Senator Susan Collins

Senators Collins, King Announce $46,075 in Grant Funding for Newcastle Fire Department

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Newcastle Fire Company will receive a federal grant in the amount of $46,075 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). Specifically, the funding will come through AFG's Operations and Firefighting Safety Program, which provides funding for training, equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to department facilities.

"These grants are a critical resource for so many Maine fire departments, including Newcastle, and the dedicated fire and rescue personnel who serve our communities," Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. "In order for our first responders to perform their duties, it's essential that they have access to the resources they need, such as vehicles, equipment, and proper training,"

Senators Collins, King Announce Additional Watershed Protection Funding for Northern Maine

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will allocate an additional $27,000 in Emergency Watershed Protection Program funds for disaster recovery efforts pursuant to the June 2012 rain storm in northern Maine.

"We are pleased the USDA recognizes the pressing need for federal flood assistance in northern Maine," said Senators Collins and King. "The severe rain storms last June had devastating consequences for northern Penobscot and southern Aroostook Counties. The demands of disaster relief efforts, coupled with the recent economic downturn, have left many of our communities financially exhausted. These additional funds are welcome news and will provide vital assistance that will help these areas continue along what has become a very difficult road to recovery."

The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service oversees the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. The EWP is mandated with responding to natural disaster emergencies by relieving imminent hazards to life and property incurred through floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural phenomena. Conditions that qualify for assistance include: debris-clogged stream channels, undermined and unstable stream banks, jeopardized water control structures and public infrastructures, and wind-borne debris removal.

Collins, King Announce $135,836 in Grant Funding for Augusta and Brownfield Fire Departments

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that two Maine fire departments will receive a combined $135,836 in federal grants from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). Specifically, the funding will come through AFG's Operations and Firefighting Safety Program, which provides funding for training, equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to department facilities.

The Augusta Fire Department will receive $129,029 in funding, and the Brownfield Volunteer Fire Department will receive $6,807 in funding.

"These grants are a critical resource for Maine fire departments and the dedicated fire and rescue personnel who serve our communities," Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. "In order for our first responders to perform their duties, it's essential that they have access to the resources they need, such vehicles, equipment, and proper training,"

"This grant money will be used to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatuses, which will greatly improve firefighter safety and enhance our ability to respond to incidents," said Roger Audette, Chief of the Augusta Fire Department. "Safety is our number one priority, and this program is critical for local tax relief as fire departments across the country struggle to replace, maintain and repair the equipment we need to respond. We thank Senator Susan Collins and Senator Angus King for their commitment to Maine's first responders and responders across this country."

Collins, Udall File Amendment to Include Fresh Potatoes in Nutritional Food Program

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON,DC- U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mark Udall (D-CO) filed an amendment to the Farm Bill that would require all fresh fruits and vegetables, including fresh white potatoes, to be included in the final United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food package. The amendment would allow only fresh, whole, or cut vegetables to be included-vegetables with added sugars, fats, or oils would be prohibited.

Currently, fresh white potatoes are the only fresh fruit or vegetable excluded from the WIC food package, which sends a message to Americans that potatoes are not nutritious. Potatoes' exclusion from the USDA rule went into effect in December 2009 and is based on recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) report, which uses consumption data that is nearly 20 years old. The subsequently published 2010 DGA, however, recommended five to six cups of starchy vegetables per week for women with a daily caloric intake of 1,800-2,400 calories-an increase of two to three cups per week from the 2005 DGA. The amendment would bring the USDA rule for the WIC food package in line to reflect the most recent DGA.

"The potato is a wonderfully nutritious food that is inexpensive, easy to transport, has a long storage life and can be used in a wide array of recipes," Senator Collins said. "It makes perfect sense to include this healthy, locally grown vegetable in the WIC package."

"Access to fruits and vegetables is the cornerstone of a balanced and healthy diet. We need to ensure that Congress does not take any fresh, healthy options off the table for working families and children," Senator Udall said. "That's why I am proud to stand with Coloradans to offer this bipartisan amendment to the 2013 Farm Bill."

Here are nutritional facts about potatoes that are often overlooked:

Potatoes have more potassium than bananas, a food commonly associated with this nutrient.
Potatoes are cholesterol-free, fat-free, and sodium-free, and can be served in countless healthy ways.
A medium baked potato contains 15 percent of the daily recommended value of
dietary fiber, 27 percent of the daily recommended value for vitamin B6, and 28
percent of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C.

The WIC food package is a USDA program designed to provide supplemental foods designed to meet the special nutritional needs of low-income pregnant, breast feeding, non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and infants and children up to five years of age who are at nutritional risk.

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Create Prescription Drug Take-Back System for Vets

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:00:01 EST

Bill would help address the epidemic of servicemember and veteran suicides...

Addressing Critical Lyme Disease Drug Shortage

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the summer tick season approaches, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) are calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action to reduce the shortage of Doxycycline, a critical drug used to treat infectious diseases such as Lyme disease. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, the senators urged the FDA to take all necessary steps to alleviate the shortage, especially as Lyme disease is most commonly contracted during May and June during peak tick season. Last year, Klobuchar and Collins' bipartisan provisions to help prevent and improve responses to drug shortages were signed into law. The provisions require companies to give early warning notification to the FDA of any factor that may result in a drug shortage.

"According to our state epidemiologist, the number of Maine residents diagnosed with Lyme disease continues to increase each year," said Senator Collins. "The antibiotic Doxycycline is critically important for treating these patients, and it's imperative that the FDA do all it can to help alleviate this shortage."

"As summer approaches, hospitals and doctors need to be ready to treat the rise in Lyme Disease cases," Klobuchar said. "The FDA needs to do everything in their power to make sure patients and doctors have access to the medication they need."

Both Maine and Minnesota have high incidences of tick-borne illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2011, 96 percent of Lyme disease cases were reported from 13 states, including Minnesota and Maine. Nationally, almost 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported, making it the sixth most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States.

Klobuchar and Collins have long fought to prevent drug shortages to help protect patients and save lives. The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, signed into law last year, includes a bipartisan drug shortages agreement that Klobuchar and Collins helped forge that will require prescription drug manufacturers to give early notification to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of any incident that would likely result in a drug shortage. The bill also contained the Senators' provisions directing the FDA to expedite inspections and reviews of manufacturing sites or new products that could be helpful in addressing a drug shortage, and require the FDA to keep detailed records of previous drug shortages and the actions taken to prevent them.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dr. Margaret Hamburg

Commissioner

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

10903 New Hampshire Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20993

Dear Dr. Hamburg,

We write to you today to express our strong concern about the ongoing shortage of Doxycycline and the implications this shortage may have for our constituents. We urge you to ensure you are using all resources at your disposal to alleviate this shortage as soon as possible.

As you know, Doxycycline is an oral antibiotic commonly used to treat a variety of infections, including Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a tick borne illness that can cause headache, fever, fatigue, Bell's palsy, and rashes at the infection site. It can also cause more severe symptoms like arthritis, joint swelling, numbness or tingling, and memory problems. The shortage of Doxycycline is especially problematic at this time of year because the risk of contracting Lyme disease is greatest in the months of May through July, during peak tick season.

It is also a particularly significant problem in our states, which have a high incidence of tick borne illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2011, 96 percent of Lyme disease cases reported from 13 states, including Minnesota and Maine. Nationally, almost 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported, making it the sixth most commonly reported infectious disease in the U.S.

We are also concerned that this shortage has led to significant price increased prices for Doxycycline, potentially limiting the accessibility of this important treatment to those who need it most. While we understand FDA has no authority to address the pricing of medications, shortages like this can have a severe impact on access to necessary care and underscore the importance of immediate action to ease shortages.

Thank you for your consideration of our concerns and for your substantial efforts thus far to reduce drug shortages of all types.

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Collins, King Introduce Bill to Support Domestic Footwear Manufacturing

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today introduced a bill that would address a serious loophole within the Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition process and support American jobs by requiring DOD to provide initial entry service men and women in the Armed Forces with American-made athletic shoes upon arrival at basic training.

The bill, authored by Senator Collins and co-sponsored by Senator King, would require DOD to treat athletic footwear like every other uniform item, including boots, and ensure that such items are bought from American manufacturers, such as New Balance.

"The President said in his State of the Union address that one of his top priorities is making America a magnet for new jobs and manufacturing. We share this priority," Senator Collins said. "One way we can make that possible without increasing the federal deficit a single dime is to make sure that the athletic footwear purchased every year by entry-level military recruits is manufactured by U.S. companies like New Balance."

"America's athletic footwear manufacturers are highly competitive and can meet the diverse needs of our nation's servicemen and women," Senator King said. "By ensuring that entry-level recruits use U.S.-made athletic footwear, like the Berry Amendment intended, our legislation supports local manufacturing, invests in real jobs for people throughout Maine and across the nation, and ensures that our new servicemen and women have the finest athletic footwear available."

Congress passed the Berry Amendment in 1941 to ensure that American soldiers trained and operated, to the greatest extent possible, with American-made uniforms and equipment. Servicemen and women are provided with dress uniforms, combat uniforms, and physical training (PT) uniforms. These items are standardized "uniform" items determined by the DOD, and for decades, the apparel and footwear for each of these uniforms was American-made as required by law.

However, in 2002 the Army, followed by the Air Force in 2008, altered its acquisition process such that it no longer directly procured American-made athletic footwear for issue to incoming recruits. Instead, military recruits are given an "allowance" and are required to "purchase" athletic footwear thus, in the opinion of DOD, exempting athletic footwear from domestic sourcing requirements because such individual purchases fall below the simplified acquisition threshold.

To correct that change in process, this bill would require that any footwear furnished or provided by cash allowance to members of the Armed Forces upon initial entry in the Armed Forces shall comply with domestic source requirements.

A version of this legislation is also being introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree.

Senator Collins Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Reform Military Justice System to Address Sexual Assaults

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Senate-House Bill Would Create Transformational Change Needed for Real Accountability In Military Justice System by Removing the Chain of Command From Decision Making Over Whether Serious Crimes Are Prosecuted, Also Reforms Article 60 so Commanders Cannot Overturn Jury Verdicts for Serious Crimes

According to DOD Estimates, More Than 26,000 Incidents of Sexual Assault or Unwanted Sexual Contact occurred in 2012; Overall Reports Increased 37%; Sexual Assault Crimes Increased 6% to 3,374 Reports; Only 238 Convictions

Washington D.C. - During a news conference today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with a bipartisan group of their colleagues in the Senate and House, announced new legislation that would reform the military justice system by removing the prosecution of all crimes punishable by one year or more in confinement from the chain of command, except crimes that are uniquely military in nature, such as disobeying orders or going Absent Without Leave. Senators Collins and Gillibrand were joined by survivors of sexual assault in the military, including Jennifer Norris of Rumford, and by representatives from organizations who assist victims of Military Sexual Trauma.

According to the FY2012 SAPRO report released last week by the Defense Department, an estimated 26,000 cases of sexual assault occurred in FY2012, a 37% increase from FY2011. Another report released by the Defense Department late last month showed that more than 1 in 5 female service members reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact while serving in the military.

The Military Justice Improvement Act would for the first time remove the decision whether to take a case to special or general court-martial completely out of the chain of command and give that discretion to experienced military prosecutors for all crimes punishable by one year or more in confinement, except crimes that are uniquely military in nature, such as disobeying orders or going AWOL.

Many of our allied modern militaries have reporting outside of the chain of command, such as Britain, Canada, Israel, Germany, Norway and Australia. For example, the British military has prosecutors making trial decisions for all crimes through the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) within Britain's Ministry of Defense.

The Military Justice Improvement Act would also:

•Codify Secretary Hagel's proposed changes to the UCMJ's Article 60 so that the convening authority may not (a) set aside a guilty finding or (b) change a finding of guilty to a lesser included offense. The legislation further alters Article 60 to require the convening authority to prepare a written justification for any changes made to court-martial sentences.

•Provide the offices of the military chiefs of staff with the authority and discretion to establish courts, empanel juries and choose judges to hear cases (i.e. convening authority).

•This legislation would not amend Article 15. Commanding officers would still be able to order non-judicial punishment for offenses not directed to trial by the prosecutors.

"To be sure, the vast, overwhelming majority of our military personnel are honorable, conscientious, and respectful individuals, not rapists or harassers. It is for their sake that the pattern of covering up, blaming the victim, and failing to provide even the most basic protections that has been all too common for far too long must end," said Senator Collins. "What does it say about us as a people, as the nation, as the foremost military in the world when some of our service members have more to fear from their fellow soldiers than from the enemy? This epidemic of sexual abuse cannot stand. We must ensure that justice is swift and certain to the criminals who have perpetuated these crimes."

Senator Collins spoke about a 2004 Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing during which she questioned military leaders about sexual assault in the military and strongly urged that more must be done to address this crisis. She said while she believes current military leaders are committed to solving the problem, legislation is clearly needed, and this bill is a step in the right direction.

"America is home to the world's best and brightest, brave men and women who join the armed services for all the right reasons - to serve our country, defend all that we hold sacred, and make America's military the best the world has ever known," Senator Gillibrand said. "But too often, these brave men and women find themselves in the fight of their lives not off on some far-away battlefield, but right here on our own soil, within their own ranks and commanding officers, as victims of horrific acts of sexual violence. Our bipartisan bill takes this issue head on by removing decision-making from the chain of command, and giving that discretion to experienced trial counsel with prosecutorial experience where it belongs. That's how we will achieve accountability, justice and fairness."

According to the FY2012 SAPRO report released last week by the Defense Department, an estimated 26,000 cases of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact occurred in FY2012, a 37% increase from FY2011. Meanwhile, overall rates of reporting dropped from 13.5% in 2011 to 9.8% in 2012. In 2011, victims reported 3,192 out of 19,000 incidents, compared to 2012, where victims reported just 3,374 out of 26,000 incidents. While the number of perpetrators convicted of committing a sexual assault increased from 191 in 2011 to 238 in 2012, the conviction rate dropped from 1% in 2011 to 0.9% in 2012.

Of the 3,374 total reports in 2012, 2,558 reports were unrestricted, which means they were actionable. Of those unrestricted reports, 27 percent were for rape, 35 percent were for abusive and wrongful sexual contact, and 28 percent were for aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault. The remaining cases were for aggravated sexual contact, nonconsensual sodomy, indecent assault and attempts to commit those offenses.

Also according to the FY2012 SAPRO report, across the Services, 74% of females and 60% of males perceived one or more barriers to reporting sexual assault. 62% of victims who reported a sexual assault indicated they perceived some form of professional, social, and/or administrative retaliation.

In a separate report released late last month by the Department of Defense, the Health-Related Behaviors Survey of Active Duty Military Personnel for 2011 showed that more than 1 in 5 female service members reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact while serving in the military.

Senators Collins, King React to Defense Department's Decision on Furloughs

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers will not face furloughs, but Senators express disappointment DFAS and National Guard employees will ...

Senator Collins Seeks Answers from Secretary Lew Regarding IRS Abuses

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Susan Collins today sent a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, Jack Lew, expressing deep concern over the reports of abuse of power perpetrated by the Internal Revenue Service, including targeting conservative groups for heightened scrutiny when filing for tax-exempt status, as well as compelling the targeted groups to divulge their membership lists.

“It has been said that the power to tax is the power to destroy,” the letter reads. “The American people cannot and will not tolerate the abuse of that power to erode their most fundamental rights. It is imperative that the Department act decisively to put an immediate end to such abuse, ensure appropriate policies are in place to prevent future such abuses, and give a full accounting to the American people of how such an abuse of power was allowed to occur.”

A copy of the letter can be viewed here. Here is the text of the letter:

Dear Secretary Lew:

I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent revelations of abuse of power by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Last Friday, Lois Lerner, Director of the Exempt Organizations Division at the IRS, admitted that officials within the agency deliberately selected for heightened scrutiny applications for tax-exempt status filed by some conservative groups. According to Ms. Lerner, IRS officials targeted applications that included certain key words associated with conservative viewpoints, such as “tea party” and “patriot.” Media reports indicate that groups critical of the government or that worked to educate the American people about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were also targeted.

A report scheduled for release this week by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) is expected to show that this inappropriate targeting dates back to at least 2010, and came to the attention of senior IRS officials in 2011. Such a timeline, if accurate, would contradict March 2012 testimony by then-IRS Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman in which he told a House Ways and Means subcommittee that such targeting was not taking place.

Also troubling are reports that the IRS sought to compel the targeted groups to divulge their membership lists. Ms. Lerner has admitted that there was no reason for the IRS to have sought this type of information, and that it was not appropriate for the IRS to have done so. Indeed, Section 501(c)(4) organizations are not prohibited from engaging in political advocacy, as Ms. Lerner herself has noted. Thus, the fact that the IRS chose to press these organizations for their membership lists suggests an effort to chill the constitutional rights of speech and association by groups that hold conservative views and that were seeking tax-exempt status. This is reminiscent of the type of state action struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in NAACP v. Alabama (1958). As the Court explained in that case, the disclosure of membership lists sought by the State of Alabama was an impermissible effort to “induce members to withdraw from the Association and dissuade others from joining[.]”

Furthermore, the abuses that are now making headlines appear to be part of a larger pattern of questionable activity by the Administration that seems intended to hinder or chill the expression of views critical of the Administration. Two years ago, for example, the IRS sent letters to donors of conservative 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organizations informing them that the IRS was investigating why they had failed to file gift tax returns reflecting their donations. Similarly, in 2011 the Administration proposed an executive order requiring federal agencies to collect information about the campaign contributions and other political expenditures of potential federal contractors. In response to widespread opposition, the Administration ultimately did not issue the executive order.

Irrespective of whether those singled out were liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat, the targeting of private citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. It has been said that the power to tax is the power to destroy. The American people cannot and will not tolerate the abuse of that power to erode their most fundamental rights. It is imperative that the Department act decisively to put an immediate end to such abuse, ensure appropriate policies are in place to prevent future such abuses, and give a full accounting to the American people of how such an abuse of power was allowed to occur. Toward that end, I ask you to direct the Department to respond expeditiously, and no later than May 27, to the following questions:

1. According to recent press reports on the upcoming TIGTA audit of the IRS’s tax-exempt unit, Lois Lerner, the head of this unit, knew as early as June 2011 about the IRS targeting of certain conservative groups.
  a. How did Ms. Lerner become aware of this activity?
  b. What actions did Ms. Lerner take upon learning of this activity in June 2011?
  c. To whom did she report this activity?
  d. Please describe Ms. Lerner’s chain of command.
  e. What action did her superiors take?
  f. When did her superior act?

2. According to recent press reports, senior officials learned of the targeting of conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status in June 2011.
  a. Which IRS and Treasury officials were aware of the targeting activity at any time during 2010 and/or 2011?
  b. When did these targeting activities begin?
  c. Who made the decision to target these tax-exempt applications for additional scrutiny?
  d. Have these targeting activities stopped?
  e. What processes have been implemented to ensure this type of targeting does not occur in the future?
  f. If such safeguards are not now in place, when will such processes be implemented?

3. Was former Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman or now-Acting Commissioner Steven T. Miller aware that the IRS was targeting conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status for special scrutiny?
a. If so, when did each become aware of this activity?
b. What specific actions did each take in response to this activity?

4. Press reports and statements by the Administration indicate that the IRS’s targeting of conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status was limited to “a few employees” in an IRS office in Cincinnati.
  a. Does this Cincinnati office process all of these tax-exempt applications?
  b. How many employees engaged in this targeting activity?
  c. Who managed the activity of these employees?
  d. Who directed the Cincinnati office to initiate additional screening of these tax-exempt applications?
  e. What personnel actions, if any, have been taken pertaining to the employees involved in the targeting?

5. Were Department officials outside of the IRS or other Administration officials aware that the IRS was targeting conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status for special scrutiny?
  a. Which officials were aware of this activity?
  b. When did these officials become aware of this activity?
  c. What actions did these officials take to discourage or encourage this activity?

6. Some press reports indicate approximately 300 tax-exempt applications were initially flagged for closer scrutiny and 75 were chosen additional scrutiny.
a. Please confirm the number of tax-exempt applications flagged within the IRS for closer scrutiny.
b. Have you queried other parts of the IRS to confirm this number represents the universe of applications flagged for closer scrutiny?

7. Please describe the process for developing criteria to screen these tax-exempt applications in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
a. Who managed the process of developing criteria to screen tax-exempt applications?
b. Who supervised this process?

8. What other key words besides “tea party,” “patriot,” and “9/12” were used to identify tax-exempt applications for additional scrutiny?
  a. How were these key words chosen?
  b. What other words were used?
  c. Who approved the use of these key words?

9. Please describe the process in place (in 2010, 2011, and 2012) once tax-exempt applications were flagged for additional scrutiny.

Thank you for your prompt response.

Collins, King Announce $3.6 Million in EPA Grants to Clean Up Brownfield Sites in Maine

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Funds help protect health and the environment; Revitalize communities...

Collins Authors Bill to Stimulate the Craft Beer Industry

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

American Craft Beer Week is May 13-19...

White House Meeting Addresses Sexual Assault in the Military

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- During a meeting at the White House today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins discussed ways the Administration and Congress can work together to address a troubling increase in the number of sexual assault in the military. In addition to a number of her colleagues, Senator Collins met with Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President and Tina Tchen, Chief of Staff to the First Lady.

Senator Collins, who is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has led bipartisan efforts to reduce the incidence of sexual assault in the military and to strengthen victim protections. Along with former Senator John Kerry, Senator Collins authored the STRONG Act, with Representatives Mike Turner and Niki Tsongas who introduced the House version of the bill, which was designed to implement many of the recommendations made by the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military. As a result of this law, survivors of sexual assault in the military can now seek the assistance of advocates with genuine confidentiality; they now have guaranteed access to a lawyer; and – under a common-sense provision -- they can now request expedited consideration to be transferred far away from the location of their assailant.

Most recently, Senator Collins has announced her intention to work with Representatives Turner and Tsongas to introduce legislation to require the Coast Guard to update its policies to align with the STRONG Act provision ensuring expedited consideration of a transfer request.

“To be sure, the vast, overwhelming majority of our military personnel are honorable, conscientious, and respectful individuals, not rapists or harassers. It is for their sake that the pattern of covering up, blaming the victim, and failing to provide even the most basic protections that has been all too common for far too long must end,” said Senator Collins. “We must continue to work to ensure that no woman or man who joins the military is denied the justice and the protections available to civilians. Ultimately, the military’s policy of zero tolerance for sexual harassment and assault must become a culture of zero tolerance to prevent these crimes from occurring in the first place.”

Senator Collins is also a cosponsor of the Ruth Moore Act, a bill that would make it easier for survivors of military sexual assault to get recognition of service-connected disability from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Because many military sexual assaults go unreported, veterans often experience difficulty meeting the burden of proof when applying for service-connected disability benefits. This bill, introduced in the Senate by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), would make it easier for veterans to qualify for benefits, since it would require the VA to accept the diagnosis of a mental health condition by a mental health professional, along with the veterans’ testimony of an assault having occurred, as sufficient for awarding service-connected disability benefits.

Recently, the Veterans Administration reduced the standard of proof for combat veterans who suffer from PTSD. Senator Collins believes the same standard should be applied to victims of military sexual trauma.

In 2012, Senator Collins was presented the Lauterbach Award from the Service Women’s Action Network for her efforts to reduce the incidence of sexual assault in the military and to strengthen victim protections.

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Collins, Udall Continue Effort to Provide Flexibility to Responsibly Reduce Federal Spending

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Following their successful, bipartisan effort to end long lines at the nation's airports and costly flight delays and protect jobs, Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced today that they will introduce legislation to help ensure that spending reductions currently associated with "sequestration" are done in a more targeted, responsible way.

"Sequestration is dragging our economy into the mud and balancing the budget on the backs of hardworking Americans. This is unacceptable," Udall said. "That's why I am proud to stand with Senator Collins and reintroduce our bipartisan plan to inject some common sense into the necessary business of reducing the federal budget deficit. We need to cut federal spending, but we also need to be smart about it. Our bipartisan plan builds on our successful effort to get our airports running smoothly and commerce flowing again. Congress showed it can work in a bipartisan fashion on one aspect of sequestration. Now it's time to go all in and provide flexibility across the entire federal government rather than move from crisis to crisis."

"I am delighted that we recently were able to come together on a bipartisan bill to provide the Department of Transportation with the flexibility to resolve a serious problem confronting the American traveling public and our economy," Collins said. "We can do more. I am pleased to work with Senator Udall to continue our efforts to allow agency heads more flexibility to set priorities in reducing their budget. We can mitigate the harmful effects of sequestration, protect jobs, and avoid mindless spending cuts that do not distinguish between vital programs and those that should be cut or eliminated."

The Udall-Collins proposal would:

Empower the executive branch to work with Congress and propose the best way to administer what would otherwise be automatic, arbitrary budget cuts required under the Budget Control Act; and,

Ensure Congress has appropriate oversight by requiring that the administration's spending proposal for each department be provided to the Senate and House appropriations committees.

Udall and Collins have been at the forefront of urging Congress and the president to find a bipartisan way to strategically reduce the deficit without balancing the budget on the backs of hardworking Americans and the middle class. In addition to the FAA fix, this is the second bill Udall and Collins have introduced this year to proactively address sequestration.

Their earlier plan would have proactively headed off the problems at our nation's airports last month and given the White House the tools it needed to prevent harmful cuts to housing-assistance programs, education for low-income children and other programs critical to working families.

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Senator Collins' Statement on Senate Passage of Marketplace Fairness Act

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senator Susan Collins released this statement tonight following Senate passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act.

            "The Marketplace Fairness Act would not impose any new tax on online sales, nor would it impose an "Internet tax." It would only help ensure that taxes already owed are paid.

            "Maine, like many states, taxes retail sales. And if you make a purchase over the Internet or from a catalog from an out-of-state retailer, you are supposed to pay sales or "use" taxes on those items. The problem is, right now, it is up to the customers to remit this use tax and most buyers rarely do so.

            "This bill would provide for more efficient collection of these taxes that are already owed. In fact, the National Conference of State Legislatures estimates that these uncollected taxes exceeded $23 billion in 2012 alone. Governor LePage, who supports this bill, suggested to me in a letter that allowing Maine to more effectively collect taxes that are already owed on remote sales could help lower Maine's state income tax rates.

            "I do recognize that some businesses will have to install new software or systems to meet the requirements of this law. That is why I urged the sponsors to include the exemption in the bill so that retailerswith sales of less than a million dollars a year would not have to collect and remit this tax.  In addition, I continue to press for a later effective date to allow more time for covered businesses to come into compliance."

"The bottom line is that brick-and-mortar stores are already required to collect taxes on goods that they sell. This bill will simply help level the playing field for large businesses that sell their products in cyberspace rather than on Main Street."

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U.S. Navy Notifies Sens. Collins & King of Intent to Award Shipbuilding Contracts

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of the Navy today notified U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) that it is pursuing the award of multi-year procurement contracts critical to the work of Bath Iron Works (BIW). The Navy will announce contracts for up to ten DDG-51 destroyers and associated systems for Fiscal Years 2013-2017 by June 4th. BIW is a strong competitor for some of those contracts.

Senator Collins is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, and Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Both senators have worked to help ensure that Congress provides the necessary funding and certainty to enable the Navy to continue building the DDG-51. In their first event together in Maine in February, Senators Collins and King visited BIW to express their strong intention to work together to protect BIW and the jobs of thousands of Mainers.

In March, the Senators advocated for the passage of a Consolidated Continuing appropriations Act to fund the federal government through September 30, 2013, which included a full Defense Appropriations bill to fund the construction of these ships. In December of 2012, Senator Collins supported the passage of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, which granted the Navy the authority to move forward with the five-year contracts.

“This is certainly welcome news for BIW, its dedicated workforce, and for the State of Maine,” said Senator Collins. “These ships would have been in jeopardy if the Navy had been forced to operate under a long-term Continuing Resolution. The fact that the Defense Department is committing to building up to ten DDG-51s over the next five years means a guaranteed opportunity for BIW to compete to build these ships. It provides a much-needed sense of job security for the highly-skilled men and women who work there.”

“I am pleased to learn that the Navy is moving forward with its pursuit of multi-year procurement contracts for DDG-51 destroyers and look forward to the Navy’s announcement next month about the details of the contracts,” said Senator King. “The talented workforce at Bath Iron Works builds some of the best ships in the world, and I have no doubt that they are strong competitors to build a significant number of these vessels.”

Senators Collins, Udall Urge Colleagues to Pass Broader Sequestration Fix as President Signs Bipartisan Bill to Unchain Airports, Protect Jobs

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Flexibility Plan Would Help Housing-Assistance Recipients, Civilian Defense Department Personnel and Improve National Security While Responsibly Reducing Federal Spending...

Collins, King Seek Resolution to Veterans Disability Claims Backlog

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, along with a bipartisan group of 65 other Senators, sent a letter to the White House urging President Obama to take direct action in ending the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims backlog. More than 600,000 veterans across the country are currently stuck in the backlog, with the average wait time of a claim to be processed ranging between 316 and 327 days.

"It is shameful that our courageous veterans who put everything on the line for this country are now being put on hold for the services they need and deserve," Senator Collins said.

"Our nation's veterans answered the call to duty and it's far past time that we respond in kind by finding a way to reduce the unacceptably large backlog of disability claims so they can receive the care they deserve in a timely manner," Senator King said.

"This country must be grateful for the safe homecoming of every single man and woman who has served in harm's way," the letter reads. "Our joy at their return must be reflected in our commitment to helping all who have served. We respectfully ask you and your administration to find a solution that ensures that no veterans are stuck in the VA backlog."

Read the full letter by clicking here.

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Senator Collins Opposes Border Fees at Northern, Southwester Border

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:01 EST

Study of border fee is included in President’s budget request...

Senators Collins, Udall Introduce Bill to Restore Essential FAA Funding; Avoid Further Furloughs and Disruption to Air Travel

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C.-In a bipartisan effort to halt further furloughs of air traffic controllers that are causing delays and massive headaches for the traveling public, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mark Udall (D-CO) today introduced legislation that would provide the Secretary of Transportation the flexibility to avoid further furloughs of essential employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"The Reducing Flight Delays Act" would give the Secretary of Transportation the flexibility to transfer funds into the FAA's operations budget to prevent essential employees, such as air traffic controllers, from being furloughed. This would help reduce flight delays while maintaining a safe and efficient national airspace system. The bill would also direct the Secretary to fully fund and continue operating the Contract Towers Program.

"The challenges the FAA faces this fiscal year are daunting; not only is the agency operating under a continuing resolution but sequestration compounds the problem. It is important that sequestration is implemented in a way that ensures safety and minimizes the impact on the traveling public as well as jobs in the hospitality and airline industries," said Senator Collins, who is Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. "FAA recently announced its plans to achieve savings by implementing furloughs, the closure of contract towers, and the elimination of midnight services, among other cuts. These irresponsible cuts have already caused widespread delays to the air transportation system and are expected to get worse. Our bipartisan bill would restore the funding for these essential programs, and I am pleased that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has said that this is an effective, workable solution."

"Our airports are some of the most important job creators and commerce boosters for Colorado and our nation. Significant flight delays not only hurt travelers across the country, but they hurt our economy. The bipartisan legislation I authored with Sen. Collins will help replace the indiscriminate effects of sequestration and give the U.S. Department of Transportation the flexibility it needs to put air traffic controllers back to work and ensure that these cuts are not a drag on our economy," Udall said. "We need to reduce the deficit and cut federal spending, but we should not allow sequestration to cripple travel, tourism, business and commerce - all critical parts of our ongoing economic recovery."

In recognition that the arbitrary nature of the sequester would result in unacceptable outcomes for constituents, Senators Collins and Udall introduced legislation in March that would have allowed the federal government to propose more targeted cuts while also allowing for appropriate congressional oversight. Adoption of that legislation could have prevented many of the problems being reported including the FAA furlough issue. The bipartisan legislation introduced today provides more narrow flexibility in response to an urgent problem. The bottom line is that providing for a rational level of flexibility to implement the sequester is a commonsense solution which should be adopted without delay.