The Maine Republican, considered a key swing vote for many Cabinet picks, did not respond to questions about why she thinks Kennedy is qualified for the role despite his history of criticizing vaccines.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Maine, 21 other states get restraining order to halt medical research funding cuts
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the National Institutes of Health directive, which Sen. Susan Collins also opposes, calling it ‘poorly conceived.’
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Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, Politics
Susan Collins heads to Mar-a-Lago with Republican senators to meet with Trump
Maine’s senior senator has been more critical of the Trump administration than most of her Republican colleagues, and will play a key role in any budget deals.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Angus King urges Senate to protect the Constitution, reject Trump budget nominee
While Maine’s independent senator joined Democrats in opposing Russell Vought’s nomination, Sen. Susan Collins voted with her fellow Republicans to confirm him.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Sen. Collins meets with other lawmakers critical of Elon Musk’s moves to cut agencies, workforce
Meanwhile, Sen. Angus King and 7 colleagues sent a letter to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles raising national security concerns about Musk and his team accessing classified and sensitive information.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Maine delegation rejects Trump’s plan to take over Gaza as dangerous, unserious
Sen. Susan Collins doubts the plan would work and says it might be a negotiating tactic, Sen. Angus King says it’s dangerous and Rep. Chellie Pingree calls it sickening and reckless.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Amid a deluge of constituent calls, Maine’s delegation challenges Elon Musk’s authority
Rep. Chellie Pingree says the tech billionaire’s access to sensitive personal information and aggressive efforts to cut federal spending have caused a flood of calls to her office from ‘panic-stricken’ Mainers.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Advocates call for higher taxes on the rich and corporations to balance Maine’s budget
Gov. Janet Mills has warned against such broad-based tax reforms and Republicans have already vowed to oppose any tax increases.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, Politics
Susan Collins will support Tulsi Gabbard as Trump’s director of national intelligence
Gabbard faces confirmation votes this week and still must win over some other Republican senators.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, Politics
Susan Collins questions Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr. at separate confirmation hearings
Sen. Angus King also pressed Tulsi Gabbard, who has been nominated by Trump to oversee national intelligence, on her past support for Edward Snowden, who leaked classified details of U.S. surveillance in 2013.