Senator Susan Collins Faces Scrutiny Over Lack of Investigation into Presidential Actions
Maine Senator Susan Collins, who leads the Senate Appropriations Committee, is under scrutiny for not initiating an investigation into the White House’s actions regarding Iran and the controversial withholding of federal funds.
As the head of the Republican-majority Appropriations Committee, Collins holds significant influence over federal budget management. This committee is tasked with ensuring adherence to congressional budget allocations, giving it the authority to probe any unauthorized spending by the executive branch.
Known as Congress’ “power of the purse,” this oversight role is a crucial check on executive power. Shortly after Collins assumed her leadership role in January 2025, the Trump administration was accused of withholding billions in appropriated funds from various federal agencies, challenging Congress’s budgetary authority. Legal experts argue this may violate the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which limits a president’s power to withhold funds.
Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, remarked, “No other modern president has tried this on such an enormous scale. If allowed to stand, it would enable the president to both seize control over hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds and coerce state and local governments by imposing grant conditions not authorized by Congress.”
The White House is reportedly spending over $1 billion daily on the Iran conflict, without obtaining congressional consent for the war or its financial implications.
This situation has prompted accusations of hypocrisy against Collins. In 2023, during an episode of the Bottom Line podcast, she emphasized the importance of Congress maintaining control over the purse strings, stating, “It’s Congress that controls the power of the purse under the Constitution, and we should not cede all that authority to the executive branch. We should be making a lot of those decisions.”
In a 2024 interview with WGAN radio, she reiterated, “The power of the purse is a constitutional obligation of Congress and, arguably, our most important responsibility as envisioned by the founders of this nation.”
The issue came to a head in July 2025 when both legislative chambers voted on a rescissions bill that canceled funding for some agencies affected by the White House’s fund withholding. The bill passed with only Republican support. Collins did not back the bill and also opposed a proposal that would have mandated its review by her committee.
Recently, Collins also opposed a war powers resolution that sought to compel the White House to either withdraw troops from Iran or secure congressional approval for ongoing military action. Personal financial disclosures reveal that Collins has benefited financially, approximately $25,000, primarily due to investments in oil and gas since the start of the conflict.
As Collins campaigns for a sixth term, her Democratic challenger will be determined in the upcoming June 9 primary election.
