Veterans | Senator Susan Collins

Today, nearly 22 million Americans hold the distinguished title of Veteran, and more than 127,000 of those individuals live in our great State of Maine. As the daughter of a World War II Purple Heart recipient, Senator Collins learned first-hand of the sacrifice that these heroes and their families make to advance the cause of freedom. Fighting on behalf of our nation’s Veterans, Senator Collins has worked to support the needs of Veterans nationwide by protecting access to rural health care, holding the Department of Veterans Affairs accountable in the wake of scandal, and expediting the process for disabled veterans to get the services they need.

Collins, King Join Bipartisan Group in Introducing National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined a bipartisan group in introducing the National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act, legislation that would authorize the Treasury Department to mint coins in honor of the opening of the National Law Enforcement Museum. The museum is dedicated to highlighting and honoring past, present, and future law enforcement officers.

Senators Collins, Markey Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Award Congressional Gold Medal to WWII Ghost Army

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23rd Special Headquarters Troops and the 3133rd Signal Service Company, U.S. Army units that served in World War II and were known as the “Ghost Army.” These units were instrumental to Allied successes at the Battle of the Bulge and the final battles in Italy’s Po Valley. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and eight other Senators are cosponsoring the bill.

Hosting VA Secretary Wilkie in Maine to Focus on Programs that Support Veterans

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Stockholm Native and WWII Veteran Receives American Flag Flown Over U.S. Capitol

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Senator Collins Highlights Military Caregivers’ Need for Respite Care, Calls for Increased Visibility of GI Bill Apprenticeship Programs

Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ Q&A on respite care. Click HERE to download high-resolution video.

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Senator Collins Hosts Veterans Affairs Secretary Wilkie in Maine

Augusta, ME—U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) hosted U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie in Maine today to visit a veteran-owned small business, participate in the groundbreaking for a new veterans residential care facility, and tour an organization that provides housing for homeless veterans. Throughout the day, Senator Collins and Secretary Wilkie met with dozens of Maine veterans and discussed ways to improve veterans services and ensure they are receiving the high-quality health care that they deserve.

Senator Collins Joins Bipartisan Group in Introducing Legislation to Eliminate the Military “Widow’s Tax”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined Senators Doug Jones (D-AL), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Mike Crapo (R-ID) in introducing the Military Widow’s Tax Elimination Act of 2019, a bipartisan bill to end the so-called “Widow’s Tax.” The legislation would repeal the unfair law that prevents as many as 65,000 surviving military spouses nationwide from receiving their full Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) survivor benefits.

Senators Collins, King Push to Ensure Health Benefits for ‘Atomic Veterans’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) have joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues to introduce legislation that would secure health care benefits for “Atomic Veterans” – military personnel exposed to harmful radiation when cleaning nuclear testing sites during the late 1970s.

Senator Collins Meets with Leadership from Maine Veterans’ Homes

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Collins Joins Bipartisan Group in Introducing VA Accountability Legislation

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) joined Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in introducing the VA Provider Accountability Act, legislation that would bring much needed accountability to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Collins, Shaheen Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to National Parks & Federal Lands for Disabled Veterans

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) reintroduced the Wounded Veterans Recreation Act, a bipartisan bill that would make all veterans with service-connected disabilities eligible for a free, lifetime entry to United States national parks and other federal lands.

Senate Unanimously Passes Collins, King Resolution Marking December 15, 2018, as “Wreaths Across America Day”

Washington, D.C. - The Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King designating Saturday, December 15, 2018, as “Wreaths Across America Day.” On December 15, a convoy of volunteers is scheduled to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery to lay Maine-made balsam wreaths at the headstones of American veterans interred there.

Senator Collins Participates in Wreaths Across America Ceremony at U.S. Capitol

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Senator Collins Delivers Remarks at Wreaths Across America Convoy Stop in Ellsworth

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Senators Collins, King Join Group of Senators in Introducing Legislation to Honor WWII Cadet Nurses

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Senator Collins Joins Bipartisan Group in Calling for Inspector General Investigation into VA’s Failure to Pay Veterans Full Benefits

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General investigation into allegations that the VA would not reimburse veterans for misused or underpaid benefits.

In their bipartisan letter to the VA’s Inspector General, the lawmakers ask about how the technical errors occurred, how quickly any reimbursements will be made, and how the VA plans to make sure all benefits will continue to be paid out without interruption.

Senators Elizabeth and Bob Dole Recognize Senator Collins for Advocacy on Behalf of Military Caregivers

Marjorie Pennington, a 2017 Elizabeth Dole Fellow and military caregiver from Kenduskeag, Maine, presented Senator Collins with the award

Collins, King Urge Army Secretary to Create USS Thresher Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in a letter urging Secretary of the Army Mark Esper to consider the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Project to establish a monument honoring the 129 men who perished aboard the USS Thresher, a submarine that sank off the coast of New England on April 10, 1963.

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Maine and Togus: A Proud Record of Honoring and Caring for Our Veterans

Veterans Day is a solemn anniversary, a day set aside not to celebrate victory in a great battle, but to honor the sacrifices that brought peace. The 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 1918 was not marked by the roar of cannon. Rather, it was the moment the guns of the First World War were silenced by courage, devotion to duty, and a commitment to freedom.

Senator Collins Applauds Significant Decline in Veteran Homelessness

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins applauded the findings of a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) study that revealed that the number of veterans experiencing homelessness in 2018 decreased by 5.4 percent since last year. HUD also reported a nearly 10 percent decline among female veterans experiencing homelessness.

Senators Collins, King, and Representative Pingree Announce Nearly $300,000 for USM’s TRIO Veterans Upward Bound Program

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree announced that the University of Southern Maine’s Veterans Upward Bound program has been awarded $275,155 from the U.S. Department of Education.

Senator Collins Receives Distinguished Citizen Award from Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Senator Collins was honored Friday night alongside Secretary of Defense James Mattis, “FOX News Sunday” host Chris Wallace, and comedian Jay Leno

Senator Collins Celebrates Opening of Maine’s first Fisher House at Togus in Augusta

Senators Collins, Manchin Announce Passage of Their Resolution Supporting Purple Heart Day

Click HERE to read the text of the resolution

Senate Advances Funding Bills That Make Important Investments in Veterans Health Care, National Security, and Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. — By a vote of 86-5, the Senate passed a bipartisan appropriations “minibus” today that includes the fiscal year 2019 Energy and Water, Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch funding bills. U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, successfully pushed for a number of provisions that were incorporated into the final bill. The legislation now awaits further consideration by the House of Representatives.

Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $50 Million for Maine Veterans’ Homes in Augusta

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King announced today that the State of Maine will receive nearly $50 million towards a 138-bed nursing home in Augusta that Maine Veterans’ Homes is building that will replace an older facility.

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $860 Million for Veterans Caregiver Support Program

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Appropriations Committee Advances Senator Collins’ Priorities to Improve Rural Veterans’ Access to Health Care Nationwide

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that the Appropriations Committee approved a provision she authored in its report that will ensure continued access to health care for rural veterans nationwide. Senator Collins is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee. The bill, which was advanced unanimously by a vote of 31-0, will now be considered by the full Senate.

Senator Collins Participates in Old Orchard Beach Memorial Day Parade, Delivers Remarks at Ceremony

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Senate Passes Major Veterans Health Reform Legislation

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the passage of the VA MISSION Act, which creates a new Veteran Community Care Program to streamline the delivery of health care and help veterans access care closer to home.

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