Susan M. Collins

Mr. President, located on U.S. Route 1 near the 45th parallel and nestled among the forests and rivers of eastern Maine sits the town of East Machias, now celebrating its bicentennial year. Taking its name from the swift-flowing river the Passamaquoddy called ``bad little falls,'' East Machias is known for its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, Colonial history, and warm, small-town community.

East Machias was originally part of the town of Machias that was established as a British Colony. Records of trading posts in East Machias can be found as early as 1633, while the Colony wasn't officially settled until more than a century later, in 1763. In 1765, East Machias' first sawmill was built, launching a rich lumbering and shipbuilding industry which would remain the backbone of the economy for centuries. This industry was driven both by the forests of eastern Maine and the proximity to the Machias River system. These rivers also helped East Machias become a hub for trade and commerce and proved critical to the development of the region following the American Revolutionary War.

A key landmark in East Machias is Washington Academy, a private school founded in 1792. The Academy's classes were originally conducted in Machias, taking place in the legendary Burnham Tavern--the headquarters of the patriots that fought and won the first naval battle of the American Revolution at Machias Bay--and then the Masonic Hall until the first school building was opened in East Machias in 1823. Today, Washington Academy is a high-achieving school that serves the local communities as well as international students from more than 20 countries.

Along with the Washington Academy, East Machias is home to a beautiful historic district, which was officially recognized by the National Park Service in 1973. The area encompasses the centers of the lumber and shipping industries, numerous houses built between 1760 and 1880, and several churches, including the First Congregational Church and the Former Church of the Disciples of Christ. The district also houses the archeological remains of four separate river-powered lumber and grain mills.

Due to its scenic location among the rivers, forests, and coast of eastern Maine, East Machias is a popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts in all seasons. The appeal of East Machias to travelers and Mainers alike are the characteristics of quintessential Maine. It is a pleasure to congratulate the people of East Machias on this 200th anniversary and to wish them all the best in the years to come.

Mr. President, on 9/11, hundreds of firefighters and EMS providers made the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out their duty. Their courage became a defining symbol of American heroism, reminding us that the measure of service is found not in words, but in selfless action. The courage displayed by these first responders inspired millions and reminded us that hope is strongest when we stand together. In those moments of profound uncertainty, neighbors helped neighbors, communities rallied together, and Americans from every walk of life stood united in compassion and resilience.

We also honor the thousands of first responders who labored tirelessly in the days, weeks, and months that followed. Amid smoke, debris, and uncertainty, they searched for survivors, recovered the fallen, comforted grieving families, and helped a wounded nation begin the long process of healing. Many have since faced life-threatening illnesses and chronic health conditions resulting from their service. Their sacrifices did not end when the recovery efforts concluded, and our Nation's obligation to care for them remains as enduring as their commitment to us.

Mr. President, later tonight, my colleagues will be asked to pass the continuing resolution before us to prevent a government shutdown. As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft this stopgap funding measure. The continuing resolution that we produced is bipartisan and is supported by the administration. After three unnecessary lapses in funding during the fiscal year 2026 cycle, putting the possibility of yet another harmful shutdown off the table should be a priority for each and every one of us.

This continuing resolution is straightforward. It continues current government funding levels until December 11, with limited anomalies aimed at avoiding disruptions in crucial government activities and programs. For example, our legislation includes necessary adjustments for programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children--better known as the WIC Program--to address program costs and participation levels. It allows the USDA loan programs to operate uninterrupted for our Nation's farmers. It gives the Department of Housing and Urban Development the resources it needs to maintain housing assistance for thousands of families, and we all know how absolutely critical that is.

This continuing resolution also includes anomalies to prevent construction delays for several classes of U.S. Navy vessels, including the DDG-51s. It

includes language to counter emergent cyber security threats, and it would help Federal law enforcement handle and plan for national security events. The resolution allows the administration immediate access to the full funding amounts for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund and for the Forest Service and Department of the Interior's wildfire suppression efforts. We have only to look at the news to know just how critical those efforts and programs are.

This bipartisan agreement also prevents the Office of Management and Budget from implementing a proposed rule regarding Federal financial assistance--from taking effect for the coming months. I advocated for significant changes to the proposed rule in a July 6 letter to the Agency, citing its potential to politicize the grant-making process and harm small, rural communities; our university, college, and nonprofit laboratories; our hospitals; our families; and biomedical research in general.

There have been nearly 500,000 comments on this proposed rule, the vast majority of them against the changes that are proposed. I don't think that in the time I have been privileged to serve in the Senate, I have ever seen a proposed rule generate that many negative comments.

This CR also gives Congress the time that it needs to continue our work on bipartisan appropriations bills. Last cycle, we were successful in getting 11 out of the 12 bills passed and signed into law. I hope we can do that this time as well, and the additional time the continuing resolution will give us should help bring that about. It is so important that Congress not abrogate its power of the purse--our constitutional responsibility.

Senate passage of this continuing resolution would be a major step toward averting a damaging shutdown that could harm vital programs and throw the lives of Federal workers into disarray. We saw what happened in the shutdowns that occurred during the last cycle that were both unwarranted and unfair to so many of our Federal employees, particularly those who are forced to work without knowing when they would be paid. We cannot allow that to happen again.

I very much appreciate the overwhelming bipartisan vote earlier today of 91 to 6, with 1 person voting ``present,'' to move forward with this legislation. I urge another ``aye'' vote tonight so that we can keep our government open and working for the American people.