Minority News Releases

Currently showing results related to Defense

06.18.24

Senator Collins Presses Top Army Reserve Official on Investigations into Lewiston Shooting

Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At an Appropriations hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the U.S. National Guard and Army Reserves, U.S. Senator Susan Collins questioned Army Reserve Chief Lieutenant General Jody Daniels about the Army’s investigations into the horrific mass shooting that occurred in Lewiston, Maine on October 25, 2023. The killer, Robert Card, was a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army Reserve. During her questions, Senato… Continue Reading

05.15.24

Collins, Graham Call for Answers as Administration Withholds Key Israel Assistance

Washington, D.C. - As the top Republicans of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees overseeing the Departments of Defense and State, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for answers surrounding the Administration’s decision to withhold certain assistance from Israel. Senator Collins is the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Defense Ap… Continue Reading

04.17.24

Collins: “The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery is the gold standard.”

Senator Collins stresses need to maintain readiness of submarines and support public shipyards Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, questioned Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti on efforts to reduce the submarine maintenance backlog and highlighted the r… Continue Reading

04.09.24

Senator Collins Calls for Action on National Security Supplemental, Questions Secretary Kendall on Risks to the Air Force in Budget Request

Opening Remarks: Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Q&A with Secretary of the Air Force Kendall: Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, highlighted the risks the Administration’s request would impose on our national defense. Senator Collins also highlighte… Continue Reading

11.29.23

Senator Collins Calls for Action on Appropriations, Defense Funding Bills

Click HERE to watch. Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, delivered remarks on the Senate floor today to urge action on the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills and warn against the dangers of a year-long continuing resolution. A transcript of Senator Collins’ remarks are as follows: Madam President, I come to the floor to urge action on the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills that fund … Continue Reading

10.31.23

Senator Collins Questions Secretary of State Blinken on Administration’s Position on an Israel Ceasefire

Click HERE to watch Senator Collins’ Q&A with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. Click HERE to download. Washington, D.C. - At an Appropriations Committee hearing today on the President’s national security funding request, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, asked Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to clarify the Administration’s position on an Israel ceasefire. Senator Collins said: Israel has every right t… Continue Reading

10.31.23

Senator Collins Opening Remarks at Hearing on National Security Supplemental Request

Click HERE to watch and HERE to download. Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, delivered the following opening remarks at a full Committee hearing with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the President’s national security supplemental funding request: “Let me begin by expressing my appreciation to Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin for joining us today … Continue Reading

07.27.23

Senate Committee Approves FY24 Defense Appropriations Bill

Bill passes Committee by a vote of 27-1 Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Defense Appropriations Act, providing U.S. military services with the funding needed to deter China and Russia, support service members and their families, and strengthen the defense industrial base. The measure, which was advanced by a bipartisan vote of 27-1, provides $831 billion in funding—an increase of $5.1 billion more than the Pr… Continue Reading

12.22.22

Shelby: Senate Passes FY23 Omnibus Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the final act of the 117th Congress, the Senate has passed (68-29) the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) omnibus appropriations package containing all 12 appropriations measures, as well as $47 billion in emergency funding to support Ukraine's valiant efforts to repulse Russian invaders and bring the conflict to an end and $38 billion in much-needed emergency disaster assistance. The legislation, filed in the Senate, will now move to the House, where a vote on the package is expecte… Continue Reading

12.20.22

Shelby: FY23 Omnibus Package Strengthens National Defense

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) omnibus appropriations package containing all 12 appropriations measures was filed today in the U.S. Senate. In addition to the annual funding bills, the legislation includes $47 billion in emergency funding to support Ukraine's valiant efforts to repulse Russian invaders and bring the conflict to an end. It also includes $38 billion in much-needed emergency disaster assistance. The Senate and House are expected to vote on the package this week p… Continue Reading

09.29.22

Senate Passes Continuing Resolution, Funds Government Through December 16

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today released the following statement regarding Senate passage of the Continuing Resolution to maintain government funding through December 16, 2022: "The Senate has passed a Continuing Resolution ensuring the government will remain open and functioning. Now, with very little time remaining, we must complete the full year appropriations bills. My colleagues must quickly accept a bipartisan framework t… Continue Reading

07.28.22

Shelby: Democrats' Partisan Bills Threaten FY23 Appropriations Process

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today released the following statement regarding Senate Democrats' posting of partisan Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) appropriations bills. "Here we go again. Like last year, Senate Democrats have unveiled partisan appropriations bills that spend billions more than even the Administration's wasteful request. These drafts fail to appropriately allocate resources to our national defense, remove important legacy… Continue Reading

07.20.22

Shelby Statement on Braun Budget Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today released the following statement regarding the upcoming Senate vote on S. Con. Res. 43: "I've long been a champion of balancing the federal budget, but not at the expense of our national defense. Senator Braun's proposal, while well-intentioned, essentially follows the Biden Administration's plans to cut defense spending over the next decade. As the world becomes increasingly dangerous, we need t… Continue Reading

06.14.22

Shelby Highlights Global Security Concerns, Stresses Need for Strong Intelligence Apparatus

05.26.22

Shelby Reviews FY23 Navy, Marine Corps Budget Request

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and its subcommittee on defense, today considered the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) funding request and budget justification for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during a defense appropriations subcommittee hearing.

05.17.22

Shelby Reviews Air Force, Space Force FY23 Funding Request

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and its subcommittee on defense, reviewed the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) funding request and budget justification for the Air Force and Space Force during a defense appropriations subcommittee hearing today. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown Jr., and Chief of Space Operations, General John W. Raymond, testified before the subcommittee.… Continue Reading

05.12.22

Shelby Urges Support for Aid to Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today released a statement in support of H.R.7691, the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022.

05.10.22

Shelby Considers FY23 Budget Request for U.S. Army

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and its subcommittee on defense, today considered the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) funding request and budget justification for the Department of the Army during a defense appropriations subcommittee hearing. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and Army Chief of Staff, General James McConville, testified today during the hearing.

05.03.22

Shelby on FY23 Department of Defense Budget Request

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and its subcommittee on defense, submitted for the record the following prepared remarks for the defense appropriations subcommittee hearing on the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) funding request for the Department of Defense. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, testified today during the hearing. The Vice Chairman's prepared rem… Continue Reading

03.29.22

Shelby Reviews FY23 Defense Health Program Budget Request

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and its subcommittee on defense, today considered the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget request for the Defense Health Program during a defense appropriations subcommittee hearing. The four witnesses who testified in the hearing were Dr. David J. Smith, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; LTG Ronald J. Place, Director of the Defense Health Agency;… Continue Reading

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United States Senate Committee on
APPROPRIATIONS