Susan Collins Battles Trump Administration Over Federal Spending Control

Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is contending with the second Trump administration's efforts to expand White House control over federal spending. Since 2025, the administration has bypassed standard spending rules by pausing education funding, proposing steep cuts to the National Institutes of Health, and clawing back previously committed funds. In response, Collins has introduced stricter guardrails in spending bills and intervened with cabinet secretaries to ensure the restoration of funding for the University of Maine System.

Despite these efforts to protect the legislative power of the purse, Collins has faced criticism for supporting a June 10 reconciliation bill. This legislation provided three years of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection without standard oversight. This decision sparked protests in Maine, particularly following an ICE shooting in Biddeford.

These institutional conflicts occur as Budget Director Russell Vought has promised a more partisan approach to federal spending decisions. While Collins worked with Senator Patty Murray to secure timely funding for schools, she faces a challenging reelection bid in Maine, where voters remain divided over her handling of executive overreach.