WASHINGTON — Sen. Susan Collins (R) of Maine, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor Monday evening urging lawmakers to move forward on a three-bill fiscal 2026 appropriations package, as the Senate voted 80-13 to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed.
The package combines the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill; the Energy and Water Development bill; and the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill. Collins described the legislation as a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that she said would provide full-year appropriations for departments including Justice, Commerce, Energy and the Interior, while also funding the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Collins said the package was the result of months of negotiations and noted it passed the House last week by a 397-28 vote. She thanked House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, as well as Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray, and praised committee staff for their work. Collins also said the administration issued a statement supporting passage of the package.
In describing the Commerce, Justice and Science bill, Collins said it invests in economic development and trade relationships and supports state and local law enforcement through the Byrne formula program. She said the bill also funds space exploration and research, including the National Science Foundation, adding that funding proposed for cuts was restored. Collins said the package addresses how indirect research costs are handled at universities, nonprofit laboratories, medical institutions and hospitals, and other entities.
Collins also said the Commerce bill supports oceans and fisheries and weather programs, which she said are important to Maine’s working waterfronts. In her remarks, she referenced a recent fire on Portland’s working waterfront and described a community response involving fishermen and lobstermen, the wharf owner, restaurants and businesses.
Turning to the Interior bill, Collins said it provides resources for managing and conserving public lands while supporting energy programs and tribal programs. She said it includes provisions aimed at ensuring clean air, water and soil and gives federal firefighters tools to prepare for and suppress wildfires. Collins also said the bill includes funding to fight the spruce budworm, which she said is affecting Maine and other states.
Collins said the Energy and Water Development bill would improve water infrastructure and promote energy independence, while also strengthening the nation’s nuclear deterrence posture and supporting nuclear stockpile readiness and safety.
Collins said the bills were drafted with input from nearly every senator and reflect thousands of requests submitted to the Appropriations Committee, including programmatic requests and community development projects.
She said enactment of the package would bring the number of full-year fiscal 2026 appropriations signed into law to six, noting that Agriculture, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch bills were enacted in November.
Collins said final versions of the National Security, State Department and Related Programs, and Financial Services and General Government appropriations bills were released and publicly posted Sunday, and that the House is slated to take up additional appropriations bills this week. Collins said leadership intends to complete work on all 12 annual appropriations bills this month.
Collins thanked Majority Leader John Thune, saying he committed to bringing appropriations bills to the Senate floor and has supported the committee’s process.
