WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on May 20, 2026: * * * Sen. Collins Defends Essential Air Service, Urges ATC Relocation Bonuses Cites Bangor Airport's Need for Additional Controllers * At a hearing to review the 2027 budget request for the Department of Transportation, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, stressed the importance of the Essential Air Service program in Maine to Secretary Sean Duffy and ask more PR