Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a provision she authored aiming to preserve Northern Maine veterans’ access to health care. Senator Collins is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

Specifically, Senator Collins’ provision directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans who participated in the Access Received Closer to Home (ARCH) pilot maintain continuity of care through the use of provider agreements.

Sen. Susan M. Collins

The effects of military service often do not end with a tour of duty. For some veterans and their families, the journey may extend for a lifetime. For those veterans bearing both the visible and invisible scars of conflict, the transition home is often not easy. Recovery, too, can take decades. Along the way, mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and other family members and friends step in to serve.

Washington, D.C. - In advance of Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement:

“Throughout America, we gather on this solemn day of gratitude. In small towns and big cities, we honor those who gave their all for all of us. We are reminded that freedom is a gift purchased at the greatest possible price.

“From America’s founding to our time, the men and women of our armed forces have written the history of freedom. From generation to generation, they add new and inspiring chapters of valor, devotion to duty, and sacrifice.”

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded $479,155.51 through the State Home Construction Grant Program for a recently completed renovation project at Maine Veterans’ Homes’ Scarborough facility.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin today sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requesting that they include funding for 24 VA medical facility leases in the President’s FY 2018 budget request.

Click HERE for video of Senator Collins at the Appropriations hearing
Note to assignment editors and news directors: Click HERE for high-quality video of Senator Collins at the Appropriations hearing

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King issued this statement following the announcement by the Department of Defense that Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Kyle Milliken, a Falmouth, Maine, native, was killed during an operation against al-Shabaab in Somalia.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin are warning Maine veterans to beware of a scam where imposters attempt to imitate the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) phone line.

Through this scam, a phone line has been set up by an unknown party to potentially mimic the VCP phone line. The imposter phone line may be intended to reach veterans who inadvertently dial the VCP number incorrectly.

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand a successful program that helps those who care for wounded, ill, or injured veterans. The Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act would open the program to veterans of all eras, making resources available to more of the family members and other loved ones who have taken on a caregiver role for veterans.

Washington, D.C. — In recognition of her “unwavering support of veterans, service members and their families,” as well as for “strengthening America through strong national security programs,” Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander Brian Duffy bestowed the 2017 Congressional Award on U.S. Senator Susan Collins today. Both Maine and national members of the VFW attended the ceremony, including Maine Commander Steven SanPedro.

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took action today to exempt critical personnel from the recently announced federal civilian hiring freeze. Previously, U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President-elect Donald Trump considers a 100-day hiring freeze for civilian federal employees, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) today urged him not to include critical personnel from the Department of Veterans Affairs who work to provide care and support to veterans in Maine and across the nation.

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led a bipartisan letter with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) urging that all pending VA medical centers be authorized before Congress adjourns. The issue affects 24 facilities in 15 states, including the proposed Portland community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) lease for which Senator Collins secured funding earlier this year.

Washington, D.C. — In recognition of Veterans Day today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement:

“Like so many, the gratitude I feel for our veterans is steeped in more than history. It also is personal – I am one of the millions of Americans who have the privilege to call a veteran 'Dad.’

“Yesterday, I had the great pleasure to speak at the Rotary Club of Portland’s Veterans Appreciation Luncheon and join them and other Mainers to honor our state’s veterans and thank them for their service.