Susan Collins

While the two Democrats with the most robust campaigns said they planned to stay in the race, at least one candidate has already dropped out. Meanwhile, the reaction from the political parties in DC highlights the national spotlight on the race for Maine Sen. Susan Collins' seat.

Daira Rodriguez-Smith, who lives in Biddeford, vowed to bring her auditing and financial accountability skills to DC if elected. She is one of eight Democrats — with more potentially coming — hoping to challenge Collins next fall.

The well-known progressive from Vermont also used the event to boost two Democratic candidates for statewide office in Maine: former Senate President Troy Jackson, who is running for governor, and U.S. Senate hopeful Graham Platner.

The Republican chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee made the statement after the Trump administration used a "pocket rescission" to attempt to withhold an additional $5 billion to foreign aid and peacekeeping programs.

The new Capital Center complex features nursing simulation labs as well as a state-of-the-art training facility for UMA's cybersecurity degree program.

The president's comment on social media came two weeks after the Maine Republican opposed his administration's bill to rescind $9 billion that had already been approved by Congress.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who chairs the committee, also highlighted senators' decision to fund several programs for low-income households and students. But Democrats on the committee criticized aspects of the budget bills, including the omission of funding for public broadcasting.

The Republican said the Trump administration has failed to provide critical details about the cuts. But the bill advanced anyway.

Ruby Whitmore of Old Town was one of several young people with Type 1 diabetes who shared their experiences with members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is reviewing the Trump administration's proposed cuts to research programs.

Sen. Susan Collins cast a pivotal vote in pushing Trump's "big beautiful bill" past a key procedural hurdle step over the weekend but said Monday that changes to Medicaid are "problematic."