U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) will take over as the head of the extremely influential Senate Appropriations Committee after Republicans take power in January, succeeding Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in the powerful position.
“As chair of the senate appropriations committee, 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,” said Sen. Collins.
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the most senior senator on the committee, has announced that he plans to chair the smaller Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
That leaves the chairmanship of the full committee open to be filled by the current vice chair, Collins.
The Appropriations Committee wields enormous power over the operations of the U.S. government, with the ability to determine how much funding, if any, will go to most federal programs and agencies.
“The Appropriations Committee, through the annual appropriations bills, then decides how much funding each authorized federal government agency and program receives, effectively determining which can operate and to what extent,” says the committee’s website.
The committee does not have authority over federally mandated funding for programs such as Medicare, Social Security, and interest payments on the growing national debt. According to the committee website, those expenditures accounted for 72 percent of federal spending in 2023.
The success of many of President-elect Donald Trump’s proposals could rely on approval from the committee for necessary funding, including the funds needed to carry out a mass deportation program.
As head of the Appropriations Committee, Collins will be in a position to either significantly help or significantly hinder President Trump’s agenda.
Since Trump’s controversial cabinet began to form, Collins has stood with the Republicans most resistant to his agenda.
[RELATED: Recess Cancelled: Collins Wants ‘Extensive Investigations’ Into Trump’s Cabinet Nominees…]
She openly opposed Trump’s plan to use recess appointments, which were used by President Barack Obama, and President George Bush, to install his cabinet picks without lengthy confirmation hearings.
She also expressed skepticism over Trump’s public health picks, including his proposed Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Collins was also among the Republicans who stood against Trump’s first choice for Attorney General, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), eventually leading him to withdraw his name from consideration for the position.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="32744 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=32744">23 Comments
This will not turn out well, rino with a pocketbook. Deep state is not going down without a fight.
Hey,Susan, are you going to fund the quail drug/sex study again? Can you just hand over your appropriations to Rand Paul so they are documented in Susan,s “waste of our taxes we pay”
“Since Trump’s controversial cabinet began to form, Collins has stood with the Republicans most resistant to his agenda.”
I hope you are the TRUMP Train Senator!
I like TRUMPS health picks Senator
Anti Trump, should be a Democrat. Hopefully the GOP will give us a choice in a primary
When did our senator start looking like an extra from the walking dead. Time to give it up sweety your face is melting. Quit working on your legacy as being the GREAT Compromiser and try working for the people for a change (B)witch. A.B.C. Anyone But Collins. I was going to add even Judas Iscariot but there is no deference.
This does not bode well. She is a RINO and needs to go.
@chesire cat . Since she took the c- shots! I’ve watched my parents age super fast since they got it too! Pretty scary genetic shots!!
Lord help us.
Didn’t this old bat die 20 urs ago.
I will be glad to pay the tariffs Trump is imposing on China, Canada and Mexico for permitting drugs to come over our borders and KILLING our US Citizens.
We have stupid politicians in Maine who support Joe Biden and his open boarder’s
Google US companies with Chines ownership. And you to will know what to not support!
Senator Susan Collins’ announcement to run for reelection in 2026 raises serious concerns about her priorities and loyalty to Maine’s voters and conservative values. As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Collins wields significant power to support Maine’s economy and advance conservative policies. Yet, her record shows a consistent pattern of opposing President Trump’s America First agenda, even when it could have benefited Maine.
From blocking key Trump appointments to resisting his public health and immigration policies, Collins has repeatedly chosen to distance herself from the party’s leader, weakening conservative unity when it mattered most. While Collins touts her efforts for rural development and infrastructure, Mainers deserve a senator who unwaveringly aligns with their values and the state’s best interests—not someone who prioritizes bipartisan appeasement. It’s time for leadership that champions Maine and conservative principles without compromise.
When Susan Collins entered the Srnate in 1997 the national debt was 5.2 billion dollars. It is now over 36 trillion. This is her legacy as a Senator and why she shouldn’t be anywhere near the budget making process. Her political philosophy is well known and clear, go along to get along even if it bankrupts the country.
Sue, how much of the farm money go to China?
USDA data obtained by NPR shows more than 80% of Chinese-owned land is held by Smithfield Foods, and a billionaire named Sun Guangxin, through Brazos Highland Properties LP and Harvest Texas LLC. Sun used the companies to buy more than 100,000 acres in Texas for a wind farm. A friend of A. King?
Collins needs to have a primary challenger. She has done nothing for Maine and she should just change to a DemocRAT-Communist because that is what she is. She undermines every Republican president and Maine get screwed. She needs to retire along with King and Pingree. Mainers need to wake up and start voting in people who will help the state not line their own pockets with our money.
She might believe that she is being very clever in deceiving Maine Republicans. so dangerous to have her helping Marxists.
Looks like a burnt Q-tip.
This is not going to end well for Senator Collins. She’s been voting with the democrats since 2009 when Obama was in office! She has something in her background that she wants to keep quiet and now it’s all going to come out. She and Lisa Murkowski have been following the same path. Chellie Pingree was just exposed yesterday. She entered Congress with a net worth of $316,000 and then 4 years later her net worth jumped to $46,000,000! Chellie bought an island with a vacation house and a private jet to use to fly back and forth to Washington, DC! Insider trading???? We need to do some deep diving into our Maine politicians!
Well, if Trump gets his way, some of the fed agencies she’s supposed to ‘fund’ may not even be there to begin with. Hopefully the money saved from the downsizing will not become part of her ‘budget’ but will go towards paying down some debt.
I held my nose to vote for her against satanic Sara Gideon. But never ever again, even if I have to not vote for anyone for senator! She is an embarrassment to humanity, she has made life miserable for many especially for the elderly on fixed incomes! So The Republican party better get with the program and find a viable replacement for this fraud!
Billy Bob Faulkingham should run against her in the next primary.