U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) made it known during a campaign stop in Vassalboro Friday that she intends to seek reelection in 2026 for her sixth term in office.
Despite confirming these intentions, Sen. Collins emphasized that her focus currently remains on the work she does as a member and Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee.
Given the Republican Party’s success in obtaining control of the Senate, Collins indicated that she expects to be made Chair of the Committee next session.
“My primary focus for this year, this upcoming year, is going to be overseeing the appropriations process,” Collins said in an interview with WMTW.
“I fully expect that I will be chair the Appropriations Committee. That will be the first time a Mainer has served as a chairman of the most powerful committee in the Senate in 92 years,” she said. “So we’re overdue.”
Collins has been a member of the Senate since 1997 and became Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee in 2023. From 2015 to 2021, Collins chaired the Senate Aging Committee. Prior to that, she chaired the Senate Homeland Security Committee from 2003 to 2007.
Collins has recently commented on former and President-elect Donald Trump’s (R) picks to fill key roles in the executive branch, directing particular criticism toward the nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz as United States Attorney General.
She described his selection as “shocking” due to the serious allegations against the representative, including sex trafficking and drug use.
Gaetz has never been charged with any crime.
Although appearing hesitant to make any firm characterizations of his nomination, Collins has referred to prior statements made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has been nominated to head up the Department of Health and Human Services.
“I anticipate having ample opportunity to question him and learn more about his views,” she reportedly said to members of the press.
Collins also spoke to the lack of FBI background checks for some nominees, noting that this has been “standard procedure for a very long time,” and she “expects this is what the Senate will want to see.”
With respect to the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — designed to help reduce unnecessary and inefficient government spending — Collins appeared hopeful, especially regarding the involvement of Tesla CEO and majority-owner of X Elon Musk.
“I’m looking forward to hearing the recommendations of this new commission that Elon Musk will be involved with. Coming from the private sector, I’m sure he will have a lot of great ideas for us to consider,” Collins said, according to News Center Maine.
Despite these remarks, Collins has said that it would be premature to take positions on any of the former president’s selection until the confirmation process is underway.
Collins also reiterated her commitment to representing the interests of Mainers, regardless of who occupies the White House, when asked by members of the media how she planned to work with a second Trump administration.
Concerning the possibility of recess appointments — whereby the President can make appointments without Senate confirmations — Collins indicated that she does not believe the Senate will allow this to happen.
“It would be a mistake in most cases to curtail the investigative process and the public hearings because that is the Senate’s Constitutional responsibility,” Collins said, according to WGME.
“Certainly, when we’re talking about cabinet positions, we need to go through the normal process that the Senate carries out, that’s our duty, and I believe that’s what will happen,” she added.
