Collins failed to secure even a single dollar of aid for states and municipalities in the GOP bill she supported

 

Yesterday, Senator Susan Collins joined her Republican colleagues to back a stunt coronavirus relief bill that included no funding for struggling state and local governments. With municipalities across Maine facing layoffs, and the state making budget cuts to brace for a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, Collins’ failure to secure the funding they need will have devastating consequences.

 

For months, Senator Collins has known that without more federal relief, Maine communities wouldn’t be able to continue providing essential services through the coronavirus crisis. In May she said, “if we don't provide additional aid, the consequences are going to be massive layoffs and huge reductions in services." And less than a week after that she told the Bangor Daily News, “We’re seeing towns and cities in our state, preparing their budgets, cutting jobs, realizing that firefighters, police officers and school teachers are on the line.” 

 

But Senator Collins failed to secure any aid for state and local governments in her party’s proposal and then left Washington after the Republican Senate again failed to pass anything. It’s now been four months since the Senate has passed any coronavirus aid. 

 

Despite overwhelming bipartisan support among Mainers for more federal aid, Senator Collins backed her party over the needs of Maine communities. Senator Angus King cited the lack of state and local relief as a primary reason he opposed the GOP stunt, but Collins voted with Mitch McConnell for a bill that would have done nothing to keep state and local governments afloat through this crisis.


“Senator Collins failed to secure the relief Maine needs to weather this storm,” said Maine Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Marra. “Instead she backed a phony bill that she can use as a talking point on the campaign trail but did nothing to ensure that communities can continue to provide essential services in the middle of a public health and economic crisis.” 
 

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