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Susan Collins represents Maine in the U.S. Senate. She is chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Mainers know how fortunate we are to call this place home. What sets our state apart isn’t the rocky coast, pine forests or the rolling potato fields of Aroostook — it’s our people. Our exceptionalism isn’t written in the landscape. You’ll find it in our work ethic and resilience.
In conversations at the grocery store, visiting small businesses and talking to people around the state, I hear your concerns about higher costs for food, housing, health care, energy and child care, and your worry that your children may not be able to afford to build their lives here. That frustration only grows deeper when elected leaders seem more interested in scoring political points than finding solutions. To me, public service has always meant working to solve these problems.
True leaders bring both sides together to seek common ground, not shout the loudest or seek the most social media clicks. I have a proven record of working for you, and I’m running for reelection because my experience, seniority and independence matter. You deserve a voice in Washington who understands our state, listens closely and delivers results.
I have always worked hard to expand access to health care and housing, to cut red tape that stifles innovation and job growth, and to secure funding for safer roads, better schools and universities, and modern facilities and equipment for our firefighters, police and first responders. Investing in our future from farming, fishing and forestry to lifesaving biomedical research is always a priority.
Now, as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have the power and determination to fight even harder for Maine. Last week, we achieved something Congress hasn’t accomplished in years when nearly all the annual federal funding bills that went through our committee were signed into law. This required hard work and long hours, but it will benefit Maine by delivering $425 million, this year, to improve hospitals, fire stations, workforce programs and many other projects. In the past five years, I have secured nearly $1.5 billion in congressionally directed spending that is being invested in more than 650 community projects in all 16 counties.
This reflects my values. I consistently approach issues with an eye toward pragmatic results rather than through the distorting lens of ideology. My record is based on achieving outcomes for Maine and the nation, and that speaks louder than any vague, sweeping campaign promise.
Too many current and aspiring members of Congress think their job is to either be a rubber stamp or a reflexive obstructionist. As the most bipartisan senator, I reject those extreme philosophies. Instead, I routinely partner with members on both sides of the aisle to build consensus on policies aimed at affordability, economic stability and opportunity. Similarly, I have worked with presidents of both parties, supporting them when I believe they are right and opposing when I think their policies are wrong. At times, that independence has earned me disapproval from both sides, but my focus remains on you, not party leaders or online critics.
I believe in this spirit of collaboration for good reason: It works. For example, a law I wrote restored full earned Social Security benefits to tens of thousands of retired Maine teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and other public servants. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I negotiated provided historic funding to build and repair Maine’s roads and bridges. And in the early days of the pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program I wrote was a lifeline to more than 28,000 small Maine businesses, enabling them to keep their doors open and retain the jobs of more than 250,000 Mainers. The list goes on.
We’ve gotten a lot done, but we’re not finished. We need to make health care more affordable and accessible, especially in rural Maine. I have introduced legislation to support small businesses, expand broadband and invest in education and workforce training to help working families.
This year’s election is a choice between leaders committed to uniting Americans or further dividing us. It’s a choice between problem solving or counterproductive confrontation. Both parties need to end the distractions and deliver for the American people. At a time when Washington seems broken and trust is low, Maine needs experienced, steady leadership and a senator committed to the hard work it takes to get things done.
Serving you in the U.S. Senate is the honor of my life, and I will continue to work hard every day to be your strong, independent and effective voice who delivers results for Maine.