U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Monday announced that the nonprofit Island Institute will partner with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to address high energy costs, reliability and infrastructure challenges faced by Maine’s island communities. “This partnership will harness Read more…
Sweeping U.S. Olympic reform legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) became law on Oct. 30 with the president’s signature. The bipartisan, bicameral Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020, S. 2330, which Sen. Moran introduced in Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Oct. 28 applauded a proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand Medicare Part B coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). “As the chairman of the Aging Committee, I have Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and 16 other senators joined as original cosponsors of bipartisan legislation that would make the payroll tax deferral optional for both private and public employees. Sen. Collins on Oct. 19 introduced the Protecting Employees from Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) last week led a bipartisan contingent of more than 40 lawmakers in requesting that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) quickly release funds from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Read more…
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) led a bipartisan group of colleagues to request changes to certain hospital reporting requirements published last month by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Specifically, the lawmakers said that they “grave concerns” Read more…
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) should get back to its regular schedule of conducting fisheries research surveys, which have been cancelled since May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and several colleagues. Additionally, Read more…
The U.S. Senate on Oct. 1 unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recognizing October as National Retirement Security Month. “This resolution encourages Americans to take steps toward securing their futures so they are able Read more…
The U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 1 unanimously approved U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran’s (R-KS) bipartisan Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020, which he introduced with cosponsor U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). The bill now heads to Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently led a bipartisan contingent of lawmakers in requesting improved Medicare access to specific bone testing for Americans. “We write to bring your attention to the alarming effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on physicians Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Sept. 23 introduced a bipartisan bill that would create an independent, nonpartisan commission designed to improve the nation’s preparedness and response to future pandemics. “As our nation responds to the current public health and Read more…
U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on Sept. 21 introduced a bipartisan bill that would extend the airline worker Payroll Support Program (PSP) through March 2021 and provide a total of $56 billion in federal assistance. “The Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and a bipartisan group of several colleagues last week urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help prevent American loggers and log haulers from falling through the gaps of the federal government’s COVID-19 economic Read more…
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) last week joined several of his U.S. Senate colleagues in expressing concerns about recent actions by pharmaceutical manufacturers that they say threaten to undermine the role of contract pharmacies in the 340B Drug Pricing Program Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently joined more than 30 of her colleagues in urging leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass bipartisan legislation that would improve mental health care for America’s military veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more…
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) joined several of his Republican colleagues in requesting that Attorney General William Barr provide details about the violence against America’s law enforcement officers. “We know that you and the Justice Department are doing everything you Read more…
A bill proposed by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) that would offset falling revenues for states and communities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic became part of larger emergency relief funding legislation that failed to advance. Sens. Read more…
U.S. Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced a bipartisan bill last week that would authorize COVID-19 pandemic relief funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS). “The United States Postal Service plays a vital role in the Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) led a bipartisan, bicameral contingent of her Maine colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately act on a soon-to-expire presidential memorandum that would provide pandemic-relief funds to the lobster industry, which Read more…
On average, women in the United States face a larger retirement savings gap than men and experience higher poverty rates at older ages, according to a newly released federal report requested by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). “As the chairman Read more…
U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Susan Collins (R-ME) requested that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) remove the Section 301 tariffs that last fall were placed on food and beverage products being imported from the European Union (EU). The tariffs Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), on Aug. 6, introduced a bipartisan bill to expand the availability of medical nutrition therapy services under the Medicare program. Sen. Collins sponsored the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2020, S. 4504, with lead cosponsor Read more…
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved a sweeping, bipartisan Olympic reform bill sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS). “Today’s Senate passage of our Olympic reform legislation marks a critical step towards providing effective safeguards and protections to Olympic, Read more…
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Aug. 3 signed on as a cosponsor to bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Treasury Department to provide grants and other forms of emergency assistance to certain providers of transportation services that have Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) led a bipartisan contingent of her colleagues in requesting that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extend several school meal program waivers for the entire 2020-2021 school year and make additional funds available to schools Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has offered legislation that would provide billions of dollars in additional assistance to the most severely impacted small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Collins cosponsored the Continuing Small Business Recovery and Paycheck Protection Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently requested that a two-year extension and expansion of the medical expense deduction be included in the next COVID-19 federal funding relief package under consideration in Congress. “Expanded and continued certainty for this deduction would Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would authorize $10 billion in emergency economic relief funding grants for America’s bus, motorcoach and passenger ferry industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Maine’s bus and motorcoach companies provide good-paying Read more…
The U.S. Senate on July 2 unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) to designate August 2020 as National Women’s Suffrage Month. Sen. Collins on the same day signed on as the lead original cosponsor Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on July 2 joined a group of Republican senators in introducing the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2020. “This bipartisan legislation addresses some of the most pressing problems in our healthcare system,” Sen. Collins Read more…
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) on July 6 proposed a bipartisan bill to establish a rural postsecondary and economic development grant program toward improving college access and success for America’s rural students. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation, Read more…
U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) joined a bipartisan group of 27 of their colleagues in seeking expanded and permanent Medicare coverage of telehealth services. “Americans have benefited significantly from this expansion of telehealth Read more…
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) recently introduced a bipartisan bill to provide the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) with flexibility in caring for homeless military veterans during a public health emergency. “Without access to some of the most basic Read more…
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) on June 9 led a bipartisan contingent of lawmakers in unveiling legislation to expand telemental health services in America’s rural areas via a newly established federal demonstration program. “Those living in rural areas may live Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on June 3 signed on as a cosponsor of the bipartisan Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act. “In order to make genuine progress toward the American ideal of ensuring that Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently elevated the concerns and questions raised by representatives of America’s potato industry with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the industry, which has more than a billion pounds Read more…
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently commended a notice issued by the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that provides flexibility to American companies using the energy investment tax credit (ITC) and production tax credit (PTC) during the Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) joined Maine’s bipartisan congressional delegation in requesting that the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) change federal guidance that could strain nonprofit groups by forcing them to pay unemployment costs upfront. “We are writing to share Read more…
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) on May 21 joined several colleagues in introducing a bipartisan bill to extend federal COVID-19 relief loans over a longer period of time and allow for some flexibility in where the funds may go for Read more…
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on May 18 unveiled the bipartisan, bicameral State and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Act, which would create a $500 billion COVID-19 recovery fund for states and local communities. “States and local communities Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and a bipartisan contingent of nearly 30 other lawmakers requested information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) about actions the agency is taking to expand the delivery options available to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) joined a bipartisan effort to secure federal support for the nation’s $15 billion motorcoach industry, which is almost at a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Faced with unprecedented travel restrictions, prohibitions on large gatherings, Read more…
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) on May 5 introduced a bipartisan bill that would extend public safety officer death benefits to public safety officers whose death is caused by COVID–19. “As North Carolinians continue staying inside to keep themselves and Read more…
Aquaculture farmers should be eligible for direct relief from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), according to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and her home-state colleagues. “The work that the USDA is doing to assist Read more…
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on April 24 introduced a bipartisan bill that would establish U.S. policy to promote the empowerment of adolescent girls through programming designed to strengthen their participation in civic, political and community activities. “When women Read more…
America’s caregivers for senior citizens should not be overlooked in forthcoming guidelines being set to disburse federal funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), chairman of the Senate Special Committee Read more…
Provisions in the Mitigating Emergency Drug Shortages (MEDS) Act, a bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), became law as part of the nation’s third COVID-19 emergency stimulus package. “At a time when our healthcare system is overburdened Read more…
A shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) could lead to first responders being exposed to COVID-19 and could hamper the ability of America’s emergency personnel to serve on the front lines during the pandemic, according to U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) this week introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure any Peace Corps volunteers evacuated from abroad during the pandemic qualify for unemployment insurance and may continue to serve stateside as part of the AmeriCorps or similar Read more…
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) joined fellow leaders of the congressional Small Business Task Force in urging the U.S. Treasury Department to implement employee payment provisions of the newly signed coronavirus relief package. Specifically, Sen. Collins and U.S. Sens. Marco Read more…