Susan Collins on DOGE and Federal Workers: The Vought Confirmation and Votes on Fired Workers
On February 6, 2025, Maine Senator Susan Collins voted to confirm Russell Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget; three weeks later Vought co-signed the memo directing agencies to prepare large-scale reductions in force under the Department of Government Efficiency workforce initiative. He was confirmed 53 to 47.
On February 20, 2025, Collins voted no on a budget amendment relating to reinstating fired employees at the Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management, days after eight full-time Acadia National Park staff received layoff notices. On June 30, 2025 she voted no on a motion to limit mass firings of federal workers who are veterans.
From January to April 2025, the Portland, Maine metro area had one of the largest proportional losses of federal jobs among big metro areas, 3.9 percent.
Susan Collins's Votes on DOGE Cuts and Fired Federal Workers
- Collins Voted to Confirm Russell Vought, Who Directed the Federal Layoff Plans. On February 6, 2025, Susan Collins voted to confirm Russell Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget; he was confirmed 53 to 47. On February 26, 2025, Vought and the acting personnel director told agency heads to submit plans for large-scale reductions in force, including the number of positions to be cut per agency.
- Collins Voted Against Reinstating Fired Park Service and Forest Service Workers in February 2025. On February 20, 2025, Collins voted no on an amendment to establish a reserve fund relating to reinstating the fired federal employees at the Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management; it failed 48 to 52. The Bangor Daily News reported the same week that eight full-time Acadia National Park staff had received layoff notices.
- Collins Voted Against Limiting Mass Firings of Veterans in Federal Jobs. On June 30, 2025, Collins voted no on Senator Tim Kaine's motion to bar any agency from firing more than 1 percent of its employees, if any were veterans, without a report to Congress 60 days before the firings; it failed 47 to 53. In February 2025 probationary employees at the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta were fired by email, and Maine's AFL-CIO said veterans were among them.
What the DOGE Cuts Susan Collins Enabled Mean for Maine's Federal Workers
- Acadia National Park lost eight full-time staff. Eight full-time Acadia staff received layoff notices in February 2025, the Bangor Daily News reported, part of more than 10,000 federal employees Trump terminated across the government.
- Fired VA workers served Maine veterans. Maine AFL-CIO director Matt Schlobohm said the Togus firings will hurt Maine veterans and undermine the services they rely on.
- Southern Maine lost federal jobs faster than almost any big metro area. The Portland, Maine metro area lost 3.9 percent of its federal jobs from January to April 2025, behind only Baltimore among the 100 largest metro areas.
- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard paused hiring. The Press Herald reported that a temporary recruiting and hiring pause was put in place for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in February 2025, and a shipyard job fair was cancelled.
- Maine's 12,000 federal workers were left without answers. The Bangor Daily News reported that none of Maine's members of Congress had clarity on how many of Maine's 12,000 federal workers were affected by the cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions Susan Collins on DOGE and Federal Workers
What is Susan Collins's record on DOGE and federal workers under Trump?
Susan Collins voted to confirm Russell Vought, who co-signed the February 2025 memo ordering agencies to plan large-scale reductions in force. She voted against reinstating fired Park Service and Forest Service employees in February 2025 and against limiting mass firings of veterans in June 2025, as the Portland, Maine area lost 3.9 percent of its federal jobs in four months.
Did Susan Collins vote to bring back fired national park workers?
No. Susan Collins voted no on February 20, 2025 on a budget amendment relating to reinstating fired Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management employees, which failed 48 to 52.
How did Susan Collins vote on Russell Vought?
Susan Collins voted to confirm Russell Vought as budget director on February 6, 2025, and he was confirmed 53 to 47.
Last updated: 2026-10-28