Senator Susan Collins will be named Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, after it’s current leader Sen. Mitch McConnell announced earlier this week that he will be relinquishing the role for another position, making her one of the most powerful lawmakers in Congress.
The committee holds jurisdiction over all discretionary spending for the federal government, a role that positions Collins to influence funding for key initiatives nationwide and in Maine.
Although the new leadership of the Appropriations Committee won’t officially take effect until next year, Senator Susan Collins has already signaled her intention to assume the role. Currently serving as vice chair, Collins is one of the Senate’s most senior members.
In a statement sent to our media partner, WMTW, on Saturday, Collins outlined her priorities as chair, emphasizing a commitment to supporting Maine communities and advancing national objectives.
“My priorities will remain helping Maine’s communities, funding biomedical research to save and improve lives, improving our infrastructure, supporting rural economic development, and helping to strengthen our workforce by supporting education, job training, and childcare programs,” Collins said.
Over the past three years, Collins has secured more than $1 billion in federal funding for projects across Maine, including investments in local infrastructure, healthcare, and economic development.
“I look forward to continuing to work to ensure that federal spending produces real results for the American people and that our state’s needs are met,” she added.
The Senate Appropriations Committee is often referred to as one of the most powerful in Congress due to its control over discretionary funding, which differs from mandatory programs like Social Security.