Susan Collins

Money Moves

Secured 71-29 Senate passage of five-bill package; negotiating DHS reforms through February 13

The House passed H.R. 7148 on February 3 by a narrow 217-214 vote, ending a brief weekend partial shutdown and funding Defense, Labor-HHS-Education, Transportation-HUD, State, and Financial Services through September 30, 2026. However, the Department of Homeland Security funding lapsed on February 13 after negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms collapsed, triggering a second partial shutdown affecting only DHS and its agencies including TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA. The impasse stems from Democratic demands for ICE and CBP reforms—including body cameras, use-of-force codes, and restrictions on roving patrols—following the January 24 fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. President Trump has signaled opposition to some Democratic proposals, particularly requirements that ICE agents remove masks during operations.

Updated Feb 17

Rule Changes

Bipartisan Senate talks collapsed without deal

The House passed a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies on January 8, 2026, by a 230-196 vote, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats after a discharge petition bypassed Speaker Mike Johnson's opposition. The subsidies had expired December 31, 2025, more than doubling premiums for 22 million Americans—92% of marketplace enrollees. A 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 now faces $22,600 more annually in premiums.

Updated Feb 6

Rule Changes

Secured enactment of all remaining FY2026 bills except DHS CR

Congress has not completed all twelve annual spending bills on time since 1996. Fiscal Year 2026 marked a new low with a 43-day shutdown from October to November 2025—the longest in U.S. history—furloughing 900,000 workers and costing $15 billion weekly before resolution. Six bills became law early; the House passed the final package January 23, but Senate modifications over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement concerns triggered a brief partial shutdown starting January 31.

Updated Feb 5

Rule Changes

Led bipartisan negotiations on science funding package

For 80 years, federal science funding enjoyed bipartisan protection. President Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget proposed ending that consensus, calling for cuts of 57% to the National Science Foundation (NSF), 47% to NASA's science programs, and 40% to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Congress said no. On January 30, 2026, Trump signed a spending bill that preserves most science agency budgets—passed by votes of 397-28 in the House and 82-15 in the Senate.

Updated Jan 30

Rule Changes

Co-sponsor of federal SALONS Stories Act

Maryland became the sixth state to require barbers and cosmetologists to complete domestic violence awareness training before renewing their licenses. The one-hour mandate took effect January 1, 2026, turning an estimated 50,000 beauty professionals into potential first responders for abuse victims who may reveal bruises on their necks during routine appointments. The movement reached Congress in February 2025 when bipartisan legislators introduced the SALONS Stories Act, which would provide federal funding incentives for states adopting similar requirements.

Updated Jan 2