October marks the 100th anniversary of Rumford Hospital, and what better way to celebrate than with an investment in the hospital’s emergency department. As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have secured nearly $207 million for projects to support Maine’s hospitals and rural health care through Congressionally Directed Spending, including $6.4 million to renovate, expand, and equip the Rumford Hospital Emergency Department, helping ensure that residents of Rumford and surrounding communities have access to quality emergency care.

It is always wonderful to see young Mainers empowered to pursue their goals. Yesterday in Farmington, I visited the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (CES), where young people are developing the skills to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. In 2022, I secured $250,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to support the development of a youth center at CES that will provide new internship and entrepreneurial opportunities for young Mainers.

I am pleased that the Administration has acted upon our request and will release up to 315,000 barrels of heating oil from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. This release—a 13 percent supply increase for New England—will put downward pressure on home heating oil costs and make a real difference for Mainers as they prepare for winter. collins.senate.gov/newsroom/…

The rising cost of fuel and other inputs has placed significant financial strain on hardworking farmers, fishermen, lobstermen, and their families. After speaking with both the White House and Secretary Rollins, I am pleased to have been assured that Maine fishermen and lobstermen will benefit from the Administration’s new agricultural relief package. I will continue advocating for Maine’s fishermen, lobstermen, and specialty crop growers, who are integral to our state’s heritage, economy, and way of life, to ensure they receive the support they need to overcome these challenges. finance.yahoo.com/markets/ar…

It was great to visit Bucksport today and meet with local leaders to discuss the bright future of the town’s public dock and waterfront. I secured more than $4 million in Congressionally Directed Spending to help transform the seasonal public dock into a year-round community asset, providing greater access to Bucksport’s beautiful waterfront for residents and visitors alike.

A fitting tribute to a remarkable Mainer: Today, I joined the Orrington community to break ground on the new Alan Baker Boat Landing along the Penobscot River. Alan is a dear friend and distinguished journalist, community leader, and public servant who has dedicated his life to serving the people of Maine. I can think of no better tribute to him than a facility named in his honor that will benefit so many people for generations to come. The new landing will provide recreational and emergency responder access to the Penobscot River, helping Orrington and surrounding communities better utilize and enjoy this treasured natural resource. I commend the Town of Orrington and the Greenfield Environmental Trust Group for their work on this project and congratulate everyone involved on reaching this important milestone.

I so enjoyed visiting Sargent Corporation in Orono yesterday to meet with its employee-owners and learn more about the company's work. As a fully employee-owned company, Sargent gives its workers a direct stake in its success, allowing them to share in the financial rewards of their hard work on infrastructure projects throughout Maine. Founded in 1926, Sargent Corporation is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Congratulations to everyone at Sargent on this impressive milestone and thank you for your important contributions to our state!

Great news for northern Maine: MaineDOT has been awarded more than $37 million in federal funding to rehabilitate approximately 90 miles of freight rail in Aroostook County, including in Fort Kent, Madawaska, and Van Buren. As one of the 10 lead negotiators of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I helped secure an additional $5 billion for the CRISI federal rail improvement program that is providing this funding. Additionally, Senator Angus King and I wrote to the Federal Railroad Administration this summer in support of MaineDOT's funding application, highlighting the importance of this rail corridor to northern Maine's forest products and agricultural industries. I know that Aroostook County relies on dependable freight rail to connect local businesses with markets across the country and around the world. This significant federal investment will improve rail safety, support local jobs, and increase railcar capacity to help keep northern Maine's industries competitive for years to come.

I have advocated for a second destroyer to be included in this year’s budget, and I worked with the Administration during its careful review and repeated visits to BIW to verify the ability of the shipyard to construct another ship. bangordailynews.com/2026/10/…

Today’s decision by the Department validates the capacity of Bath Iron Works and the hard work of its highly skilled 6,800 employees who build the best ships in the world. I have advocated for a second destroyer to be included in this year’s budget, and I worked with the Administration during its careful review and repeated visits to BIW to verify the ability of the shipyard to construct another ship while continuing to complete its current workload. This certification will help keep our Navy strong and support BIW as a steady source of good-paying Maine jobs. I will continue to work to ensure our shipbuilders have the resources to meet the Navy’s needs at a time when China is relentlessly expanding its fleet. collins.senate.gov/newsroom/…

I oppose President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on the purchase of diesel from Russia. I was a cosponsor of the Russian sanctions law, which the President recently signed but is now not following.   apnews.com/article/trump-die…

Great to see my friends from the Fryeburg Fire Department today. I’m so thankful for all you do to keep Mainers safe.

I am pleased that $2.8 million in federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program, which I authored last year, will help Penobscot Community Health Care avoid an imminent bankruptcy filing and continue serving patients in the Bangor region. This is welcome news for the thousands of Mainers who rely on PCHC for access to essential health care services. mainepublic.org/health/2026-…