Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins expressed strong concerns about key elements of President Trump’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal, specifically criticizing the defense spending levels and cuts to several domestic programs. In a statement released Friday, Collins said the president’s submission is just one part of the yearly budgeting process and noted that it arrived behind schedule, with many important details still missing.
After an initial review, Collins said she opposes the administration’s suggested freeze on defense funding, arguing it’s inappropriate given the national security threats facing the country. She also objected to reductions and proposed eliminations of certain domestic programs, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), TRIO college-access initiatives, and funding for biomedical research.
She emphasized that, regardless of the administration’s proposal, Congress retains the authority to determine how funds are allocated. “Ultimately, it is Congress that holds the power of the purse,” she stated, pointing to the upcoming series of hearings scheduled by the Appropriations Committee to scrutinize the administration’s plan and evaluate actual funding needs.
In a letter to Collins earlier that day, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said the Trump administration is seeking a 13 percent increase in defense spending, pushing the total defense budget to nearly $1 trillion for fiscal 2026. This increase is expected to be made possible in part by legislation Trump has referred to as the “big, beautiful” bill, which Republicans are actively crafting in Congress.
However, the budget also proposes sharp reductions in nondefense areas, which has sparked bipartisan concerns about its impact on essential services and vulnerable communities.