The U.S. Senate has passed three appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026, marking the first time since 2018 that such legislation has cleared the chamber before the August recess. The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) and Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies bills were approved by votes of 87-9, while the Legislative Branch bill passed with an 81-15 vote.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, played a leading role in advancing these measures. The passage allows the bills to move forward to conference negotiations with the House of Representatives.
“Today’s legislative action marks the first time since 2018 that the Senate has passed appropriations bills before the start of August recess. The MilCon-VA bill would provide significant support for Maine’s shipbuilding workforce and National Guard. By assisting farmers and investing in critical agricultural research and nutrition programs, the Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA bill would support rural communities throughout the state,” said Senator Collins. “As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I am delighted with today's accomplishment and will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Key provisions in these bills include $9 million for projects supporting Maine's National Guard and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard under Congressionally Directed Spending. Nearly $228 million is allocated for power reliability and water resiliency upgrades at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to enhance utility systems supporting nuclear-powered submarines. Another $221 million is set aside for continued work on Multi-Mission Drydock #1 at Portsmouth.
The legislation also addresses broader infrastructure needs through report language urging timely Navy investment in public shipyard facilities under its Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). It highlights concerns about underutilization of GI Bill apprenticeship opportunities.
For agriculture-related initiatives in Maine, more than $25 million is directed toward local projects. There is a $10 million allocation—$3 million above last year—for PFAS research at the University of Maine’s Center of Excellence for PFAS solutions across agricultural systems. Potato research programs retain full funding from previous years.
School food authorities will continue to be able to serve potatoes through breakfast programs due to maintained provisions in this legislation. The Farm Services Agency is tasked with reporting on causes behind farm loss in New England along with historical data on acreage and crop types.
Additionally, $5 million supports FDA neurology drug policy development aimed at keeping pace with advances in brain science. Nutrition assistance programs serving low-income women, children, and seniors receive full funding.
