Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Bill to Fund Transportation and Housing Programs in Maine

Strategic Insights -

The Senate Appropriations Committee has unanimously approved a bill that allocates significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act. The legislation, championed by Sen. Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, aims to strengthen local economies throughout Maine by improving infrastructure and transportation networks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill provides $400 million in defense funding and $99.8 billion in nondefense funding.
  • Sen. Collins secured nearly $135 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine, including $46 million for six MaineDOT projects.
  • The bill allocates $350 million for a competitive rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement program, with Maine guaranteed to receive at least $32.5 million and eligible for up to $55 million.
  • Maine has received over $393 million in BUILD grants since the program's establishment in 2009.
  • The bill includes $143 million for State Maritime Academies (SMAs), of which $115 million is for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels program, benefiting Maine Maritime Academy.
  • The legislation provides $75 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $30 million for the Small Shipyard Grant program, supporting improvements to ports and shipbuilding industries.
  • The bill allocates $4 billion for the Aviation Improvement Program (AIP), including $25 million in discretionary supplemental AIP funding and $25 million for a new rural airport grant program.
  • The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) section of the bill includes $3.1 billion for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and $1.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
  • The bill addresses several barriers to participation, including streamlining environmental reviews and adjusting cost per property caps.

Statistics:

  • $99.8 billion: nondefense funding allocated in the bill.
  • $400 million: defense funding allocated in the bill.
  • $135 million: Congressionally Directed Spending projects allocated for Maine.
  • $46 million: allocated for six MaineDOT projects.
  • $393 million: BUILD grants received by Maine since the program's establishment in 2009.
  • $350 million: competitive rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement program allocation.
  • $32.5 million: guaranteed allocation for Maine in the rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement program.
  • $55 million: potential allocation for Maine in the rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement program.
  • $143 million: allocation for State Maritime Academies (SMAs).
  • $115 million: allocation for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels program.
  • $75 million: Port Infrastructure Development Program allocation.
  • $30 million: Small Shipyard Grant program allocation.
  • $4 billion: Aviation Improvement Program (AIP) allocation.
  • $25 million: discretionary supplemental AIP funding allocation.
  • $25 million: new rural airport grant program allocation.

Sources:

  • "Bill to Fund Key Transportation and Housing Programs in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee." Appropriations Committee. July 24, 2025.