In Recognition of Her Outstanding Leadership and Commitment to Improving Education, Senator Collins Receives National PTA Congressional Voice for Children Award
The National Parent Teacher Association honored Senator Susan Collins with the 2017 Congressional Voice for Children Award for her “outstanding leadership and commitment to improving education and advancing issues impacting children’s health and well-being.” Maine PTA President Tracy Walker and Vice President Haley Tripp presented the award to Senator Collins in her Washington, D.C., office. The award is given to only one Senator each year.
“Senator Collins is leading the charge to strengthen public education, ensure children have a healthy environment in which to thrive and learn, and make sure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Laura Bay, president of the National PTA. “We commend her for her leadership and commitment to improving education and being a champion of change for our nation’s youth. We are thrilled to honor her with our 2017 Congressional Voice for Children Award.”
Senator Collins Chairs Hearing on Improving and Financing the Nation’s Infrastructure
At Senator Collins' invitation, Maine DOT Commissioner David Bernhardt testified
America currently faces a backlog of $836 billion in unmet needs for our nation’s highways and bridges, and $100 billion is needed for airport infrastructure projects over the next five years. In Maine, deficient roads are costing motorists $1 billion annually in vehicle damage, congestion delays, and traffic crashes. While some progress has been made to reduce the percentage of bridges that are structurally deficient and functionally obsolete, the percentage of highways rated as “poor” quality has increased, particularly in rural areas.
The need to make additional investments in our transportation network was the subject of a Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee hearing led by Senator Collins, the Chairman of the Committee, titled, “Investing in America: Funding our Nation’s Transportation Infrastructure Needs.” At Senator Collins’ invitation, David Bernhardt, the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation and the President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, testified.
“Working with the new administration, we in Congress have a great deal of work to do in developing an infrastructure package to promote economic development, improve the transport of people and products, and create jobs,” said Senator Collins. “The challenge that we face is finding a way to pay for the much-needed infrastructure spending without increasing taxes on those who are least able to afford them or using budget gimmicks that simply lead to more deficit spending and add to our nation’s ever-growing debt.”
“Transportation matters more today than ever before, not only in Maine, but throughout our country and across the world,” said Commissioner Bernhardt. “Families and businesses depend on a strong transportation infrastructure to keep our state competitive. Smart investment in the maintenance and upgrade of this infrastructure is critical to sustaining a vibrant Maine economy and connecting us to a global economy.”
During the hearing, witnesses discussed new and innovative methods to finance much-needed transportation projects, such as vehicle-miles-travelled user fees, passenger facility charges, public-private partnerships, tolling, and expansion of the TIFIA loan program.
House Passes Defense Bill with Balance of Funding Senator Collins Secured for Additional DDG-51 Likely to Be Built at BIW
 As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Susan Collins successfully secured the remaining $433 million needed for the construction of an additional DDG-51 likely to be built at BIW. The funding was included in the House-passed fiscal year (FY) 2017 Defense funding bill. Assuming this legislation becomes law, the ship will be fully funded, having previously received an initial $1 billion that Senator Collins secured.
“I worked hard to ensure that the FY 2017 Defense funding bill included the recommendations of the Navy to fully fund this Arleigh Burke class destroyer slated to be built at BIW,” said Senator Collins. “With countless threats across the globe, the value and importance of our naval assets to security and stability have never been greater. Destroyers are the workhorses of the Navy, and there is no workforce better positioned to build this DDG-51 than the men and women of BIW. This investment will help to grow the Navy’s combat capabilities at a time when the Navy fleet is in high demand to protect national security interests worldwide and preserve the security and stability of our country.”
The Senate will likely consider the FY 2017 Defense funding bill next month.
Meeting with Maine’s U.S. Senate Youth Program Delegates
 Senator Collins met with Lily Tedford of South Portland and Katie Waeldner of Yarmouth, Maine’s 2017 delegates to the 55th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Lily and Katie were among 102 other students from across the country who were selected to spend a week in Washington, D.C., to learn about the role of the federal government and the importance of our democratic process.
“Lily and Katie are outstanding students who have demonstrated a commendable desire to give back to their communities. I am so pleased that they have been chosen to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate Youth Program,” said Senator Collins. “I have the honor of being the first delegate to the U.S. Senate Youth Program to have been elected to the U.S. Senate. As a senior in high school, this incredible program strengthened my commitment to public service. I am delighted that Lily and Katie will have this opportunity to develop their leadership skills and learn about our legislative process firsthand.”
Bill Introduced by Senators Collins, Murray would Expand Veteran Caregiver Services
Senator Collins and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand a successful program that helps those who care for wounded, ill, or injured veterans. The Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act would open the program to veterans of all eras, making resources available to more of the family members and other loved ones who have taken on a caregiver role for a veteran.
“Our nation’s military caregivers shoulder the everyday responsibilities of providing care to those who suffered the emotional and physical tolls of war. These dedicated individuals make many sacrifices to care for their loved ones, and they deserve our support,” said Senator Collins. “That is why I am pleased to be joining my colleagues in introducing this bill, which will expand access to services for caregivers and help ensure they have the resources they need to care for our veterans.”
To learn more about the legislation, click HERE.
From Senate Floor, Senator Collins Speaks in Support of Her Bill to Increase Access to Home Health Care
As more Americans express their preference to age in place, Senator Collins introduced legislation that will help make independent living less burdensome. The Senior Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act would establish a process to better coordinate the many existing federal home modification programs and provide more consumer-friendly information on how those programs can benefit older Americans. She recently spoke on the Senate floor in support of her bill.
 “Understandably, the vast majority of seniors would prefer to stay in the comfort, security, and privacy of their own homes as they age,” said Senator Collins from the Senate floor. “In addition to allowing seniors to remain near friends, family, and loved ones, home modifications that increase accessibility are also highly cost effective. This bipartisan legislation cuts through the unnecessary complexity that surrounds existing federal programs, helping more seniors to live independently and safely right where they want to be—at home.” By helping older adults take advantage of federal programs to modify their homes, this legislation would achieve the dual goals of helping people age more safely in place and expanding the supply of accessible housing.
Senators Collins, King Introduce Legislation to Encourage Innovation, Support Jobs in Forest Products Industry
Senator Collins and Senator Angus King have teamed up with Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) to reintroduce the Timber Innovation Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that aims to find new and innovative uses for wood as a building material. The legislation would accelerate the research and development of wood for use in construction projects, focusing on the construction of buildings over 85 feet in height “Maine has an abundance of timber and a strong tradition of maintaining sustainable, working forests,” said Senator Collins. “By promoting the research and development necessary to engineer wood for innovative uses in larger construction projects, this legislation would support Maine jobs, particularly in rural parts of the state, and invigorate our forest products industry.” The bipartisan bill is supported by Weyerhaeuser, National Wildlife Federation, and the American Wood Council, in addition to more than 100 other stakeholders. In Maine, the legislation is supported by the Maine Forest Products Council and the University of Maine School of Forest Resources.
At Maine Credit Unions' Luncheon, Senator Collins Discusses Importance of Small Financial Institutions to Maine’s Economy
Senator Collins attended the annual Maine Credit Union League Congressional Luncheon in Washington, D.C. The event was attended by approximately 90 credit union representatives from Maine.
 “In 2016, the Maine credit unions set a new membership high of more than 680,000 Mainers. Maine’s credit unions are characterized by community spirit, and they play a key role in strengthening our state’s economy for both individuals and businesses,” said Senator Collins. “Unfortunately, many credit unions and small community banks have told me that they are devoting so much time to compliance that could be better spent serving their members directly. I remain committed to easing unnecessary burdens on small financial institutions.”
Senator Collins commended the Maine Credit Union League on their efforts to combat scams targeting seniors. She also congratulated John Murphy, the current president of the Maine Credit Union League, on his outstanding leadership of the organization. John, who has been a part of the Maine Credit Union league for four decades and has served as its leader for the past 25 years, plans to retire this summer.
In Case You Missed It: Senator Collins Appeared on CBS “Face the Nation” and NBC "Meet the Press"
In Interview with Yahoo’s Katie Couric, Aging Committee Chairman Susan Collins Highlights Efforts to Fight Scams Targeting Seniors
Click HERE to watch the interview
Meeting with Mainers
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| From top to bottom, left to right: Neal Williams, National Director & ADA Coordinator of New England Paralyzed Veterans of America, of Greenville; Kaylee Blanchard, Terry Blanchard, Jacob Blanchard and Corey Blanchard of Biddeford; Whitney Saunders and Gayle Norton of Ellsworth; Kera Pingree of Portland; and students from Husson University in Bangor |
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