Senator Collins’ Statement on President’s Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the President’s budget proposal:

“Every President's budget is subject to significant revision by Congress, and this budget will be no exception.

“I am encouraged that the President’s budget aims to remove the threat of sequestration for our military at a time when our country is facing serious national security challenges around the globe. I have long opposed this indiscriminate, across-the-board approach to cutting spending, which fails to set priorities.

"I was also pleased to see increased funding for lead hazard control programs, which are particularly important for states like Maine, where our housing stock is older and lead poisoning poses an especially dangerous and often unseen threat.

“There are, however, a number of serious problems with this proposed budget.

“I am particularly concerned about the proposed cuts in life-saving biomedical research at the NIH, which threaten to impede the important progress that has been made in our fight to develop treatments, means of prevention, and cures for diseases such as diabetes, ALS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's, our nation's most costly disease.

“At a time when we should also be increasing our investments in our transportation network, this proposal eliminates TIGER grants, which have helped rebuild bridges, highways, freight rail, seaports, and other vital infrastructure projects across the country. In addition to improving safety and efficiency, the TIGER grant program has created and saved much-needed jobs.

"The President’s budget would also eliminate the Community Development Block Grant program, which has helped a number of Maine communities improve their downtowns and expand economic opportunities for people with low- and moderate-incomes.

"The proposed budget slashes funding for HUD by more than 13 percent. These cuts would be especially challenging to implement considering that 84 percent of HUD’s budget is spent on maintaining existing rental assistance for families, seniors, veterans, the disabled, and other vulnerable populations.

“In addition, I am troubled by the proposed reductions for certain education programs, low-income heating assistance and weatherization, clean energy technology, and other programs.

“As the appropriations process moves forward, I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop a revised budget."