Mainers’ outrage after the tragic death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford is understandable; blaming Sen. Susan Collins is not.
Critics suggest Sen. Collins approved a $70 billion ICE funding bill without reforms. They claim her position as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee provides the ultimate leverage to implement such reforms. This argument misunderstands our legislative process.
Typically, federal discretionary spending is negotiated in 12 annual appropriations bills. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees coordinate to craft these measures, taking requests from nearly every member of Congress. For FY26, Sen. Collins guided three packages containing 11 of 12 appropriations bills to pass with overwhelming bipartisan support.
The remaining bill funded the Department of Homeland Security. Having previously supported the measure, Senate Democrats blocked final passage, jeopardizing funding for FEMA, TSA and other functions.
Ultimately, ICE and CBP funding were removed from the bill. Nevertheless, the final law, authored by Sen. Collins, included $20 million for expanded use of body-worn cameras, $2 million for deescalation training and a 17% increase in the independent Office of Inspector General’s budget.
A separate budget reconciliation package later passed to fund ICE and CBP. Requiring a simple majority in both chambers, this process operates outside the Appropriations Committee’s jurisdiction. Sen. Collins was only able to vote on final passage. By voting “Yes,” she reaffirmed the work of ICE and CBP beyond immigration enforcement.
Sen. Collins is the pragmatic, measured leader Maine needs in Washington. She knows this process. She gets results. She protects Mainers. She deserves our support.
Eric Calderwood
Richmond