Congress Approves Nearly $9.6 Million for Maine National Guard Secured by Senator Collins
The funding now heads to the President to be signed into law
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $9,574,000 for the Maine National Guard (MEANG) in the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The bill, which was included in legislation that passed the Senate today, now heads to the President to be signed into law.
“The brave men and women of the Maine National Guard are always ready to assist our state and keep residents safe when disaster strikes, playing a critical role in our national security,” said Senator Collins. “This important funding for these three projects will enhance the Maine Guard’s readiness while ensuring modern and safe working environments and reduced maintenance costs. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this funding which will support the Maine Army National Guard Bases in Saco and Bangor.”
“The Maine Army and Air National Guard are community based operational reserve forces employing highly trained, traditional and full time National Guard members supporting the active Army and Air Force around the world. We are grateful to the members of Congress who have supported investments here in Maine that supports modern construction and restoration projects that are more energy efficient, include technological advanced features and improve safety for Maine Airmen and Soldiers and allow us to be -Always Ready, Always There,” said U.S. Army Brigadier General Diane Dunn, Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard and Commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.
Funding for the Maine National Guard is as follows:
- Saco, ME: $7,420,000 to construct a Joint National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop that will support maintenance of combat and tactical vehicles and equipment for MEANG.
- Bangor, ME:
$1,450,000 to support planning and design for the reconstruction of the MEANG light duty ramp, which supports KC-135 parking, fuel cell maintenance, and base requirements.
- Bangor, ME:
$704,000 to support planning and design for the restoration and expansion of the MEANG Whiskey Ramp used to park KC-135 tankers.
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.
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