Senator Susan Collins issued this statement on the President’s budget proposal that was released today.
“The President’s budget includes an increase of $3.2 billion, for a total $14.4 billion for shipbuilding. This will enable the DD(X) program and the Navy’s dual-lead ship to stay on track. This funding acknowledges the importance of the DD(X) to our Navy and national security. This funding level also closely reflects the request that I made late last year.
“I am also pleased that the budget proposal includes a $238 million increase for the National Park Service Operating Budget, which would benefit Acadia National Park. In addition, I am pleased that the President included my request for $10 million for the Penobscot River Restoration project.
“In October, I wrote a letter to the President asking him to provide a significant increase in the Pell maximum award. I am pleased that the president's budget recommends raising the maximum Pell award to $4,600, which is an important step forward. Last week, I introduced the Improving Access to Higher Education Act, which would raise the maximum Pell award to $5,100 -- a $1,050 increase over current levels.
“It is also good news that the President is calling for $87 million to speed the approval process for lower cost generic drugs to help lower the cost of prescriptions drugs for seniors
“I am very disappointed, however, in a number of budget requests that will be detrimental to Maine’s low-income children, seniors, and families. For example, the budget proposes a significant cut for LIHEAP funding. The result could be substantially
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less heating assistance available for Maine’s low income families. My hope is that the proposed increase in LIHEAP emergency funding could help meet the inevitable shortfall.
“It is also concerning that the President’s budget proposal does not provide sufficient funding for the SCHIP program that is so critical in helping to ensure that Maine’s low income children have adequate health care. The budget proposes significant cuts in Medicare and Medicaid spending and it makes harmful cuts to the Community Services Block Grants and Community Development Block Grants.
“While it is positive that the budget would increase overall funding for the Title I program, the budget would also flat fund the Head Start program, which is in need of greater funding. It would also eliminate that Educational Technology State Grant program, which has been very beneficial to Maine’s students.”
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