Senator Collins & Members of Senate, House Education Committees Request Education Department Take Steps to Assist Students

Senator Collins & Members of Senate, House Education Committees Request Education Department Take Steps to Assist Students While Student Aid Tool Is Unavailable

Letter emphasizes importance of protecting taxpayer and student privacy, expresses concern for students and families unable to use IRS tool for weeks

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, along with Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA), the chair and ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, respectively, and Reps. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Bobby Scott (D-VA), chair and ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, respectively, and other Members of the Senate and House Education committees, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today asking the Department to take action to help alleviate complications for students impacted by the current outage of the Internal Revenue Service’s Data Retrieval Tool (DRT).

“On March 9, 2017, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) and the Internal Revenue

Senator Collins Announces $1 Million For Maine Ferry Service Improvements

Washington D.C - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced yesterday that the U.S. Department of Transportation is releasing $1 million for the Maine State Ferry Service projects that will improve service to Vinalhaven as a result of a new layover berth.  This funding was provided by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, which passed Congress with the strong support of Senator Collins, and was signed into law in 2005.

$650,000 is provided for improvement projects in Rockland, and $350,000 is provided for improvement projects in Swan's Island.

"Maine's ferry services are essential not only for tourism, but also for maintaining year-round communities on our islands," said Senator Collins.  "This investment will help provide critical upgrades to our ferry infrastructure and continue to promote economic development in our island communities."

The Maine State Ferry Service provides service to the islands of North Haven, Vinalhaven, Islesboro, Matinicus, Swan's Island, and Frenchboro.

Senator Collins Commends Maine Native Russell Currier on Securing U.S. Olympic Berth

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins released this statement following the announcement that Russell Currier of Stockholm, Maine had earned a spot on the U.S. team for the 2014 Winter Olympics:

"I am delighted that Russell has achieved his dream of becoming a U.S. Olympic athlete. Russell's successful bid represents the culmination of many years of extraordinary perseverance and dedication. I have known Russell and his family for many years and, along with the rest of the country, I look forward to cheering on Russell and his teammates when they compete in the Winter Games next month."

Currier, a graduate of Caribou High School, secured a place on the U.S. biathlon team by being the top American finisher in three of four qualifying races at the U.S. Biathlon Olympic Trials in Ridnaun, Italy. Currier learned to ski through the Maine Winter Sports Center and is the MWSC's first Olympian to have come entirely through its program.

Senator Collins Announces Hearing to Examine the Effects of HIV/AIDS on Older Americans

Down East AIDS Network Director to Testify in Washington

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Susan Collins, who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, today announced that Kenneth "Kenney" Miller, Executive Director of the Down East AIDS Network (DEAN) is scheduled to testify before a Committee hearing this week titled, "Older Americans: The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS in America." The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18 at 2:00 PM, 562 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Senator Collins, along with the Committee's Chairman, Bill Nelson, will focus on the medical and social challenges associated with an HIV/AIDS population that is aging. Of the 1,654 people living in Maine with a diagnosis of HIV, about 50 percent are over age 50. Mr. Miller is expected to testify about a number of related issues, including the special challenges facing older individuals who live in rural areas.

"Advances in medicine have drastically improved the quality of life, as well as increased the life expectancy of those who are HIV positive and living with AIDS, said Senator Collins. While these are extremely positive developments, we must now look at the changing needs of older patients with the disease, and how we can better meet these needs. I look forward to hearing testimony from Kenney Miller and learning of his experiences as Executive Director of the Down East AIDS Network."

Also scheduled to testify are Dr. Ronald Valdiserri, an official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Carolyn Massey, an HIV patient and activist from Maryland; and Daniel Tietz, Executive Director of the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA).

Senator Collins Announces DFAS Limestone to Receive New Workload

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Susan Collins today announced that DFAS Limestone will begin assuming the Air Force workload from DFAS Europe beginning in October of this year.

"This transfer of work is positive news and will help maintain a steady workload for the men and women at DFAS Limestone," Senator Collins said. "The Department of Defense should continue to examine the feasibility and cost effectiveness of consolidating operations at facilities overseas and bringing that work to existing facilities here in the United States."

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Collins attached legislative report language to the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act that instructed the Department of Defense to evaluate the feasibility and cost-savings that may be realized by closing overseas facilities and consolidating operations of defense agencies, including the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, to existing facilities and installations within the United States.

Senator Collins Introduces Child Care Safety Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins today introduced the Child Care Infant Mortality
Prevention Act, a bill intended to prevent Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) by increasing provider training in sleep practices, first aid, and CPR in the Child Care Development Block Grant. The bipartisan bill, introduced with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), would also require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update and provide training, instructional materials, prevention strategies and other information on safe sleep practices to the public.

"Simple steps can and must be taken to reduce the terrifying and largely preventable tragedy of sudden infant deaths," Senator Collins said. "This bill puts the health and safety of infants at the forefront of child care by ensuring that basic strategies to enhance child safety are adopted and followed by the public and in the child care industry."

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), SUID affects approximately 4,000 infants each year, half of which are due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death for infants aged 1-12 months. In addition, in 2010, 629 of SUID deaths were caused by accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. The Child Care Infant Mortality Prevention Act seeks to eliminate needless SUID deaths by assisting states in improving the overall quality of child care services. The bill also promotes the dissemination of health guidelines and training proposed by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics designed to reduce the risk of SUID.

Senator Collins Introduces New Bill to Support Victims of Fort Hood Shooting

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senator Susan Collins today introduced the Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act, legislation to honor and support the victims of the Nov. 5, 2009 Fort Hood shooting. Sen. Collins was joined in introducing the bill by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Jerry Moran (R-KS). A companion version of the Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. John R. Carter (R-TX 31) and Roger Williams (R-TX 25).

"This attack should rightly be categorized as an act of terrorism, and I believe strongly that service members wounded or killed at Fort Hood, or as a result of a terror attack irrespective of geographic location, are deserving of the same recognition and benefits as their deployed counterparts in combat zones," said Senator Susan Collins, who, when serving as the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, completed an investigation with then-Chairman Senator Joe Lieberman into the shootings

"The wheels of justice have turned too slowly for the victims of the terrorist attack at Fort Hood four years ago. We must direct our attention to the people who deserve it, and that is the victims and their families. As a nation, we have a sacred obligation to take care of them," Sen. Cornyn said.

"This is the additional piece of the actual justice due-beyond the conviction and sentencing of Nidal Hasan.

Senator Collins' Statement on Authorization of Military Force Against Syria

"After much deliberation, I have decided that I cannot support the resolution approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee"

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor in which she voiced her opposition to a resolution approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that would authorize military force in Syria.

"The decision on whether or not to authorize the President of the United States to use the military might of our great country against another nation is the most significant vote that a Senator can cast. The Constitution vests this responsibility in Congress, a duty that rests heavily on the shoulders of each and every Member.

"We are engaged in a serious debate about what the appropriate response should be to the horrific use of chemical weapons by the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad to kill his own people on August 21st. This was not the first use of chemical weapons by Assad. He launched several smaller-scale attacks murdering his citizens, and notably, many, if not all of these, occurred after the President drew his "red line" a year ago.

"It was not until the large-scale August 21st attack of this year, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, that President Obama decided that a military strike against Syria was warranted. The fact is, Assad violated the international convention prohibiting the use of chemical weapons and crossed President Obama's red line many times during the past year.

"Deciding whether or not to grant the President this authority is a difficult decision. I have participated in

Senator Collins Announces $6 Million Infrastructure Investment Grant for Port of Eastport

As top Republican on Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins strongly advocated for funding
Bangor, Maine - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, said today that Anthony Foxx, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), called to tell her that, next week, the Department will announce that the Port of Eastport will receive $6 million in the latest round of National Infrastructure Investments program grant funding, also known as the TIGER program.

"This announcement is great news for a Labor Day weekend because it will mean more jobs and economic opportunity for Mainers," Senator Collins said. "Improving our nation's transportation infrastructure is vital to the safe and efficient movement of freight and people, and it is critical to our economy. The Port of Eastport is significant infrastructure for economic development and job creation in Washington County and the State of Maine. These funds will help build and maintain infrastructure to support our commercial fishing industry while also supporting operations of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and Customs and Border Control."

This funding will support the replacement of the Eastport's current breakwater, which was built to protect the port from wave action. The current breakwater is failing and has led to significant damage to this important port of entry. The new barrier will use composite materials to strengthen its protection. Eastport is an important commercial port of entry and serves as the safe harbor for the vessels of the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Eastport.

"The Eastport Port Authority is extremely pleased to learn that our TIGER application for the Breakwater Rehabilitation has been awarded funding," said Chris Gardner, Executive Director, Eastport Port Authority. "We cannot thank Senator Collins enough for the direct personal attention that she provided to this project from day one through the final days of consideration. We know that without her support, this application would have faced extremely long odds in a very competitive environment. This award, coupled with the continued support of the Maine Department of Transportation, will allow us to see the completion of this invaluable project on behalf of not only the people of Eastport, but the entire region."

"When we start to think about transportation projects, there is one key element that has to be identified before a concept or a design takes place, and that is funding," said MaineDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt. "Senator Susan Collins has been a partner and a leader in securing federal funds that are so critical to projects such as this. Her tireless efforts and constant conversation with the people of Maine about all things transportation is well recognized and greatly appreciated," Bernhardt concluded.

According to the U.S. DOT, it received some 600 applications totaling $9 billion. The Department had only $474 million to allocate in this round of TIGER funding.