of the highest number per capita of veterans in the country, Maine has five Vet Centers. Of the five Vet Centers in Maine, the two in Caribou and Portland have had inadequate staff levels for months: 
 
 
Caribou, Maine: The Caribou Vet Center is tasked with serving the needs of Veterans throughout Aroostook County. While the Center is authorized to have five employees, it has had multiple vacancies for some time. This lack of availability of consistent counseling is a disservice to the Veterans in Northern Maine.
 
 
 
Portland, Maine: The Portland Vet Center is authorized to have a staff of six, but currently has a staff of four and lacks administrative staff. As such, we understand that current staff may be covering both their jobs addressing mental health needs, as well as taking on the additional responsibilities of basic administrative duties.
 
 
We understand that the Veterans Health Administration’s Regional Counseling Service is in the process of overhauling the human resources processes related to Vet Centers, and we support this effort to optimize the hiring practices. Nevertheless, the vacancies in Caribou and Portland have been open for far too long and need to be filled as soon as possible. Our veterans selflessly served the United States and their communities, and as such, they deserve access to the highest level of care when they return home. We urge you to fill these positions as soon as possible so that no veteran is denied the care they deserve.  If you have any questions about this request, please contact us directly or have your staff contact William Ellis (King) at 202-224-5344 or Mike Wakefield (Collins) at 202-224-3913.
 
Thank you for your prompt attention to this issue.
 
 
Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/us-senators-susan-collins-and-tammy-baldwin%E2%80%99s-legislation-supporting-young-researchers,U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Tammy Baldwins Legislation Supporting Young Researchers Signed into Law,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — Today bipartisan legislation supporting young researchers authored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) was signed into law by President Obama. Senators Collins and Baldwin introduced the Next Generation Researchers Act to build opportunities for new researchers, address the debt burden that young researchers face today, and invest in the future of research, science, and innovation. The bipartisan legislation was included in the 21st Century Cures Act, which passed Congress last week.
“Maintaining our nation’s competitive edge in both research and innovation depends greatly on the strength of our commitment to attracting, cultivating, and equipping world-class scientific minds,” said Senator Collins. “Our bipartisan legislation strengthens our nation’s commitment to the next generation of cutting-edge researchers. This critical investment will help to empower these young innovative researchers in Maine and across our country with the resources they need to continue to lead the world in groundbreaking scientific research and development.”
“In order for America to out-innovate the rest of the world and create an economy built to last, we must protect and strengthen our investments in research, science, and innovation,” said Senator Baldwin. “We can’t accomplish this without supporting and investing in the next generation of researchers. Our best and brightest minds deserve to know that our country stands with them. This new law will make a strong commitment to our young scientists, who are being held back by state and federal budget cuts and are in need of greater support to pursue life-saving research and discover the next medical breakthrough.”
The Next Generation Researchers Act will establish the Next Generation of Researchers Initiative within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director to coordinate all current and new NIH policies to promote opportunities for our new scientists and earlier research independence. This measure will also improve NIH’s loan repayment programs by increasing the amount of loans that NIH can forgive for trainees, from $35,000 a year to $50,000.
The Next Generation Researchers Act was also supported by: AcademyHealth, American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), American Association for Dental Researchers (AADR), American Heart Association, American Society of Transplantation (AST), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), BioForward, Inc., and Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senate-passes-collins-king-resolution-marking-december-17-2016-%E2%80%9Cwreaths-across-america-day%E2%80%9D,"Senate Passes Collins, King Resolution Marking December 17, 2016, as Wreaths Across America Day",2016-12-11,2016,2016-12,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. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution designating Saturday, December 17, 2016 as “Wreaths Across America Day.”
“Once again, the United States Senate has recognized the wonderful message of gratitude and respect that Wreaths Across America extends to our country’s veterans,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “For twenty-five years, this Maine-led tradition has been a powerful symbol that highlights the service and sacrifice of our veterans, while displaying the spirit of generosity 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 of our fallen heroes, wreaths will be laid on each of their graves as part of a ceremony at Arlington Cemetery in Washington and over 1,100 other locations across the country. Patriot Guard Riders will once again continue their tradition of escorting the wreath trucks 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 and the full text is below:+++Whereas, 25 years before the date of adoption of this resolution, the Wreaths Across America project began with an annual tradition that occurs in December, of donating, transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery;Whereas, in the 25 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more than 3,317,000 wreaths have been sent to locations, including national cemeteries and veterans memorials, in every State and overseas;Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, to ‘‘Remember, Honor, Teach’’, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States and overseas, including at—  (1) Arlington National Cemetery;  (2) veterans cemeteries; and  (3) other locations;Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a week-long veterans parade between Maine and Virginia, stopping along the way to spread a message about the importance of—  (1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United  States;  (2) honoring those who serve; and  (3) reminding the people of the United States about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve freedoms in the United States;  Whereas, in 2015, approximately 901,000 remembrance wreaths were sent to more than 1,100 locations across the United States and overseas, an increase of more than100 locations compared to the previous year;Whereas, in December 2016, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued by—  (1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and  (2) other patriotic escort units, including motorcycle units, law enforcement units, and first responder units;Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each December to help lay remembrance wreaths;Whereas the trucking industry in the United States continues to support the Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, equipment, and related services to assist in the transportation of wreaths across the United States to over 1,200 locations;Whereas the Senate designated December 12, 2015, as ‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’; andWhereas, on December 17, 2016, the Wreaths Across America project will continue the proud legacy of bringing remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery:Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate—  (1) designates December 17, 2016, as ‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’;  (2) honors—       (A) the Wreaths Across America project;       (B) patriotic escort units, including motor cycle units, law enforcement units, and first responder units;       (C) the trucking industry in the United States; and       (D) the volunteers and donors involved in this worthy tradition; and  (3) recognizes—       (A) the service of veterans and members of the Armed Forces; and       (B) the sacrifices that veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families have made, and continue to make, for the United States, a great Nation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senate-passes-major-bipartisan-bill-invest-nations-water-infrastructure,Senate Passes Major Bipartisan Bill to Invest in the Nation's Water Infrastructure,2016-12-11,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—With U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ support, the Senate passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, a major bipartisan water infrastructure bill that authorizes dozens of crucial port and harbor projects across our country, including the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River Navigation Project, as well as key safe drinking water investments. The legislation will now go to the President's desk for his signature. 
“This bipartisan water infrastructure bill will help create good jobs, ensure our nation’s ports and waterways remain competitive, and provide urgent aid for communities across our country that are suffering from excess lead levels in their drinking water systems,” said Senator Collins. 
“More than 99 percent of our country’s trade passes through our nation’s ports and harbors, which serve as crucial economic engines for communities in Maine and across our country,” Senator Collins continued. “This legislation green lights a much-needed navigation project for the Portsmouth Harbor and the Piscataqua River, an important victory for the safe and efficient flow of goods into our state. At present, the Portsmouth Harbor handles nearly 3.5 million tons of shipping each year and is also used by submarines from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.  The current turning basin and waterway are far too narrow for such a large volume of commerce and through traffic. This authorization will allow for the construction of a wider turning basin that will better meet the needs of the region.
The final bill authorizes $10.3 billion for 31 new Army Corps projects and modifies eight existing projects. 
It includes several provisions of importance to Maine, including:
 
Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River Navigation Improvement Project. The WIIN Act authorizes a key improvement project in Maine that will enable vessels to safely navigate this area. At present the Portsmouth Harbor handles nearly 3.5 million tons of shipping each year yet the turning basin and waterway are far too narrow for such a large volume of commerce. This project would increase both safety and efficiency by constructing a wider turning basin that will serve the terminals on the upper section of the Piscataqua River, as well as by widening the waterway at several bends and bridges.
 
 
Emerging Harbors. The WIIN Act makes permanent the 10 percent Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund set-aside for emerging harbors.  The bill also requires that at least 10 percent of priority funds be used for the operations and maintenance needs of emerging harbors.  “Emerging harbors” include small harbor projects around the country like York, Biddeford, Wells, Saco, Kennebunkport, Beals Harbor, and Pig Island Gut.
 
 
Recognizes the Beneficial Use of Dredged Material.  The WIIN Act clarifies that dredged material disposal projects do not require ongoing maintenance and can be a single application of sediment.  The Corps' current interpretation is that projects need to be maintained forever, which is more costly and burdensome and not always necessary. This provision will provide flexibility for shorter-term projects and is important to Wells, Kittery, and Cape Elizabeth.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-nearly-11-million-award-bath-iron-works,"Collins, King Announce Nearly $11 Million Award for Bath Iron Works",2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Collins, King Announce Nearly $11 Million Award for Bath Iron Works 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Fri, 12/09/2016 - 21:42    
    
    
    
  U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Bath Iron Works has been awarded a $10,965,890 order against an existing Navy basic ordering agreement related to the testing and evaluation of the USS Rafael Peralta. More specifically, the award will support planning, management, engineering services, and emergent availability and repairs.
“This announcement is welcome news for the hardworking and highly-skilled men and women at Bath Iron Works,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “An investment in BIW is not only an investment in the future of the Navy, but also in Maine’s economy and our people. These funds will support our outstanding shipbuilders as they continue to make sure that the USS Rafael Peralta is ready to join the Navy fleet as another world-class, Maine-built ship.”
Senator Collins is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.  Senators Collins and King delivered remarks at the Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) christening ceremony at Bath Iron Works in October 2015.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-passage-short-term-government-funding-bill,Senator Collins Statement on Passage of Short-Term Government Funding Bill,2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — After voting in support of the continuing resolution to fund the government through April 28, 2017, which passed by a vote of 63-36, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement:
“While I fundamentally disagree with funding our government through continuing resolutions, I voted to support this bill in order to prevent a government shutdown and to ensure that the essential functions of our government do not lapse.“Were it not necessary to keep the government open and operating, I would have voted against this stop-gap measure. Continuing resolutions put our government on autopilot, funding outdated programs at rates that may not be appropriate and locking in the previous year’s priorities. These measures also create uncertainty, delay the start of vital programs, and end up costing the government more money.“As a Subcommittee chairman and senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I find these continuing resolutions particularly frustrating. This year, the Appropriations Committee successfully followed the regular order and completed work on all 12 funding bills, passing many of them with unanimous support. Several of these individual funding bills were brought before the full Senate for members to examine, debate, and vote on in a transparent manner. In fact, under my leadership, the full Senate passed in May an appropriations bill I authored with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) with overwhelming bipartisan support, 89-8. The legislation incorporated recommendations from more than 75 Senators and would have made vital investments in our nation’s infrastructure, helped meet the housing needs of the most vulnerable among us, and provided funding for economic development projects that create jobs in our communities.“Despite my deep frustrations with this measure, there are some important new provisions in the continuing resolution. For example, there is funding for state grants that will supplement opioid abuse and treatment programs. Those funds are particularly important to Maine, which is now losing approximately one person per day to this horrible epidemic. The continuing resolution also includes $872 million to fund the recently passed 21st Century Cures bill, which included five provisions I authored. In addition, there is $170 million to address the drinking water crisis in cities such as Flint, Michigan, and funding for lead exposure programs, which is important for schools and homes in states like Maine that have a very old housing stock. The bill also incorporates the Security Assistance Appropriations Act, which provides an additional $10.1 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations funding to pay for costs related to counterterrorism operations.“Finally, this bill is important for what it does not include. It does not include a House proposed cut in the funding for the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) destroyers built by Bath Iron Works.“Moving forward, Congress must abandon these stop-gap measures and return to funding the government through regular order.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/maine-congressional-delegation-urges-va-fill-vacancies-maine-vet-centers,Maine Congressional Delegation Urges VA to Fill Vacancies at Maine Vet Centers,2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Maine Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the Veterans Administration (VA) expressing concern about several long-unfilled vacancies at two Vet Centers in Maine. The letter from Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin urges the VA to fill those vacancies with qualified staff as soon as possible to ensure that Maine veterans have access to the quality and timely care they deserve.
 
“We understand that the Veterans Health Administration’s Regional Counseling Service is in the process of overhauling the human resources processes related to Vet Centers, and we support this effort to optimize the hiring practices,” the Maine Delegation wrote in their letter. “Nevertheless, the vacancies in Caribou and Portland have been open for far too long and need to be filled as soon as possible. Our veterans selflessly served the United States and their communities, and as such, they deserve access to the highest level of care when they return home. We urge you to fill these positions as soon as possible so that no veteran is denied the care they deserve.”
 
Maine has one of the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. There are five Vet Centers across the state that are administered by the VA – in Bangor, Caribou, Lewiston, Portland, and Sanford-Springvale.  These Vet Centers help veterans readjust to civilian life by providing free counseling, screening, and referral services, while removing the stigma of seeking mental health care.
 
However, the Caribou and Portland Vet Centers have had inadequate staff levels for months. While the Caribou Vet Center is authorized to have five employees, it has had multiple vacancies for some time, which has led to a lack of consistent counseling for veterans in Northern Maine. The Portland Vet Center currently has only four staff members despite being authorized for six, and lacks administrative staff. As a result, staff may have to cover both mental health needs while taking on additional administrative duties.
 
The delegation’s letter, which was addressed to VA Undersecretary for Health David Shulkin, also asks the VA to provide a timeline for the hiring process to fill these vacancies in Maine.
 
The letter is available HERE and the text is below:
 
+++
 
Dear Honorable Dr. Shulkin,
 
We are writing to express our concerns regarding several, long-unfilled vacancies at two Vet Centers in the State of Maine. The Readjustment Counseling Service provides a variety of social and psychological services to veterans, and due to the current staffing vacancies at Vet Centers in Caribou and Portland, veterans are not receiving the level and consistency of care they deserve. This has unfortunately been a persistent problem, and we urge the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to act quickly to fill vacancies with qualified staff to ensure our veterans can access the quality care they have earned. We also ask that you provide us with a hiring timeline for filling these vacancies. 
 
With one of the highest number per capita of veterans in the country, Maine has five Vet Centers. Of the five Vet Centers in Maine, the two in Caribou and Portland have had inadequate staff levels for months: 
 
 Caribou, Maine: The Caribou Vet Center is tasked with serving the needs of Veterans throughout Aroostook County. While the Center is authorized to have five employees, it has had multiple vacancies for some time. This lack of availability of consistent counseling is a disservice to the Veterans in Northern Maine.
  
 Portland, Maine: The Portland Vet Center is authorized to have a staff of six, but currently has a staff of four and lacks administrative staff. As such, we understand that current staff may be covering both their jobs addressing mental health needs, as well as taking on the additional responsibilities of basic administrative duties.
  
We understand that the Veterans Health Administration’s Regional Counseling Service is in the process of overhauling the human resources processes related to Vet Centers, and we support this effort to optimize the hiring practices. Nevertheless, the vacancies in Caribou and Portland have been open for far too long and need to be filled as soon as possible. Our veterans selflessly served the United States and their communities, and as such, they deserve access to the highest level of care when they return home. We urge you to fill these positions as soon as possible so that no veteran is denied the care they deserve.  If you have any questions about this request, please contact us directly or have your staff contact William Ellis (King) at 202-224-5344 or Mike Wakefield (Collins) at 202-224-3913.
 
Thank you for your prompt attention to this issue.
 
 
Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/maine-congressional-delegation-urges-va-fill-vacancies-maine-vet-centers,Maine Congressional Delegation Urges VA to Fill Vacancies at Maine Vet Centers,2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Maine Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the Veterans Administration (VA) expressing concern about several long-unfilled vacancies at two Vet Centers in Maine. The letter from Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin urges the VA to fill those vacancies with qualified staff as soon as possible to ensure that Maine veterans have access to the quality and timely care they deserve.
 
“We understand that the Veterans Health Administration’s Regional Counseling Service is in the process of overhauling the human resources processes related to Vet Centers, and we support this effort to optimize the hiring practices,” the Maine Delegation wrote in their letter. “Nevertheless, the vacancies in Caribou and Portland have been open for far too long and need to be filled as soon as possible. Our veterans selflessly served the United States and their communities, and as such, they deserve access to the highest level of care when they return home. We urge you to fill these positions as soon as possible so that no veteran is denied the care they deserve.”
 
Maine has one of the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. There are five Vet Centers across the state that are administered by the VA – in Bangor, Caribou, Lewiston, Portland, and Sanford-Springvale.  These Vet Centers help veterans readjust to civilian life by providing free counseling, screening, and referral services, while removing the stigma of seeking mental health care.
 
However, the Caribou and Portland Vet Centers have had inadequate staff levels for months. While the Caribou Vet Center is authorized to have five employees, it has had multiple vacancies for some time, which has led to a lack of consistent counseling for veterans in Northern Maine. The Portland Vet Center currently has only four staff members despite being authorized for six, and lacks administrative staff. As a result, staff may have to cover both mental health needs while taking on additional administrative duties.
 
The delegation’s letter, which was addressed to VA Undersecretary for Health David Shulkin, also asks the VA to provide a timeline for the hiring process to fill these vacancies in Maine.
                                                           
The letter is available HERE and the text is below:
 
Dear Honorable Dr. Shulkin,
 
We are writing to express our concerns regarding several, long-unfilled vacancies at two Vet Centers in the State of Maine. The Readjustment Counseling Service provides a variety of social and psychological services to veterans, and due to the current staffing vacancies at Vet Centers in Caribou and Portland, veterans are not receiving the level and consistency of care they deserve. This has unfortunately been a persistent problem, and we urge the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to act quickly to fill vacancies with qualified staff to ensure our veterans can access the quality care they have earned. We also ask that you provide us with a hiring timeline for filling these vacancies. 
 
With one of the highest number per capita of veterans in the country, Maine has five Vet Centers. Of the five Vet Centers in Maine, the two in Caribou and Portland have had inadequate staff levels for months: 
 
 
Caribou, Maine: The Caribou Vet Center is tasked with serving the needs of Veterans throughout Aroostook County. While the Center is authorized to have five employees, it has had multiple vacancies for some time. This lack of availability of consistent counseling is a disservice to the Veterans in Northern Maine.
 
 
 
Portland, Maine: The Portland Vet Center is authorized to have a staff of six, but currently has a staff of four and lacks administrative staff. As such, we understand that current staff may be covering both their jobs addressing mental health needs, as well as taking on the additional responsibilities of basic administrative duties.
 
 
We understand that the Veterans Health Administration’s Regional Counseling Service is in the process of overhauling the human resources processes related to Vet Centers, and we support this effort to optimize the hiring practices. Nevertheless, the vacancies in Caribou and Portland have been open for far too long and need to be filled as soon as possible. Our veterans selflessly served the United States and their communities, and as such, they deserve access to the highest level of care when they return home. We urge you to fill these positions as soon as possible so that no veteran is denied the care they deserve.  If you have any questions about this request, please contact us directly or have your staff contact William Ellis (King) at 202-224-5344 or Mike Wakefield (Collins) at 202-224-3913.
 
Thank you for your prompt attention to this issue.
 
 
Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-applauds-senate-s-passage-defense-bill-which-includes-made,"Rep. Poliquin Applauds Senates Passage of Defense Bill, Which Includes Made-in-USA Language Protecting Hundreds of Maine Jobs",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—which includes critical language championed by Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) and Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to protect hundreds of Maine shoe manufacturing jobs—passed in the Senate, clearing the final hurdle before going to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
 
The defense bill’s passage in the Senate today marks the final stage in a hard-fought, months-long battle by Congressman Poliquin and Senators Collins and King to require the Department of Defense (DOD) to follow the law and issue American-made athletic shoes to its new recruits. Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:
 
“I applaud the Senate’s passage of this defense bill and especially commend my colleagues Senators Collins and King for their hard work in helping make sure this critical language was included,” said Congressman Bruce Poliquin. “Mainers have waited for this win for a long time. I am absolutely thrilled that today we have finally pushed this monumental language onto the President’s desk. I’m not going to let up an inch until this is signed into law and fully implemented.”
 
Last week, the House passed the NDAA. Congressman Poliquin wore his own red, white and blue, 100% American-made New Balance athletic shoes down to the House floor to cast his vote.
 
For the past several months, Congressman Poliquin has resiliently advocated and taken strong legislative action to push the DOD to comply with the Berry Amendment, the provision which requires the Pentagon to use American-made products for recruits whenever possible.
 
This final provision, which was maintained in the NDAA during the conference committee between the House and Senate due to strong support from Congressman Poliquin and Senators Collins and King, mandates that the DOD consider athletic footwear issued to military recruits as subject to the Berry Amendment, requiring the Department to treat athletic footwear like other uniform items.
 
The Berry Amendment is a provision in law that requires the DOD to use American-made products for new recruits whenever possible. However, since 2002 the DOD has circumvented this policy by issuing cash allowances to new recruits for training shoes, which are not required to be American-made or Berry Amendment-compliant. In 2014, the DOD agreed to change its policy and close this footwear loophole. Despite that announcement, more than two years later, the DOD has yet to actually implement it and rectify this fundamental inequity in the application of the Berry Amendment.
 
Timeline of Progress:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 September-November 2016: The House and the Senate go to conference to hash out the differences in the two chambers’ versions of the NDAA
  
 
 
 December 8, 2016: The Senate passes the final version of the NDAA
  
Items to Note:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-nearly-60-million-contract-modification-bath-iron-works,"Collins, King Announce Nearly $60 Million Contract Modification for Bath Iron Works",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,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 Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works a contract modification worth $59,417,202. The funding will be used to provide engineering and technical assistance for new construction DDG 51 class ships.
“This announcement is welcome news for the hardworking men and women of Bath Iron Works who deliver the highest-quality ships to our Navy, and this contract modification will allow them to continue to make important improvements to those ships,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement.
More specifically, the funding will be dedicated towards continuing Lead Yard services, which include liaison for follow ship construction, general class services, class logistic services, class design agent services, continuation of the DDG 51 Class Flight III upgrade design efforts, and class change design services for follow ships.
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/senate-floor-senator-collins-urges-only-senator-blocking-senior-afe-act-reconsider,"From the Senate Floor, Senator Collins Urges Only Senator Blocking the Senior $afe Act to Reconsider",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ floor statement on the Senior $afe Act  Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ floor statement on the Senior $afe Act
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, took to the Senate floor this afternoon to express her deep disappointment that one Senator is holding up the passage of the Senior$afe Act—bipartisan legislation she authored to help protect seniors from financial exploitation and fraud. Senator Collins has been a steadfast champion of efforts to shed light on and put a stop to the national epidemic of financial abuse of seniors, which robs them of their hard-earned savings.
“I am greatly disappointed that we have been unable to overcome objections from just one Senator from the other side of the aisle who is blocking the passage of the Senior$afe Act, legislation I introduced to help protect our seniors from financial fraud and exploitation,” said Senator Collins, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, from the Senate floor. “This is a bill that I introduced with my colleague, Senator Claire McCaskill, as a result of extensive hearings and investigations that we have conducted in the Senate Aging Committee. Nationally as many as five million seniors may be victims of financial abuse each year, and putting an end to this tsunami of fraud has long been one of my top priorities.
“This commonsense bill would help so many seniors avoid becoming the victim of financial fraud and abuse,” Senator Collins continued. “I hope that the Senator in question will reconsider and allow us to send this important bill to the President for his signature.”In a letter to Senator Collins, Jaye Martin, Executive Director of Maine Legal Services, expressed strong support for the legislation, writing that, ""In a landscape that includes family members who often wish to keep exploitation from coming to light because they are perpetrating the exploitation, the risk of facing potential nuisance or false complaints over privacy violations is all too real. This is a barrier that must be removed so that financial institutions will act immediately to make a report to the proper authorities upon forming a reasonable belief that exploitation is occurring. These professionals are on the front lines in the fight against elder financial exploitation and are often the only ones in a position to stop the exploitation before it is too late.”
The Senior$afe Act, which will help protect seniors from financial fraud, is based on Maine’s innovative and important Senior$afe program pioneered by Maine Securities Administrator Judith Shaw. In February 2015, Chairman Collins invited Judith Shaw to testify at a hearing that examined ways to prevent the financial exploitation of seniors. Ms. Martin, who testified before the Senate Aging Committee last month, said hundreds of financial institution managers and employees have been trained to identify possible fraud as a result of Maine’s Senior$afe law.The Senior$afe Act would:
 
Encourage banks, credit unions, investment advisors, broker-dealers, insurance companies and insurance agencies to report suspected senor financial fraud; and
 
 
Protect these institutions from being sued for making reports so long as they have trained their employees, and make reports in good faith and on a reasonable basis to the proper authorities.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senate-passes-fy-2017-national-defense-authorization-act-provisions-championed-senator,Senate Passes FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act with Provisions Championed by Senator Collins,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — With U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ strong advocacy, the Senate passed the fiscal year (FY) 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today by an overwhelming bipartisan majority (92-7). Senator Collins is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
The FY 2017 NDAA, which authorizes $619 billion for national defense and includes provisions supporting members of the armed services, is critically important to preserving our nation’s security. The House passed this legislation last week by a vote of 375 to 34, and it will now head to the President’s desk for his signature.
“This bill is vital to ensuring that our military has the critical resources and equipment necessary to accomplish national security missions around the world and meet the ever-expanding threats facing our nation. Moreover, this important legislation supports our men and women in uniform through the largest pay increase since 2010,” said Senator Collins. “This bill reflects a bipartisan commitment by members of both chambers of Congress to put aside their differences to keep the United States safe.”
The legislation includes $3.2 billion to authorize the procurement of two Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers and a $49.8 million increase for incremental funding for an additional FY 2016 destroyer. The FY 2017 NDAA also authorizes $271.8 million for the continuing construction of Zumwalt (DDG 1000) destroyers. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins secured $433 million in funding for these additional ships in the Defense Appropriations bill that passed the Committee unanimously in May 2016. The funding builds on the $1 billion Senator Collins secured toward the construction of an additional DDG 51 destroyer last year. At present, the Navy has 272 deployable battle force ships, well short of the goal set by the Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan, which calls for the United States to have 308 ships by fiscal year 2021.
In addition, the legislation includes a provision championed by Senators Collins and Angus King (I-ME) and Representative Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) that will require the Department of Defense to consider athletic footwear subject to the Berry Amendment by providing initial entry service members with American-made athlete shoes upon arrival at basic training. The provision is a significant victory for American jobs and respected American manufacturers like New Balance that will now be able to compete for contracts to provide domestically produced athletic footwear to military recruits.
The FY 2017 NDAA also provides vital assistance to our troops by authorizing a 2.1 percent pay raise—the largest since 2010—bolsters ground and aviation training, and increases the end strength of our armed forces.
Other key provisions that are important to Maine and our nation include:
 
Funding for projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, including $17.8 million for authorized for unaccompanied housing, $30.1 million for utility improvements, and $27 million to construct a replacement medical and dental clinic. Senator Collins successfully advocated for funding for these projects as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
 
 
 
A provision permitting the Secretary of Defense to waive the flat-rate requirement for long-term temporary duty for military and civilian personnel if the secretary determines that the reduced rate per diem for meals and incidental expenses is insufficient to pay for actual travel expenses. Senator Collins has strongly pushed to ensure servicemembers and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, including public shipyard workers, receive full reimbursement when traveling on long-term temporary duty.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-passing-john-glenn,Senator Collins Statement on the Passing of John Glenn,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins’ Statement on the Passing of John Glenn 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Thu, 12/08/2016 - 15:33    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement regarding the passing of John Glenn:
“John was a true American hero who devoted his life to serving his country and his home state of Ohio.
“As a legendary astronaut, decorated Marine pilot, and four-term United States Senator, John’s life was marked by exceptional and groundbreaking leadership. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that will inspire millions of Americans for generations to come.
“It was an honor to serve alongside John in the Senate, and his passing is a loss to his family and friends, the country, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-joins-other-committee-leaders-bipartisan-ceremony-marking-passage-21st,Senator Collins Joins Other Committee Leaders in Bipartisan Ceremony Marking the Passage of the 21st Century Cures Act,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation Will Help Fight Against Opioid Abuse Through $1 Billion in State Grants; Spur Innovative Treatments and Cures for Alzheimer’s, Cancer, and Many Other Diseases by investing $4.8 billion in the NIH; and Improve Mental Health Programs
Click HERE for a high resolution photo of Senator Collins at the enrollment ceremony for the 21st Century Cures Act
Click HERE for B-roll of the enrollment ceremony  Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for higher quality B-roll of the enrollment ceremony
Washington, D.C. — Following her strong advocacy in advancing the 21st Century Cures Act, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) took part in a bipartisan enrollment ceremony in the U.S. Capitol with other Committee leaders and members of House of Senate leadership to mark the passage of this landmark medical innovation bill. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Collins authored and successfully included five provisions contained within the final legislation.
At the enrollment ceremony, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) and the Senate president pro tempore Orrin Hatch (R-UT) signed the bill before sending it to the White House to be signed into law.
“All of us know someone who has courageously faced a devastating health diagnosis. The 21st Century Cures Act will help us achieve our dream of conquering disease by investing $4.8 billion in biomedical research and development. Moreover, this legislation will provide $1 billion in much-needed funding to address the heroin and opioid epidemic and makes the most significant reforms to our mental health system in more than a decade,” said Senator Collins. “As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I am proud to have pushed for and contributed to this landmark bill, which will make a tremendous difference in the life of every American,”
The 21st Century Cures Act was championed by Senator Collins and will benefit every American family. Among its many major components, this landmark bill provides $1 billion to fight opioid abuse through grants to states, invests $4.8 billion in the National Institutes of Health to spur biomedical research and finally unlock cures to diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes, and improves our mental health system.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/house-passes-legislation-authored-and-introduced-senator-collins-combat-boko-haram,House Passes Legislation Authored and Introduced by Senator Collins to Combat Boko Haram,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — In an effort to strengthen the United States’ response to the brazen and vicious acts of terrorism carried out by Boko Haram, U.S. Senator Susan Collins authored and introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at stopping the spread of this terrorist organization. Senator Collins’ bill passed the Senate in September of 2015. This evening, following ongoing advocacy from Senator Collins, the House unanimously passed this bipartisan legislation. The legislation will now go to the President's desk for his signature.
Senator Collins’ legislation would require a new 5-year U.S. government strategy to counter the threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria in addressing the legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations affected by this terrorist organization.
“Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to ISIS and continues to commit terrible acts of brutal violence against civilians in Nigeria as well as in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. This bipartisan legislation signals a renewed congressional commitment to pursuing Boko Haram and bolstering U.S. efforts throughout the region. The already dire situation there will continue to worsen if the current trajectory is not significantly altered,” Senator Collins stated. “By definition, Boko Haram means Western education is forbidden. I urge the President to immediately sign this bill into law and send an international signal that we will never forget the girls of Nigeria who were targeted simply because they chose to pursue an education.”
In 2014, in response to Boko Haram’s kidnapping of the 276 school girls in Nigeria, Senator Collins, joined by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), led all twenty women Senators in urging Secretary Kerry to seek Boko Haram’s addition to the United Nation’s al-Qaeda Sanctions List. Following this letter, the United Nations Security Council voted to subject Boko Haram to a complete asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.
Co-sponsors include eighteen Senators: Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patty Murray (R-WA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), David Vitter (R-LA), and James Inhofe (R-OK).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senate-passes-21st-century-cures-act-5-provisions-authored-senator-collins,Senate Passes 21st Century Cures Act with 5 Provisions Authored by Senator Collins,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation Will Help Fight Against Opioid Abuse Through $1 Billion in State Grants; Spur Innovative Treatments and Cures for Alzheimer’s, Cancer, and Many Other Diseases; and Improve Mental Health Programs
To read a copy of Senator Collins' floor statement in support of the 21st Century Cures Act, click HERE  To watch Senator Collins' floor statement, click HERE
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Senate today passed the 21st Century Cures Act, legislation that was championed by U.S. Senator Susan Collins and will benefit every American by spurring the advancement of biomedical research, combating the opioid abuse epidemic, and improving our mental health system. Senator Collins, the Chairman of the Aging Committee and a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, authored or co-authored five provisions contained within the legislation, which passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 94-5. The legislation cleared the House in a similarly overwhelming bipartisan vote of 392-26 earlier this week. The legislation will now go to the President's desk for his signature.  On Monday, Senator Collins spoke on the Senate floor urging her colleagues to pass this important bill to promote medical innovation.
“All of us know someone who courageously faces the struggles of living with a debilitating chronic illness or rare disease, or who received a devastating diagnosis and was gone too soon. Through the strong support of research and development, the 21st Century Cures Act will help us achieve our dream of conquering disease,” said Senator Collins. “The 21st Century Cures Act will also make the most significant reforms to our mental health system in more than a decade and help direct $1 billion in much-needed funding to address the heroin and opioid epidemic in this country, which has hit Maine communities particularly hard. As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I am proud to have pushed for and contributed to this landmark bill, which will make a tremendous difference in the life of every American.”
“The 21st Century Cures Act is an important step forward for life-saving biomedical research. The Jackson Laboratory is leading the search for tomorrow’s cures and we are so grateful to Senator Collins for her leadership and advocacy in passing this act,” said Ed Liu, M.D., President and CEO, The Jackson Laboratory.
Advancing Biomedical Research
The 21st Century Cures Act provides $4.8 billion over ten years for the National Institutes of Health. That funding includes $1.6 billion for the BRAIN Initiative to improve our understanding of diseases like Alzheimer’s, our nation’s costliest disease. Additionally, it will help allocate $1.8 billion for the Vice President’s Cancer Moonshot, $1.5 billion for the President’s Precision Medicine Initiative, and $30 million for regenerative medicine using adult stem cells. The bill’s cancer provisions are named after Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Beau Biden, who died from cancer last year.
The 21st Century Cures Act also incorporates several notable bipartisan provisions introduced by Senator Collins to encourage medical innovation, including:
 
Senator Collins’ provisions to encourage the use of Health Information Exchanges to promote patient access to health information.
 
Improving the Mental Health System
The 21st Century Cures Act also strengthens and improves important mental health programs for the first time in more than a decade. One in five Americans—nearly 44 million people—experience some type of mental illness each year. The reforms in the bill will enhance coordination, address a lack of resources, and develop real solutions to improve outcomes for individuals with serious mental illness and their families.
Notable mental health provisions introduced by Senator Collins include:
 
The Durbin-Collins Mental Health Reform Act, which will support college and university efforts to directly provide mental health services; increase awareness and training to respond effectively to students with mental health and substance use disorders; and establish an interagency working group to promote federal agency collaboration to support innovations in mental health services for students on college and university campuses; and
 
 
Language requiring the Government Accountability Office to study the Protection and Advocacy programs.
 
Fighting Opioid Abuse Epidemic
The 21st Century Cures Act also includes $1 billion over two years for grants to states to supplement opioid abuse prevention and treatment activities, including prescription drug monitoring programs, prevention activities, training for health care providers, and improving access to opioid treatment programs. This money will benefit every state, including Maine, which has tragically experienced a record number of overdose deaths.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-75th-commemoration-attack-pearl-harbor,Senator Collins Statement on 75th Commemoration of the Attack on Pearl Harbor,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — In recognition of the 75th commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement:
“Throughout our nation and our state, we pause on this most solemn anniversary in memory of the more than 2,300 Americans who lost their lives 75 years ago, and in gratitude to the millions of Americans who met a great challenge with courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty.
“On the morning of December 7, 1941, America was a nation at peace. Within minutes, the men and women of our armed forces at Pearl Harbor, including many from Maine, found themselves on the front lines of a battle for the future of civilization, and they fought back. In the days that followed, millions more put the comfort and safety of home aside and joined the fight. Throughout the country, Americans of all ages worked and saved and rationed and sacrificed as never before to support our troops.
“On this 75th commemoration of the attack, we honor those who fought and were killed at Pearl Harbor as well as the brave men and women who answered the call to defend our freedoms in World War II and brought liberty to so many others.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-welcome-tariff-announcement-protect-maine-papermaking-jobs,"Collins, King Welcome Tariff Announcement to Protect Maine Papermaking Jobs",2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to an announcement today from the U.S. Trade Commission (ITC) that it will help protect Maine papermaking jobs by extending existing duties on imports of coated paper from China and Indonesia, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement:
 
“We welcome the International Trade Commission’s decision to maintain its current tariffs on coated paper from China and Indonesia. This decision will support companies in Maine, like Verso, that provide good-paying jobs to hundreds of people,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Maine’s papermakers can compete with anyone on a level playing field, which is why tackling these illegal and unfair trade practices by foreign competitors is so critical.”
 
Today, the ITC announced an extension of duties on imports of certain coated paper from China and Indonesia as a step to ensure continuing fair market conditions for the domestic market. The decision by the ITC to continue existing duties resulted from a petition filed under a so-called “sunset review.” Under existing law, remedial tariffs that are authorized in antidumping and countervailing duty cases are subject to reassessment five years under sunset review procedures. The original effort to address unfair trade for the subject products was decided in November 2010. The petitioners – including Verso Corporation, Sappi North America, and Appleton Coated LLC – requested extension of relief to prevent unfairly subsidized imports from China and Indonesia from harming U.S. manufacturers and workers.
 
Senators Collins and King led a bipartisan letter signed by fifteen of their colleagues in July calling on the ITC to extend the tariffs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/us-senator-susan-collins-meets-dr-ben-carson-washington,U.S. Senator Susan Collins Meets with Dr. Ben Carson in Washington,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click HERE for B-roll of Senator Collins with Dr. Carson
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with Dr. Ben Carson, the President-elect’s nominee to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in her Washington, D.C., office this afternoon for 50 minutes. Senator Collins chairs the subcommittee that sets HUD’s funding.
“It was a pleasure to sit down with Dr. Ben Carson this afternoon. We had a very interesting discussion on ways we can work together to help spur job creation, improve housing options for low-income families and seniors, and strengthen communities across our country. I look forward to hearing more about Dr. Carson’s ideas at his upcoming Senate confirmation hearing,” said Senator Collins.
The Senate is expected to consider Dr. Carson’s nomination in early January.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/18-maine-students-nominated-us-military-service-academies-0,18 Maine Students Nominated for U.S. Military Service Academies,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"BANGOR – Today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) announced that he has nominated 18 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:
 
“I am honored to nominate these dedicated Mainers for consideration to be admitted to one of our Nation’s prestigious military service academies,” said Congressman Poliquin. “Every year I am struck by the incredible talent, commitment to duty and record of service of all those who apply and are awarded these nominations. These young men and women are truly among the best and brightest. I wish all these nominees great success and hope they will continue to work hard serving our communities and Great Nation.”
 
Congressman Poliquin’s nominations were informed by the recommendations of his distinguished Service Academy Nomination Advisory Panel, which personally interviewed student applicants last month in Bangor. That board included military, community and educational leaders and had nearly 200 years of combined service in the United States Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy.
 
To be considered for appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by a Member of Congress or other authorized nominating source. The following is the full list of 2nd District students who received Congressman Poliquin’s nomination as candidates to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.:
 
 Anna Sewall, East Millinocket, Schenck High School: U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy
	Chase Harkins, Bethel, Gould Academy: U.S. Military Academy
	Cody Craig, Skowhegan, Maine Virtual Academy: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy
	Connor Grant, Houlton, Houlton High School: U.S. Air Force Academy
	Emily Mikoud, Dover-Foxcroft, Foxcroft Academy: U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy
	Ethan Boucher, Rumford, Mountain Valley High School: U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
	Hailey Davis, Liberty, Mount View High School: U.S. Military Academy
	Howard Francis, Lee, Lee Academy: U.S. Naval Academy and  U.S. Air Force Academy  
	John Pepin, Rumford, Mountain Valley High School: U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy
	Joseph Baumann, Leeds, Leavitt Area High School: U.S. Naval Academy
	Joshua Burns, Bangor, International School of Stavanger: U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy
	Keenan Collett, Orono, Orono High School: U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
	Max Santagata, Dover-Foxcroft, Foxcroft Academy: U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
	Ryan Moore, Bangor, Phillips Exeter Academy: U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Military Academy
	Scott Pierce, Auburn, Buckfield High School: U.S. Naval Academy
	Seth Davis, Liberty, Mount View High School: U.S. Military Academy
	Thomas Carmack, Veazie, John Bapst Memorial High School: U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force
	Trajdan MacFayden, Greenville, Greenville High School: U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy
  
The application period for 2nd District students seeking nomination to a military service academy from Congressman Poliquin in 2017 will open in May.
 
Additionally, Congressman Poliquin urges military service academy graduates and other Veterans in need of assistance to contact his offices by phone or in person in Lewiston (784-0768), Bangor (942-0583) or Presque Isle (764-1968) or by visiting poliquin.house.gov.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-speak-senate-floor-21st-century-cures-act-landmark-medical-innovation,"Senator Collins to Speak from the Senate Floor on 21st Century Cures Act, Landmark Medical Innovation Legislation That Includes 5 Pieces of Legislation She Authored",2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ floor statement on the Senior $afe Act   
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, took to the Senate floor this afternoon to express her deep disappointment that one Senator is holding up the passage of the Senior$afe Act—bipartisan legislation she authored to help protect seniors from financial exploitation and fraud. Senator Collins has been a steadfast champion of efforts to shed light on and put a stop to the national epidemic of financial abuse of seniors, which robs them of their hard-earned savings.
“I am greatly disappointed that we have been unable to overcome objections from just one Senator from the other side of the aisle who is blocking the passage of the Senior$afe Act, legislation I introduced to help protect our seniors from financial fraud and exploitation,” said Senator Collins, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, from the Senate floor. “This is a bill that I introduced with my colleague, Senator Claire McCaskill, as a result of extensive hearings and investigations that we have conducted in the Senate Aging Committee. Nationally as many as five million seniors may be victims of financial abuse each year, and putting an end to this tsunami of fraud has long been one of my top priorities.
“This commonsense bill would help so many seniors avoid becoming the victim of financial fraud and abuse,” Senator Collins continued. “I hope that the Senator in question will reconsider and allow us to send this important bill to the President for his signature.”
In a letter to Senator Collins, Jaye Martin, Executive Director of Maine Legal Services, expressed strong support for the legislation, writing that, ""In a landscape that includes family members who often wish to keep exploitation from coming to light because they are perpetrating the exploitation, the risk of facing potential nuisance or false complaints over privacy violations is all too real. This is a barrier that must be removed so that financial institutions will act immediately to make a report to the proper authorities upon forming a reasonable belief that exploitation is occurring. These professionals are on the front lines in the fight against elder financial exploitation and are often the only ones in a position to stop the exploitation before it is too late.”
The Senior$afe Act, which will help protect seniors from financial fraud, is based on Maine’s innovative and important Senior$afe program pioneered by Maine Securities Administrator Judith Shaw. In February 2015, Chairman Collins invited Judith Shaw to testify at a hearing that examined ways to prevent the financial exploitation of seniors. Ms. Martin, who testified before the Senate Aging Committee last month, said hundreds of financial institution managers and employees have been trained to identify possible fraud as a result of Maine’s Senior$afe law.
The Senior$afe Act would:
 
Encourage banks, credit unions, investment advisors, broker-dealers, insurance companies and insurance agencies to report suspected senor financial fraud; and
 
 
Protect these institutions from being sued for making reports so long as they have trained their employees, and make reports in good faith and on a reasonable basis to the proper authorities.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-statement-nomination-dr-ben-carson,Senator Collins' Statement on Nomination of Dr. Ben Carson,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins' Statement on Nomination of Dr. Ben Carson 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Mon, 12/05/2016 - 14:03    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — Following the nomination of Dr. Ben Carson to be the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, issued this statement:
“Through his decades of world-renowned service in the medical community, Dr. Ben Carson has demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of Americans. As the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I look forward to working with Dr. Carson to improve our housing assistance to disadvantaged families, people with disabilities, and low-income seniors as well as programs to assist our homeless youth and veterans, where we are making such progress. I also envision our partnership will help spur job creation and economic development through programs such as the Community Development Block Grants.”",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-0,Senators Collins and King Announce Maine Nominees to the United States Military Service Academies,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"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
Benjamin Abbott            Winslow                     Winslow High School  Thomas Carmack            Veazie                        John Bapst Memorial High School  Courtney Christoforo      Saco                           Thornton Academy  Adrian Dyer                    Easton                        Lee Academy  Toby Foelix                    Camden                      Lexington High School, MA  Connor Grant                  Houlton                      Houlton High School  Nathan Hersom               Rockland                    Oceanside High School  Patrick Hopkins              Winslow                      Winslow High School  Jacob Lennon                 Albion                         Lawrence High School  Jennifer Lorbeski            Richmond                   Gardiner Area High School  James Mannette              Windham                    Windham High School  Ryan Moore                    Bangor                        Phillips Exeter Academy, NH  John Pepin                      Rumford                      Mountain Valley High School  Ira Toracinta                   Kittery                         St. Thomas Aquinas High School 
United States Merchant Marine Academy- Kings Point
Name                             Home                Town High School
Ethan Roger Boucher    Rumford             Mountain Valley High  Andrew Cloutier            Lyman                Massabesic High School  Keenan Collett              Orono                 Orono High School  Thomas Lawson            Gorham              Cheverus High School  Jacob Lennon               Albion                 Lawrence High School  James Mannette            Windham             Windham High School  Dylan Roberts               Cape Elizabeth    Cape Elizabeth High School  Adam Sciretta                Bath                    Annandale High School, VA
Unites States Military Academy – West Point
Name                              Home Town           High School
Benjamin Abbott            Winslow                 Winslow High School  Emma Begin                   Chelsea                  Hall-Dale High School  Joshua Burns                  Bangor                   International School of Stavanger, Norway  Thomas Carmack            Veazie                    John Bapst Memorial High School  Keenan Collett                Orono                    Orono High School  Hailey Davis                   Liberty                   Mount View High School  Seth Davis                       Liberty                  Mount View High School  Kayla Eddy                     Kittery                   St. Thomas Aquinas High School  Maxwell Heathco            Freeport                 Freeport High School  Samuel Jamison              Windsor                 Erskine Academy  Emily Mikoud                 Dover-Foxcroft      Foxcroft Academy  Ryan Moore                    Bangor                   Phillips Exeter Academy, NH  Ryan Rosado                  Freeport                  Freeport High School  Karen Yurek                   Bath                        Morse High School
United States Naval Academy- Annapolis
Name                             Home Town             High School
Thomas Carmack           Veazie                     John Bapst Memorial High School  Keenan Collett                Orono                    Orono High School  Howard Francis              Lee                         Lee Academy  Maxwell Heathco           Freeport                  Freeport High School  Nathan Hersom              Rockland                Oceanside High School  Owen Kelley                  Gorham                  Millbrook School, CT  Jacob Lennon                 Albion                    Lawrence High School  Eloise Lienert                 Brunswick               Brunswick High School  Trajdan MacFadyen       Greenville               Greenville High School  Max Santagata               Dover-Foxcroft       Foxcroft Academy  Adam Sciretta                Bath                        Annandale High School, VA  Anna Sewall                  East Millinocket      Schenck High School  Timothy Small               South Portland        South Portland High School  Ira Toracinta                  Kittery                    St. Thomas Aquinas High School  Edward Vatcher             Kennebunk             Berwick Academy  Jack Venden                  Yarmouth                Yarmouth High School",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/trust-betrayed-financial-abuse-older-americans-guardians-and-others-power,"""Trust Betrayed: Financial Abuse of Older Americans by Guardians and Others in Power""",2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Earlier this year, an attorney in Belfast was sentenced to 30 months in prison for bilking two elderly female clients out of nearly a half a million dollars over the course of several years.
The lawyer’s brazen theft was uncovered when a teller at a local bank noticed that he was writing large checks to himself on his clients’ accounts. When confronted by authorities, he offered excuses that the prosecutor later described as “breathtaking.” For example, according to press reports, he put one of his clients into a nursing home to recover from a temporary medical condition, and then kept her there for four years until the theft of her funds came to light. Meanwhile, he submitted bills for “services,” sometimes totaling $20,000 a month, including charging her $250 per hour for six to seven hours to check on her house, even though his office was just a one-minute drive down the road.
Another tragic case of theft and abuse was featured in a Maine Sunday Telegram article last month. The article detailed the story of an elderly woman from Los Angeles, California, who went missing in 2008. In 2012, authorities found her, alive but in poor health, abandoned in a tiny cabin in Maine by three people who had “befriended” her years earlier. After gaining the woman’s trust, and control of her finances, these criminals sold her house and stole her money, cheating her of an estimated $1 million in assets. Today, this 90-year-old woman is a ward of the state and lives in a nursing home in rural Maine – thousands of miles away from the life she used to know.
These Maine cases represent shocking breaches of trust and shed light on a national epidemic of financial abuse of seniors by those they trust. Sometimes, that abuse is perpetrated by “friends” or family members who are handling the victim’s affairs informally. Other times, the abuse is committed under color of a fiduciary relationship, such as a Power of Attorney in the Maine cases, or what’s known as a conservatorship or guardianship. One would hope that this abuse would be unusual where guardians or conservators are involved since these fiduciaries are formally appointed and overseen by state courts. But experience has shown that this is not always the case.
As the Chairman of the Aging Committee, I have been long been concerned by guardianship abuse that robs seniors of their hard-earned savings and often puts their health and safety at risk. I recently chaired a hearing on this subject to examine the extent to which our seniors remain at risk of financial exploitation by guardians, and what is being done to protect them from this reprehensible crime. At my invitation, Jaye Martin, the Executive Director of Legal Services for the Elderly (LSE) in Maine, testified.
According to Ms. Martin, LSE assisted 260 victims of elder abuse during the last 12 months. This is a 24 percent increase from the prior year. While this number includes physical and emotional abuse as well, roughly half of the cases handled by LSE involved financial exploitation of seniors. Even more alarming was Ms. Martin’s testimony that in 75 percent of those cases, the financial exploitation was carried out by a family member. Unfortunately, these numbers only represent the tip of the iceberg, since so many abuse cases go unreported. Oftentimes, victims are too ashamed or afraid to alert authorities about financial exploitation, particularly when it involves a family member.
During the hearing, the Committee heard testimony about some of the promising initiatives that are being undertaken at the state level to combat this form of financial exploitation. One such example is Minnesota’s Conservator Account Auditing Program, which monitors guardians of seniors by requiring them to file regular reports. The state uses an automated software-based system that scans these conservator reports for 30 ""red flags"" that may indicate abuse or mismanagement of the estate. Minnesota is making this innovative software reporting and analysis system available to other states free of charge.
Legal organizations like Ms. Martin’s, and others around the nation, are also a significant part of the solution to this burgeoning problem and are making a real difference. I asked Ms. Martin whether additional tools would be beneficial to her efforts on the frontlines to better protect seniors. In response, she noted that Maine’s innovative Senior$afe program has been an “extraordinary success,” and she was thrilled that I introduced a bill earlier this Congress that would take this concept to the nation. My Senior$afe Act would help protect seniors by encouraging banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to train their employees to spot financial abuse of older Americans and report it to the proper authorities.
Seniors in need of assistance to manage their financial affairs should not have their trust betrayed, leaving them destitute in some cases. While progress is being made, and most guardians are ethical, much more needs to be done to oversee guardians and uncover potential abuse in time to stop it. It is essential that the federal and state governments work together to better ensure that guardians are protecting vulnerable seniors, not stealing from them.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-made-usa-legislation-championed-rep-poliquin-protecting,"House Passes Made-in-USA Legislation Championed by Rep. Poliquin, Protecting Hundreds of Maine Jobs",2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – In a milestone victory for hundreds of Maine manufacturing jobs—after a hard-fought, months-long battle—the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of the NDAA today that includes critical language pushed forward by Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) to ensure the Department of Defense (DOD) follows the law and issues American-made athletic shoes to its new recruits.
 
Congressman Poliquin, who wore his own red, white and blue, 100% American-made New Balance athletic shoes down to the House floor to cast his vote, released the following statement:
 
“This is a milestone victory for our Great State of Maine, for our families, and for 900 of the hardest working folks in the world,” said Congressman Poliquin. “This is a win that Mainers have long been waiting for. After a months-long and hard fought battle, I am absolutely thrilled that today we have finally pushed this monumental language through the House. I’m not going to let up an inch until we get this to the President’s desk, signed into law and fully implemented.”
 
“New Balance is proud to be the only major company that still makes athletic footwear in the United States. We are grateful that the U.S. House and Senate has again agreed that our military’s domestic purchasing requirements as stated by law need to be followed. On behalf of the hundreds of men and women in our five New England shoe factories, we want to thank Representative Poliquin for his tireless advocacy in serving the state of Maine,” said Rob DeMartini, President and CEO, New Balance.
 
For the past several months, Congressman Poliquin has resiliently advocated and taken strong legislative action to push the DOD to comply with the Berry Amendment, the provision which requires the Pentagon to use American-made products for recruits whenever possible.
 
Now, the NDAA will go to the Senate for a final vote.  If passed, it will go to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
 
This final provision, which was maintained in the NDAA during the conference committee between the House and Senate due to strong support from Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congressman Poliquin, mandates that the DOD consider athletic footwear issued to military recruits as subject to the Berry Amendment, requiring the Department to treat athletic footwear like other uniform items.
 
The Berry Amendment is a provision in law that requires the DOD to use American-made products for new recruits whenever possible. However, since 2002 the DOD has circumvented this policy by issuing cash allowances to new recruits for training shoes, which are not required to be American-made or Berry Amendment-compliant. In 2014, the DOD agreed to change its policy and close this footwear loophole. Despite that announcement, more than two years later, the DOD has yet to actually implement it and rectify this fundamental inequity in the application of the Berry Amendment.
 
Timeline of Progress:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 September-November 2016: The House and the Senate go to conference to hash out the differences in the two chambers’ versions of the NDAA
  
 
 December 2, 2016: The House passes the final version of the NDAA with the language included
  
Items to Note:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-37-million-preschool-development-grant-maine,"Collins, King Announce $3.7 Million Preschool Development Grant in Maine",2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Collins, King Announce $3.7 Million Preschool Development Grant in Maine 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Fri, 12/02/2016 - 09:01    
    
    
    
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have awarded $3,735,439 in grant funding to the State of Maine to continue to expand access to high-quality preschool for children from low-income families.
 
“Early childhood education is an investment in the future of our children,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This funding will expand access to pre-K and help build a foundation for Maine children that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”
 
The Preschool Development Grant program supports state efforts to create or enhance preschool programs in high-need communities, while building or improving infrastructure to better deliver preschool services. Maine is one of 18 states receiving funding through the Preschool Development Grant program.
 
This is the third year out of four that awards are given to states that are working with local communities to prepare the nation’s most vulnerable children for success in school and in life.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-leads-bipartisan-push-address-technicality-harming-veterans%E2%80%99-access-timely,"Senator Collins Leads Bipartisan Push to Address Technicality That is Harming Veterans Access to Timely and Quality Health Care, Including Veterans in Southern Maine",2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led a bipartisan letter with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) urging that all pending VA medical centers be authorized before Congress adjourns. The issue affects 24 facilities in 15 states, including the proposed Portland community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) lease for which Senator Collins secured funding earlier this year. The letter, which was addressed to Senate leadership as well as to the leadership of the Senate Appropriations and VA Committees, was signed by 18 Senators, including Senator Angus King (I-ME).
All 24 of these leases have already been fully funded by Congress, but their authorization has been delayed due to a budgetary technicality. Under current rules, the Congressional Budget Office scores these leases as having large, up-front direct costs even though spending would not increase and the leases are subject to annual appropriations. As a result of this scoring issue, Congress has had difficulty authorizing major medical leases for the past three years.
The proposed CBOC in Portland would consolidate the existing Saco and Portland CBOCs and enhance VA outpatient services. The lease would increase veterans’ access to a core set of services and additional specialty care in a right-sized, state-of-the-art, energy efficient health care facility in the Portland area. The planned full deployment of tele-medicine technologies in the new clinic would further improve veterans’ access to care in rural locations throughout Maine. Although Senator Collins secured funding for the proposed Portland CBOC earlier this year, it cannot move forward without authorization.
“Veterans deserve convenient access to high-quality health care services they have earned through their service,” said Senator Collins. “CBOCs provide an essential service to our veterans by allowing them to receive outpatient care without the stress and difficulty of traveling to larger VA medical centers, which may be located far away from veterans’ homes. I will continue to urge my colleagues to support the authorization of these leases so that vital facilities like the proposed Portland CBOC can begin serving our veterans.”
“The longer these VA medical facility leases sit unauthorized, the longer our veterans might be waiting for the quality health care services they earned,” said Senator King. “That, quite simply, is unacceptable. It is past time that Congress stepped up to allow these important projects, like the proposed CBOC in Portland, to move forward in order to support veterans in Maine and across the country.”
The full list of leases needing authorization is below:
1. Ann Arbor, MI – Outpatient Clinic  2. Birmingham, AL – Outpatient Mental Health Clinic  3. Birmingham, AL – Outpatient Specialty Clinic  4. Boston, MA – Research Space  5. Charleston, SC – Research Space  6. Daytona Beach, FL – Outpatient Clinic  7. Denver, CO – Chief Business Office Purchased Care  8. Gainesville, FL – Outpatient Clinic  9. Hampton Roads, VA – Outpatient Clinic  10. Mission Bay, CA – Research Space  11. Missoula, MT – Outpatient Clinic  12. Northern Colorado, CO – Outpatient Clinic  13. Ocala, FL – Outpatient Clinic  14. Oxnard, CA – Outpatient Clinic  15. Pike County, GA – Outpatient Clinic  16. Portland, ME – Outpatient Clinic  17. Raleigh, NC – Outpatient Clinic  18. Santa Rosa, CA – Outpatient Clinic  19. Corpus Christi, TX – Outpatient Clinic  20. Jacksonville, FL – Outpatient Clinic  21. Pontiac, MI – Outpatient Clinic  22. Rochester, NY – Outpatient Clinic  23. Tampa – FL – Outpatient Clinic  24. Terre Haute, IN – Outpatient Clinic
In September, Senators Collins and King joined Senator Warner in introducing the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, standalone legislation to authorize the leases.
The text of the bipartisan letter is below. Click HERE to read the signed PDF letter.
 
November 30, 2016
Dear Leader McConnell, Leader Reid, Chairman Cochran, Vice Chairwoman Mikulski, Chairman Isakson, and Ranking Member Blumenthal:
We write to urge the authorization of 24 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases before the 114th Congress adjourns. Funding for these leases has already been provided by Congress in previous appropriations acts. These authorizations are necessary to enable VA to deliver vital care and services to veterans across the United States.
A 2012 change in budgetary scoring of VA’s major medical leases by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has hampered the authorization of these important leases. Due to the change, the lease authorizations receive large, up-front direct spending scores covering the entire life of the lease, even though actual spending would not increase and the leases are subject to annual appropriations. This scoring issue has prevented Congress from easily authorizing major medical leases for the past three years, affecting 24 facilities across 15 states.
The full list of leases needing authorization is below:
25. Ann Arbor, MI – Outpatient Clinic  26. Birmingham, AL – Outpatient Mental Health Clinic  27. Birmingham, AL – Outpatient Specialty Clinic  28. Boston, MA – Research Space  29. Charleston, SC – Research Space  30. Daytona Beach, FL – Outpatient Clinic  31. Denver, CO – Chief Business Office Purchased Care  32. Gainesville, FL – Outpatient Clinic  33. Hampton Roads, VA – Outpatient Clinic  34. Mission Bay, CA – Research Space  35. Missoula, MT – Outpatient Clinic  36. Northern Colorado, CO – Outpatient Clinic  37. Ocala, FL – Outpatient Clinic  38. Oxnard, CA – Outpatient Clinic  39. Pike County, GA – Outpatient Clinic  40. Portland, ME – Outpatient Clinic  41. Raleigh, NC – Outpatient Clinic  42. Santa Rosa, CA – Outpatient Clinic  43. Corpus Christi, TX – Outpatient Clinic  44. Jacksonville, FL – Outpatient Clinic  45. Pontiac, MI – Outpatient Clinic  46. Rochester, NY – Outpatient Clinic  47. Tampa – FL – Outpatient Clinic  48. Terre Haute, IN – Outpatient Clinic
Veterans in each of these states deserve the timely and quality health care benefits they have earned through their service. As such, we ask that you work to include authorization for these leases in the December funding bill, or another appropriate vehicle, to be signed into law this year. We thank you for your continuing dedication to our nation’s veterans and look forward to working with you to ensure their timely access to VA health care.
Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/maine-congressional-delegation-stands-sanford-rug-manufacturer-trade,Maine Congressional Delegation Stands Up for Sanford Rug Manufacturer in Trade Appeal,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin announced today that they have sent a letter to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board in support of Maine manufacturer Flemish Master Weavers’ (FMW) trade appeal.
 
The Sanford-based rug manufacturer has applied to the FTZ Board for production authority status that would exempt them from certain tariffs. Currently, textile tariffs that are designed to protect American manufacturers like FMW are actually putting the company at a disadvantage and stifling growth.
 
“A strong manufacturing industry is essential to Maine’s future, and securing fair trade regulations for Maine-based companies is of critical importance to our communities and economy,” wrote the Maine Congressional Delegation in their letter. “Flemish Master Weavers employs 127 people in Sanford, Maine, and is one of Southern Maine’s largest manufacturing employers. […] Approval of the FTZ application would not only increase competitiveness, but set the company on a track to expand operations.” 
 
Flemish Master Weavers manufactures machine-made woven area rugs, and as the smallest of only four such producers in the United States, faces competition from foreign manufacturers who increasingly dominate the area rug market here at home. In order to remain competitive, FMW imports yarn that carries an eight-percent U.S. tariff. Despite being designed to protect U.S. businesses, that tariff is actually putting FMW at a competitive disadvantage against the foreign competitors who enjoy duty-free access to the U.S. for the area rugs they manufacture abroad with identical yarn.
 
If the Foreign-Trade Zones Board approves FMW’s application for production authority status, the company would be able to avoid the eight-percent yarn tariff. That would increase FMW’s competiveness and potentially set the company on a course to expand operations.
 
Flemish Master Weavers is based in Sanford and employs 127 people. One of Southern Maine’s largest manufacturing employers, FMW has eleven high-speed looms and fully-automated packing and finishing operations. If granted production authority status, the company has indicated that it could potentially increase employment to 170 jobs as part of a 72,000 square foot building expansion.
 
The foreign-trade zones (FTZs) program was authorized by Congress in 1934 and is used to support U.S. companies in competition with foreign alternatives by allowing delayed or reduced duty payments on foreign merchandise, as well as other savings. The Foreign-Trade Zones Board licenses designated sites as FTZs.
 
The Maine delegation’s letter to the FTZ Board is available HERE and the text is below:
 
+++
 
November 30, 2016
 
Mr. Andrew McGilvray
Executive Secretary
Foreign-Trade Zone Board
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., NW Room 21013
Washington, DC 20230
 
 
Dear Mr. McGilvray:
 
We write to express our support for Flemish Master Weavers’ (FMW) recent appeal to the Foreign Trade Zone Board for production authority to manufacture area rugs at FTZ 186, subzone 186A.  A strong manufacturing industry is essential to Maine’s future, and securing fair trade regulations for Maine-based companies is of critical importance to our communities and economy.
 
Flemish Master Weavers is a Maine manufacturer of machine-made woven area rugs and is the smallest of four such producers in the United States.  The company competes for market share with foreign manufacturers who increasingly dominate the domestic area rug market.  To remain competitive, FMW imports continuous filament polypropylene yarn, a material carrying a U.S. tariff of eight percent.  Despite efforts to adjust to a changing market, FMW still faces an uphill battle as foreign area rug competitors enjoy duty-free access to the United States for area rugs made in foreign factories with identical yarn.  In other words, foreign rugs with the same yarn come in with no U.S. tariff, while FMW’s ability to make the rugs in America is stymied by a U.S. tariff on yarn imports.  The end result is that American jobs are, ironically, threatened by a tariff designed to protect them. Inverted tariff relief through production authority is needed to ensure that U.S. tariff policy is not putting FMW at a disadvantage relative to foreign area rug producers.
 
Flemish Master Weavers employs 127 people in Sanford, Maine, and is one of Southern Maine’s largest manufacturing employers. With 11 high speed looms, fully automated packing, and finishing operations, FMW provides meaningful employment to its workers in Maine, helping them to maintain and improve their financial stability. Approval of the FTZ application would not only increase competitiveness, but set the company on a track to expand operations. The company has stated its interest in a 72,000 square foot building expansion and the addition of two new looms and four replacement looms, which could potentially increase employment from 127 to 170 jobs.
 
	Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-applauds-passage-medical-cures-bill-funding-combat-opioid,"Rep. Poliquin Applauds Passage of Medical Cures Bill, Funding to Combat Opioid Epidemic",2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) applauded the U.S. House of Representative’s passage of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act yesterday, a comprehensive bill that will make major investments in innovative medical research, help find cures and treatments for diseases, and provide critical support to combat the opioid epidemic in Maine and other states across the nation. Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:
 
“For more than a half century, our nation has led the world in medical research and innovation,” said Congressman Poliquin. “With the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, we will continue to make sure that our top medical research institutions, such as Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor and the Mount Desert Island Laboratory, have the tools they need so they can press on in their work and find more cures and treatments to help patients around the globe. I’m especially pleased that provisions were included in this legislation to specifically improve methods for prevention, diagnosis and treatment for tick-borne diseases, like Lyme disease.”
 
“As someone whose family has been personally impacted by the horrific opioid crisis in our State, I’m very pleased this bill will provide critical support to Maine to combat this epidemic.  I am working to do everything I can to support our families, community members, health care workers, and law enforcement to help curb this crisis.”
 
The 21st Century Cures Act will help accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of new treatments and cures for patients across our nation by providing medical researchers with the resources they need and by streamlining and improving the Federal Drug Administration’s (FDA) review of life-saving drugs for patients. Specifically, this bill will provide $4.8 billion of funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
 
Additionally, the bill includes $1 billion for grants to states to combat the opioid crisis. Congressman Poliquin is a founding member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/aging-committee-chairman-collins-and-ranking-member-mccaskill-hold-hearing-elder-financial,Aging Committee Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill Hold Hearing on Elder Financial Abuse:  Trust Betrayed: Financial Abuse of Older Americans by Guardians and Others in Power,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click HERE to read a copy of Senator Collins’ opening statement  Click HERE to read a copy of Senator McCaskill’s opening statement as prepared for delivery
Washington, D.C. — The number of adults over age 65 is expected to nearly double in the United States by 2050. When an older adult becomes incapable of making informed decisions, a guardianship may be necessary. Unfortunately, a new government report finds the extent of abuse by guardians remains too difficult to determine. Efforts to better protect older adults with guardians were the focus of a Senate Aging Committee hearing today titled, “Trust Betrayed: Financial Abuse of Older Americans by Guardians and Others in Power.""
In addition to robbing seniors of their hard-earned savings, financial abuse of older adults often puts seniors’ health and safety at risk. The scope of this form of exploitation is broad and can be perpetrated by a range of fiduciaries, such as a court-appointed guardian, a family member with power of attorney privileges, or a senior’s personal attorney. In addition, senior financial abuse can be committed by “friends” or family members who are handling the victim’s affairs informally.
“Financial abuse of seniors by those they trust is far too common. Today’s hearing will help us understand the extent to which our seniors remain at risk of financial exploitation by guardians, and what is being done to protect them from this reprehensible crime,” said Senator Susan Collins, Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee. “Seniors in need of assistance to manage their financial affairs should not have their trust betrayed, leaving them destitute in some cases. While much more remains to be done, I am encouraged to hear of the important work being carried out in a number of states to protect seniors.”
Pointing to a recent report recommending better inter-governmental communication, Senator Claire McCaskill, Ranking Member, asked, “The problem is, when Social Security finds out there is fraud they are not sharing that information with state courts, even though they share it with other federal agencies—what’s the rationale for that? The (Social Security Administration) have caught someone ripping someone off, what in the good lord’s name are they doing keeping that information from state authorities?”
During the hearing, the Committee released a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report requested by Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill on guardianship abuse. The GAO’s report builds on a previous study it released in 2010, which found hundreds of cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation and identified $5.4 million that had been improperly diverted. The updated report examined cases of elder financial abuse over a four-year period, from 2011 to 2015, and examined measures taken by several states to help protect older adults with guardians.
According to the GAO, guardianship abuse is widespread, but it remains difficult to determine the extent of elder abuse by guardians nationally due to limited data. GAO noted that some progress is being made to collect data on guardianships and improve the guardianship process. In 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services began developing the National Adult Mistreatment Reporting System (NAMRS) to provide consistent and accurate national data on senior abuse. HHS has completed the pilot project and expects to roll out the system next year.
In addition, GAO identified a number of measures that can be taken to protect seniors from guardianship abuse, including for courts to ensure that a guardianship is truly needed before appointing one and periodically reexamine whether a guardianship is still needed. Courts should also make sure that guardians are screened for criminal backgrounds and are properly educated on their role and responsibilities.
Witnesses for the hearing included:
Kathryn Larin, Acting Director, Forensic Audit and Investigative Services Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Washington, D.C. Click HERE to read her testimony.
Cate Boyko, Manager, Minnesota Conservator Account Auditing Program, Ramsey, MN. Click HERE to read her testimony.
Jaye Martin, Executive Director, Maine Legal Services for the Elderly, Augusta, ME. Click HERE to read her testimony.
Jessica Kruse, Attorney, Ozarks Elder Law, Springfield, MO. Click HERE to read her testimony.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-warner-lead-bipartisan-group-18-senators-push-waive-technicality-harming-veterans%E2%80%99,"Collins, Warner Lead Bipartisan Group of 18 Senators in Push to Waive Technicality That is Harming Veterans Access to Timely and Quality Health Care",2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Mark Warner (D-VA) led a bipartisan letter yesterday urging that 24 pending VA medical centers in 15 states be authorized before Congress adjourns. The letter, which was addressed to Senate leadership as well as the leadership of the Senate Appropriations and VA Committees, was signed by 18 Senators.
The funds for all 24 leases have already been appropriated by Congress, but authorization has been delayed due to a budgetary technicality. Under current rules, the Congressional Budget Office scores these leases as having large, up-front direct costs even though spending would not increase and the leases are subject to annual appropriations. As a result of this scoring issue, Congress has had difficulty authorizing major medical leases for the past three years.
In September, the Senators introduced the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, standalone legislation to authorize the leases.
“Veterans in each of these states deserve the timely and quality health care benefits they have earned through their service,” the Senators wrote. “As such, we ask that you work to include authorization for these leases in the December funding bill, or another appropriate vehicle, to be signed into law this year.”
The full list of leases needing authorization is below:
1. Ann Arbor, MI – Outpatient Clinic  2. Birmingham, AL – Outpatient Mental Health Clinic  3. Birmingham, AL – Outpatient Specialty Clinic  4. Boston, MA – Research Space  5. Charleston, SC – Research Space  6. Daytona Beach, FL – Outpatient Clinic  7. Denver, CO – Chief Business Office Purchased Care  8. Gainesville, FL – Outpatient Clinic  9. Hampton Roads, VA – Outpatient Clinic  10. Mission Bay, CA – Research Space  11. Missoula, MT – Outpatient Clinic  12. Northern Colorado, CO – Outpatient Clinic  13. Ocala, FL – Outpatient Clinic  14. Oxnard, CA – Outpatient Clinic  15. Pike County, GA – Outpatient Clinic  16. Portland, ME – Outpatient Clinic  17. Raleigh, NC – Outpatient Clinic  18. Santa Rosa, CA – Outpatient Clinic  19. Corpus Christi, TX – Outpatient Clinic  20. Jacksonville, FL – Outpatient Clinic  21. Pontiac, MI – Outpatient Clinic  22. Rochester, NY – Outpatient Clinic  23. Tampa – FL – Outpatient Clinic  24. Terre Haute, IN – Outpatient Clinic
The text of the bipartisan letter is below. Click HERE to read the signed PDF letter.
+++
November 30, 2016
The Honorable Mitch McConnell The Honorable Harry Reid  Majority Leader Democratic Leader  United States Senate United States Senate  Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Thad Cochran The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski  Chairman Vice Chairwoman  Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations  United States Senate United States Senate  Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Johnny Isakson The Honorable Richard Blumenthal  Chairman Ranking Member  Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Veterans’ Affairs  United States Senate United States Senate  Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
Dear Leader McConnell, Leader Reid, Chairman Cochran, Vice Chairwoman Mikulski, Chairman Isakson, and Ranking Member Blumenthal:
We write to urge the authorization of 24 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases before the 114th Congress adjourns. Funding for these leases has already been provided by Congress in previous appropriations acts. These authorizations are necessary to enable VA to deliver vital care and services to veterans across the United States.
A 2012 change in budgetary scoring of VA’s major medical leases by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has hampered the authorization of these important leases. Due to the change, the lease authorizations receive large, up-front direct spending scores covering the entire life of the lease, even though actual spending would not increase and the leases are subject to annual appropriations. This scoring issue has prevented Congress from easily authorizing major medical leases for the past three years, affecting 24 facilities across 15 states.
The full list of leases needing authorization is below:
1. Ann Arbor, MI – Outpatient Clinic  2. Birmingham, AL – Outpatient Mental Health Clinic  3. Birmingham, AL – Outpatient Specialty Clinic  4. Boston, MA – Research Space  5. Charleston, SC – Research Space  6. Daytona Beach, FL – Outpatient Clinic  7. Denver, CO – Chief Business Office Purchased Care  8. Gainesville, FL – Outpatient Clinic  9. Hampton Roads, VA – Outpatient Clinic  10. Mission Bay, CA – Research Space  11. Missoula, MT – Outpatient Clinic  12. Northern Colorado, CO – Outpatient Clinic  13. Ocala, FL – Outpatient Clinic  14. Oxnard, CA – Outpatient Clinic  15. Pike County, GA – Outpatient Clinic  16. Portland, ME – Outpatient Clinic  17. Raleigh, NC – Outpatient Clinic  18. Santa Rosa, CA – Outpatient Clinic  19. Corpus Christi, TX – Outpatient Clinic  20. Jacksonville, FL – Outpatient Clinic  21. Pontiac, MI – Outpatient Clinic  22. Rochester, NY – Outpatient Clinic  23. Tampa – FL – Outpatient Clinic  24. Terre Haute, IN – Outpatient Clinic
Veterans in each of these states deserve the timely and quality health care benefits they have earned through their service. As such, we ask that you work to include authorization for these leases in the December funding bill, or another appropriate vehicle, to be signed into law this year. We thank you for your continuing dedication to our nation’s veterans and look forward to working with you to ensure their timely access to VA health care.
Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/elder-abuse-growing-problem-maine-executive-director-legal-services-elderly-testifies,Elder Abuse a Growing Problem in Maine: Executive Director of Legal Services for the Elderly Testifies before Senate Aging Committee,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ Q&A with Jaye Martin  Note to Assignment Editors and News Directors: Click HERE for high quality video of Senator Collins' Q&A with Jaye Martin
Click HERE for a high resolution photo of Senator Collins with Jaye Martin
Washington, D.C. — In Maine, Legal Services for the Elderly (LSE) assisted 260 victims of elder abuse during the last 12 months. This is a 24-percent increase from the prior year and the number is only expected to rise. In addition, roughly half of these cases involved financial exploitation of seniors, LSE Executive Director Jaye Martin told a Senate committee today. Ms. Martin was invited to testify before the Senate Aging Committee by its Chairman, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, during a hearing focused on the financial abuse of older Americans by guardians and others in power.
“Financial abuse of seniors by those they trust is far too common. Today’s hearing helps us understand the extent to which our seniors remain at risk of financial exploitation by guardians, and what is being done to protect them from this reprehensible crime,” said Senator Collins. “Seniors in need of assistance to manage their financial affairs should not have their trust betrayed, leaving them destitute in some cases. Legal organizations like Ms. Martin’s, and others around the nation, are making a real difference to better protect seniors but much more remains to be done.”
In addition to robbing seniors of their hard-earned savings, financial abuse of older adults often puts seniors’ health and safety at risk. The scope of this form of exploitation is broad and can be perpetrated by a range of fiduciaries, such as a court-appointed guardian, a family member with power of attorney privileges, or a senior’s personal attorney. In addition, senior financial abuse can be committed by “friends” or family members who are handling the victim’s affairs informally.
During the hearing, Senator Collins questioned Ms. Martin about the Senior$afe Act, a bipartisan bill she introduced with Senator McCaskill that would help protect seniors by encouraging banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to train their employees to spot financial abuse of older Americans and report it to the proper authorities. The legislation is based on Maine’s innovative Senior$afe program.
Senator Collins asked, “Has [Senior$afe] worked well [in Maine], in your judgment, and is this something we should implement nationwide?”
“[Senior$afe] has been an extraordinary success, and we were thrilled to see your leadership in taking the concept to the nation,” Ms. Martin responded. “Hundreds of financial institution managers and employees have been trained, and we are really seeing that increase the number of seniors that are getting help before it’s too late.”
The Committee also released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report requested by Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill on guardianship abuse. The GAO’s report builds on a previous study it released in 2010, which found hundreds of cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation and identified $5.4 million that had been improperly diverted. The updated report examined cases of elder financial abuse over a four-year period, from 2011 to 2015, and examined measures taken by several states to help protect older adults with guardians.
Witnesses for the hearing included:
 
Kathryn Larin, Acting Director, Forensic Audit and Investigative Services Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Washington, D.C. Click HERE to read her testimony.
 
 
Cate Boyko, Manager, Minnesota Conservator Account Auditing Program, Ramsey, MN. Click HERE to read her testimony.
 
 
Jaye Martin, Executive Director, Maine Legal Services for the Elderly, Augusta, ME. Click HERE to read her testimony.
 
 
Jessica Kruse, Attorney, Ozarks Elder Law, Springfield, MO. Click HERE to read her testimony.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/maine-congressional-delegation-stands-sanford-rug-manufacturer-trade-appeal,Maine Congressional Delegation Stands Up for Sanford Rug Manufacturer in Trade Appeal,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin announced today that they have sent a letter to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board in support of Maine manufacturer Flemish Master Weavers’ (FMW) trade appeal.
 
The Sanford-based rug manufacturer has applied to the FTZ Board for production authority status that would exempt them from certain tariffs. Currently, textile tariffs that are designed to protect American manufacturers like FMW are actually putting the company at a disadvantage and stifling growth.
 
“A strong manufacturing industry is essential to Maine’s future, and securing fair trade regulations for Maine-based companies is of critical importance to our communities and economy,” wrote the Maine Congressional Delegation in their letter. “Flemish Master Weavers employs 127 people in Sanford, Maine, and is one of Southern Maine’s largest manufacturing employers. […] Approval of the FTZ application would not only increase competitiveness, but set the company on a track to expand operations.” 
 
Flemish Master Weavers manufactures machine-made woven area rugs, and as the smallest of only four such producers in the United States, faces competition from foreign manufacturers who increasingly dominate the area rug market here at home. In order to remain competitive, FMW imports yarn that carries an eight-percent U.S. tariff. Despite being designed to protect U.S. businesses, that tariff is actually putting FMW at a competitive disadvantage against the foreign competitors who enjoy duty-free access to the U.S. for the area rugs they manufacture abroad with identical yarn. 
 
If the Foreign-Trade Zones Board approves FMW’s application for production authority status, the company would be able to avoid the eight-percent yarn tariff. That would increase FMW’s competiveness and potentially set the company on a course to expand operations.
 
Flemish Master Weavers is based in Sanford and employs 127 people. One of Southern Maine’s largest manufacturing employers, FMW has eleven high-speed looms and fully-automated packing and finishing operations. If granted production authority status, the company has indicated that it could potentially increase employment to 170 jobs as part of a 72,000 square foot building expansion. 
 
The foreign-trade zones (FTZs) program was authorized by Congress in 1934 and is used to support U.S. companies in competition with foreign alternatives by allowing delayed or reduced duty payments on foreign merchandise, as well as other savings. The Foreign-Trade Zones Board licenses designated sites as FTZs.
 
The Maine delegation’s letter to the FTZ Board is available HERE and the text is below:
 
 
November 30, 2016
 
Mr. Andrew McGilvray
Executive Secretary
Foreign-Trade Zone Board
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., NW Room 21013
Washington, DC 20230
 
 
Dear Mr. McGilvray:
 
We write to express our support for Flemish Master Weavers’ (FMW) recent appeal to the Foreign Trade Zone Board for production authority to manufacture area rugs at FTZ 186, subzone 186A.  A strong manufacturing industry is essential to Maine’s future, and securing fair trade regulations for Maine-based companies is of critical importance to our communities and economy. 
 
Flemish Master Weavers is a Maine manufacturer of machine-made woven area rugs and is the smallest of four such producers in the United States.  The company competes for market share with foreign manufacturers who increasingly dominate the domestic area rug market.  To remain competitive, FMW imports continuous filament polypropylene yarn, a material carrying a U.S. tariff of eight percent.  Despite efforts to adjust to a changing market, FMW still faces an uphill battle as foreign area rug competitors enjoy duty-free access to the United States for area rugs made in foreign factories with identical yarn.  In other words, foreign rugs with the same yarn come in with no U.S. tariff, while FMW’s ability to make the rugs in America is stymied by a U.S. tariff on yarn imports.  The end result is that American jobs are, ironically, threatened by a tariff designed to protect them. Inverted tariff relief through production authority is needed to ensure that U.S. tariff policy is not putting FMW at a disadvantage relative to foreign area rug producers.
 
Flemish Master Weavers employs 127 people in Sanford, Maine, and is one of Southern Maine’s largest manufacturing employers. With 11 high speed looms, fully automated packing, and finishing operations, FMW provides meaningful employment to its workers in Maine, helping them to maintain and improve their financial stability. Approval of the FTZ application would not only increase competitiveness, but set the company on a track to expand operations. The company has stated its interest in a 72,000 square foot building expansion and the addition of two new looms and four replacement looms, which could potentially increase employment from 127 to 170 jobs. 
 
We request your careful consideration of this matter, subject to all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines, and ask that you please notify Lauren Pfingstag at Lauren_Pfingstag@king.senate.gov, Phillips Hinch at Phillips_Hinch@collins.senate.gov, Evan Johnston at Evan.Johnston@mail.house.gov, and Michael Sinacore at Michael.Sinacore@mail.house.gov when a final decision has been made.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-king-announce-more-200000-aroostook-band-micmacs-and-houlton-band-maliseet,"Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $200,000 for Aroostook Band of Micmacs and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians",2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,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 two tribal communities in Northern Maine will receive a total of $222,453 to promote economic development through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Of that funding, $122,953 will be awarded to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, and $99,500 will be awarded to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
“We welcome this funding for Maine’s tribal communities, which will help support vital economic development and foster innovative business ventures among the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians communities,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “By providing new economic opportunities, these investments will benefit the tribal communities as well as Maine’s economy.”
The funding for the Aroostook Bank of Micmacs will be used to develop a strategic economic and community development plan to consider the best use of the Tribe's 3,000 acres of land and other tribal assets. In addition, the funding will support feasibility analyses and business plans for two potential tribal enterprises: specialty foods and alternative energy production. The funding for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians will be used to establish a revolving loan fund to support small and emerging independent tribal enterprises and Native entrepreneurs.
The funds were awarded through the USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant program, which provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate the development of small and emerging rural businesses, help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education programs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-king-poliquin-announce-significant-victory-made-usa-athletic,"Collins, King, Poliquin Announce Significant Victory for Made-in-USA Athletic Footwear Provision",2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin today announced that the final 2017 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision championed by them that will require the Department of Defense to consider athletic footwear subject to the Berry Amendment by providing initial entry service members with American-made athlete shoes upon arrival at basic training.
 
The provision, which is set to be approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate in the coming days, will be implemented over the course of the next two years and will support domestic manufacturing, protect jobs for dedicated American workers, including potentially hundreds in Maine, and help ensure that American troops are equipped and outfitted with high-quality uniform items made in the United States.
 
“This is a significant victory for American jobs and respected American manufacturers like New Balance who will now be able to compete for contracts to provide domestically produced athletic footwear to military recruits. For far too long, the Department of Defense has failed to apply the Berry Amendment to athletic footwear, and American manufacturers have paid the price,” Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin said in a joint statement. “With the successful inclusion of this provision, Congress and the Pentagon will finally prioritize and reward U.S. companies for creating and maintaining good-paying jobs here in the U.S. and will equip American troops with high-quality American-made athletic footwear. We will relentlessly push the Department of Defense to fully implement this already-overdue provision.”
 
The provision included in the final 2017 National Defense Authorization Act is similar to the Buy American Act introduced by Senators Collins and King and the Stepping up for American Workers and Troops Act introduced by Representative Poliquin. Both bills were introduced earlier this year. Representative Poliquin successfully pushed for adoption of the language in the House-version of the NDAA in April, and again successfully defended its inclusion in May despite strong opposition from special interest groups who attempted a floor vote to nullify the language. Senator King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, fought to successfully add the legislation as an amendment to the Senate-version of the NDAA during the Committee’s markup of the bill in May.
 
“New Balance is proud to be the only major company that still makes athletic footwear in the United States. We are grateful that the U.S. House and Senate has again agreed that our military’s domestic purchasing requirements as stated by law need to be followed. On behalf of the hundreds of men and women in our five New England shoe factories, we want to thank Senator King, Senator Collins and Representative Poliquin for their tireless advocacy in serving the state of Maine,” said Rob DeMartini, President and CEO, New Balance.
 
The final provision, which survived a conference committee between the House and Senate following the advocacy of Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin, mandates that the Department of Defense consider athletic footwear issued to military recruits as subject to the Berry Amendment, requiring the Department to treat athletic footwear like other uniform items.
 
The Berry amendment, passed in 1941, requires the U.S. military to provide its personnel with American-made equipment and uniforms to the greatest extent possible. Despite this long-standing law, and despite the fact that it issues similar Berry Compliant items such as combat boots and service uniforms, the Department of Defense has not previously issued new recruits athletic footwear that is compliant with the Berry Amendment.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/bipartisan-bill-cosponsored-collins-king-protect-northern-border-unanimously-passes-us,"Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King to Protect Northern Border Unanimously Passes U.S. House of Representatives, Heads to President's Desk",2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that a bipartisan bill they cosponsored to help assess and strengthen American security at the Northern Border – the longest common land border in the world – has unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the President’s desk for his signature to become law.
Earlier this month, the legislation – the Northern Border Security Review Act – passed the U.S. Senate. The bipartisan bill would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fully evaluate security threats and challenges at the border through a comprehensive examination of the current resources and personnel levels. At 5,500 miles long, including 1,500 miles between Alaska and Canada, the Northern Border has 120 border crossings, many of which are small and in rural areas.
                “The first step in determining how best to secure and protect our Northern Border is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the threats we face and the resources necessary to help protect against them,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This bipartisan bill will advance that process for the first time in five years, and ultimately bolster the efforts and work of Maine law enforcement officers and border patrol agents who work hard every day to protect our communities. We look forward to the President signing this bill into law and undertaking the important work of enhancing border security.”
Approximately 300,000 people and $910 million in trade cross the Northern Border every day, representing the largest bilateral flow of goods and people in the world. The Northern Border Security Review Act would require a comprehensive examination of the following issues:
 
Recruiting and retaining border security officials to cover the Northern Border, including at more remote areas of the border;
Determining tools border security officials need to effectively combat drug and human trafficking at the Northern Border;
Identifying technology that could expand the reach of border agents; and
Finding vulnerabilities in cooperation between Canadian, state, county, local, and tribal law enforcement.
 
The passage of the bill also follows a classified briefing held yesterday before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to discuss the security situation along the Northern Border. Senators Collins and King were briefed by high-ranking officials from the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement on threat reporting, smuggling and trafficking trends, border security technology requirements, and staffing in remote locations.
The legislation was introduced by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). Additional cosponsors include Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Click here to view a summary of the bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-poliquin-announce-significant-victory-made-usa-athletic-footwear-provision,"Collins, King, Poliquin Announce Significant Victory for Made-in-USA Athletic Footwear Provision",2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin today announced that the final 2017 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision championed by them that will require the Department of Defense to consider athletic footwear subject to the Berry Amendment by providing initial entry service members with American-made athlete shoes upon arrival at basic training. 
 
The provision, which is set to be approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate in the coming days, will be implemented over the course of the next two years and will support domestic manufacturing, protect jobs for dedicated American workers, including potentially hundreds in Maine, and help ensure that American troops are equipped and outfitted with high-quality uniform items made in the United States.
 
“This is a significant victory for American jobs and respected American manufacturers like New Balance who will now be able to compete for contracts to provide domestically produced athletic footwear to military recruits. For far too long, the Department of Defense has failed to apply the Berry Amendment to athletic footwear, and American manufacturers have paid the price,” Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin said in a joint statement. “With the successful inclusion of this provision, Congress and the Pentagon will finally prioritize and reward U.S. companies for creating and maintaining good-paying jobs here in the U.S. and will equip American troops with high-quality American-made athletic footwear. We will relentlessly push the Department of Defense to fully implement this already-overdue provision.”
 
The provision included in the final 2017 National Defense Authorization Act is similar to the Buy American Act introduced by Senators Collins and King and the Stepping up for American Workers and Troops Act introduced by Representative Poliquin. Both bills were introduced earlier this year. Representative Poliquin successfully pushed for adoption of the language in the House-version of the NDAA in April, and again successfully defended its inclusion in May despite strong opposition from special interest groups who attempted a floor vote to nullify the language. Senator King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, fought to successfully add the legislation as an amendment to the Senate-version of the NDAA during the Committee’s markup of the bill in May.
 
“New Balance is proud to be the only major company that still makes athletic footwear in the United States. We are grateful that the U.S. House and Senate has again agreed that our military’s domestic purchasing requirements as stated by law need to be followed. On behalf of the hundreds of men and women in our five New England shoe factories, we want to thank Senator King, Senator Collins and Representative Poliquin for their tireless advocacy in serving the state of Maine,” said Rob DeMartini, President and CEO, New Balance.
 
The final provision, which survived a conference committee between the House and Senate following the advocacy of Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin, mandates that the Department of Defense consider athletic footwear issued to military recruits as subject to the Berry Amendment, requiring the Department to treat athletic footwear like other uniform items. 
 
The Berry amendment, passed in 1941, requires the U.S. military to provide its personnel with American-made equipment and uniforms to the greatest extent possible. Despite this long-standing law, and despite the fact that it issues similar Berry Compliant items such as combat boots and service uniforms, the Department of Defense has not previously issued new recruits athletic footwear that is compliant with the Berry Amendment.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-sign-holiday-cards-servicemembers-veterans-their-families,"Collins, King Sign Holiday Cards for Servicemembers, Veterans & Their Families",2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, members of the Senate Military Family Caucus, today participated in the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program, which brings together Senators and Congressional staff to sign holiday cards for servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
 
            “The men and women serving in our military, along with their families and our nation’s veterans, have sacrificed beyond measure in the defense of the freedoms we cherish today,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Often times, their service has taken them to distant places – far from their loved ones and the comfort of home. It’s important to remember that, today, there are still many brave men and women in our Armed Services who can’t be with their loved ones this holiday season, which is why we should join together to support these heroes and their families and express our gratitude for all they do on our behalf. We commend our brave servicemembers, and we will continue to fight for them every day in the Senate.”
 
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/collins-mikulski-announce-passage-their-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-75th-anniversary,"Collins, Mikulski Announce Passage of Their Bipartisan Resolution Honoring 75th Anniversary of Civil Air Patrol",2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) today announced that their bipartisan resolution honoring the 75th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) passed the Senate unanimously. During World War II, CAPs provided homeland security and national defense, flying more than 24 million miles over 18 months.
“Since its founding 75 years ago, the Civil Air Patrol has been integral to America’s national security. Two coastal patrol bases located in Maine contributed to our nation’s defense during World War II, and today, hundreds of Civil Air Patrol members in Maine serve in a variety of roles, from search and rescue to disaster relief,"" said Senator Collins. ""Over the past 75 years, thousands of patriotic volunteers have helped keep our country safe. Our resolution honors the 75th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol and commends these individuals for their dedication to our nation.”
“The achievements of the Civil Air Patrol are important to this country and our history as Americans,” Senator Mikulski said. “My very own team has a CAP who serves among us. Mrs. O nobly trained as a Civil Air Patrolwoman. Now she serves the people of Maryland in my front office. She’s the kind of social glue we need more of in our communities and in Congress, living by the principles of her faith and a commitment to helping others and to public service. We must continue to promote and recognize our nation’s heroes and their outstanding bravery.”
The CAP was founded on December 1, 1941. CAPs provided homeland security and national defense, flying more than 24 million miles over 18 months and reported at least 170 possible submarine sightings. CAPs were among the first to allow woman and African Americans to fly in service to their country. Today, CAP is the primary Air Force resource for conducting search and rescue operations, as well as providing disaster relief support, drug interdiction operations, live organ transport, aerospace education, cadet programs and Reserve Officer Training Corps orientation flights. CAPs were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on May 30, 2014, to recognize their military service and exemplary record.
The text of Senators Collins and Mikulski’s resolution follows:
Title: Recognizing the vital role the Civil Air Patrol has played, and continues to play, in supporting the homeland security and national defense of the United States.
Whereas, on December 1, 1941, a new civilian defense organization known as the Civil Air Patrol was founded, which was to rely on volunteer civilian aviators who would fly in support of the homeland security of the United States;
Whereas with the attack on Pearl Harbor 6 days later and the entry of the United States into World War II, the Civil Air Patrol would find itself serving the United States in ways that were not imagined at the time of the conception of the Civil Air Patrol;
Whereas the Civil Air Patrol initially engaged in coastal patrol operations that were considered critical to the United States war effort, piloting aircraft that in total flew 24,000,000 miles over 18 months, reporting 173 possible enemy submarines, and dropping 82 bombs or depth charges;
Whereas Civil Air Patrol civilian volunteers flew privately owned light aircraft armed with military bombs at the expense of the volunteers, often at low altitude, in bad weather, and up to 60 miles from shore;
Whereas Civil Air Patrol civilian volunteers undertook other vital World War II missions nationwide, which included border patrols, search and rescue operations, courier and cargo services, and air defense and pilot training;
Whereas, unlike many organizations at the time, the Civil Air Patrol welcomed women into its ranks to fly for the Civil Air Patrol, with approximately one half of the women later joining the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (commonly known as “WASP”) after having first flown with the Civil Air Patrol;
Whereas the Civil Air Patrol was open to all pilots interested in flying for the Civil Air Patrol, which allowed African-Americans an opportunity to serve and fly for the United States well before the adoption of the integrated Armed Forces;
Whereas, in 2016, the Civil Air Patrol continues its critical mission in service to the United States, now as a vital partner for the Air Force, serving as the auxiliary force, and, since 2015, as an official component of the total force;
Whereas the Civil Air Patrol remains one of the premier inland search and rescue organizations of the United States, and was credited with saving the lives of 69 individuals through search and rescue operations in 2015;
Whereas the Civil Air Patrol continues to fulfill many other vital missions, including helping train interceptor pilots and unmanned aerial vehicle operators under realistic conditions, aerial observation missions, counterdrug operations, disaster relief support, live organ transport, aerospace education, cadet programs, and Reserve Officer Training Corps orientation flights;
Whereas the continued work of the all-volunteer force of the Civil Air Patrol offers vital support to homeland security and defense missions; and
Whereas the weekly youth and aerospace education programs of the Civil Air Patrol continue to introduce young students to the field of aviation and instill within the students the values of national service and personal responsibility: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) applauds the Civil Air Patrol for 75 years of continuous service in times of peace and war;
(2) recognizes the critical emergency services, training support, and mission capabilities that the Civil Air Patrol offers State and national homeland security agencies as well as the United States Armed Forces; and
(3) commends the more than 23,500 youth and 32,500 adult volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol, who hail from a range of professions and across the United States, and dedicate their time to the service of their communities and the United States.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/automated-and-self-driving-vehicles-life-saving-technology-could-revolutionize-our,Automated and Self-Driving Vehicles: The Life-Saving Technology that could Revolutionize Our Transportation System,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Susan M. Collins  Nov. 28, 2016
Cars that drive themselves and avoid accidents. Seniors and disabled individuals able to retain or gain their ability to get around town in autonomous vehicles. At first, it sounds like science fiction or an advance far off in the future. But this technology is being tested and perfected right now, and it could save thousands of lives.
As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, I recently held a hearing to examine the role of government in enhancing roadway safety through the careful deployment of automated and self-driving vehicles, which could revolutionize our transportation system. Following the release by the U.S. Department of Transportation in late September of a new federal policy to guide the development and deployment of this new generation of motor vehicles, our hearing, with a panel of expert witnesses, focused on how automakers could bring the safety and mobility benefits of autonomous vehicles into the marketplace without unnecessary government regulations stifling innovation.
More than 35,000 lives were lost in crashes on U.S. roadways in 2015, and preliminary estimates indicate that there was a 10 percent increase in roadway fatalities in the first half of 2016. More than 90 percent of roadway crashes are the result of human factors, or simply put, driver error, such as distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding. The testing and safe deployment of automated vehicle technologies have the potential to reduce substantially this number of preventable driver-related crashes and fatalities. If the technology were perfected, automated vehicles could eliminate many of the crashes on our nation’s roadways and save thousands of lives every year.
In addition, self-driving vehicles can provide mobility options to our seniors and disabled populations, particularly those living in rural communities like here in Maine, where too many of our older drivers currently do not have an easy way to get to the doctor or to the grocery store. Public transportation is nonexistent in much of Maine, and taxi service is very limited in rural areas.
Seniors who can no longer drive often have very few options. A self-driving car, or even one with limited automated features, could help seniors feel more comfortable driving at night and could help those who currently must rely on others to get around to maintain their independence.
While fully self-driving autonomous vehicles are still years away from being available to the general public, many new vehicles already have driver-assist features such as automatic emergency breaking, rearview cameras, and lane-keep assist systems. These technologies are already saving lives and reducing injuries on our roadways. Further, one of our witnesses stated that, by reducing congestion and aggressive driving, self-driving vehicles could save time and fuel while improving air quality.
Automated vehicle technology is advancing faster than government agencies can act, and impeding innovation may prevent us from saving lives. The Department of Transportation’s new policy begins to address that issue with a voluntary 15-point “safety assessment” that incentivizes automakers to certify they have addressed all relevant issues ranging from cybersecurity, to human-machine interface, to ethical considerations.
From Ford and Tesla to Google and Uber, automated and self-driving vehicle technology is advancing rapidly. Given the public’s keen interest in these vehicles, the federal, state, and local governments must take a balanced approach in allowing for their research, development, and deployment. It is particularly important that federal agencies work with state and local governments, as well as manufacturers and technology companies, to ensure that this transportation revolution advances both safety and the spirit of innovation that could literally save lives.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-500000-eastern-maine-economic-development,"Collins, King Announce $500,000 for Eastern Maine Economic Development",2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded a $500,000 Economic Recovery Assistance grant to Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC). The funding will be used to establish a plan to support redevelopment and revitalization in Eastern Maine and to provide assistance to businesses that have been affected by the closure of manufacturing plants.
“Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for promoting business expansion and robust job growth,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “By supporting the establishment and revitalization of local businesses in Eastern Maine, this investment will help communities and entrepreneurs attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen our state’s economy.”
EMDC is a private, non-profit organization established in 1967. The Corporation is located in Bangor and serves the four Eastern Counties of Maine: Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis Counties as well as portions of Waldo County.
As the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) fosters regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. Through strategic investments that foster job creation and attract private investment, EDA supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-statement-nomination-elaine-chao-be-transportation-secretary,Senator Collins' Statement on the Nomination of Elaine Chao to be Transportation Secretary,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins' Statement on the Nomination of Elaine Chao to be Transportation Secretary  
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Tue, 11/29/2016 - 13:49    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. —Following the nomination of Elaine Chao to be the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, issued this statement:
“Elaine is an enormously bright and capable leader whom I have known for many years. She will bring a wealth of experience to this post given her previous experience in the Executive branch, including her service in President George Bush’s cabinet as well as her service as deputy secretary of transportation during President George H.W. Bush’s administration.
“As the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I look forward to working with Elaine to improve our nation’s transportation system.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/continuation-their-efforts-protect-seniors-exploitation-aging-committee-chairman-collins,"In a Continuation of Their Efforts to Protect Seniors from Exploitation, Aging Committee Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill to Unveil Report on Elder Financial Abuse",2016-11-28,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, November 30th, at 2:30 p.m. in Dirksen 562
Click HERE to watch live
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Claire McCaskill, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee, will hold a hearing on Wednesday, November 30th, titled, “Trust Betrayed: Financial Abuse of Older Americans by Guardians and Others in Power."" During the hearing, the Committee will unveil a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report requested by Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill on guardianship abuse.
In addition to robbing seniors of their hard-earned savings, financial abuse of older adults often puts seniors’ health and safety at risk. The scope of this form of exploitation is broad and can be perpetrated by a range of fiduciaries, such as a court-appointed guardian, a family member with power of attorney privileges, or a senior’s personal attorney. In addition, senior financial abuse can be committed by “friends” or family members who are handling the victim’s affairs informally.
The GAO’s report builds on a previous study it released in 2010, which found hundreds of cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation and identified $5.4 million that had been improperly diverted. The updated report, which will be released for the first time at the Aging Committee’s hearing, assesses several states’ progress to improve data on guardianships and increase oversight of the guardianship process. The report also analyzes several recent cases of guardianship abuse and provides recommendations on steps that can be taken to protect seniors.
Witnesses for the hearing will include:
 
Kathryn Larin, Acting Director, Forensic Audit and Investigative Services Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office, (Washington, D.C.)
Cate Boyko, Manager, Minnesota Conservator Account Auditing Program, (Ramsey, MN)
Jaye Martin, Executive Director, Maine Legal Services for the Elderly, (Augusta, ME)
Jessica Kruse, Attorney, Ozarks Elder Law, (Springfield, MO)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/poised-progress-learning-about-promising-advances-alzheimers-research,Poised for Progress: Learning About Promising Advances in Alzheimer's Research,2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Susan M. Collins  November 22, 2016
Biomedical research is changing lives and changing the world. During my time in the Senate, I have made it a priority to visit labs, equipment manufacturers, and educational institutions—here in Maine and across the country—that are on the cutting-edge of science and technological innovation. Recently, a Maine resident with ties to the University of Pennsylvania invited me to tour a research lab there and to speak with scientists who are conducting exciting studies of the human brain that may one day lead to a cure or effective treatments for devastating diseases like Alzheimer’s.
During my visit, I peered inside a brain ravaged by Alzheimer’s disease and a brain that was not. The difference was striking. The disease-riddled brain had shriveled to half the original size, and the ventricle had enlarged to what looked like a gaping hole in the brain. Many families are familiar with the tragic symptoms of Alzheimer’s: memory loss that disrupts life, confusion with time and place, trouble understanding, difficulty completing tasks, social withdrawal, changes in mood and personality, and inability to recognize loved ones. But seeing the signs in the brain demonstrated clearly the destructive nature of the disease and the promise of the research underway.
I have served as Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s since I founded it in the Senate in 2004. Earlier this year, I helped secure nearly $1.4 billion in federal funding for Alzheimer’s research that is included in the bill that would fund the National Institutes of Health. That’s a $400 million increase over last year and would build on the $350 million increase that I successfully advocated for in 2015. If enacted, this funding will represent significant progress toward the goal of providing $2 billion per year for Alzheimer’s research, the amount experts say is needed to find a means of prevention or effective treatments by the year 2025.
At the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at the University of Pennsylvania, and in research centers like The Jackson Laboratory here in Maine and others, NIH funding is making a difference. The Penn researchers with whom I met described promising trials that are underway to solve the mystery of Alzheimer’s.
The research is exciting; clinical trials are underway, and new developments are happening every day. Scientists are beginning to conduct randomized controlled trials on lifestyle factors including the impact of diet and exercise on cognitive health. The researchers at Penn told me that changes to our lifestyles could potentially reduce or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in people who do not have the gene associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
I also had the opportunity to learn more about cutting-edge biomedical research being conducted at Harvard University, where researchers are examining the role of a gene regulator that helps protect aging neurons from stress, like the toxic effects of abnormal proteins, and whether this protective regulator can be stimulated to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Currently, most of the Alzheimer’s drug candidates under development seek to reduce Alzheimer’s disease pathologies. If the research at Harvard proves successful, however, it might open up entirely new avenues in Alzheimer’s research and development related to this protective mechanism in the aging brain.
The stakes are high. Alzheimer’s is ravaging brains and lives at an alarming rate – every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops the disease. Approximately 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease today, including 37,000 in Maine, and that number is soaring as our overall population grows older and lives longer. In addition to the devastating human cost, this escalation has dire implications for the federal budget. The United States currently spends more than $236 billion per year on Alzheimer’s treatment and care, including $160 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid, making it our nation’s costliest disease.
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease and Awareness Month. With historic increases in funding, and continued top-rate research, we are poised to finally make progress. But this is no time to take our foot off the accelerator. We must continue at full speed to advance this shared goal for families who have been touched by Alzheimer’s and for those who are at risk. One discovery at a time, we will find ways to re-shape aging, preserve brain health and well-being, and find that elusive cure.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-speaks-reeds-brook-middle-schools-blue-ribbon-ceremony-hampden,Senator Collins Speaks at Reeds Brook Middle School's Blue Ribbon Ceremony in Hampden,2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Hampden, ME — U.S. Senator Susan Collins congratulated the students, faculty, and staff at Reeds Brook Middle School’s Blue Ribbon Ceremony in Hampden today. The event celebrated Reeds Brook’s recent designation by the U.S. Department of Education.
“To be named a Blue Ribbon School is a tremendous honor. I am so impressed by how hard everyone works at Reeds Brook in the classroom and in extra activities like sports, music, and the arts,” said Senator Collins. “In addition to excellence in the classroom and in school activities, Reeds Brook has a wonderful tradition of serving your community.”
Darci Greenacre, an alumna of Reeds Brook and a member of Senator Collins’ staff, introduced Senator Collins at the celebration.
“I am especially happy to be here with Darci, an outstanding member of my staff in Washington and a 2002 graduate of Reeds Brook,” Senator Collins continued. “When I learned about all of the great things you do to become a Blue Ribbon School, I told Darci that now I know why she’s so good at her job serving the people of Maine and of our country.”
Reeds Brook Middle School’s Blue Ribbon designation recognizes the school's high learning standards and progress towards closing achievement gaps. Out of nearly 130,000 schools in America, Reeds Brook is one of just 329 to achieve this award this year.
Following her remarks, Senator Collins presented a copy of the statement she entered into the Congressional Record commending the Reeds Brook Middle School community on its Blue Ribbon designation, which she hoped, “will remind you how proud Maine is of you and inspire students in the years to come.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/sens-collins-mikulski-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-75th-anniversary-civil-air,"Sens. Collins, Mikulski Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring 75th Anniversary of Civil Air Patrol",2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) today announced they have introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring the 75th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). During World War II, CAPs provided homeland security and national defense, flying more than 24 million miles over 18 months.  
“Since its founding 75 years ago, the Civil Air Patrol has been integral to America’s national security. Two coastal patrol bases located in Maine contributed to our nation’s defense during World War II, and today, hundreds of Civil Air Patrol members in Maine serve in a variety of roles, from search and rescue to disaster relief,"" said Senator Collins.  ""Over the past 75 years, thousands of patriotic volunteers have helped keep our country safe. Our resolution honors the 75th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol and commends these individuals for their dedication to our nation.”
“The achievements of the Civil Air Patrol are important to this country and our history as Americans,” Senator Mikulski said. “My very own team has a CAP who serves among us. Mrs. O nobly trained as a Civil Air Patrolwoman. Now she serves the people of Maryland in my front office. She’s the kind of social glue we need more of in our communities and in Congress, living by the principles of her faith and a commitment to helping others and to public service. We must continue to promote and recognize our nation’s heroes and their outstanding bravery.”
The CAP was founded on December 1, 1941. CAPs provided homeland security and national defense, flying more than 24 million miles over 18 months and reported at least 170 possible submarine sightings. CAPs were among the first to allow woman and African Americans to fly in service to their country. Today, CAP is the primary Air Force resource for conducting search and rescue operations, as well as providing disaster relief support, drug interdiction operations, live organ transport, aerospace education, cadet programs and Reserve Officer Training Corps orientation flights. CAPs were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on May 30, 2014, to recognize their military service and exemplary record.
The text of Senators Collins and Mikulski’s resolution follows: 
Title: Recognizing the vital role the Civil Air Patrol has played, and continues to play, in supporting the homeland security and national defense of the United States.
Whereas, on December 1, 1941, a new civil defense organization known as the Civil Air Patrol was founded, which was to rely on volunteer civilian aviators who would fly in support of the homeland security of the United States;
Whereas with the attack on Pearl Harbor 6 days later and the entry of the United States into World War II, the Civil Air Patrol would find itself serving the United States in ways that were not imagined at the time of the conception of the Civil Air Patrol;
Whereas the Civil Air Patrol initially engaged in coastal patrol operations that were considered critical to the United States war effort, piloting aircraft that in total flew 24,000,000 miles over 18 months, reporting 173 possible enemy submarines, and dropping 82 bombs or depth charges;
Whereas Civil Air Patrol civilian volunteers flew privately owned light aircraft armed with military bombs at the expense of the volunteers, often at low altitude, in bad weather, and 60 miles or more from shore;
Whereas Civil Air Patrol civilian volunteers undertook other vital World War II missions nationwide, which included border patrols, search and rescue operations, courier and cargo services, and air defense and pilot training;
Whereas, unlike many organizations at the time, the Civil Air Patrol welcomed women into its ranks to fly for the Civil Air Patrol, with over \1/2\ of the women later joining the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (commonly known as “WASP”) after having first flown with the Civil Air Patrol;
Whereas the Civil Air Patrol was open to all pilots interested in flying for the Civil Air Patrol, which allowed African-Americans an opportunity to serve and fly for the United States well before the adoption of the integrated Armed Forces;
Whereas, in 2016, the Civil Air Patrol continues its critical mission in service to the United States, now as a vital partner for the Air Force, serving as the auxiliary force, and, since 2015, as an official component of the total force;
Whereas the Civil Air Patrol remains one of the premier inland search and rescue organizations of the United States, and was credited with saving the lives of 69 individuals through search and rescue operations in 2015;
Whereas the Civil Air Patrol continues to fulfill many other vital missions, including helping train interceptor pilots and unmanned aerial vehicle operators under realistic conditions, aerial observation missions, counterdrug operations, disaster relief support, live organ transport, aerospace education, cadet programs, and Reserve Officer Training Corps orientation flights;
Whereas the continued work of the all-volunteer force of the Civil Air Patrol offers vital support to homeland security and defense missions; and
Whereas the weekly youth and aerospace education programs of the Civil Air Patrol continue to introduce young students to the field of aviation and instill within the students the values of national service and personal responsibility: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) applauds the Civil Air Patrol for 75 years of continuous service in times of peace and war;
(2) recognizes the critical emergency services, training support, and mission capabilities that the Civil Air Patrol offers State and national homeland security agencies as well as the United States Armed Forces; and
(3) commends the more than 23,500 youth and 32,500 adult volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol, who hail from a range of professions and across the United States, and dedicate their time to the service of their communities and the United States.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-nearly-30-million-navy-contract-cianbro-psny-repairs,"Collins, King Announce Nearly $30 Million Navy Contract for Cianbro for PSNY Repairs",2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Collins, King Announce Nearly $30 Million Navy Contract for Cianbro for PSNY Repairs 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Mon, 11/21/2016 - 13:32    
    
    
    
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that Cianbro Corp. of Pittsfield has been awarded a $28,860,243 contract from the U.S. Navy to perform structural repairs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery.
 
“Portsmouth Naval Shipyard plays a critical role in the defense of our country, and it’s important that the shipyard has the tools and infrastructure needed to continue in that mission,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We applaud Cianbro for securing this competitive contract from the Navy and expect that their work on repairs will provide valuable support to the daily operations at PNSY.” 
 
This competitively-awarded contract will support repairs and modernization of pile supported open wharf structures at PSNY’s Berth 11. The project aims to restore the load carrying capacity of the crane rail system on the shipyard’s waterfront, while providing corrosion protection to the wharf. The work is expected to be completed by March 2019.
 
Cianbro is a construction and construction services company based in Pittsfield.
 
Senator Collins is a senior 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/collins-king-statement-leadership-transition-bath-iron-works,"Collins, King Statement on Leadership Transition at Bath Iron Works",2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Collins, King Statement on Leadership Transition at Bath Iron Works 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Mon, 11/21/2016 - 12:00    
    
    
    
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement today in response to the announcement that Dirk A. Lesko will succeed Fred Harris as President of Bath Iron Works on January 1, 2017:
 
“We commend the selection of Dirk Lesko to serve as the next President of Bath Iron Works. We have both worked with Dirk very closely over the years and are confident that his depth of experience, proven track record, and longstanding commitment to the yard will make him a good leader who will work well with the talented and skilled employees at BIW. We look forward to continuing to work with him in his new capacity to help position the shipyard for success in the future,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “We also want to thank Fred Harris for his years of dedicated service to Bath and wish him well as he enters retirement this January.”
 
Senator Collins is a senior 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/senator-collins-announces-yarmouth-native-selected-senate-page-program,Senator Collins Announces Yarmouth Native Selected to Senate Page Program,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that Yarmouth native Samuel “Sammy” Holmes Potter has been selected for the United States Senate Page Program for the spring of 2017. Sammy was nominated to the program by Senator Collins following a competitive selection process. He is the son of Ben and Dina Potter. 
“I am delighted to announce Sammy as a member of the Senate Page Program,” said Senator Collins. “Sammy is a highly motivated student with an impressive record of academic achievement and involvement in extracurricular activities. I am pleased that he will have this unique opportunity to become intimately familiar with how Congress operates.”
Sammy is a junior at Yarmouth High School, where he serves as the student body president. He is the founder of the Finance Club and the Table Tennis Club, and he participates in the Global Action Club, Be the Change Club, Student Newspaper, and Student Ambassadors. He is also a member of the varsity cross country team, varsity Nordic ski team, and varsity tennis team.
Sammy is highly involved in his community and has received awards for his leadership and community service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-congratulates-maine-potato-board-umaine-release-new-caribou-russet-potato,"Senator Collins Congratulates Maine Potato Board, UMaine on Release of New Caribou Russet Potato",2016-11-19,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bangor, ME — U.S. Senator Susan Collins attended the Maine Harvest Festival in Bangor today, where she congratulated the Maine Potato Board and University of Maine researchers on the release of the highly anticipated Caribou Russet potato. The Caribou Russet was first announced last spring. Since then, commercial seed has been developed, planted, and harvested, with the first crop being made widely available to consumers this weekend.
“Maine’s potato industry is essential to our economy and is responsible for the creation or support of approximately 5,000 jobs, with an annual economic impact of more than $540 million. As a native of Aroostook County, I was fortunate to have grown up amid the values of hard work, determination, innovation, and common sense that mark the potato industry and those who work in it,” said Senator Collins. “Today’s release of the Caribou Russet is the result of the productive partnership between the Maine Potato Board and the University of Maine. I commend Dr. Greg Porter, his UMaine research team, and the Board on their successful collaboration.”
The Caribou Russet, which was developed by the University of Maine, is a dual-purpose, russet-skinned variety potato with high yields, mid-season maturity, and moderate common scab resistance. In addition to fresh-market consumption, the new variety is expected to be useful for processing markets. Following the Maine Harvest Festival, the Caribou Russet will be available in select stores in Maine. As the supply is increased, the potato will be made available in more locations.
“It’s always exciting when we can introduce something new to the market,” said Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board. “This is particularly exciting because it is a really unique russet. We’re calling it the potato lover’s potato because it has a nice, rich flavor and is perfect for baking, mashing, or grilling. We think that people will really enjoy what they taste, and we’re looking forward to putting them in consumers’ hands this weekend in Bangor…Sen. Collins is very supportive of our industry, and shares in our excitement about the Caribou Russet.”
The 6th annual Maine Harvest Festival is presented by the Maine Potato Board. More than 150 venders and approximately 6,000 people are expected to attend the event over the course of the weekend. For more information on the Maine Potato Board, visit www.mainepotatoes.com.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-join-colleagues-calling-improved-mail-service-protections-comprehensive-postal,"Collins, King Join Colleagues Calling for Improved Mail Service Protections in Comprehensive Postal Reform Legislation",2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of more than 80 legislators from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in calling for adding lasting solutions to improve and protect mail delivery and service in comprehensive U.S. Postal Service reform legislation introduced in the House.
 
In the letter, which was led by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), Senators Collins and King pressed leaders of the House and Senate for better, more reliable mail service – which is often a critical lifeline for families and businesses across the country in both rural and urban areas. To address a significant decline in U.S. Postal Service performance – including a complete elimination of the overnight service standard – as well as mail processing plant consolidations and post office hour reductions, the senators and members called for improvements to the current postal reform legislation in the House so it would better protect and boost the reliability, accountability and transparency of the U.S. Postal Service. The legislators also encouraged the enforcement of improved mail delivery standards in part through continual review of affordable mail service options that will help keep the Postal Service strong for years to come.
 
“The Postal Service and its employees play a vital role in our nation,” Senators Collins and King and their colleagues wrote. “It is essential that we preserve the Postal Service’s commitment to the American public. For this reason, improving service needs to be a critical piece of any comprehensive postal reform bill, along with the needed reforms to return the Postal Service to fiscal sustainability. Continued poor mail service hurts rural America, businesses, and our economy.  Congress should take action to preserve and protect the vibrant institution that is our Postal Service so it, in turn, can help our communities and families truly thrive.”
 
A copy of the letter can be read HERE.
 
Together, the members of Congress are calling on congressional leaders to build on the progress of the current U.S. House of Representatives’ bipartisan Postal Reform Act of 2016, which would help improve the Postal Service’s financial condition. Additionally, the group is pushing for key provisions to strengthen mail service, improve delivery, and protect Postal Service customers, including:
 
·         Making mail service and delivery more reliable – The Postal Service needs a performance target system to make sure measurements of mail delivery are accurate across the country in urban and rural communities through an in-depth classification system.
·         Improving accountability and transparency at the Postal Service – Performance information must be published online and operational plans developed when mail service and delivery targets are not met.
·         Boosting enforcement to make sure the Postal Service meets mail delivery and service standards – The Postal Service must take action to meet its operational plans and not be able to lower mail service standards to come into compliance with performance targets.
·         Continuing to review the fiscal state of the Postal Service to help it remain solvent – Provide regular updates of a long-term solvency plan that would analyze the Postal Service’s finances and make recommendations regarding affordable service options.
 
In addition to Senators Collins, King, Heitkamp, and Moran, the following Senators signed the letter: Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Pat Roberts (R-Kans.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-speaks-sea-road-school%E2%80%99s-blue-ribbon-ceremony-kennebunk,Senator Collins Speaks at Sea Road Schools Blue Ribbon Ceremony in Kennebunk,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kennebunk, ME — U.S. Senator Susan Collins congratulated the students, faculty, and staff at Sea Road School’s Blue Ribbon Ceremony in Kennebunk today. The event celebrated Sea Road School’s recent designation by the U.S. Department of Education.
“To be named a Blue Ribbon School is a tremendous honor. It is an honor that all of you earned by working together,” said Senator Collins. “I was so impressed by how hard everyone works at Sea Road School in the classroom and in activities like sports, music, and the arts. This designation says a lot about how this whole community works together for good education.”
Sea Road School’s Blue Ribbon designation recognizes the school's high learning standards and progress towards closing achievement gaps. Out of nearly 130,000 schools in America, Sea Road School is one of just 329 to achieve this award this year.
During the event, Senator Collins presented Dr. Marquis with a copy of the statement she entered into the Congressional Record commending the Sea Road School community on its Blue Ribbon designation. Dr. Marquis also received the prestigious Bell Award from the U.S. Department of Education for outstanding school leadership.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/us-senator-susan-collins-statement-president-elect-trumps-nomination-attorney-general,U.S. Senator Susan Collins' Statement on President-Elect Trump's Nomination for Attorney General,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         U.S. Senator Susan Collins' Statement on President-Elect Trump's Nomination for Attorney General 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Fri, 11/18/2016 - 16:09    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump's intention to nominate Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) for United States Attorney General:
""Senator Jeff Sessions and I came to the Senate the same year, so I have known him for nearly 20 years. He is an individual who works hard, believes in public service, and acts with integrity. As a former U.S. Attorney and former Alabama Attorney General, Senator Sessions is well qualified and would serve our country well as United States Attorney General.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/bipartisan-bill-cosponsored-collins-king-protect-northern-border-unanimously-passes-senate,"Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King to Protect Northern Border Unanimously Passes Senate",2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that a bipartisan bill they cosponsored to help assess and strengthen American security at the Northern Border – the longest common land border in the world – passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate.
The bipartisan legislation, the Northern Border Security Review Act, would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a comprehensive examination of the current resources and personnel levels – as well as fully evaluate security threats and challenges at the border. At 5,500 miles long, including 1,500 miles between Alaska and Canada, the Northern Border has 120 border crossings, many of which are small and in rural areas.
“Maine law enforcement officers and border patrol agents are the first line of defense in maintaining the security of our border with Canada and protecting Maine from threats,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “By understanding the northern border's needs, strengths, and vulnerabilities, addressing recruiting and retention issues, and ensuring access to critical resources in rural areas, this legislation will play a significant role in bolstering our border security, supporting law enforcement, and keeping Maine citizens safe.”
Approximately 300,000 people and $910 million in trade cross the Northern Border every day, representing the largest bilateral flow of goods and people in the world. The Northern Border Security Review Act would require a comprehensive examination of the following issues:
 
Recruiting and retaining border security officials to cover the Northern Border, including at more remote areas of the border;
Determining tools border security officials need to effectively combat drug and human trafficking at the Northern Border;
Identifying technology that could expand the reach of border agents; and
Finding vulnerabilities in cooperation between Canadian, state, county, local, and tribal law enforcement.
 
The legislation was introduced by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). Additional cosponsors include Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Click here to view a summary of the bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-introduces-bipartisan-resolution-commemorating-national-apprenticeship-week,Senator Collins Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Commemorating National Apprenticeship Week,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, joined 13 Senators in introducing a bipartisan resolution designating the week of November 14, 2016, as National Apprenticeship Week.
“Few issues are as important to the American people as the availability of good jobs in our communities,” Senator Collins said. “I have met with many business owners in Maine who have jobs available but cannot find qualified and trained workers to fill these vacant positions. Our resolution recognizes the importance of apprenticeship programs, which help grow our economy and create opportunities for workers by preparing them for high-skill, high-wage jobs.”
A 2012 evaluation of registered apprenticeship programs by Mathematica Policy Research found that the tax return on every public dollar invested in registered apprenticeship programs was $27. It further found that individuals who completed registered apprenticeship programs earned over $240,000 more throughout their careers than individuals not participating in such programs.
Senators joining Senator Collins in introducing resolution designating National Apprenticeship Week included Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Al Franken (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
Read the full resolution HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-reed-lead-hearing-automated-and-self-driving-vehicle-revolution,"Senator Collins, Reed Lead Hearing on the Automated and Self-Driving Vehicle Revolution",2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click HERE to read a copy of Senator Collins’ opening statement  Click HERE to read a copy of Senator Reed’s opening statement
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, led a hearing this afternoon titled, “The Automated and Self-Driving Vehicle Revolution: What is the Role of Government?” The hearing examined the government’s role in promoting and regulating this new technology, which could save thousands of lives each year and provide new transportation options.
""Cars that drive themselves and avoid accidents. Seniors and disabled individuals able to retain or gain their ability to get around town. At first, it sounds like science fiction or an advance far off in the future. But this technology is being tested and perfected right now, and it could save thousands of lives,” said Senator Collins. ""Ninety-four percent of roadway crashes are the result of human factors, or simply put, driver error, such as distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding. These crashes are preventable, and we should do everything we can to eliminate them. That is why the government should promote the testing and deployment of automated vehicle technologies, which could substantially reduce driver-related crashes and fatalities, saving thousands of lives every year.""
“I commend Chairman Collins for convening this critical hearing. We have a responsibility to fulfill this technology’s promise and foster American innovation, while also keeping our roads safe,” said Senator Reed. “We must consider the consequences of these technological shifts for American workers and our economy. The impact of autonomous vehicles will be wide ranging and this hearing was an important step toward developing a roadmap toward integrating self-driving and autonomous vehicles into our transportation system.”
The development of automated and self-driving vehicles may prove to be the greatest personal transportation revolution since the personal automobile. Given that 35,092 people died on U.S. roadways in 2015 and that 94 percent of crashes can be tied to a human choice or error, automated vehicles have the potential to substantially reduce driver-related crashes and fatalities, saving thousands of lives every year, by correcting human mistakes or using technology that takes over the full driving responsibility. In addition, automated vehicles have the potential to improve mobility and provide transportation options to people with disabilities, aging populations, and communities where car ownership is prohibitively expensive. Automated vehicles also have the potential to save energy and reduce air pollution.
The hearing focused on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) recently issued Federal Automated Vehicles Policy (FAVP) and examined federal and state governments’ role in ensuring the safety of autonomous and automated vehicles. The DOT released its FAVP on September 20, 2016, which includes vehicle performance guidance, model state policy, an assessment of current regulatory tools, and a discussion of future regulatory tools for congressional consideration. Hearing witnesses discussed these guidelines and suggested improvements to regulations that promote safety while encouraging the swift adoption of this innovative and potentially lifesaving technology.
Witnesses
 
The Honorable Mark Rosekind, Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Click HERE to read a copy of his testimony.
The Honorable Deborah Hersman, President and CEO, National Safety Council. Click HERE to read a copy of her testimony.
The Honorable Paul Brubaker, President and CEO, Alliance for Transportation Innovation. Click HERE to read a copy of his testimony.
Dr. Nidhi Kalra, Senior Information Scientist, RAND Corporation. Click HERE to read a copy of her testimony.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-congratulates-commissioner-bernhardt-being-elected-president-association,Senator Collins Congratulates Commissioner Bernhardt on Being Elected President of the Association of the Nation's State DOTs,2016-11-16,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins Congratulates Commissioner Bernhardt on Being Elected President of the Association of the Nation's State DOTs 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Wed, 11/16/2016 - 13:58    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement following the announcement that David Bernhardt, the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, has been elected president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Board of Directors. Commissioner Bernhardt previously served as the vice president of AASHTO.
“I am delighted that David Bernhardt has been elected to be the president of AASHTO’s Board of Directors. During his more than three decades of service to Maine, David has demonstrated his strong leadership abilities and commitment to sound transportation policy, and he continues to be a valuable partner in our shared priority to improve infrastructure throughout the state. David did an excellent job advocating for our nation’s transportation system as vice president of AASHTO, and I wish him all the best as he takes on this impressive new responsibility.”
Click HERE to learn more about AASHTO.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-and-king-and-representative-poliquin-applaud-twin-rivers%E2%80%99-announcement,Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin Applaud Twin Rivers Announcement,2016-11-12,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin Applaud Twin Rivers’ Announcement 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Fri, 11/11/2016 - 19:36    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement from Twin Rivers:
""We applaud and congratulate Twin Rivers on this encouraging news, which builds on the company's decision to relocate research and development from Canada to UMaine's Target Technology Center with support from the Economic Development Administration,"" Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin said in a joint statement. ""This acquisition is further proof that the forest economy, with smart investment and innovative research and development efforts, has a bright future. We look forward to continuing to work to strengthen Maine's forest products industry and ensure the continued ‎prosperity of one of our greatest resources -- our forests -- for generations to come.""
More on Twin Rivers’ announcement can be found HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/senators-collins-and-king-and-representative-poliquin-applaud-twin,Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin Applaud Twin Rivers Announcement,2016-11-11,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement from Twin Rivers:
 
""We applaud and congratulate Twin Rivers on this encouraging news, which builds on the company's decision to relocate research and development from Canada to UMaine's Target Technology Center with support from the Economic Development Administration,"" Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin said in a joint statement. ""This acquisition is further proof that the forest economy, with smart investment and innovative research and development efforts, has a bright future. We look forward to continuing to work to strengthen Maine's forest products industry and ensure the continued ‎prosperity of one of our greatest resources -- our forests -- for generations to come.""
 
More on Twin Rivers’ announcement can be found HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-veterans-day-statement,Senator Collins Veterans Day Statement,2016-11-11,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins’ Veterans Day Statement 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Fri, 11/11/2016 - 13:19    
    
    
    
  
        
    
  
  
      
  
Washington, D.C. — In recognition of Veterans Day today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement:
“Like so many, the gratitude I feel for our veterans is steeped in more than history. It also is personal – I am one of the millions of Americans who have the privilege to call a veteran 'Dad.’
“Yesterday, I had the great pleasure to speak at the Rotary Club of Portland’s Veterans Appreciation Luncheon and join them and other Mainers to honor our state’s veterans and thank them for their service.
“The sacrifices made by veterans, those who serve today, and their families are great, and we owe them so much. The patriotic men and women of our armed forces pay the price of our freedom in times of conflict, and they are our shield in times of peace.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/senators-collins-and-king-and-representative-poliquin-announce-taa-0,Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin Announce TAA Benefits for Workers at Twin Rivers Paper,2016-11-10,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Bruce Poliquin announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved much-needed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for displaced employees at Twin Rivers Paper Company.
 
In July, Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez in support of the TAA petition, which was filed in advance of the Madawaska mill shutting down one of its five paper machines.
TAA benefits have also been extended to some former Madison Paper workers who were not included in an initial TAA certification granted when the mill closed last spring, including on-site contractors.
 
“This announcement is welcome news for the hardworking men and women at Twin Rivers who have, through no fault of their own, lost their jobs as a result of foreign competition,” said Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin in a joint statement. “TAA programs provide a crucial lifeline that enables displaced workers to acquire the new skills and training necessary to prepare for and pursue jobs in other industries so they can get back on their feet more quickly and continue making critical contributions to Maine’s communities and economy.”
 
TAA is a program of the Department of Labor that helps workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased imports or a shift of production outside of the United States. TAA provides these trade-affected workers with a variety of reemployment services and benefits to help them find new jobs and get back to work.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-20-million-department-education-grant-spurwink-services-maine,"Collins, King Announce $20 Million Department of Education Grant for Spurwink Services in Maine",2016-11-10,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Spurwink Services in Portland has been awarded a five-year, $20 million Investing in Innovation (i3) Scale-up grant from the Department of Education.  The funding will support Spurwink’s expansion of its Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) model that aims to improve student academic achievement in high schools. Senators Collins and King wrote a letter in July supporting Spurwink’s grant application.
“Spurwink and its partners have been doing great work through its innovative BARR model to help bolster student achievement, which is why we supported their grant application to the Department of Education,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This grant funding will allow Spurwink to expand on that positive impact for students and educators at schools in Maine and across the country.”
“Spurwink is really pleased to be able to provide the fundamental organizational and fiscal services necessary to scale up this very effective BARR model”, explains Spurwink President and CEO Eric Meyer, LCSW, MBA. “In Maine, the BARR model benefits from the ongoing behavioral health supports that Spurwink provides in public schools, helping students develop their social and emotional skills and engage more fully in learning.”
Spurwink’s BARR model aims to help educators connect with their students and promote student engagement. This evidence-based, whole school reform model has helped to transform school culture and student outcomes. It has demonstrated significant results in increasing credits and standardized tests scores for students in historically low-performing schools.
With this grant funding, Spurwink plans to expand the BARR program to an additional 161 schools. The grant will also support a randomized controlled trial study of the BARR model in 66 low-performing schools.
The i3 grant fund provides support to local education agencies and nonprofit organizations that partner with other local education agencies or schools. Scale-up grants require strong evidence and aim to bring proven programs to the national, regional or state scale.
Spurwink is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization that provides a broad range of education and behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults, and families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-and-king-and-representative-poliquin-announce-taa-benefits-workers-twin,Senator Collins and King and Representative Poliquin Announce TAA Benefits for Workers at Twin Rivers Paper,2016-11-10,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Bruce Poliquin announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved much-needed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for displaced employees at Twin Rivers Paper Company.
In July, Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez in support of the TAA petition, which was filed in advance of the Madawaska mill shutting down one of its five paper machines.
TAA benefits have also been extended to some former Madison Paper workers who were not included in an initial TAA certification granted when the mill closed last spring, including on-site contractors.
“This announcement is welcome news for the hardworking men and women at Twin Rivers who have, through no fault of their own, lost their jobs as a result of foreign competition,” said Senators Collins and King and Representative Poliquin in a joint statement. “TAA programs provide a crucial lifeline that enables displaced workers to acquire the new skills and training necessary to prepare for and pursue jobs in other industries so they can get back on their feet more quickly and continue making critical contributions to Maine’s communities and economy.”
TAA is a program of the Department of Labor that helps workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased imports or a shift of production outside of the United States. TAA provides these trade-affected workers with a variety of reemployment services and benefits to help them find new jobs and get back to work.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/us-senator-susan-collins-statement-result-2016-presidential-election,U.S. Senator Susan Collins' Statement on Result of the 2016 Presidential Election,2016-11-09,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         U.S. Senator Susan Collins' Statement on Result of the 2016 Presidential Election 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Wed, 11/09/2016 - 07:43    
    
    
    
  Bangor, ME — U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement regarding the result of the 2016 presidential election: 
""Today, I share the relief of many Americans that our long, divisive presidential election has finally drawn to a close. Donald Trump is the President-elect of our country, and I congratulate him on his victory. He faces the important task of reaching out to all Americans, supporters and opponents alike, to show that he is committed to healing the deep divisions that have frayed the social fabric of our nation. My hope is that President-elect Trump will focus on issues that unite us and that together we can usher in an era of accomplishment. I pledge to work with him in that effort.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-welcome-more-15-million-funding-support-9-maine-agricultural-producers,"Collins, King Welcome More Than $1.5 Million in Funding to Support 9 Maine Agricultural Producers",2016-11-07,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Collins, King Welcome More Than $1.5 Million in Funding to Support 9 Maine Agricultural Producers  
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Mon, 11/07/2016 - 09:53    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today welcomed an announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that it has awarded a total of $1,549,262 to nine Maine agricultural producers. The funding, awarded through the USDA's Rural Development Value Added Producer Grant Program, will support activities related to the processing and marketing of agricultural, value-added products. 
""This federal investment will assist local, independent farms across the state that are seeking to expand their product lines and customer base,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Maine-made food is renowned for its quality and taste, and we are pleased that this funding will allow more consumers to access the state’s homegrown products.”
The grant recipients in Maine are as follows:
Dickey Hill Farm in Monroe will receive $24,145 to assist with the branding, processing, marketing and distribution of organic winter greens.
Penobscot McCrum in Belfast will receive $248,000 to assist with personnel, ingredients, and marketing expenses associated with transforming raw potatoes into processed potato wedges and expand their existing customer base.
Jessica Laing Dowling in Whitefield will receive $177,717 to help produce and market artisan cheeses from goat and sheep milk.
Thirty Acre Farms in Whitefield will receive $250,000 to help expand the marketing and processing of sauerkraut and other fermented products made from organic vegetables.
Avena Botanicals in Rockport will receive $250,000 to assist with personnel, processing, and marketing costs to increase sales of organic, herbal products and expand their existing customer base.
American Unagi in Thomaston will receive $49,400 to help assess the feasibility and marketability of processed products made from farm-raised American eels.
Dogpatch Farm in Washington will receive $50,000 to help brand and direct market pork from critically rare Mulefoot Hogs.
Whitney Brook in Bridgewater will receive $250,000 used to help expand the farm’s market for organic seed potatoes and table stock potatoes.
Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner will receive $250,000 to help with brand unification, expanding product reach nationally, and to increase production of raw apple cider vinegar, hard cider, fruit wines, and carbonated sweet ciders.
This year, the USDA Rural Development Value Added Producer Program has contributed a total of $44 million nationwide to help small-scale agricultural producers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-welcomes-portland-native-her-washington-dc-office-0,"Senator Collins Welcomes Portland Native to Her Washington, D.C. Office",2016-11-07,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins Welcomes Portland Native to Her Washington, D.C. Office  
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:27    
    
    
    
  
        
    
  
  
      
  
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that Maggie Denekas, a Portland native, has been awarded a fall internship in her Washington, D.C., office. Maggie is the daughter of Betsy Pelikan and Craig Denekas of Portland. 
“It is always a pleasure to introduce Mainers to the nation’s capital and the legislative process, as well as give them an opportunity to serve the citizens of Maine,” said Senator Collins. “Maggie is a hard worker, and I am delighted to welcome her to my Washington, D.C., office.”
Maggie is first year student at American University in Washington, D.C., where she intends to study Environmental Science.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-welcomes-stockholm-native-her-washington-dc-office,"Senator Collins Welcomes Stockholm Native to Her Washington, D.C. Office",2016-11-07,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins Welcomes Stockholm Native to Her Washington, D.C. Office 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:33    
    
    
    
  
        
    
  
  
      
  
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that Elsa Thibodeau, a Stockholm native, has been awarded a fall internship in her Washington, D.C., office. Elsa is the daughter of Joe Thibodeau and Lisa Anderson of Stockholm.
“It is always a pleasure to give Mainers an opportunity to become actively involved in the legislative process here in Washington and to serve the citizens of Maine,” said Senator Collins. “Elsa has a strong work ethic and a commendable desire to serve the State of Maine, and I am delighted to welcome her to my Washington, D.C., office.”
Elsa has previously served as an intern in Senator Collins’ Caribou and Bangor offices. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maine in 2016 with a degree in international affairs, concentrating in women and gender studies, with minors in business administration and dance. Elsa is an accomplished dancer, who hopes to pursue a career in the international non-profit sector. She has a special interest in international women’s issues and combating human trafficking.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-welcomes-surry-native-her-washington-dc-office,"Senator Collins Welcomes Surry Native to Her Washington, D.C. Office",2016-11-07,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Senator Collins Welcomes Surry Native to Her Washington, D.C. Office  
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:23    
    
    
    
  
        
    
  
  
      
  
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that Charles Volkwein, a Surry native, has been awarded a fall internship in her Washington, D.C., office. Charles is the son of Ed and Regina Volkwein of Surry.
“It is always a pleasure to give Mainers an opportunity to become actively involved in the legislative process and to serve the citizens of Maine,” said Senator Collins. “Charlie is a hard worker with an impressive record of achievement, and I am delighted to welcome him back to my Washington, D.C., office.”
Charles graduated from College of the Holy Cross in May 2016. He previously served as an intern in Senator Susan Collins’ Washington, D.C., office in the fall of 2014. Charles intends to pursue a career in law and politics.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/welcoming-maines-honor-flight-tribute-sacrifice-our-veterans,Welcoming Maine's Honor Flight: A Tribute to the Sacrifice of our Veterans,2016-11-07,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Susan M. Collins
It is the American character to answer the call of duty. It also is the American character to be grateful to those who answer that call. On Veterans Day, we express that gratitude with school assemblies, parades, and ceremonies. Every day of the year, citizens here in Maine and across America join together in countless ways to support and thank those who serve.
One has only to look at the Troop Greeters, who have greeted more than a million troops at the Bangor Airport, to know how much the people of Maine value our service members. They treat our veterans with generosity and a spirit of caring, welcoming them back to our country on planes that arrive at all hours of the day and night.
A truly remarkable demonstration of this spirit is Honor Flight, a nationwide non-profit organization that transports veterans free of charge to Washington, D.C., so that they can visit and reflect at the memorials that commemorate their service. Since its founding in 2004, more than 180,000 veterans from 42 states have come to our nation’s capital through the generosity and compassion of Honor Flight and its many supporters – that includes nearly 21,000 last year alone.
This June, I had the great pleasure to welcome 26 Maine veterans, who had come to Washington through an Honor Flight, at the World War II Memorial. My father is a World War II veteran who visited the Memorial when it was dedicated, and it was so inspiring to join those Maine heroes at the Memorial honoring their service.
Many of the visitors at the World War II Memorial that morning thanked the Maine veterans for their service. In a moving tribute, as the veterans made their way to the Memorial, members of the public spontaneously lined up on both sides of the walkway and gave them a round of applause.
At another stop during their weekend tour, the Maine veterans visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore, where, during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key saw the American Flag still flying the morning after a battle and was inspired to write “The Star Spangled Banner.” At the fort, the Maine veterans were joined by young students from California to unfurl an enormous 30-by-42-foot flag, identical to the one that withstood the battle. It is so encouraging to know that our young people respect and honor our veterans.
As I travel throughout our great state, I see again and again an important quality among our veterans – they continue to serve long after their days in uniform come to an end. In civic affairs, community projects, and charities, our veterans step forward, giving back when they already have given so much.
That quality of continuing to serve led to the forming of the Honor Flights. In 2004, when the World War II Memorial was dedicated, Earl Morse was a retired Air Force Flight Surgeon working at a VA center in Ohio. After learning that many of his patients dearly wanted to visit the Memorial but could not, due to the cost or health issues, he took action. Joined by five other volunteer private pilots, he led a squadron of six small planes that flew 12 Ohio veterans to Washington in May of 2005.
As demand grew, so did volunteerism and financial support, and Earl’s project soon was able to use commercial flights. By the end of 2005, 137 Ohio veterans had been transported to Washington, and Jeff Miller, a son of a veteran from North Carolina, worked with Earl to make the Honor Flight Network a national endeavor.
From air fare, ground transport, meals, and lodging to medical staff and wheelchairs, everything is provided at no cost to the veterans. It is noteworthy that in 2015, the first all-female Honor Flight was held, with 140 women veterans visiting Washington. And the people of Maine should be proud to know that Earl Morse relocated to our state four years ago and now serves our veterans at the VA clinic in Bangor.
While Mainers join all Americans in honoring our veterans every day, we also take time to pay tribute to them on Veterans Day, one of the most sacred days on our nation’s calendar. The origin of Veterans Day is well known: it commemorates the moment when the guns of the First World War fell silent on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1918. It marks not conquest, but peace earned through valor and sacrifice.
It is estimated that some 48 million Americans have served in uniform since the founding of our nation. Today, more than 22 million veterans live among us, more than 127,000 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.
Those virtues echo throughout American history, so it is appropriate that Veterans Day now honors all who have defended our nation. Whether they serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or the Merchant Marines, whether they serve in the active duty forces, the National Guard, or the Reserves, patriotic men and women pay the price of our freedom in times of conflict, and they are our shield in times of peace.
The sacrifices made by veterans, those who serve today, and their families are great, and we owe them so much. As a Senator, I am committed to ensuring that these patriots receive the health care, rehabilitation services, education, and employment opportunities they have earned. As an American, I share the gratitude and respect that is exemplified in such wonderful programs that honor veterans’ service and sacrifice like the Honor Flights.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-welcome-44-million-investment-water-infrastructure-boothbay-harbor-and,"Collins, King Welcome $4.4 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure for Boothbay Harbor and Vassalboro",2016-11-04,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that it is investing $4.4 million to assist the Boothbay Harbor Sewer District and Vassalboro Sanitary District. Boothbay Harbor will receive a $450,000 Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and a $150,000 grant, and Vassalboro will receive a $2,113,000 Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and a $1,700,000 grant.
 
“Water infrastructure helps to set a foundation for the health and safety of communities across Maine,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Investments like these from USDA Rural Development play an important role in that effort, marshaling critical resources for Maine people.”
 
The Boothbay Harbor Sewer District will use this support for upgrades to its sewer distribution system. The Vassalboro Sanitary District will make an interconnection with the Town of Winslow to facilitate treatment at the Kennebec Sanitary Treatment District's Regional wastewater treatment facility.
 
These Maine investments come through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs, and are part of a nationwide announcement of $264 million in loans and $67 million in grants.  These programs provide assistance and financing to communities with 10,000 or fewer residents to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-attends-messalonskee-middle-schools-veterans-appreciation-ceremony,Senator Collins Attends Messalonskee Middle School's Veterans Appreciation Ceremony,2016-11-04,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click HERE and HERE for high resolution photos of Senator Collins thanking veterans
Click HERE for a high resolution photo of Senator Collins with Messalonskee Middle School students
Oakland, ME— U.S. Senator Susan Collins attended Messalonskee Middle School’s Veterans Appreciation Ceremony in Oakland this morning. Senator Collins delivered remarks at the ceremony, which also included student presentations and music honoring veterans’ service.
“Messalonskee Middle School has a great Veterans Day tradition of honoring the men and women who serve our county, and I am delighted to join you today,” Senator Collins told the audience of approximately 500 students, veterans, parents, faculty, and staff who attended the event.
“Throughout our nation’s history, ordinary citizens have left the safety of home to preserve our freedom and to extend the blessings of freedom to others,” Senator Collins continued. “This assembly is a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude. You will never be forgotten. Your service will always be honored.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/us-senators-collins-shaheen-urge-medicare-ensure-coverage-lifesaving-diabetes-treatments,"U.S. Senators Collins, Shaheen Urge Medicare to Ensure Coverage for Lifesaving Diabetes Treatments",2016-11-04,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the Co-Chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, sent a bipartisan letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt today urging him to provide Medicare coverage for lifesaving, clinically appropriate treatment for diabetes. Senators Collins and Shaheen have consistently fought to increase funding for diabetes research and to promote better health care for people with diabetes.
Insulin-dependent Medicare beneficiaries rely on therapies such as continuous glucose monitors, which can provide real-time readings and data about blood glucose levels, as well as patch pumps, which provide continuous insulin delivery from a patch, to help manage their disease. While many of these treatments are covered by private insurance, Medicare does not cover these devices. As a result, many individuals with diabetes must begin paying for these lifesaving devices out-of-pocket when they age into Medicare.
“Effective management of diabetes is crucial to our efforts to hold down health care costs, and helping seniors to manage their diabetes successfully can allow them to continue to live healthier and more productive lives,” Senators Collins and Shaheen wrote. “We continue to be surprised and troubled that insulin-dependent Medicare beneficiaries are being denied coverage for diabetes therapies that are available to people with private health insurance… We urge you to work expeditiously to ensure that Medicare coverage polices encourage rather than discourage clinically appropriate treatment, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and to review the procedures at CMS that have resulted in these disparities in coverage.”
Senators Collins and Shaheen introduced the Medicare CGM Access Act of 2015 to create a separate benefit category under Medicare for the continuous glucose monitor and to require coverage of the device for individuals meeting certain medical criteria.
Diabetes affects nearly 30 million Americans nationwide, and it has been estimated that the number of Americans living with the disease will double and the related health care costs will nearly triple by 2035. Since Senator Collins founded the Senate Diabetes Caucus in 1997, funding for diabetes research has more than tripled from $319 million in 1997 to more than a billion dollars in 2016.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-stabenow-markey-capito-applaud-announcement-medicare-will-implement-hope-alzheimer,"Collins, Stabenow, Markey, Capito Applaud Announcement that Medicare Will Implement HOPE for Alzheimers Act, Pay for New Care Plans to Provide Support to Families of Alzheimers patients",2016-11-03,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced that for the first time Medicare will pay for new individual care plans to support Alzheimer’s patients and their families. This new coverage will begin in January 2017. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid finalized its decision, first proposed earlier in July, to pay for the new plans, effectively implementing Senators Collins and Stabenow’s Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act, which was coauthored by Senators Markey and Capito and cosponsored by 54 other Senators.
“Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that takes a tremendous personal and economic toll on millions of individuals as well as their family caregivers,” said Senator Collins. “As the Co-Chair of the Senate Alzheimer’s Task Force, I know the importance of ensuring that newly-diagnosed individuals and their families obtain essential support through care planning, which was one of the provisions of our HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act. I am pleased that CMS has recognized the importance of this benefit and will begin covering these services in 2017, which is a real breakthrough. I will continue to work to help Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers receive the support they need.”
“Today’s announcement will make a major difference in the lives of Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones who help care for them every day,” said Senator Stabenow. “My HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act called for new care plans to be developed for patients and their families, and I’m pleased Medicare will begin paying for this vital service for the first time ever in the New Year.”
The HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act requires Medicare to pay for an individual care plan for newly diagnosed Alzheimer's patients. This new benefit would encourage doctors to give a clear diagnosis to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, including information about treatment options and what medical and community services are available.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/following-bipartisan-advocacy-led-us-senator-susan-collins-hhs-announces-policy-change,"Following Bipartisan Advocacy Led by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, HHS Announces Policy Change to Address Possible Contributing Factor to Opioid Crisis",2016-11-02,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — Following bipartisan advocacy led by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that it will immediately implement a policy change to address one possible contributing factor to the opioid crisis and heroin epidemic facing our country. Specifically, HHS will remove the pain management questions from the patient satisfaction survey that is tied to hospitals’ reimbursement rate. These questions may inadvertently encourage treatment with opioid pain relievers, contributing to the vast supply of prescription opioids currently in circulation in our country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health care providers wrote 259 million prescriptions for painkillers in 2012, enough for every American adult to have a bottle of pills. 
“Our nation’s opioid and heroin epidemic has devastated countless families and communities across the country. Physicians now face the complicated task of treating pain in an environment where abuse of prescription painkillers is one of the foremost public health challenges facing our nation. This epidemic requires us to examine our existing policies to ensure that they are not inadvertently contributing to our vast oversupply of opioids, which harms families and communities across America,” said Senator Collins. “For this reason, I led a bipartisan coalition of 26 Senators in urging HHS to examine the current patient satisfaction surveys. I am so pleased that HHS has taken action to eliminate this possible contributing factor to this burgeoning crisis.”
Prior to this final rule, a portion of Medicare funding was tied to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) assessment of the quality of care provided at hospitals across our country, which was based in part on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey that discharged patients complete regarding their experience of care. This survey asked discharged patients to respond to questions including, “During this hospital stay, how often was your pain well-controlled?” and “During this hospital stay, how often did the hospital staff do everything they could to help you with your pain?” CMS is developing alternative questions for assessing the management of a patient’s pain through focus group evaluation, field testing, and stakeholder input.
Earlier this year, Senator Collins led a bipartisan letter signed by 26 Senators that expressed concern that the patient satisfaction survey may inadvertently encourage treatment with opioid pain relievers, contributing to the vast supply of prescription opioids currently in circulation. Senator Collins also chaired an Aging Committee hearing to underscore the concerns she raised in her letter to CMS officials.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-receives-award-helping-vulnerable-mainers-speaks-about-her-bill-fight,"Senator Collins Receives Award for Helping Vulnerable Mainers, Speaks About Her Bill to Fight Poverty",2016-11-02,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins received Maine Community Action’s 2016 Star of Community Action award yesterday at the Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) Center in Houlton. 
Kara Hay, the President of the Maine Community Action Association Board of Directors, presented Senator Collins with the award, which recognizes individuals who have advocated for or defended low-income people in the face of serious challenges and have made a significant difference in the lives of Maine’s most vulnerable citizens.
“It is such an honor to receive Maine Community Action’s 2016 Star of Community Action award and meet with ACAP’s dedicated staff,” said Senator Collins. “ACAP makes such a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and helps to strengthen our communities.”
Senator Collins also discussed her bipartisan Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act, legislation she coauthored with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) that proposes a new, multigenerational approach to fighting poverty. Senator Collins noted that many organizations like ACAP and others in Maine are leading this initiative because they know how important it is to help entire families, not just individuals.
“The Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act I coauthored is designed to encourage and support the comprehensive models used by programs like ACAP. This approach brings together a range of services under one roof to equip parents and children with the tools they need to succeed and become self-sufficient,” Senator Collins continued. “We share a commitment to ensuring that a child’s ZIP code does not determine his or her future success. I applaud ACAP’s efforts and look forward to our continued partnership.”
Following the award presentation, Senator Collins was led by ACAP Executive Director and CEO Jason Parent on a tour of ACAP’s Houlton facility and met with staff. ACAP provides community health services, workforce development, energy and housing assistance, and early child education to serve low-income residents of Aroostook County.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-427000-help-maine-small-businesses-increase-energy-efficiency,"Collins, King Announce $427,000 to Help Maine Small Businesses Increase Energy Efficiency",2016-11-01,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest a total of $427,000 to help six Maine small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems or upgrade to more energy efficient equipment. The grants were awarded through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
“These investments will help Maine small businesses adopt cost-effective and efficient renewable energy systems that provide significant annual savings as well as environmental benefits,"" said Collins and King in a joint statement. “By cutting energy waste, small businesses can improve their bottom lines, increase their competiveness, and better support their local communities.”
The grant recipients in Maine are as follows:
 
Little River Flower Farm in Buxton will receive $42,226 to help purchase and install a 24 kW thin-film solar panel system integrated into the structure of a new greenhouse and for two new wood pellet boilers.
Double G Farms, Inc. in Blaine will receive $151,271 to help purchase and install a 219.2 kW solar PV ground-mounted system to benefit the farm.
KAPH Inc. in Eliot will receive $25,637 to help purchase and install a 39.75 kW roof-mounted solar array.
Maine Textiles International, LLC in Biddeford will receive $140,295 to help purchase and replace textile dyeing equipment at the Saco River Dyehouse, reducing annual energy consumption by approximately 85 percent.
Goranson Farm in Dresden will receive $17,696 to help purchase and install a 24.96 kW ground-mounted solar array.
S.P. Real Estate, LLC in Fort Kent will receive $49,875 to help purchase and install a 58.5 kW solar PV tracker system.
 
Since 2009, USDA’s REAP has invested nearly $13 billion to finance approximately 11,600 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide that in turn have reduced energy costs for 15,000 rural small businesses and farms. This year alone, REAP has invested a total of $237 million to support 423 businesses nationally.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-applaud-approval-norway-spruce-construction-grade-dimensional-lumber,"Collins, King Applaud Approval of Norway Spruce for Construction-Grade Dimensional Lumber",2016-11-01,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King applauded a decision to approve Norway spruce as construction-grade dimensional lumber. Senators Collins and King commended a team of researchers from the University of Maine that conducted extensive testing on the wood species, which informed the decision by the American Lumber Standards Committee to approve Norway spruce for use in construction.  The decision will benefit Maine landowners, loggers, lumber mills, retailers, and builders.
 
“Approval of Norway spruce as construction-grade is exciting news for Maine’s forest products industry and is a perfect example of how research and business communities can work together to create economic opportunities,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We applaud the team of researchers and students at the UMaine Composites Center whose hard work helped lead to this decision that will open doors for rural Maine.”
On October 30th, The American Lumber Standards Committee approved the inclusion of Norway spruce in the Spruce-Pine-Fir South grouping of wood species for home construction and industrial applications. That decision was based in part on the testing done at the UMaine Composites Center on lumber milled from Norway spruce.
 
The team of UMaine staff and students was led by wood composites manager Russell Edgar and wood composites technician Jon Hill. The team tested 1,320 pieces of lumber from Norway spruce grown in Maine, Vermont, New York and Wisconsin.
 
For more information on the Norway spruce species and its approval for construction use, click HERE.
 
More information on the testing conducted at UMaine is available HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-receives-award-work-congress-support-home-building-maine,Rep. Poliquin Receives Award for Work in Congress To Support Home Building in Maine,2016-10-31,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"ORONO – Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) was recognized for his work in Congress supporting home building in Maine. The Congressman was presented the Defender of Housing Award by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  Ashley Richards, the State President of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Maine, presented the award to the Congressman Friday in a ceremony in Orono.
 
 
Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:
 
“Owning a home is a goal that all Maine families should have the opportunity to achieve,” said Congressman Poliquin.  “It’s important that our federal government doesn’t stand in the way of our Maine families achieving homeownership with harmful policies and roadblocks. In Congress, I’m proud to be working for our Maine families to make the dream of homeownership more achievable.”
 
“Congressman Poliquin understands the key national issues facing home builders and remodelers here in Maine,” said HBA president Ashley Richards.  “The unfortunate effect of too much legislation and regulation is that it drives up the cost of housing, making it more difficult for families to afford a home. Homeownership is the engine that drives this nation, and the Defender of Housing Award goes to those men and women that enable more homes to be built.”
 
“Home building is by its very nature a series of productive partnerships between the home builder and his or her client, trade contractor, banker or architect,” said Ed Brady, chairman of the NAHB. “The Defender of Housing Award honors another very important partnership: our ongoing work with the lawmakers who, in many ways, create the blueprint for our businesses with their votes on legislation that define how our industry operates.”
 
NAHB created the Defender of Housing Award on behalf of the more than 700 state and local HBA’s across the country that make up the NAHB Federation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-mccaskill-applaud-announcement-major-legal-action-against-56-irs,"Senators Collins, McCaskill Applaud Announcement of Major Legal Action AGainst 56 IRS Impersonation Scammers, 5 Call Centers Located in India",2016-10-27,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Claire McCaskill, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee, applauded the announcement today by a group of federal agencies concerning the indictment of 56 individuals and five call centers located in India accused of preying on American seniors by impersonating government officials. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Trade Commission announced the indictments, the result of a three-year investigation that was the largest single domestic law enforcement action connected with the impersonation scam.
As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Aging Committee, Senators Collins and McCaskill have long led efforts to shed light on scams by encouraging a robust response from federal law enforcement agencies and cautioning all Americans, particularly seniors.
“Putting a stop to aggressive and ruthless scams such as the IRS impersonation scam has long been one of my highest priorities as Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee,” said Senator Collins. “I applaud the efforts of our law enforcement in making these significant arrests, which represents the largest single domestic law enforcement action ever involving the IRS scam. I am pleased that the Aging Committee’s work to raise awareness about these troubling scams continues to help the Department of Justice track down criminals who are intent on robbing Americans of their hard-earned money. These arrests should also put criminals on notice that we will be relentlessly pursuing these perpetrators.”
“These arrests—the largest law enforcement action against these scammers to date—are an enormous victory for the thousands of victims, many of them elderly, whose sense of financial responsibility has been preyed upon by these criminals,” said Senator McCaskill, a former courtroom prosecutor. “We’re now sending a clear and aggressive signal to these scam artists that they can no longer hide behind the anonymity of a call center or a blocked number to perpetuate a scam that’s made people afraid to answer their phones.”
Last April, Senators Collins and McCaskill held a hearing that examined IRS impersonation scams and work by law enforcement to put a stop to them and find and prosecute those involved.
In 2015, the Aging Committee’s Fraud Hotline (1-855-303-9470) received more than 1,100 calls from seniors across the country. The most common complaint reported to the Fraud Hotline continues to be the IRS impersonation scam. Data from the Fraud Hotline was used to publish a comprehensive anti-fraud resource guide titled, Fighting Fraud: U.S. Senate Aging Committee Identifies Top 10 Scams Targeting Our Nation’s Seniors.
According to the Government Accountability Office, seniors lose an estimated $2.9 billion to financial exploitation and fraud every year. With such scams reaching epidemic proportions across the country, the IRS has released several tips to help taxpayers identify suspicious calls that may be part of a scam:
The IRS will never call a taxpayer to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed a letter to the taxpayer.
The IRS will never demand that a taxpayer pay taxes without giving him or her the opportunity to question or appeal the amount claimed to be owed.
The IRS will never ask for a credit, debit, or gift card number over the phone.
The IRS will never threaten to send local police or other law enforcement to have a taxpayer arrested.
The IRS will never require a taxpayer to use a specific payment method for taxes, such as a prepaid debit card or gift card.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-urges-pentagon-halt-veterans-repayment-bonuses-applauds,"Rep. Poliquin Urges Pentagon to Halt Veterans Repayment of Bonuses, Applauds Pentagons Quick Action",2016-10-26,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ME,Bruce Poliquin,P000611,poliquin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) is acting to halt the Pentagon’s efforts to force former California National Guard members to repay the bonuses they earned and were promised.
 
Congressman Poliquin sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter asking for an immediate halt in efforts to recoup these bonuses and requesting information to better understand the reason behind the issue and its scope.  Today, the Pentagon announced it would cease these recoupment efforts.
 
Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:
 
“It was absolutely unacceptable for these Veterans to even be asked to repay the bonuses they earned and were promised,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I’m pleased the Pentagon realized this horrible mistake and acted quickly to stop it.  I’m poised to work with my colleagues in Congress and with the Department of the Defense in investigating the matter and making sure it never happens again.
 
“I believe the best way to repay our Veterans is to make sure they have the care and support they are owed and were promised. In Congress, caring for our Veterans is a top priority for me, which is why I’ve consistently voted for and supported bills to make sure they are cared for, like voting to increase funding to the VA.”
 
Congressman joined more than 175 Democrats and Republicans in sending the letter to Secretary Carter.
 
+++
 
Full text of the letter to Secretary Carter:
 
Dear Secretary Carter,
 
Nothing is more important and nothing binds our nation together like the support of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.  We write to you today as members of the National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus because we are concerned with continued reports about the ongoing recoupment of bonuses previously paid to Service Members, through no fault of the Service Member.
 
We ask that you immediately halt all ongoing efforts to recoup these bonuses while you review the processes and cases to ensure that Service Members are protected and that these actions are in best interests of the United States.  We also ask that you waive the recoupment in appropriate cases where the Service Member fulfilled their contract.
 
It is our understanding that Department of Defense (DoD) and the applicable service Secretaries already possess authority to approve erroneous payment collection waivers under current DoD Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R, and set forth in DoDD 1340.22, Waiver of Debts Resulting from Erroneous Payments of Pay and Allowances (dated January 8, 2005), which is codified at 32 C.F.R. Part 283, and DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1340.23, Waiver Procedures for Debts Resulting from Erroneous Pay and Allowances (dated February 14, 2006), which is codified at 32 C.F.R. Part 284.  If you do not believe you possess this authority, please let us know so Congress can take appropriate action.
 
Additionally, we ask that you provide the following information no later than December 1st, 2016:
 Has the authority outlined in the previous paragraph been used?  If so, in how many cases? 
	Have Service Members been educated on their ability to apply for this relief?
	Does the DoD, Department of the Army, or the National Guard Bureau (NGB) plan to grant a blanket waiver for all Service Member affected by improperly paid bonuses, that were no fault of the Service member? If you determine that a waiver in these cases is not appropriate we ask that you also provide the following information at your earliest convenience:
	A list of bonus recoupments that have occurred or are in process which you believe do not justify a recoupment waiver.  Please include:
		the Service Member’s component (including state National Guard if applicable)
			the original bonus amount
			the date when the bonus was issued
			the amount recouped
			the date the recoupment process started and completed
			the authorizing authority/office
			the reason the waiver is being denied.
		
	A list of bonuses fraudulently given since 2000, like those identified in the joint Federal Bureau of Investigations and United States Army Criminal Investigation Command investigation into Master Sergeant Toni L. Jaffe.  Please include what authorities these bonuses were given under and what authority are they being recouped under.
  
We are certain, as you have repeatedly stressed yourself, that taking care of our troops is a top priority for all of us.  We believe that recouping payments to troops who received the payments in good faith, and with the understanding that they were rightfully authorized this pay, is not in line with that effort.  Many of these men and women volunteered to serve as our country was surging forces overseas and did so with the promise that they and their families would receive additional financial compensation.  Seeking recoupment of these funds that were erroneously received through no fault of the Service Members is not in line with our promise to take care of those who stand up to answer the call of our nation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-applaud-director-wells-reserve-laudholm-winning-prestigious-noaa-conservation,"Collins, King Applaud Director of Wells Reserve at Laudholm for Winning Prestigious NOAA Conservation Award",2016-10-26,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King applauded Paul Dest, the Director of the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, for being one of only two people across the country to be awarded the 2016 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Senators wrote a letter supporting Mr. Dest’s nomination for the award. ‎ 
“We are proud and excited that Paul Dest has been chosen by NOAA for this significant conservation award,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “He and the entire team at the Wells Reserve are doing fantastic work to help study and conserve coastal ecosystems across Maine, and we are thrilled that Paul is being recognized for his dedication and leadership.”
The Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award is given every two years to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in habitat conservation in the coastal and marine environment. This year’s other award winner is Lynda Mapes, an environmental reporter with the Seattle Times. The pair will be honored in December at the National Summit on Coastal and Estuarine Restoration in New Orleans. 
The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is located in Wells, Maine. As a National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Wells Reserve works to build knowledge about coasts and estuaries, promote environmental learning, and involve communities in conservation – all with the goal of protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems throughout the Gulf of Maine.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-king-announce-more-15-million-help-improve-maine-schools,"Collins, King Announce More Than $1.5 Million to Help Improve Maine Schools",2016-10-25,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ME,Susan Collins,C001035,www.collins.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Newsroom 
                
    
    
      
      
  
        
                         Collins, King Announce More Than $1.5 Million to Help Improve Maine Schools 
                   
      
                              
  
    
        
      Posted Tue, 10/25/2016 - 12:31    
    
    
    
  Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Education will award a total of $1,518,333 in School Improvement Grants (SIG) to Maine to help improve high school graduation rates and narrow achievement gaps in public schools across the state.
“We must ensure that all students have the resources they need to meet their goals and broaden their academic horizons,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This funding will be vital to transforming schools that need the most support, improving opportunities for students and helping them to achieve success.”
The Maine Department of Education will award the SIG funds directly to local school districts that demonstrate the greatest need for the funds and the strongest commitment to using the funds to raise student achievement. Since 2009 the SIG program has invested over $7 billion to transform more than 1,800 of the country’s lowest performing schools",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z