U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, provided her response to the President's Budget Request for the Fiscal Year 2026. Senator Collins noted that the budget request arrived later than expected and stated that "key details still remain outstanding."
In her statement, she expressed her concerns: "Based on my initial review, however, I have serious objections to the proposed freeze in our defense funding given the security challenges we face and to the proposed funding cuts to – and in some cases elimination of – programs like LIHEAP, TRIO, and those that support biomedical research." She underscored the Congress's role, asserting, "Ultimately, it is Congress that holds the power of the purse."
Senator Collins also emphasized the active role the Appropriations Committee will take moving forward. "The Appropriations Committee has an aggressive hearing schedule to learn more about the President’s proposal and assess funding needs for the coming year," she stated.
