SEN. SUSAN COLLINS TAKES ON NEW ROLE AS GOP WRANGLES WITH HOUSE SPEAKER DRAMA
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is about to begin what many are calling one of the most pivotal years of her career. With the new Republican administration stepping in, she becomes the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, one of the most influential roles within the Senate, responsible for controlling budget allocations at the federal level. "This position gives me the opportunity to be the strongest advocate for the people of Maine," Collins shared during an exclusive interview on December 27.
During her past three years on the committee, Collins successfully channeled significant funds to over 500 communities across Maine, and as chair, her influence is set to expand. This year, driven by the Republican victory, both the Senate and the House are under GOP control, and with former President Donald Trump at the helm, considerable budget challenges loom.
Trump, alongside his budget advisor Elon Musk, has indicated intentions to push through drastic reductions to federal spending. Collins, positioned amid this political upheaval, believes the incoming administration will encounter difficulties implementing the proposed cuts. "I don’t see where you would get to this level of spending cuts," Collins said, emphasizing the proportion of the budget classified as discretionary. "Only 27% of the budget is discretionary, it goes through the Appropriations Committee. It does include the entire Department of Defense."
Further complicate matters, Trump has already pledged not to diminish funds for Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. The approval process for budgetary changes may still need to navigate confirmation for the new cabinet appointed by Trump, with Collins poised as one of the few moderate Republicans on this front.
Collins has already conducted meetings with nominees such as Secretary of Defense choice Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard for Homeland Security. One notable inquiry Collins made concerned Gabbard's previous comments about Trump. "I read to her some of the comments she has made about President Trump," Collins recounted. "I asked about her trips to Syria to visit with Assad, which is of concern to me." Putting her cards on the table, Collins implied these issues are ones she must critically assess during confirmation hearings.
Security cuts and threats are also on Collins's radar from international vectors. She has advocated for continued funding of Ukraine to counterbalance perceived aggressive movements from Russia, stating, "I think if Putin prevails in Ukraine, he will not stop there." Collins highlighted apprehensions about Russia's recent maneuvers to block power supplies to Finland from Estonia, referring to them as "a huge cause for worry." With Finland now part of NATO, the stakes have significantly higher for European security.
Lost amid these budget discussions, the opening session of the Congress also awaits. On January 3, the new Congress will convene, with the House Republicans once again preparing for the drama tied to selecting their speaker. The party's slim majority hints at turbulence, especially for the re-nomination of Speaker Mike Johnson — the congressional dynamic mirrors past elections, very chaotic.
This time around, with divisions still palpable following the last election, the contest is shaping to be another chaotic affair. "Like last term — when it took 15 rounds for former GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy to be elected — this contest could well be chaotic due to Republicans’ narrow majority and conservative opposition to current Speaker Mike Johnson," the article noted.
Potential delays loom as Republicans hope to convene by January 6 to certify presidential election results. Fractures within the party are aggravated by departing members, reducing the GOP’s available votes significantly — Johnson must secure complicated majority support as many Republicans are hesitant to commit.
Already, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has publicly dismissed Johnson's support, and others have remained non-committal. Encouragingly, reports have emerged of Johnson securing Trump’s endorsement and Musk’s backing, yet whether these efforts will hold water with Johnson’s opponents remains undetermined. Such dissent points to underlying frustrations within the party about leadership and legislative transparency during major discussions.
Should the House struggle to elect a speaker by January 6, procedural chaos over certifying the election could ensue, reminiscent of the protracted battle witnessed last January. Professor Sarah Binder from George Washington University remarked on the tenuous nature of these proceedings — "A failure to elect could delay the certification and force lawmakers to explore unprecedented alternatives, like electing a temporary speaker."
Within this political backdrop, what were once straightforward issues are increasingly complex. Party fractures, budget negotiations, and the pressing ethos of Trump’s leadership all sway handicap decisions moving forward. Collins herself acknowledged these fears, recognizing, "We live in a dangerous world," emphasizing the urgency represented by security and appropriations alike.
Future debates also loom large for Republicans, with policy agendas and the demands posed on individual lawmakers being fragile at best. Binder stated, “The stakes are higher for them now because they’ve got Trump in the White House, and they have a policy agenda.” Navigational challenges abound as the GOP embarks on their new chapter with leadership potentially setting the tone for the early years of this administration.
The convergence of Senate and House leadership dynamics will be pivotal as the GOP maneuvers their objectives against the backdrop of divisive partisanship; the next months are poised to be defining for the party as it seeks to grasp control during Trump's administration.