Following a pledge to secure substantial federal funds for Maine during her election campaign, Senator Susan Collins secured re-election throughout President Donald Trump’s initial term. She managed this feat despite facing unprecedented levels of expenditure targeted against her and contrary to prevailing public opinion polls. When the president embarked upon his subsequent term, Collins assumed leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee—the first Mainers to do so in 92 years within one of the upper house’s most influential panels.
Nevertheless, Maine’s longest-serving congressional representative has attained this position of significant power as President Donald Trump seeks to upend the established system. According to Senator Susan Collins herself, her administration has unfairly revoked congressionally approved funding, sometimes targeting Maine specifically in moves seen as retaliation for the state’s opposition to his executive order restricting transgender rights.
Throughout Trump’s second term up until now, Collins, who belongs to the Republican Party, has occasionally opposed the president’s actions. This includes her efforts to limit tariffs by strengthening Congress’s authority over such decisions.
voting against a budget plan
Approved by the Senate in April due to potential reductions in Medicaid funding—the joint federal-state initiative providing healthcare coverage for low-income individuals and certain disabled persons—she now supports incorporating work requirements into the budget under consideration to restrict Medicaid eligibility.
Several of her voters are looking for increased public resistance.
I concentrate on outcomes rather than rhetoric,” Collins stated during an interview. “My objective isn’t to appear on Fox News and MSNBC just to yell and scream.
Collins outlined her approach for Maine Morning Star, mentioning that she has managed to restore some funding primarily through private discussions, leveraging the relationships she has built over time.
“It is much more impactful for me to, for instance, reinstate the funding that the administration seeks to reduce for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program, LIHEAP, which is crucial for the state of Maine, rather than delivering an impassioned speech somewhere that leads to no real changes,” Collins stated.
However, certain stakeholders contend that tackling fund restoration incrementally will proveUltimately futile since it may undermine the broader system of democratic oversight and balance.
Collins’ use of authority in public settings
In the initial days of his return to the White House, Collins stated.
she hoped the courts
Would support Congress if legal challenges arose regarding the president’s efforts to manage expenditures.
Now, with many cases in the courts, Collins stated, “Some of the measures implemented by the administration will be annulled by judicial decisions, and others will be reversed through the appropriation processes conducted by Congress.”
She stated, “If I object to the measures taken by the administration, I haven’t shied away from stepping in.”
Collins mentioned that she sought advice from the Trump administration for this purpose.
restore
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awards grants to the University of Maine,
renegotiate
the Maine Sea Grant program secured an exemption from the
hiring freeze
At Acadia National Park, she worked to reinstate an old program that lets parents sign up their infants for a Social Security number when they’re born at hospitals. Although this was something her spokesperson mentioned,
told
The Maine Morning Sentinel reported that the Social Security Administration Acting Commissioner, Leland Dudik, informed the senator it was a mistake, though reports later contradicted this.
revealed
He intentionally aimed to penalize Maine following Governor Janet Mills’ contentious debate with Trump regarding the state’s transgender protections.
However, certain voters in Maine believe that Collins ought to leverage her seniority—since she is the
seventh most senior
a member of the Senate and the longest-serving Republican woman — rather than mere incremental solutions.
Anne Scheer, a resident of Falmouth, who held a sign saying “Where’s Susan?” at a Tax Day protest in Augusta, expressed her desire for Senator Susan Collins to encourage her fellow Democrats to support democratic principles. She clarified that this stance does not necessarily have to be seen as opposing Trump.
“She must speak with her fellow Republicans and say, ‘That’s enough,'” Scheer stated.
Her ballot serves as the driving force behind governance, yet she possesses a platform where she can voice her ideas.
– Resident of Biddeford, Anthony Burgess
Jerry Kaufman, a resident of Cape Elizabeth and an independent voter who had previously protested against Collins during a rally in Biddeford back in April, stated that he would support Collins if she managed to persuade her peers to challenge the president and urge them to “put an end to this nonsense.”
“Exhibit some leadership and take some people with you,” Kaufman stated.
During that very demonstration, Biddeford local Anthony Burgess—a registered Democrat who had cast his vote for Collins back in 2014—condemned her expressions of worry and displeasure regarding certain policies of the Trump administration as insufficiently resolute.
He mentioned independent U.S. Senator Angus King’s
attendance at the “Keep Your Hands Off” protest
In Portland in April, his demonstration showed a defiance against Trump.
“Her vote serves as the engine of governance, yet she possesses a platform where she could voice her opinions,” Burgess stated.
In response to claims that she needs to do more to maintain the division of power, Collins highlighted her role in interrogating officials during subcommittee hearings.
A key role of subcommittees is to conduct hearings on budgetary proposals where members have the opportunity to directly interrogate agency leaders. Collins has taken part in questioning numerous officials.
including
The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., commented on the suggested removal of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
“We’re conducting these subcommittee hearings at an exceptionally rapid pace to review funding requests and cuts, along with evaluating adherence to congressional intentions and established legislation,” stated Collins.
Exercising private influence
Collins mentioned, though, that the public isn’t aware of what she considers her most effective strategy.
My aim is to address issues and resolve problems, primarily through federal hearings where I lay the groundwork for restoring funding cuts in biomedical research—a top priority for me,” Collins explained. “Additionally, I tackle this behind closed doors by contacting Cabinet members directly.
Collins mentioned that until now, she has mostly expressed her reservations about the administration through individual meetings.
conversations
.
In the past, this strategy has backfired on her, particularly when Collins supported Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh despite stating that he had concerns about him.
private assurances
He was not considered a danger to Roe v. Wade, the historic decision on abortion rights, which he would later vote to overrule.
More recently, as the deadline loomed to prevent a governmentshutdown, Collins stated that she began
texting with Tesla’s wealthy founder Elon Musk
, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency. That outreach does not appear to have gone as planned, at least for the immediate outcome.
While Collins initially
said
She was “definitely” against adopting a full-year stopgap measure, she informed Politico, adding that Republican leadership had different ideas.
asked her to begin drafting a plan for that strategy regardless
The version that made it through, crafted by the Republican Party’s leadership in the House, was eventually approved with minimal involvement from the fiscal authorities of both legislative chambers.
However, in some instances, she has highlighted successes from those private discussions, like the reinstatement of USDA funding and the revision of the Maine Sea Grant program.
“Thanks to my connections with President’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and various Cabinet members, I’ve managed to reinstate funds that were at risk,” Collins stated.
Mark Brewer, who heads the political science department at the University of Maine, views this as a distinctive advantage held solely by Collins.
“Considering that she is the sole Republican representative in the present Maine delegation and holds the position of committee chair, I believe she is more likely to engage in such communications compared to any other members,” stated Brewer.
But while Collins sees these behind-the-scenes negotiations as the most effective way to restore funding that, as she puts it, has been arbitrarily and unfairly cut from Maine, when it comes to attempts to gut entire programs, “that’s going to take legislation,” she said.
Republicans’ ‘big, beautiful bill’
The
sprawling budget bill
This is the primary platform where those efforts are now taking place.
Cokie Giles, a registered nurse working at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, joined National Nurses United in protesting outside Senator Collins’ office in Portland during March. They were demanding that the senator oppose potential reductions to Medicaid funding within the budget.
While Collins often talks about her ability to work across the aisle, Giles said, “Well, work on your own side, and don’t let these cuts go through.”
Following Collins’ expression of worries over potential reductions in Medicaid funding, she became one of only two Republican senators to oppose the budget framework that the chamber approved in early April. Giles informed Maine Morning Star that she felt satisfied yet remained doubtful about whether Collins’ stance would stay consistent throughout further budget discussions or if her vote would ultimately have an impact.
At the end of last month, the U.S. House barely managed to
approved
The extensive taxation and expenditure bill. This legislation will now move on to the Senate, where GOP legislators are anticipated to significantly amend it, with considerations for additional input.
more detailed budget plan
Trump released on Friday. The bill will then have to head back to the House for final approval, with a goal to get it to the president’s desk by the Fourth of July.
As approved by the House, the
1,116-page package
combines 11 bills. Among its many components, the current plan would overhaul Medicaid, reducing the program by $625 billion over 10 years under the latest estimate by the Congressional Budget Office.
Collins did not provide specific red lines that would lead her to not support the budget package, but she described Medicaid as critically important for Maine’s health care system and a vital resource for many seniors, low-income families, disabled patients and those who cannot work. She told Maine Morning Star she “cannot support proposals that would create more duress for our hospitals and providers that are already teetering on the edge of insolvency.”
Collins, however, endorses imposing additional restrictions on program eligibility, particularly “work mandates for fit men and women who can work and aren’t hindered by commitments that stop them from joining the labor force,” she stated.
According to what was approved by the House, individuals aged between 19 and 65 must engage in employment, volunteer work, or enroll in an education program for a minimum of 80 hours per month to qualify. However, this requirement includes several exemptions such as those applicable to expectant mothers, caregivers with young dependents, and persons dealing with significant health issues, amongst other cases.
Under these conditions, an estimated 34,000 residents of Maine would lose their Medicaid coverage, resulting in a reduction of federal funds by $215 million, as stated by the progressive organization.
Maine Center for Economic Policy
.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills warned in a radio address on Friday about these cuts, as well as others that would limit access to the Affordable Care Act
health insurance marketplaces
.
If you get healthcare via MaineCare or CoverME.gov, which falls under the Affordable Care Act, I urge you to reach out to Members of Congress to discuss how this coverage impacts your life,” Mills stated. “Your personal stories are crucial for them to hear.
Some shared their stories at a protest against Collins organized by the Maine Democratic Party in Bangor on Saturday, which drew almost 200 attendees who demanded the senator block the health care and other program cuts in the budget.
“In 2020, [Collins] told us that her seniority would protect us, that chairing Appropriations would give her the power to defend Maine’s interests,” said Shawn Yardley. “Her party now controls the White House and both chambers of Congress, but the cuts and the cruelty keep coming.”
Although Collins highlighted potential future effects on MaineCare at the federal level, she stated, “the state hasn’t been flawless regarding this matter.” The senator criticized the Maine Legislature for their shortcomings on this issue.
unsuccessful in reaching an agreement on the state budget
.
“The state is holding up more than $100 million in emergency supplemental funding that would draw down nearly $400 million federal funds,” Collins said.
The Maine Senate Republicans backed the supplementary budget proposal initially, as well as the biennial budget afterward, due to their desire for incorporating structural reforms into Medicaid—specifically, the work requirements that Senator Collins supports at the national level.
The previous month, the Maine House
failed to secure enough support
To expedite the release of Medicaid funds that have already been allotted. While some Republicans backed this move—even though their support wasn’t sufficient for passage—they argued that the state must settle its debts with healthcare providers. However, opponents labeled it as an unchecked expenditure they couldn’t endorse.
As Maine’s hospitals face challenges in maintaining their services, state organizations are urging Collins specifically to oppose reductions in federal healthcare funding along with cuts to child care and food aid through an online advertising initiative.
launched this week
Through Family Values @ Work Action, a nationwide coalition of state and local groups focused on advocating for supportive work environment initiatives.
“This package diverts essential provisions like food and medication away from Maine families to finance tax reductions for the affluent,” stated Destie Hohman Sprague, executive director of the Maine Women’s Lobby, on Monday.
In addition to numerous other elements, the proposed federal budget bill includes reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP. These changes introduce stricter work prerequisites and transfer part of the program’s financial burden to state administrations. As a consequence, Maine stands to forfeit certain federal matching funds due to extending coverage to particular groups of immigrants.
The proposed budget plan would likewise increase the debt ceiling by $4 trillion.
“We have an enormous deficit and debt,” Collins said, “and we do need to evaluate programs.”
As the Senate negotiates what to keep and do away with in the “big, beautiful bill” that represents the heart of Trump’s domestic agenda, how Maine’s senior senator chooses to use her influence, whether in public or not, will be put to the test.
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