Senate Passes Legislation to Reopen Government Championed by Senator Collins

Legislation includes significant wins for Maine

Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Senate passed the legislation authored by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to reopen government by a vote of 60 to 40. The legislation, which includes a continuing resolution and three full-year Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills, now awaits consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Collins led negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as members of the Administration, to reach the deal that passed the Senate today.

The continuing resolution would reopen government immediately, extend funding through January 30^th, and provide back pay to all federal workers, including those who have been working without pay or furloughed.

The measure includes the final FY 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA); Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch appropriations bills. This three-bill package, which originally passed the Senate on August 1^st with overwhelming bipartisan support, would make full-year appropriations available for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Since the beginning of the shutdown, Senator Collins has been urging for the three appropriations bills to be attached to the continuing resolution to reopen government.

"This short-term continuing resolution would reopen government immediately, provide back pay to all federal workers, and fund important federal programs on which many Americans rely. The MilCon-VA bill would provide significant support for Maine's veterans, shipbuilding workforce, and National Guard. By assisting farmers and investing in critical agricultural research and nutrition programs, the Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA bill would support rural communities throughout the state," said Senator Collins. "As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I am delighted with today's accomplishment, and I hope the House of Representatives will pass this legislation quickly so we can put an end to this unnecessary government shutdown."

MilCon-VA Bill Highlights:

Local Projects: $9 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects that support the Maine National Guard and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Power Reliability & Water Resiliency Upgrades: Nearly $228 million for the first increment of Power Reliability & Water Resilience Upgrades at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The project would increase reliability, resiliency, and capacity of electric and water utility systems that support nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear support facilities.

Multi-Mission Drydock #1: Nearly $221 million for the sixth increment of the Multi-Mission Drydock #1 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP): Report language on the SIOP emphasizing its importance and urging the Navy to prioritize the timely funding of public shipyard infrastructure.

GI Bill Apprenticeship Program: Report language driving attention on the underutilization of apprenticeship and on-the-job training under the GI Bill.

Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Bill Highlights:

Local Projects: More than $25 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine, including more than $12 million for fire stations across the state.

PFAS Research: $9 million, an increase of $2 million above the FY 2025 enacted level, for the Center of Excellence for PFAS solutions throughout Agricultural and Food Systems in conjunction with the University of Maine.

Potato Research: Maintains full funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's potato research programs.

Potatoes in School Breakfast: Maintains provision that allows school food authorities to provide potatoes through the School Breakfast Program.

Farm Loss: Includes language directing the Farm Services Agency to provide a report to the Committee on what factors are leading to agricultural production and farm loss in New England, and to include historical and projected data on acreage and crop types.

Neurology Drug Program: $5 million for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Neurology Drug Program to support the development of policies and guidance to keep pace with emerging brain science.

Nutrition: Fully funds nutrition assistance programs that support low-income women, children, and seniors.

Links:

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Act, 2026

Legislative Branch Act, 2026

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