Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that the Senate passed the fiscal year (FY) 2019 THUD appropriations bill she co-authored with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI).  The bill was advanced by a vote of 83-16 and was included in a funding package that would fund the remaining government agencies and avoid another lapse in government spending.  The FY 2019 THUD Appropriations Act will now be considered by the U.S.

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).

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced today that $1,600,000 has been awarded to the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation (SADC) to assist in the construction of a manufacturing food-processing plant in Houlton.  This funding has been awarded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration and is expected to create 17 new jobs in southern Aroostook County.

In January 2015, Rick Zaccaro and Bonnie Washuk, a married couple here in Maine, filed their federal income taxes.  Rick, a retired financial analyst for the Postal Service, checked the status of their return online in early February and learned that they were the victims of identity theft. Someone had filed and claimed a tax refund using their names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. That fraudulent claim was paid by the IRS while their legitimate tax filing, with the refund they were due, was stuck in limbo.