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Government Funding Bill Passes Senate with Measures Championed by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. – The Senate passed a bipartisan appropriations package that will fund the government at updated levels through the end of September. U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, successfully pushed for a number of provisions that were incorporated in the final bill.

 

“One of Congress’ most important responsibilities is to pass an appropriations bill that sets the government’s priorities for the year while balancing the need for fiscal responsibility,” said Senator Collins.  “This legislation makes significant investments in our future, from strengthening our defense, to providing funding for biomedical research and transportation infrastructure, to supporting public health and economic development programs that will help Americans as we make progress to defeat the pandemic.”

 

The funding bill makes investments in numerous areas and reflects priorities Senator Collins strongly advocated for, such as:

 

Biomedical Research

 

“I have long worked to secure significant investments for biomedical research, which will help us conquer so many diseases that take both an emotional and financial toll,” Senator Collins said. “This funding will help spur important research that is already underway to develop treatments, means of prevention, and cures for diseases that affect nearly every American family.”

 

Biomedical research and public health provisions include: 

 

$42.9 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a $1.25 billion increase.  Over the past six years, Senator Collins has worked to increase funding for NIH by $12.85 billion.

 

 

  • $15 million for the CDC’s continued implementation of the BOLD Act that Senator Collins authored to create a national public health infrastructure to combat Alzheimer’s.

 

  • $2.13 billion for research at the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disorders, a $16.8million increase.

 

  • A total of a $14 million increase for research on Lyme and related tickborne diseases at NIH and CDC.

 

  • $4 million for the implementation of the Tick Act that Senator Collins authored to combat tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease.

 

Opioids

 

“The opioid abuse epidemic is continuing to harm families and communities across Maine,” said Senator Collins.  “This legislation will help alleviate this crisis by providing much-needed resources to boost prevention efforts, expand treatment options, and support law enforcement.”

 

Provisions to fight the opioid crisis include: 

 

  • $4 billion, an increase of $85 million, to combat the opioid abuse crisis, including new flexibility to address stimulant use. 

 

 

Fishing, Agriculture, and Forestry

 

“The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have placed increasing financial pressure on many Mainers, particularly fishermen and lobstermen, farmers, and loggers,” said Senator Collins.  “I have strongly advocated for them to receive COVID-19 emergency relief, and these continued investments in research will help these industries emerge from the current crisis.”

 

Provisions to support Maine fishermen and lobstermen, farmers, and loggers include:

 

  • $2 million for Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank American lobster research priorities.  

 

  • Report language Senator Collins authored encouraging NOAA to work with Canadian and state fisheries officials to develop a cooperative fisheries management plan for the “Gray Zone” surrounding Machias Seal Island to eliminate confusing, contrasting fishing regulations.

 

  • $20 million for the Potato Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, which supports research at UMaine to help potato farmers protect their crops from pests and diseases.

 

  • Report language authored by Senator Collins directing the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to continue partnering with institutions to research lowbush blueberries.

 

  • $32 million for forest products research, including $20 million for advanced manufacturing with bio-based composites, $5 million for mass timber, $5 million for efficient wood heaters, and $2 million for research on forest-based nanocellulose materials. 

 

 

Economic Development

 

“Increasing economic opportunities and promoting job creation in rural communities are among my top priorities,” said Senator Collins.  “The government funding bill includes multiple provisions I championed that will improve the availability of high-speed Internet and invest in projects that position rural areas to achieve long-term growth.”

 

Provisions to support economic development include: 

 

  • $550 million to support rural broadband programs.

 

  • $30 million for the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), which provides grants for projects throughout northern and central Maine, spurring economic and community development. This funding includes $5 million to support rural broadband.  In 2020, NBRC awarded nearly $6 million to projects in Maine.

 

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