Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $90,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s sexual violence expert witness training program in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault has been a longtime advocate for survivors throughout the State, spearheading programs to prevent and respond to sexual violence,” said Senator Collins. “As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
“Training prosecutors and civil attorneys to effectively use expert witnesses in court cases involving child and adult sexual assault is an essential tool to educate judges and jurors about the common characteristics of sexual violence. It is also vitally important in supporting survivors who are coming forward and sharing their story publicly to seek justice and increase community safety,” said Melissa Martin, Public Policy and Legal Director at Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault would use this funding to facilitate a training program for expert witnesses and attorneys so that they can better serve victims of sexual violence in Maine.
This funding advanced through the markup of the FY24 CJS appropriations bill—an important formal step that a Senate Committee takes to move a bill to the floor for consideration by the full Senate. During a markup, members debate, amend, and vote on whether to advance legislation. It is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
###