WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate Appropriations Committee has officially announced subcommittee memberships for the 114th Congress. Senator Susan Collins will serve as Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee in addition to serving on five other subcommittees.
“As Chairman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to advocate for responsible investments to improve our nation’s aging infrastructure. I’ve seen first-hand the positive effects of investing in our ports, railroads, and crumbling roads and bridges, like the Kennebec River Bridge, Memorial Bridge, Martin Memorial Bridge in Rumford, and Sarah Mildred Long Bridge Replacement Projects, to improve safety, boost our economy, and create much-needed jobs. In addition, I will continue to work to ensure that individuals and families have access to affordable and safe housing, including funding to help individuals break the cycle of homelessness.”
Senator Collins will also serve as a member of the powerful Defense; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Agriculture; Energy and Water; and Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittees.
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Responsibilities:
• Defense
In this critical role, Senator Collins will oversee funding for the Department of Defense, and be in a critical position to continue to fight for our nation’s brave servicemen and women, as well as Maine’s military interests including Bath Iron Works, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the Maine Military Authority in Limestone, the Maine Air National Guard base in Bangor, Pratt and Whitney in North Berwick, and many other Maine entities that contribute to our national security.
• Military Construction and Veterans Affairs
As a member of this subcommittee, Senator Collins will have jurisdiction over the budget for military construction, restoration, and modernization within the Department of Defense. This subcommittee also funds the operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs and programs important to veterans and their families.
• Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA
This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the budgets of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Farm Credit Administration among others.
• Energy and Water Development
This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the budgets of the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
• Commerce, Justice, Science
This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the budgets of the Department of Commerce, which includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA).