Summary
Senator Susan Collins plans to have several Cabinet officials testify about President Trump's budget. She aims to complete the government funding process before the fiscal year ends on September 30. Collins seeks support from Democrats to follow the traditional appropriations process instead of using reconciliation.
Key Facts
- Senator Susan Collins is the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
- She will call members of President Trump's Cabinet to testify next week.
- The fiscal year ends on September 30, and Collins is pushing to fund the government before then.
- Cabinet officials expected to testify include Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
- Collins hopes to finish bill discussions (markups) by June and bring them to vote in July.
- Collins wants bipartisan support for appropriations, as she prefers it over the reconciliation process.
- Senate Republicans are planning a partial reconciliation package for some agencies.
- A previous government funding issue occurred due to a dispute over the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
