Chair Collins’ Statement on President’s FY2027 Budget Request

Washington, D.C. - Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2027:

"The President's Budget Request is just that, a request. To compensate for years of underfunding, the Administration proposes to increase defense funding significantly and recognizes the annual appropriations process as the best way to provide additional funds. The request for just one DDG-51, the workhorse of the U.S. Navy, is insufficient to counter the ever-growing Chinese fleet, which now exceeds the size of the American Navy, as well as other global threats.

"While there are some improvements over last year's domestic discretionary budget request, including full support for the Pell Grant program, the request has several shortcomings. For example, the proposal includes unwarranted funding cuts in biomedical research. It would also terminate worthwhile programs like LIHEAP, which helps low-income families and seniors to pay their energy bills during the cold winter and hot summer months, and TRIO, which assists low-income, first-generation students in pursuing higher education. Job Corps, which helps students from troubled backgrounds gain the skills and education they need to enter the workforce, join the military, or pursue higher education, would also be phased out. These are proven programs that I strongly support.

"Another program that is important to rural America's economy is the Essential Air Service program. The Administration is proposing deep cuts in the EAS program.

"After careful review, Congress decisively rejected these particular cuts last year.

"While the Administration proposes a budget, Congress holds the power of the purse. The Senate Appropriations Committee will now hold hearings with cabinet members and agency heads to review these recommendations and to explore other fiscally responsible proposals. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, who too often worked over the last year to impede the appropriations process and shut down federal agencies, will abandon their harmful tactics and work with us to govern responsibly."

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