U.S. Senator Susan Collins

09/02/2026

I applaud Congressman Jared Golden on his leadership in passing legislation that will extend the regulatory pause on North Atlantic right whale rulemaking until 2035.

This delay was first put in place in 2022 to protect Maine’s lobster industry, after proposed regulations threatened the very existence of the lobster fishery. Regulations on our nation’s fisheries must be based on rigorous, evidence-based science, not worst-case modeling that a three-judge panel found to be “very likely wrong.” Rep. Golden’s bill will allow the necessary time for sound research to be conducted.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation in the Senate and protect Maine’s working waterfronts and fishing communities from undue harm.

WASHINGTON — Maine’s lobstermen and the communities they support would get an extended reprieve from onerous new regulations related to the North Atlantic right whale until 2035 under a bill spearheaded by Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Mike Lawler (NY-17), which passed the House of Repres...

09/02/2026

Yesterday, the House passed the Continuing Resolution (CR) that, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked to craft with members of both chambers on both sides of the aisle. This stopgap funding measure will prevent a harmful government shutdown.

It also halts the implementation of the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed rule, which would politicize the grant process.

I hope this CR will quickly be signed into law and we can return to the crucial work of passing bipartisan appropriations bills.

The stopgap measure to fund the government through Dec. 11 now goes to President Donald Trump’s desk.

08/31/2026

Today, I visited American Rheinmetall in Biddeford, where highly skilled Mainers are manufacturing cutting-edge defense technologies, including the upgraded MK-93 weapon mount. The company recently won a competitive DOD contract worth more than $20 million to produce these mounts for the U.S. military. The contract will help the company expand operations at its Biddeford facility and strengthen Maine’s defense industrial base.

As American Rheinmetall and other defense manufacturers in this region grow, I will continue working to support their workforce needs. I have secured nearly $2.5 million to expand welding training facilities and upgrade workforce-training technology at York County Community College through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, helping prepare more Mainers for rewarding careers in this industry.

08/30/2026

For more than 60 years, Aroostook Mental Health Services has provided critical mental health and behavioral health services to people throughout northern and eastern Maine. It was wonderful to speak with members of the staff and tour AMHC’s newly renovated Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit in Calais yestreday. The unit is a lifeline for this community, offering 24/7 short-term residential crisis care, safety planning, and mental health stabilization.

The improvements at AMHC’s Calais crisis stabilization site, combined with its expert and compassionate staff, will help individuals and families in Washington County during their time of need. That is why I worked to secure $4.3 million through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to support renovations and expand the availability of behavioral health services for children and adults at this location.

08/30/2026

Access to affordable housing is critical to helping Maine seniors live comfortably and securely in the communities they love.

Today, I joined Sunrise Opportunities and members of the Calais community to celebrate the beautiful rehabilitation and renovation of the St. Croix Apartments. I was proud to secure federal funding to support this project, which restored 26 units of safe and affordable housing for seniors.

08/28/2026

Today, I joined the leaders from the University of Maine and its Advanced Structures and Composites Center for the christening and launch of 3Dirigo-X, a 30-foot, 3D-printed vessel designed to operate at high speeds.

This cutting-edge vessel represents an important advancement for American manufacturing and our national security and demonstrates the world-class research taking place here in Maine.

Throughout my Senate service, I have supported the pioneering work of Dr. Habib Dagher and his team at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center, securing federal funding to help expand the Center’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and construct its state-of-the-art 3D-printing Factory of the Future.

08/28/2026

Approximately $170 million in Maine goods would be subject to Canada’s announced tariffs, with roughly 62 percent coming from the forest products sector. These tariffs would threaten Maine jobs and businesses while raising costs for families across our state.

Today, I wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging the Administration to resume negotiations with Canada.

I appreciate that the Canadian government removed seafood and fish products, including lobster, from its proposed retaliatory tariff list, avoiding more than $200 million in potential tariffs on Maine’s lobster industry.

For Mainers, commerce with Canada is a regular occurrence, as Maine borders only one state but shares a 611-mile border with Canada. The United States and Canada must come back to the negotiating table and reach a fair agreement to prevent these damaging tariffs from taking effect and protect Maine workers, employers, and communities from unnecessary economic harm.

08/27/2026

Every law enforcement officer answers a call that sets them apart. Most of us wonder if we would have the courage to risk our lives in a moment of crisis to protect others. The men and women who wear the uniform demonstrate that courage every day.

Detective Ben Campbell answered that call and devoted his career to serving and protecting the people of Maine. He was killed in 2019 when he stopped to help a stranded driver on I-95 and was struck by a wheel that detached from a passing logging truck.

Today, I joined Detective Campbell’s widow, Hilary, his son, Everett, fellow law enforcement officers, and members of the Millinocket community to dedicate a bridge in his honor.

I was proud to help secure federal funding in 2018 to replace this bridge. Now bearing Detective Campbell’s name, it will remind generations to come of his courage and selfless service.

08/27/2026

I very much appreciate Canada’s decision to remove seafood and fish products from its retaliatory tariff list. These tariffs would have caused tremendous harm to Maine’s lobstermen, disrupting one of their most important markets during the fall fishing season.

I urge the U.S. to respond to this show of good faith from our Canadian friends by returning to the negotiating table and working to amicably resolve this trade dispute.

Canada is not China. Canada is one of our closest allies and largest trading partners. Our economies are inextricably linked, especially in the border regions. Continuing with these tariffs will harm Maine families, small businesses, municipalities, manufacturers, and farmers.

When I spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer this week, I stressed the negative impact U.S. tariffs will have on Maine — especially our forest, food, cement, road salt users and producers. Tariffs will also stress municipal budgets, as small towns in Maine rely on Canadian road salt and cannot afford to incur extra costs to keep their roads safe in the winter.

08/26/2026

Libraries have always held a special place in my heart. One of my first jobs as a teenager was reading to children during story hour at the public library in Caribou.

Public libraries educate, inspire, and bring communities together. That is why I have worked to secure more than $16 million over the past five years to upgrade nine libraries across Maine, including $1 million to support construction of the new Kenduskeag Public Library. The town’s existing library has no running water or bathrooms and lacks the space needed to host community programs and events.

Today, I joined community leaders in Kenduskeag for a truss signing ceremony to celebrate the progress on the town’s new library. It is wonderful to see this long-awaited project taking shape thanks to the vision and perseverance of the people of Kenduskeag.