Sen. Susan Collins

I am shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and valued colleague Lindsey Graham. His legislative skills and ever-present wit will be sorely missed by those of us fortunate enough to have served with him.

For more than four decades, the Moxie Festival has drawn people from near and far to Lisbon for a celebration that is truly one of a kind and uniquely Maine. It was a pleasure to walk in the annual Moxie Day Parade today and see the creativity, enthusiasm, and unmistakable Moxie that make this event such a memorable highlight of the summer.

Congratulations to Clinton Police Department Chief Stanley “Rusty” Bell on his retirement following 47 years of exemplary service to his community. It was an honor to have the opportunity to recognize Rusty’s sacrifice and also celebrate new beginnings at the recent grand opening of Clinton’s new fire station. I thank him for his decades of dedication to law enforcement and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Excellent news: Following my questioning of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) closures in Maine at a recent Appropriations Committee hearing, the Department announced that the centers in Augusta and Bangor will reopen today. This announcement is welcome news for Mainers who rely on this assistance to navigate our tax system. Reopening the TACs in Augusta and Bangor will make an enormous difference for our seniors, rural residents, and other Mainers who should not have to travel hundreds of miles to South Portland simply to get in-person help from the IRS. I appreciate Secretary Bessent’s responsiveness to my concerns and will continue working to better ensure that Mainers have access to the federal services they need and deserve.

Machias has a proud place in America’s Revolutionary story, and it was an honor to join neighbors from across Washington County for this evening’s parade. From the marchers to the spectators lining the route to a great band, this Independence Day celebration showed the pride Downeast Maine takes in our country and in the traditions that bring us together.

It was wonderful to celebrate Independence Day in Eastport today with so many Mainers, the sailors of the USS Lassen, and proud Americans from near and far. Eastport’s Fourth of July celebration is one of Maine’s great traditions and today was a powerful reminder of the patriotism and community spirit that make our state and nation the greatest place to live.

Today, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence and the start of the great American experiment. We recognize the courage of our founders, who 250 years ago risked their lives to create a new nation founded on liberty and justice for all. As we gather with friends and family, let us show thanks to the brave men and women who defend our nation. Happy Independence Day and God bless America.

It was great to kick off a weekend of celebrating America’s 250th birthday at the Tri-Town Parade with residents of Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls. Thank you to the first responders, organizers, and, of course, the many families who came out and made tonight so special!

Click the link below to read more about this funding: collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senat…

Congratulations to the Eastport Port Authority on the approval of its $19.7 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant by the Department of Transportation. These funds, which I advocated for directly to Transportation Secretary Duffy, will be used both to modernize Eastport’s 45-year-old fish pier, which has deteriorated and is at risk of structural failure, and to complete a 97-foot extension of the city’s breakwater. This significant federal investment will strengthen Eastport’s working waterfront, further protect the harbor from storm damage, and support the individuals and businesses who depend on this critical shoreline infrastructure. I was proud to back this funding request for these important improvements, which will make Eastport’s harbor safer, more resilient, and better able to support the local economy for years to come.

Click the link below for an interactive map of the more than 670 local projects across all 16 Maine counties for which I have secured nearly $1.5 billion in funding through appropriations legislation over the past five years: collins.senate.gov/services/fundi…

It was a pleasure to join the Clinton community to cut the ribbon on its new fire station. The new station is a tremendous step forward for public safety in the Dairy Capital of Maine, and it will help ensure that Clinton’s firefighters and EMTs have the space, equipment, and training capacity they need to respond when every second counts. I was proud to secure $2 million through appropriations legislation in 2022 to help make this important project a reality. In the past five years, I have worked to secure nearly $87 million to construct, renovate, or expand 45 outdated public safety facilities in Maine, improving conditions for first responders and strengthening emergency services in communities large and small across our state. Congratulations to the Town of Clinton, Fire Chief Rick Barton, the Clinton Fire Department, town officials, and local supporters who helped bring this project to life. This effort was an outstanding example of community planning and building for the future.

Click the link below for an interactive map of the more than 670 local projects across all 16 Maine counties for which I have secured nearly $1.5 billion in funding through appropriations legislation over the past five years: collins.senate.gov/services/fundi…

Today in Saco, I joined local leaders, residents, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to mark the start of construction on the Camp Ellis Shore Damage Mitigation Project. For generations, severe erosion at Camp Ellis has taken a devastating toll. 38 homes have washed into the sea, the shoreline has receded by approximately 400 feet, and roads have been lost. As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure $750,000 for this design of this project and $23 million to support construction of a new spur jetty and sand replenishment at Camp Ellis. By reducing wave energy generated by the existing north jetty and limiting the loss of sediment from the shoreline, this project will help protect property and restore the beachfront. Thank you to the people of Saco, @CorpsNewEngland, and my delegation colleagues for your partnership in helping make this long-sought solution a reality.

Congratulations to Sappi’s Somerset Mill on 50 years of operation in Skowhegan. This week, I was pleased to present Plant Manager Marty Richard and Sappi North America CEO Mike Haws with a copy of the Congressional Record recognizing this important milestone and the hard work of the employees who have made it possible. In addition to investing $1 billion in the Somerset Mill since 2018, for five decades, Sappi has helped support great jobs, strengthen the economy of Central Maine, and carry forward Maine’s proud paper-making tradition.

Click the link below for an interactive map of the more than 670 local projects across all 16 Maine counties for which I have secured nearly $1.5 billion in funding through appropriations legislation over the past five years: collins.senate.gov/services/fundi…

The Maine MILL tells the story of the men and women whose hard work helped build Lewiston, Auburn, and communities across our state. By transforming the long-vacant Camden Yarns Mill into a modern museum, this project honors Maine’s proud industrial heritage while helping support continued revitalization along the Androscoggin River.   As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure $3 million to help make this project possible. Congratulations to Rachel Ferrante and Rachel Desgrosseilliers, the Maine MILL board, and all who helped bring this remarkable vision to life.

It was wonderful to be in Lewiston today with so many community members and state and local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning, and Labor’s new permanent home.

It was wonderful to meet today with Mainers representing the National Center for Learning Disabilities (@ncldorg). Through empowering parents, transforming schools, and advancing research, the NCLD works to equip individuals with the skills needed to succeed in school, work, and life. Thank you to the NCLD for its tireless advocacy for individuals with learning disabilities in Maine and across the country.